Quote from: LaudaM on June 25, 2015, 12:54:35 PM

Quote from: cryptodevil on June 25, 2015, 04:59:15 AM

Quote from: Beliathon on June 25, 2015, 02:33:07 AM

Do you believe every child has a basic human right to master basic critical reasoning skills prior to any religious/nationalist indoctrination? Or does every parent have a right to decide how their offspring interpret the world?

Do you consider such indoctrination [lying to young children about the world before they've properly developed the ability to reason] to be intellectual abuse that is every bit as ethically repugnant as physical abuse?

Nailed it.

It is abuse, and I do agree with this. As children we are very naive and have not developed the right thinking skills, anyone could sell you a story about magical beings that are going to save you in the end.
Just because this doesn't leave visible evidence as physical abuse does, it doesn't mean that there is no abuse.

Most of the believers do not even realize this. If a christian (example) was born in a different region and had different guardians he would most likely have a different faith.

It can only be considered abuse if you're lying. What if your religion is the correct one and atheists are wrong? Then it would be a little abusive to just let the child ignore that until they're older, after they've picked up bad habits and a feeling of pride, instead of being humble. It's hard to be humble (and thank God for your blessings) if you've been brought up to take pride in your works and good circumstances because of yourself alone.

Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.