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Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!hp-pcd!hp-kirk!mark
From: mark@hp-kirk.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: teaching religion to children - (nf)
Message-ID: <1164@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Jun-83 03:26:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.1164
Posted: Wed Jun 15 03:26:44 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 16-Jun-83 01:39:35 EDT
Lines: 55

#N:hp-kirk:14100005:000:2572
hp-kirk!mark    Jun 13 10:01:00 1983

     Is it appropriate to teach religious beliefs to children.  I
     am particularly interested in what is appropriate for one's
     own children.  I think that we all agree that solid state
     physics, calculus, internal medicine, ... are not
     appropriate topics to teach a child whose is not yet able to
     comprehend the issues being presented.  Is this not also
     true of religion.  The very nature of the discussion here
     (on this news group) shows that religion is not a topic that
     is well understood (not to mention agreed upon); however, I
     am not sure that I can simply treat religion as any other
     complex topic to be held in reserve for when my children are
     ready.  So ...

     Do I simply not teach religion?  This means letting my
     children pick up religious beliefs as they come across them.

     Do I teach them my own religious beliefs even though I feel
     that they are incapable of understanding them?  I would find
     this totally unacceptable with any other subject.

     Do I attempt to shield them from religious teachings that I
     feel they are not ready for?

     Do I give them the community standard religion line on the
     assumption that this will allow them to best mix in society
     until they are capable of choosing for themselves?  This is
     probably closest to what I am actually practicing but I am
     far from satisfied with it.

     Do I let them chose for themselves to the extent they are
     capable, but attempt to introduce a "healthy" degree of
     skepticism?  If the skepticism is too successfully
     accomplished then I risk creating cynics and may be robbing
     them of worthy religious attitudes; on the other hand, if
     the skepticism does not take then I am leaving them open to
     every fanatical religious group that comes around.

     So what's a father to do.  In responding to this note,
     consider that: (1) I live in a world full of xxxxxx.  (2) I
     myself may be a xxxxxx.  (for xxxxxx you can substitue the
     name of your least favorite religous organization, Moonies
     seem to be a popular choice though consider atheists and
     agnostics as well).

                                        Concerned,
                                        "Death" Rowe
                                        hp-pcd!hp-cvd!mark
                                        Corvallis, Oregon

P.S. I hope this question can get this group off the "I believe
     this and your beliefs are stupid" line that has been running
     for far too long.