[–] PonchoKitty 1 point 1 point 2 points (+2|-1) ago
taught to young children
wrong, religion and education i.e. science are both taught to children at first. and can be learned at any time.
discouraged from doubting
i think a better word would be questioned, which is actually encouraged. If you think of an argument against your faith you are encouraged to ponder it.
Threatened with hell if you don't believe
Scientology; get to do what ever you want if you don't believe.
[–] VIP740 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
This doesn't match my experience.
Children are taught to listen only to credible scientists. Told to rely on evidence processed by experts, but not accessible to laymen. Encouraged to doubt privately funded science, but to accept the conclusions of government research, (it may be challenged by government approved experts at a later time though). I'll grant the Nobel prize in science still has some merit, though even that prize has its brushes with controversy.
While religion may be taught as described, it's generally far more nuanced. This is not how I'd describe my experience from a Methodist church.
[–] pangaea [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
So should kids be able to reject their parents religion then?
[–] VIP740 ago
There are a number of religions where children aren't initiated until they come of age. I think infant baptism is silly. Circumcision and female genital mutilation are atrocious, and should be outlawed. If you're insisting on baptizing a child who doesn't accept Christ, that's just absurd, both from a secular and Christian point of view. Children will develop their own views and accept and reject views; that's not something that can be prevented, even by those who try.
If you're asking if parent's should be forbidden to teach their children their values, absolutely not; especially in America where religious freedom is guaranteed in the foundation of our law. Generally, it isn't practical for children to decide whether or not they'll go to school either, even though schools (both religious and secular) can be harmful and indoctrinatory. Parents have a right to raise their children as they see fit. While it may sometimes be necessary to overturn parental rights to protect the child's rights, revocation of parental rights shouldn't be done arbitrarily.