One of the good points that Richard Dawkins makes in his sometimes strident THE GOD DELUSION is that, while there may be something to be said for exposing small children to religion (heck–even my own children were exposed, thanks to their mother), it is probably mental abuse to indoctrinate them in the beliefs of the parents. I’ve said it before here: statistically, 11 out of 12 children merely adhere to the religion of their parents, even though most of them thus make the wrong decision (in that every existing religion represents a minority of humanity)–and which wrong decision, according to many of these religions, then damns these parentally-deluded and otherwise innocent children to Hell or wherever. Such a shame.
I don’t know how you could watch the documentary JESUS CAMP and not be very, very disturbed by it. It is a true story of conservative Evangelicals who unapologetically indoctrinate their children by putting them into summer camp and then put them through a program of “what to think”. There are some bright and enthusiastic children in this movie, and your heart just goes out to them. Parallels with the militant indoctrination of children in other faiths come to mind, and is even used as an “excuse” by the adult Evangelicals for their actions.
And we get an amusing little cameo by Pastor Ted who rails against homosexuality–this was filmed before his Fall From Grace.
See this movie. Lets all teach our children to think for themselves and to always question authority. Okay?
In the words of the wise old philosopher Pink Floyd, ”…Leave them kids alone!”
[Update: This is nothing new, I guess. I forgot all about the Children’s Crusade of the 1200’s]
I’m not sure if I understand the real point you are trying to make here.
Regarding inference of a one true religion …
I’m not so sure that it was God’s (and for that matter Mohammad’s, Jesus’, Abraham’s, Buda’s, …) intent that there be a one true religion. My guess is that this concept is man-made and man-governed. Given this, your observation that “in that every existing religion represents a minority of humanity” could be taken as an obvious (SIC) and meaningless mathematical conclusion.
Regarding inferrence about parential influence and abuse …
Okay … again obvious and fundamental. Is there a hidden recommendation that babies be usurped from their parents at birth and given to the “one true” knowledge giver? No doubt that some parents do abuse their perceptions of God’s intents regarding religious beliefs and actions. But, most likely, no more so than anything else by anyone else. Again, just tossing around concepts, but I would suspect that vastly more good has been done than bad. And, when those children grow up (especially the educated smart ones), do they not have a personal responsibility to think things out on their own. Goodness, if the parental influence had been that strong as to negate this potential … should we not be more concerned for the inability of the child become adult to mature and put things into a reasonable perspective versus the whole “sins of our father’s thing”? Kind of like putting yourself on the mercy of the court for killing your parents and asking for indulgance because you’re an orphan. I do agree that discussions regarding religious philosophy should be openly encouraged by parents. In that light though for the religious realm, is not such a strongly given parential endourcement of openness very much equal to a specific closed minded (e.g., one true religion) foundation?
Regarding inferrence about Christianity …
Again only found to be interesting because of the preponderance of “Jesus” reasoning process versus that of other historical and contemporary religious figures. Is it Christianity we are bashing here or the concept of religion in general?
Regarding being disturbed …
Is there no topic that we could research to the point of being not disturbed?
Regarding documentaries …
Is there any other noble purpose than to make some money, hope the concept catches on for at least a short time, and then, make more money?
And finally, regarding Pink Floyd …
I don’t think that there is a religious following of David Gilmour. But if there was, would we be happy with his historic gospel such as those from the Darkside of the Moon …
In the circles I’ve been running,
I’ve covered many miles.
And I could search forever,
For what’s right before my eyes
Just when I thought I’d found it,
It was nothing like I planned.
And when I got my heart around it,
It slipped right through my hands.
Here with you, I feel it.
Close my eyes and I see it.
Comment by Rich — December 18, 2006 @ 11:48 am
Rich, my point is that I agree with Dawkins that parents do their children a disservice by essentially choosing their children’s religion for them–just as most children do the One True God a disservice by listening to their parents rather than, somehow, figuring out which of the several putative gods is the One True One…
“Mathematically”, most parents are damning their children to Hell by indoctrinating them to worship one of the false gods. Tsk. Tsk. Only a lucky few children are schooled by their parents in the way of the One True God–whoever that is or isn’t. (Hint: it’s not necessarily the one winning the Gallup Poll of Gods in your parents’ particular community).
The movie JESUS CAMP portrays a particularly reprehensible, in my opinion, example of going too far–of actual indoctrination, as opposed to exposure.
I’m not just bashing Christianity. I would be concerned by a movie entitled JIHAD CAMP, where the children were taught to hate other religions and prepare them for a Holy War. Likewise, with DEMOCRAT CAMP or REPUBLICAN CAMP. It is one thing to “guide” our children, another to tell them what to think.
Comment by Jerry — December 18, 2006 @ 8:12 pm
Children follow their parents in careers, politics, religion, hobbies, and speach patterns. It is as it should be. Some parents are totally involved with their kids - controlling - and some totally ignore their kids. I think this is good and Darwinian. There’s no evolution without diversity. Let the jihadists and Jesus camps continue unabated. The survivors will be stronger and smarter.
Comment by Clark — December 18, 2006 @ 9:54 pm
Is this the rebelling-against-my-parents Clark that I know and love?
As a fellow Darwinian, doesn’t indoctrination of children discourage diversity? Isn’t it better if the apple falls FAR from the tree?
Clark, have you read Dawkins’s other books on evolution, etc.?
Comment by jerry — December 19, 2006 @ 4:30 pm