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Religious Education by Parents is "Child Abuse": Center for Inquiry Proposal
LifeSiteNews ^ | 6/18/07 | Peter J. Smith

Posted on 06/18/2007 2:36:09 PM PDT by wagglebee

NEW YORK, June 18, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Religious education is a form of child abuse and violates the rights of children, contends a thesis to be considered by secular humanists at the Center for Inquiry's congress in Beijing this October.

The Center for Inquiry, an organisation recently awarded special consultative status as an NGO at the United Nations (UN) will consider the proposals of Innaiah Narisetti, the chairman of the Center for Inquiry's India chapter, that portend the next stage in the assault on the rights of parents to educate their children.

Nasiretti called the influence of religion a "severe shortcoming in the global campaign to protect children" and a contributor to child abuse saying, "In one form or another, all religions violate the rights of children."

"Such abuse begins with the involuntary involvement of children in religious practices from the time they are born," says Narisetti. "All religions, through ritual, preaching, and religious texts, seek to bring children into day-to-day religious practice."

"This gives holy books and scriptures, as well as those who teach them, an early grip on the developing minds of young people, leaving an indelible impression on them," said Narisetti, calling Sunday schools, madrassas, or Jewish or Hindu temples, centers of indoctrination for children.

Nasiretti's proposal would reject the long-recognized inherent rights of parents to educate and provide for their children's religious instruction in favor of regulating children's exposure to religious influence by world governments abiding by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"The time has come to debate the participation of children in religious institutions," continues Narisetti. "While some might see it as a matter better left to parents, the negative influence of religion and its subsequent contribution to child abuse from religious beliefs and practices requires us to ask whether organized religion is an institution that needs limits set on how early it should have access to children."

The UN forum proposed by Narisetti would debate the "pros and cons" of religion on children and determine whether religion contributes to global child abuse.

"The UN must then take a clear stand on the issue of the forced involvement of children in religious practices; it must speak up for the rights of children and not the automatic right of parents and societies to pass on religious beliefs, and it must reexamine whether an organization like the Vatican should belong to the UN," stated Narisetti.

"Until this happens, millions of children worldwide will continue to be abused in the name of religion, and the efforts made by the UN will continue to address the symptoms but not the disease."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christianity; education; freedomofreligion; judeochristianity; moralabsolutes; parentrights; persecution; religiouseducation; secularism
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To: Quix
But mostly, we need to teach our children to hear the still small voice of God and obey HIM AND HIM ONLY AT ALL TIMES.

Amen, Q. If we teach our children to kneel to none but Christ they will be confident and well-equipped to handle whatever adversity comes their way.

"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." -- Isaiah 30:21

181 posted on 06/19/2007 11:32:10 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg

Amen. Thanks thanks.

Off to pot.


182 posted on 06/19/2007 11:38:01 AM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix

The scripture is referring to ALL eras, as exchanging good for evil is an inherent trait of the sinful and fallen nature of man. Everyone who is outside of Christ considers the thigns of God to be ‘evil’, and their own sinful state as ‘good’. It’s a perpetual condition of the unregenerate.

It’s not modern prophecy meant for us to decipher like a puzzle, nor is there any great mystery to it - it’s a straightforward warning that’s been applicable to every age since Adam’s fall.


183 posted on 06/19/2007 11:43:15 AM PDT by ItsOurTimeNow (FR Member ItsOurTimeNow: Declared Anathema by the Council of Trent)
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To: ItsOurTimeNow

i MOSTLY agree.

I also believe that many verses of the Bible were designed to be applicable through the ages

AND

particularly in the END TIMES . . . e. g.

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death . . .

prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies . . .

that last line I think will be fulfilled in the END TIMES as never before.


184 posted on 06/19/2007 12:24:50 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Constitutionalist Conservative
That’s not religion that’s secular, communist, government publik skools.

...teaching the fundamentalist doctrine of the Church of Global Warming.

Allahgore be crazed!

185 posted on 06/19/2007 12:35:24 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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To: sagar
I agree that the Western Judeo-Christian civilization is far more realistic in its approach to dealing with its enemies than the Buddhist culture that is totally clueless about evil nature of humans and always assumes that everybody is capable and/or equal to enlightenment/nirvana.

With all due respect that's pure nonsense. That is not the Buddhist view but a twisted, westernized misconception of it. Buddhist view is not passivist in nature, far from it, but holds to a view of non-aggression which is a much different thing.

186 posted on 06/19/2007 12:44:44 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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To: wagglebee

“...calling Sunday schools, madrassas, or Jewish or Hindu temples, centers of indoctrination for children.”

I see that mosques are not mentioned, so the islamofascists are exempt, eh, Mr. Nasiretti? Un-freakin-believable!


187 posted on 06/19/2007 12:48:55 PM PDT by Polyxene (For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel - Martin Luther)
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To: Malacoda
Well, after seeing that some FReepers advocated taking fat kids from their parents on THIS thread yesterday, I can see where the case could be made, slippery-slope style, to take kids away from their parents' religious education.

If the case can be successfully made that religious education of children by parents is harmful indoctrination then anything else a parent might teach their children is vulnerable to attack. It seems fairly clear that the ultimate aim is to force parents into abidicating their right to teach their children anything contrary to the dictates of the governing authority.

The UN seems bent upon being that authority for the entire world.

188 posted on 06/19/2007 12:59:58 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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To: Quix

Thank you for your prayers. My son actually returns 1st July, so we’re pretty happy!

God bless!


189 posted on 06/19/2007 2:11:45 PM PDT by rbosque
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To: rbosque

Yea!

May angels attend his every moment, action, setting, context between now and your hearty hugs.


190 posted on 06/19/2007 3:26:09 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: TigersEye

Anyone who speaks against the Buddha or Buddhism in Thailand can quickly find out Buddhist’s perspective on violence in certain contexts.


191 posted on 06/19/2007 3:27:21 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: TigersEye

“That is not the Buddhist view but a twisted, westernized misconception of it. Buddhist view is not passivist in nature, far from it, but holds to a view of non-aggression which is a much different thing.”

My point was that Buddhism died out from South-Central Asia due to it being too passive when facing aggressive enemies. Buddhism was wiped out of existence in places... why? Where was the resistance?

I remember when the Taliban blew up Buddha statues in Afghanistan, many non-Buddhists were outraged, but Buddhists were just calm as usual facing that enemy. Since they aren’t attached to that statue, they can take a moral high ground. After all, those statues mean nothing to a TRUE Buddhist.

It is that attitude in ancient times(not modern western interpretation — which is btw more closer to the original Buddhist philosophy) that caused the downfall of Buddhism in areas that it originated.


192 posted on 06/19/2007 7:20:03 PM PDT by sagar
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To: Quix
LOL Well, I suppose. I don't think anyone likes to be ridiculed or derided especially in their own home. Basic culture makes a big difference in a given place. I think it's hard in some cases to say what influences the other more, religion or culture.

But my point above was that Buddhism doesn't teach passivism it teaches non-aggression. A passivist takes whatever garbage is dumped on them and says "please, sir, may I have some more?" A practitioner of Buddhist non-aggression should be someone who doesn't dump garbage on others. Self defense is not aggression unless it starts to stray into a revenge, profit or a self-gratification trip and true compassion, as a Buddhist sees it, can mean taking life.

193 posted on 06/19/2007 7:59:24 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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To: TigersEye

Agreed. Thanks.


194 posted on 06/19/2007 8:08:38 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: sagar
No, that's not correct. I can't speak to all historical circumstances, such as Islam sweeping through India with the sword, but being a passivist is not supportable by Buddhist views ancient or modern. I'm not sure what that means since one's view either accords with the Buddha's teachings or it does not. The teachings are well recorded and honorably held in an unbroken lineage of teachers down to the present so there are no questions regarding the original meaning today.

I remember when the Taliban blew up Buddha statues in Afghanistan, many non-Buddhists were outraged, but Buddhists were just calm as usual facing that enemy. Since they aren’t attached to that statue, they can take a moral high ground. After all, those statues mean nothing to a TRUE Buddhist.

There aren't any Buddhists in Afghanistan anymore nor have there been for about a thousand years. You may think those statues don't mean anything to a "true" Buddhist but what they mean to this Buddhist is not something to kill someone for. Nor is any material ritual object. That's not passivism that's weighing objective reality with a clear mind and an open heart.

Knowing that the consequences of all actions are inevitable why would I waste a moment concering myself with the fate of those idiots who blew them up? There was an article posted here on FR not too long ago about the guy who ordered their destruction. He's worm food now. I'm sure he did something worthy of that which blowing up a chunk of rock is not.

195 posted on 06/19/2007 8:19:11 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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To: Quix

You’ve been an awfully agreeable fellow these last two days, Quix. I ought to post to you more often and start a new trend in my posting history. lol ;^)


196 posted on 06/19/2007 8:23:54 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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To: TigersEye

LOL.

I’m sure some folks wonder if I’m seriously ill or have ‘merely’ and truly gone very ‘round the bend’ completely!

Gotta keep em guessing!

Thanks for your kind words. Appreciate the dialogue.


197 posted on 06/19/2007 8:27:12 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: TigersEye

BTW,

agreeable

really is my PREFERRED mode.

It’s just that a number of things are of a higher priority—and hereon—alarmingly often, it seems.


198 posted on 06/19/2007 8:30:25 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix
I didn't think that FWIW. I'm just used to receiving more robust replies which may in large part be my failure to practice non-aggression in my posting. I don't want to cast aspersions but I wouldn't rule out the possibility that some FReepers are rather contentious too. And I often choose to post to them soooo... The draw of the arena is strong.

Thank you, I appreciate a good conversation too.

199 posted on 06/19/2007 8:40:58 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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To: Quix
If I take your meaning correctly; it is getting hard in today's political/social climate to be agreeable.?. I am agreeable to that. In that context I would say that it just isn't appropriate to agree with some things. Always true but when those things get really big it does test one's ability to maintain a sense of composure and dignity. Today's news is an outrageous assault on the senses and sensibilities and the number of people who seem to like it or just don't care is salt in the wound.

These are difficult times.

200 posted on 06/19/2007 8:53:21 PM PDT by TigersEye (Hope and fear are two sides of a coin that bind you to worldly concerns. Render it unto the world.)
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