Indifference

How big a part does age play in the continued belief of religion? Would Christianity still be around if we didn't brainwash our children at such an early age? It's hard for me to say, because I was raised in a Christian home, but somehow escaped the cluches. Granted... it took awhile. But i did. Thank Dog!
It's sad though. Everytime I hear someone talk about God, i feel like I need to apologize for our specie's gullibility.

[ April 18, 2002: Message edited by: Indifference ]</p>

Undercurrent

I'm sure christianity would still be around, but it would be in the same state as new-age mysticism is now.

There's a reason why parents take their babies to church, and it isn't because they think that a two-month-old will put a great deal of rational thought into the sermon.

(Think of that next time we are told that people "naturally" know there is a god.)

m.

Indifference

Think about it though...
Find a grown man who has never heard of any religion whatsoever. Will he be easier to convert than the child who still believes in santaclaus?

It's a vicious cycle- man teaches child, child grows into man, man has child, man teaches child.

When will it end and how do we stop it?

Samhain

Education is the only way to break the bonds of ignorant superstitions. We must teach them before we allow them to believe. Believing in something without examining and scrutinizing the information in an objective sense is wholly absurd. Until theists realize this we are doomed to hold religion until we can prove, absolutely, that there is no god.

[ April 18, 2002: Message edited by: Samhain ]</p>

The Resistance

Hey, i didn't have to go to church until I was 7. Think that might of been a factor in my leaving Catholicism 10 yrs later.

cloudyphiz

indoctrination is key to the success of the xianity meme; i seriously doubt that it could survive without it.

case in point: the shakers. they made some great furniture, but they didn't procreate. now, they're gone.

-gary

GunnerJ

Putting on ym Jebus' advocate hat here... can you show how education is different from indoctrination?

chekmate

Just a question... If a child is made to go to church until he is 8 or so, then has the choice of whether or not to go from then on, is he likely to have become dependent on it by then?

Hans

Education can be different from indoctrination. Education can be used as a tool to teach one how to learn, question, and examine everything. Even ones own education would then become subject to the product of the education.

Deistic Religious Indoctrination seems to involve a principle where what is being taught is true regardless of examination.

It is my opinion that beyond the 3 R's of elementary education, teaching our children how to learn, question, and examine is the most valuable lesson we can give them.

But Education and Indoctrination are one and the same by some definitions. They both imply teaching. I guess it's what is being taught that makes the difference.

Godless Dave

Indoctrination:

Teacher: "X is true."

Student: "But what about Y and Z?"

Teacher: "Don't ask questions! Just believe it!"


Education:

Teacher: "X is true."

Student: "But what about Y and Z?"

Teacher: "Good question! What do you think?"