Is it right to religiously brand children from birth or is it an abuse of their rights to freedom of belief?
541350
It's abuse and brainwashing to be sure. It's most effective to get 'em at an early age so that the dogmas and doctrines may be fixed in their minds. Better is to not say anything and let people find it for themselves. If something is true and right they should have no problem finding it without branding.
554192
Depends on the school and the nature of the symbol / display.\n\nIf a public school, the teacher should be able to wear religious symbols, and have personal religious items in their personal space (i.e. their desks, offices, etc.). They have the right to freely practice their religion, and this does not infringe upon others' rights.\n\nIf the class is about religions & religious philosophies, then as appropriate to the discussion and subject.\n\nBut a teacher should not turn their non-religious subject classroom into a religious billboard. That would be wrong.\n\nBut too much religious intolerance is being allowed. You have no right to prevent others from practicing their religion, or displaying their religious symbols in their own space.
14802
No, it's not.  You can go along with their fantasy, but if asked directly, you should tell the truth. \n\nThe same applies to the Easter Bunny, Jesus, and the Tooth Fairy.  Superstition does no good for a young mind.  Stay with the truth.\n\nIf you do choose to lie about these myths, you will be setting a precedent very early in your child's life about the importance of being truthful.  Kids are smart!
162105
Religions are beliefs of a higher power. How can a child of different religious based parents, or anyone for that matter, have a belief they don't believe in? The child would need to research each religion to see which one they agree with more than the other. The parents should not be an influencal factor in the decision making of such a powerful choice.
339862
Their book tells them to spread "the word".No matter what they tell us non-Christians,we still have freedom of religion.When this continent was first established,people didn't have that freedom.Christianity was forced on them.Generations later,people of this land are still mostly Christians because the Europeans beliefs passed from generation to generation.It's a parasite.Every area where the Europeans settled,the citizens are  now mostly Christians.However,we still have a right to choose.What makes me upset is when the government base new laws on Christianity.That just pisses me all.If there is freedom of religion in this country,I do not appreciate the government basing new laws on Christianity.
968433
agreed :P children have the right to a free immagionation. let it roam free guys watch what you say on here thats all i ask
981663
Indeed, that is how it should be. All humans of all races should have equal rights.\n\nBut there is a fundamental problem with humans. Humans have a capacity for belief. Having beliefs can be a good thing, but more often than not beliefs lead to terrible things.\n\nOnce someone has a belief, whether or not that belief is true or not becomes irrelevant. The belief becomes "right".\n\nWhich leads us back to the original question. It's a matter of beliefs. It is a war of beliefs. There are some who believe that they are entitled to that land. More believe it is the "holy land". A lot of other people believe it was wrongfully taken from them.\n\nBut because of their beliefs, they believe that the ends justify the means. They are "right" so anything they do in the name of that belief is also "right".\n\nBut this is nothing new. It's been happening for millenia. Hitler did it, the Romans did it, etc. . It really is quite astonishing what acts people will perform if they believe what they're doing is "right".\n\nSo how can the US defend Israel? Because a majority of individuals believe what they are doing is "right". Why do "terrorists" do what they do? Because they believe what they're doing is right.\n\nBut who is right? From a logical "preserving and bettering the species" standpoint, both sides are dead wrong. Yet how often does logic come into play in situations like this. People's emotions are so much easier to bring to the surface than their logical reasoning. Especially if you cast it in the context of disparaging a perons's beliefs (see religious fervor).\n\nIn fact, all major conflicts in the past have invoked religion in one form or another as a tool for propaganda. Critical thinking is not encouraged, as it would cast doubt on whether the selected course of action is indeed the right thing to do. It happened in ancient Egypt, and it still happens today.\n\n~X~
107968
Yes!  Your right to practice any religion you want is protectected by the first ammedment.  If any government agency (a pulic school system, for example) bans the practice of a certain religion, you can sue them big time!
192890
This is a yes and no issue.  \nFor the yes portion first.  When a group of people fall away from God and cease to follow his teachings they lose his spirit and guidance. Later when they have children they often teach their children the same false teachings they have espoused.  Therefore this curse of ungodliness is passed on BY THE PARENTS, not by a vengeful God.\n\nNow for the no portion.  \nGod does NOT punish children for the acts of their parents or their ancestors.  I believe that man will be punished for his own sins and not for Adam's transgression.  The belief that children are born sinful, due to a transgression of Adam is a false doctrine with no foundation in scriptural truth.  Any religion that teaches that children must be baptized denies the atonement of Christ (or they don't understand it) and they are teaching a doctrine that is out of harmony with the gospel.  And now for a criticism of my character and answer...here is the Internet's watchDOG...Pregotwin!
555096
Any man on Earth has a right to choose the religion and whatsoever they find fit for them. the problem arouse when we people tray to force something to others....
606018
The law states that all children should receive an equal share of the inheritence unless stated otherwise in a will or something. It makes no distinction b/w legitimate and so-called 'illegitimate' children. I think this is the right thing as making such a distinction is only another form of discrimination. Why should someone have less rights because they were born out of wedlock? it's hardly their fault.
757659
Yes.  Asking children to profess allegiance to a deity they may not believe in is overstepping the bounds of separation of church and state.\n \nNo.  Not on government property.  Privately owned property is completely acceptable.  A private homeowner can litter the front lawn with 1,000 crosses if they'd like.\n\nThey can pray privately to themselves and no one can stop them from doing so, but the state cannot mandate, endorse, promote or even allow any kind of organized or teacher-led prayer.\n\nNot SOLELY on religious belief, no.  As Justice O'Connor once said (to paraphrase) "we are not in the business of legislating based on morality alone."\n\nI'm an atheist, I don't think it would be an issue.\n\nComplete separation.  No organized prayer, no government endorsed prayer of any kind (this of course cannot stop individuals from praying to themselves).
191387
I would have to say that in a sense, it is stripping a child of a great deal of their freedom to choose their religious beliefs later in life.\n\nMany people do not realize that it is indoctrination.  If you raise a child to think that something is right, and all other things are wrong, than that child is going to most likely continue to think that all of their life.\n\nA perfect example is abuse or bigotry.  Studies have shown that a child raised in an abusive home is much more likely to grow up and think that abuse is normal and ok, and therefore, to abuse their spouse and/or children.\n\nSomeone who grows up in a home where bigotry is prominent is likely to grow up thinking that bigotry is normal and ok, and thus perpetuate the cycle.\n\nThe same thing with religion.  Many people grow up being taught a certain religion all of their childhood years, and continue to believe that religion is good and right.\n\nAs for moral and ethical teachings, you don't need religion to teach a child about morals and ethics.  I don't need any holy doctrine to teach me that it is wrong to use violence when it is not neccessary, or to teach me that it is not right to steal.\n\nIf people are wanting to find a middle ground, a compromise, than raise your child(ren) in your religion, but do not be close-minded.  Tell them that it is ok to look into other religions, and try to find people who follow other religons so that when your children have questions, there is someone there to answer the questions that has the appropriate knowledge, and not some preconceived, uneducated opinion.  And please, do not take the route that my family took, i.e. "I dont care what religion you follow as long as it recognizes that there is only one God and that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior."\n\nPersonally, I feel that it is best to raise children in such a way as to leave religion out of their upbringing as much as possible, so that when the child is old enough, they can come to the parent with questions.
1140358
IMHO, governments should keep away from all matters religious in the same way that religious figures and organizations should keep their hands off politics.\nThis kind of interference with the public's right to learn someone's point of view is an ugly violation of freedom of speech.
891162
The important thing is not whether religions or Gods are right.  It is that people have the freedom to believe and worship what and how they wish.\n\nSadly most religions then spoil this freedom by trying to preach and dictate to those who do not share their beliefs.   The day cannot be far away when this practice may be made unlawful.\n\nIn the UK there is a law of harassment which could conceivably be used against persistent religious pushers.
433770
Nope; it follows one of the fallacies of logic.  It is called a "loaded question".\nAs with religion, as much as I feel Christianity is correct, I also believe we are made and given the freedom to choose.  It doesn't get much worse than a false Christian who chooses it due to pressure/obligation; it is best done on free will.
435091
I would never base my decision on who my children can date based on a person's religion.  In my opinion, anyone who belongs to any religion is trying to do what is right, and should be given even a little more trust than you might give others.  I am Mormon myself, and can tell you that most of the things you hear about the church are false, or wildly misrepresented.  Why not ask someone who belongs to the church what we believe instead of people who hate us before you make your judgement.