Date: 3/11/2001 5:22:00 AM
From Authorid: 24924
I wouldn't think so. I think most people follow the teachings of their parents, and whatever, whoever, and however they are brought up to believe. Some atheists say everyone is born an atheist, that beliefs must be learned. Many have studied various religions, and they come from almost every faith tradition and background. It is hard stepping away from one's religion of birth, or what they were taught in schools. It often ostracizes friends or family. Many people, friends and family, take lack of belief as a personal rejection of their life and values, even though humanists values basically are moral and ethical. Most people like to have a sense of belonging, a part of the "norm", and don't question what that "norm" is, because it sets them apart, and so they just follow along, a lot of times BLINDLY, until and IF they should seek out TRUTHS ...........for themselves. The Thinker  |
Date: 3/11/2001 6:31:00 AM
From Authorid: 16865
I'm in the US and have several friends that I still talk to that either went to a catholic or religious school of some denom. My sis and my cousin are now athiest and I am a pagan. All of my other friends (and theirs) are either athiest or pagan as well. So I can certainly see what you mean.  |
Date: 3/11/2001 6:59:00 AM
From Authorid: 20921
I went to a baptist school in SC, and anytime it would even talk to someone they would say "God doesnt like that, if you talk again you will burn in hell" *Moreno*  |
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Date: 3/11/2001 7:45:00 AM
From Authorid: 23956
a close friend of mine went to a catholic school, he never liked it, finally he talked his mom into letting him go to public school his senior year, he does not go to a church now, said he had to much of it pushed on him while he was young, so I say yes, it can have a negative effect in some cases. Logan51 |
Date: 3/11/2001 7:58:00 AM
From Authorid: 17516
The only thing I have to add to this is anecdotal. I've read Marilyn Manson's autobiography and he states that he went to a very strict, fundamentalist school. The things he says about it make me believe him, besides which it could be verified whether or not he did. In any case he claims that what you see today is the product of having hell held over his head, day in and day out, as a child.  |
Date: 3/11/2001 9:19:00 AM
From Authorid: 11091
KK is right about Marilyn Manson, and I agree with the Thinker. More and more children are turning away from what their parents have forced upon them and learning they have a free will.  |
Date: 3/11/2001 11:53:00 AM
From Authorid: 23610
I understand what you mean. I think anytime a person is force fed ideas and beliefs without the respect to allow them to have the freedom to form their own thoughts and belief there will be a tendancy to rebel against that. There is also the issue of hypocrisy to take into account. If one is being told that something is right or wrong and something is the truth and then that person "preaching" these believes does not follow those beliefs and is unkind or even cruel...any child can see the hypocrisy in it and it will turn them away from listening. I've seen it happen many times. -Lady Nyx  |
Date: 3/11/2001 12:47:00 PM
From Authorid: 16671
This is where the *myth* comes in, we do not hold HELL over the heads of our children. We show them the power of God, those that hold hell over the heads of their children are causing many to walk away. What they are doing isn't right. You cant teach a kid that its bad if you do this or that or the other thing. Sadly many Chrisitans do this as a way of trying to keep the kids in line and all they do is turn them away. They try to keep them under LAW and not GRACE. This is not what Jesus wanted!!! Show your children the love and the power of God and they will not forget him. Show them the law and DONTS they think are there are they will surely walk away.  |
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Date: 3/11/2001 2:56:00 PM
From Authorid: 24924
It is NOT a "myth", FB. Maybe for you, and many others, but I KNOW that many christians DO HOLD HELL over peoples heads! Absolutely. I seen an awful lot of that growing up. Just one huge GUILT TRIP! The Thinker |
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Date: 3/11/2001 3:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 16671
thinker apparently you did not read my whole comment. I said "Sadly many Chrisitans do this as a way of trying to keep the kids in line and all they do is turn them away. They try to keep them under LAW and not GRACE." And your right, no I dont do it and alot of people dont do it. But there still are many that do. It turned you away didnt it. Christians that do that need to rethink whom they are in Christ. Thats not the way to do things. |
Date: 3/11/2001 4:51:00 PM
From Authorid: 582
I agree with a great deal of your story. I went to a catholic church and bible school/Catechism/CCD classes (my sister and brother went to the schools also) and up until I was 18 and able to chose on my own, I questioned this faith drenched in rituals and traditions, never straying from their path, never a hint of question from anyone. They never allowed me to believe what my feelings where telling me or what my heart desired. But I also noticed that many around me looked deeply content and happy. It was then that I realized that we are not all supposed to believe the exact same thing, but we are supposed to respect that decision and treat each other with love no matter what or who we chose to be. Who are any of us to judge another whether you believe in a God who doesn't judge or whether you believe in one that does...who are we to judge each other, I'd just rather love each other...wouldn't you?...lol. Ok ok, I'm stopping here.  |
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Date: 3/11/2001 5:00:00 PM
From Authorid: 24924
That was just a small part. What REALLY "turned me away" was MANY things, a combination of MANY things, FB. Not just that one. It was a long long journey to arrive at where I am now, and my beliefs. Education, and an OPEN mind, and a strong determination to seek out the facts, and sort through all the maze, seperating facts from myths, facts from emotions, and facts from "wanting, wishing, hoping, praying" that there was this "GOD" who was all knowing, and all forgiving...etc. etc. etc..And I feel very very lucky to finally see the light, very CLEARLY, and no longer have to wonder, worry, and even be bothered with religion any more. |
Date: 3/11/2001 5:23:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 17248
Thanks so much for all your comments guys. Im glad that some people out there agree with me. I think if I have the chance when I have kids Ill send them to a non religious private school.  |
Date: 3/11/2001 6:37:00 PM
From Authorid: 10315
i think religous school can be a factor but not always as a catholic school girl i can tell you that i have struggled w/and questioned my faith many many times, and i have friends who have turned away..i have friends that left and then came back believing more than ever. I think the more you know about your faith the more of it there is to question. If a teen doesn't know as much b/cuz they're in public school they don't really ever get told to think about it where as i have religion class where i am taught what the church thinks and have to hw on it soo i have to think about it and sometimes that makes me question it.  |
Date: 3/13/2001 10:27:00 AM
From Authorid: 25438
I believe that people should choose the amnt of religion that they have in there life. Grading someone in religion is a bit ridiculous, and I think that religious schools make a mocery of cristianity by trying to force kids to learn it and force kids to study it as a subject. Religion is no subject  |
Date: 1/29/2002 5:58:00 PM
From Authorid: 16376
hmmm...i'm not sure. good point  |
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Date: 1/29/2002 6:45:00 PM
From Authorid: 37354
I read Mother Teresa's biography. She turned out to be a namby-pamby do-gooder due to too much religious instruction. Let us abolish religious schools and replace them with schools teaching that rape, murder and theft is good. The kids will then be so tired of being forced to be evil that they will become saint-like. Hugo |
