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CarloMagnus
Guest
The atheists are constantly saying that we Catholics have no right to pass on our beliefs to our children. They call it “indoctrination”. How do we, as Catholics, respond?
-Karl
-Karl
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SonSearcher
Guest
Ignore ignorance.
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Richard320
Guest
You say, “Yes, we do have a right to pass on our beliefs. And we also pass on our language. And our family recipes. Same as you.”
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CarloMagnus
Guest
I need something a little more argumentative than that. A response. A reply. Something along the lines of logically and reasonably debunking the belief that we Catholics are merely passing on our beliefs to our children without the child’s approval or disapproval. Etc. etc.
While it’s true that logic and reason sometimes doesn’t hold the answer to everything, as humans, we have to reach our conclusions because of logic and reason. Natural Law presides by it, and through natural law we can begin to understand WHICH laws we’re functioning on and whether we truly have the right of belief to pass on just that, our belief.
The Bible states, in Matthew 28:19,“Therefore go and make disciple all the nations and baptize them in the name of The Father and The Son and The Spirit of Holiness.”
And again in Mark 16:15,"And he said to them, “Go to the entire world and preach my Good News in all creation.” (But this one is an interpolation and I’m not sure I would trust it).
This is an obvious command by Iesus Christus, to preach to the world. But what does that say about our children? Are we indoctrinating them by passing them something against their will? I remember that there was one council, before the Greek schism (Or after?) where Infant Baptism was regarded as a Mark of the Soul. Opposition had believed that it should be of free will that people decide to walk the path to Christus, yet the necessity called for Infant Baptism. Whether I know if there were children present or not is beyond me, but the Papa has spoken. Infant Baptism leaves a mark on the soul. Yet the argument still lingers.
-Karl
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Kc906
Guest
So an Atheist has a child; I suppose they may just never bring up the thought or idea of God as the kid grows. Eventually that kid is going to come across God believing kids and have questions. When the Atheist gets asked those questions from their child, are they going to indoctrinate their child with their non-believing “beliefs?”
Raising your children with certain beliefs is not indoctrination; it’s values, ethics, and morals.
Raising your children with certain beliefs is not indoctrination; it’s values, ethics, and morals.
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Nicko
Guest
As an atheist, I would suggest you tell them to mind their own business. As I would if you attempted to do the same to me. You, no doubt, would find an atheist parent’s refusal to warn a child about how sinning will damn them to hell as just as “abusive” as an atheist finds your warnings on the subject.
Any parent who loves their child - like me for example
- will attempt to tell their child things that they think are true and avoid telling their child things they think are false. If I want the ability to tell my daughter that she should think for herself, look at the evidence and question authority, then I have to grant you the ability to tell your children to let the church do their thinking for them, ignore the evidence and to obey without question.*
In order for religious indoctrination - or the lack of it - to be considered a crime, the state would have to make a ruling on which religion is true. This is a practice with a history of dangerous and undesirable results.
Fortunately, there is a system in place already that prevents the state from making such judgements: secularism. The best defence of religious freedom ever devised.
*Okay, this is probably an unfair assessment of what Catholics teach their kids. It’s just my little attempt at humour.
Any parent who loves their child - like me for example
- will attempt to tell their child things that they think are true and avoid telling their child things they think are false. If I want the ability to tell my daughter that she should think for herself, look at the evidence and question authority, then I have to grant you the ability to tell your children to let the church do their thinking for them, ignore the evidence and to obey without question.*In order for religious indoctrination - or the lack of it - to be considered a crime, the state would have to make a ruling on which religion is true. This is a practice with a history of dangerous and undesirable results.
Fortunately, there is a system in place already that prevents the state from making such judgements: secularism. The best defence of religious freedom ever devised.
*Okay, this is probably an unfair assessment of what Catholics teach their kids. It’s just my little attempt at humour.
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kmuestwin
Guest
Is teaching a child to have manners indoctrination?
Yes it is!
I would rather have a child who eats properly with a fork and knife than one that knaws at his or her food like an animal. It is socially unacceptable for an adult to eat with just their hands. If we hadn’t been taught to use the utensils then we would be outside our social norms and we would be a step behind everyone else socially. Parents teach their kids how to eat properly not because they are trying to “control” their kids but because they want them to have a fair chance in the world.
Every parent passes their world views onto their children. If a child consistently hears swearing at home, the child will be more likely to swear in public. Children are always watching and adapting their actions in accordance to the feedback given by their caretakers.
If a parent actively lives a Catholic life, the child would strive to do the same with or without the parents instruction based solely on the example of the parent.
Yes it is!
I would rather have a child who eats properly with a fork and knife than one that knaws at his or her food like an animal. It is socially unacceptable for an adult to eat with just their hands. If we hadn’t been taught to use the utensils then we would be outside our social norms and we would be a step behind everyone else socially. Parents teach their kids how to eat properly not because they are trying to “control” their kids but because they want them to have a fair chance in the world.
Every parent passes their world views onto their children. If a child consistently hears swearing at home, the child will be more likely to swear in public. Children are always watching and adapting their actions in accordance to the feedback given by their caretakers.
If a parent actively lives a Catholic life, the child would strive to do the same with or without the parents instruction based solely on the example of the parent.
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agnes_therese
Guest
If that were true, they’d have no right to pass on their atheism to their children. Ask how they’d like that.
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Boulder257
Guest
We should be hesitant to take direction from those that don’t want to recognize truth. We cannot allow atheists to dictate how we raise our families.
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mfrances
Guest
Exactly… I’m sure this person if they have a child, will pass on “non-belief” to the child. Even if they never speak a word about God and his exsistence or non-exsistence, our children learn everything from us and our actions.
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Leon_Bloy
Guest
They create separate categories of “truth” first, and then they say this to us.
Would you tell your child not to touch a hot stove? It threatens his physical health. You don’t say, “I don’t want to impose my view of morality on you, so touch what you want”…
Would you tell your adolescent child not to commit sexual sin? That affects both (in many cases) their physical and moral health.
Would you tell your child not to touch a hot stove? It threatens his physical health. You don’t say, “I don’t want to impose my view of morality on you, so touch what you want”…
Would you tell your adolescent child not to commit sexual sin? That affects both (in many cases) their physical and moral health.
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odile53
Guest
Who are “the atheists?” There may be a few who spout such drivel (and you’d be well within your parental rights to tell them to mind their own business,) but most people tend to just live and let live. I am Catholic, and devout about it, and have colleagues and friends of just about every belief, and no belief whatsoever. With the exception of one rather strident evangelical Protestant coworker (who ended up getting reported to the personnel department for her on the job evangelism attempts, by a fellow Christian, no less) nobody attempts to convert anyone else to their religious views (or lack thereof.)
You’re providing your children with the necessities of life, including a faith education. It’s nobody else’s business. Stand your ground, and tell the intrusive person to mind their own business.
You’re providing your children with the necessities of life, including a faith education. It’s nobody else’s business. Stand your ground, and tell the intrusive person to mind their own business.
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dconklin
Guest
From the dictionary: teaching or inculcating a doctrine, principle, or ideology, especially one with a specific point of view: religious indoctrination.
It’s ok that we do this. When I got married the priest asked us if we were going to raise our children in the ways of the Church. (or something like that)
Teaching them to be polite is a principle.
It’s ok that we do this. When I got married the priest asked us if we were going to raise our children in the ways of the Church. (or something like that)
Teaching them to be polite is a principle.
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Iotaunum
Guest
I would just say: “What is wrong with teaching my child the truth?” Then the burden is on them to prove that your faith is unfounded. They will not be able to do this ( if you know your faith well enough). So the question shifts to “what is the truth” - a matter I love to get into with athiests.
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Exsilivm
Guest
The first question to ask your atheist friend is “To whom do children belong?”
The answer to that question will enable you to tell if further discussion is possible.
The answer to that question will enable you to tell if further discussion is possible.
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CarloMagnus
Guest
Explain what’s going on in Sweden. The Swedish government recently announced that it’s going to make it harder for religious to be religious.
-Karl
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