Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP 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.