Is it child abuse to teach kids christianity?

[ThomasJeffersonn]

Christian creationists try to teach kids about creationism in this video from nightline. It seems they are training kids to not inhibit logical thinking.

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaithMatters/story?id=4467337&page=1

Not to mention telling kids about hell and the fires in hell. I would think thats sort of child abuse? Ideas?

[Sarah W.]

Yes. In a way. It's not necessarily "child abuse" but it is indoctrination and it is unfair. Children should never be told what to believe in terms of religion. They are too young to make up their minds about such issues. Just as they believe the tooth fairy exists, they will believe that anything else you tell them exists. This is not truly believing; this is just indoctrination. A child should never be categorized as Christian, Muslim, anything. They are simply children of Christian PARENTS, Muslim PARENTS, etc. The poor things have no idea what's going on.

Now, it is unfair because when they are older, these ideas will be forever embedded in their psyche. It will be VERY hard for them to move away from this way of thinking and therefore they will have no real choice in religion. Some do go on to choose their own religion, but it's very hard to get over what has been drilled into your brain as a child, especially when it's accompanied with fear, like God will banish you to Hell if you sin, etc. Poor kiddos...

What's worse, like you mentioned, the blind following of others' beliefs just because they say it's true develops a bad thinking habit. They lack the ability to think things through logically through empirical evidence. They don't use common sense and instead rely on what others' have told them, like prayers work, to have faith, and to believe in what the Bible says. They never ask why, they just do. This is really bad for all of us in the long run.

[daydreamer1235]

um no. thats like asking if its teaching kids to be terrorists if you teach them Islamic or something like that.

[love_life]

Its child abuse not to.

[RadicalX]

Only If You Beat Them While Your Teaching. If you look at the history of any major religion you will find both positive and negative aspects. A religion is neither bad nor good until you put bad or good into it. It’s up to you whether or not it will become abuse. First take responsibility for your own actions, this is called maturity. Then you will be able to teach your children responsibly. Frightening children with stories of Hell is irresponsible and counterproductive. There is no hell any more than the devil made you do it.

[Professor Oglevee]

NO, NO, NO

I am a Christian and I will teach my children about the love of God and teach them the bible.

They will learn to spend time in prayer and have a relationship with God.

I dont joke we need God in our Lives.
Without God we cant live.

[mammaslittletrollop]

Yes! fully is

[erinjl123456]

I think teaching your children is fine as long as its set to their age level & they are not required to follow your beliefs.

[Leeza]

No.....

I'm a christian
I do accept all an love all whom I meet
I don't force anyone to become a christian, I just allow my light to shine an praise God anyhow because he's been just that grand to me, I was brought up in a church & outside of church an I will admit I thought that the outside world was better until one day I fell an Needed god an he stepped in when no one else did.
I call myself a "real christian" because I admit my mistakes, an I don't pretend to be someone I'm not an I accept all an pray for all...
just like I'm going to pray for you
God bless

[Mommy to Connor]

Nope not abusive in the least. Raise your child up to know the law of God and teaching them the love of God is never abusive. Teaching them according to the Bible is never abusive. Allowing them to make the decision to follow Christ on their own accord is not abusive.

I can lay the ground work for them to accept Christ and plant the seeds, but it's up to them whether or not they accept Christ as their Savior. I don't believe in forcing a child to accept Christ because He does not force us. He loves us enough and trusts us enough to make the right decision even when we don't. It's why He gave us free will.

*Anyone who believes hell isn't real and you think Christ is a bunch of hog wash, well good you can tell Satan that when you get there, lol. Hell is a very real place as is Heaven and God desires that none should perish in the fires of hell. He gives you a choice as to where your final destination is. I'm sorry if this offends.