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[Bungalow Bob]

This question is mainly for atheists: why is indoctrinating children with religious beliefs socially acceptable? Similar types of child abuse are looked down upon, such as raising children to hate all people of a particular race and/or consider them inferior.

Also, why isn't religion more often blamed for certain problems in western society? For example: discrimination against sex workers/former sex workers (can't be teachers in some places), ridiculously harmful drug laws, discrimination against some sexual orientations, and laws relating to nudity/partial nudity (guy got in shit for receiving photos of his nephews/nieces swimming/playing in their bathing suits).

And finally, why do so many refuse to be friends with anyone who raises their children to be racists yet accept the friendship of people who indoctrinate their children in a religion?

 

[Korey]

Because 83% of Americans are religious. That's why it's "socially acceptable" and not frowned upon.

As an atheist sometimes it feels like we're living in the Matrix

 

[Dresden]

This question is mainly for atheists: why is indoctrinating children with religious beliefs socially acceptable? Similar types of child abuse are looked down upon, such as raising children to hate all people of a particular race and/or consider them inferior.

Also, why isn't religion more often blamed for certain problems in western society? For example: discrimination against sex workers/former sex workers (can't be teachers in some places), ridiculously harmful drug laws, discrimination against some sexual orientations, and laws relating to nudity/partial nudity (guy got in shit for receiving photos of his nephews/nieces swimming/playing in their bathing suits).

And finally, why do so many refuse to be friends with anyone who raises their children to be racists yet accept the friendship of people who indoctrinate their children in a religion?

lol, jesus buddha christ.

 

[Fusebox]

This question is mainly for atheists:

Isn't that preaching to the converted? For many Atheists I think you'd find they DO consider it tantamount to child abuse. It's the Theists who'll have the most interesting responses.

 

[amar212]

As this book perfectly explains - because you can't question religion.

Why?

Because. Next question?

 

[Log4Girlz]

Most of society hold religious beliefs and pass those beliefs down to their children. In the past it would have been the complete acceptance of racism, sexism, misogyny, slavery etc. Religion is a cultural phenomenon who's traits pass down from generation to generation.

As time has passed in western societies, each generation seems to be watering down these beliefs and customs and traditions that go along with them to the point that in most society, religious ideology is a shell of its former self. Eventually the majority of people will be atheists.

 

[Parallax]

so you do make a thread like this every other day. thats good to know.

 

[LuchaShaq]

I find it disgusting but I find the majority of ill informed beliefs of the average person to be disgusting as well.

So unless crazy rich people that also happen to be intelligent want to somehow raise millions of kids from these families we are pretty much stuck.


Also freedom of religion is more important to me than letting the kids of religious psyco's learn about the real world at 12 instead of 18.

 

[coldvein]

because most religions teach pretty decent morals.

dont lie, dont cheat, dont steal, dont kill. dont covet your neighbors shit.

why are those things socially acceptable, you ask?

because in order to HAVE A SOCIETY those things are necessary. next question.

 

[speculawyer]

Tradition.

I suspect it will slowly change over time. But it will never go away. We are naturally superstitious creatures.

But we lie to kids all the time . . . Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, snipes, etc.

 

[nomis]

 

[Bungalow Bob]

Isn't that preaching to the converted? For many Atheists I think you'd find they DO consider it tantamount to child abuse. It's the Theists who'll have the most interesting responses.

I know lots of atheists who aren't bothered by this. Obviously some are, and I don't know what the percentage is.... Perhaps I'm greatly overestimating the percentage of atheists who are willing to have close friends who indoctrinate their children in a religion.

 

[Parallax]

Tradition.

I suspect it will slowly change over time. But it will never go away. We are naturally superstitious creatures.

But we lie to kids all the time . . . Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, snipes, etc.

snipes? as in wesley snipes?

 

[speculawyer]

As an atheist sometimes it feels like we're living in the Matrix

This.

And I gotta say, I often wish I could just believe & join the Matrix. It would make life so much easier.

 

[speculawyer]

snipes? as in wesley snipes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe_hunt

 

[Devolution]

What's really bullshit is when Obama talks to fucking Catholic bishops about universal birth control coverage. Really? REALLY?

 

[Jamesfrom818]

I'm not sure who's worse, belligerent atheists or evangelizing theists

 

[milanbaros]

Its socially acceptable because its widespread, just like racism once was.

Personally, I think is a serious form of child abuse. Some cases are worse than others but even in its mildest form I think its unfair to the child.

We live in a crazy, contradictory world.

 

[coldvein]

if you want to talk about it in terms of "the matrix"....

the matrix has rules. it isn't a happy coincidence that the rules of most religions are the same rules that makes "the matrix" run.

 

[TheExplodingHead]

A lot of it really comes down to the fact people don't like to think for themselves. So whatever the particular dogma of that era/society/family is...people tend to propagate and reinforce. It's as a "species thing", where we take what we've learn or are exposed to and abstract or refine it. Very people people are willing or able to really be critical and clinical of everything their exposed to. And we see this in almost every part of the world, every society and every "ideology"...not limited to religion or even government which people cling to despite all evidence or lack thereof to the contrary.

For example, how many people who are strongly religious have you had success in reasoning them out of religion? Evidence and empirical facts do very little to reason people out emotional scar tissue.