(Athiest) Richard Dawkins: 'Children need to be protected' from religious parents

[KhalilGr]

I have no problem with the atheists if they mind their own business, but why do they always impose State worshipping on everyone.

Funny coming from a Muslim specifically. We Atheists do mind our business, when do you think we get in our worst shape? When Theists try to shove their beliefs down our throats. There is a saying that kind of fits this situation: Having a religion or having a belief system is like having a penis, you can be glad to have one, you can be proud of having one, but don't go around shoving it down everybody's throat.

He has no right to tell the schools to protect children from religion! He is not the parents of the children, so he has no legal or moral right to tell anyone what to do for their children. Religion is something that shapes us, and it keeps us safe. Without it, we could put ourselves in danger, and we would be ultimately sinning. The last thing you should do is NOT teach kids about religion. They need to know the truth from an early age about what is going to happen during life, and after life (Death and the Day of Judgement). They have a right to know! Religion is apart of life just like science, math, and history is because we are surrounded by it every day and it is what makes sense to us. It is our answer for our questions. It teaches us how to live peacefully, and safely. It IS a lifestyle. And a healthy one. He is out of line here. May Allah keep us (and our children) on the Straight Path, Ameen.

Religion does not shape us, and it most definitely does not keep us safe. If anything, it's the total opposite. I mean, what kind of danger would we put ourselves in without religion? If anything, I totally agree with Dawkins, I've always promised myself that if I were to have children of my own, and no matter what anyone inside the family or outside of it (society) says, I will give them total freedom to belong to any religion they choose, just because I'm an Atheist doesn't mean I'll tell my kid: Listen son, I'm an Atheist, so you have to be an Atheist. That's the kind of ideology that religious parents go by, they're Muslims so their children have no choice but to be Muslims as well. If I'm a parent, I'll just tell my kids to study whatever belief system they wish, and understand it better, and if they admire what the result of their research is, they can belong to that belief system. Oppressing children and forcing them to belong to the same religion you are, or be disbelievers like yourself, should be illegal, and whichever parents do that should have their children taken away by child services as such household with such oppressing and forceful parents is not appropriate for children.


He's not out of line, he's doing what he knows is best for children. I was brought up in a Muslim household, my freedom of belief was taken away from me by my parents, I was forcefully sent to a mosque to learn and study the Quran at the age of 9, I could have missed any class in school, but I couldn't miss the Islamic studies class. How do you think that worked out for me? It did to me nothing but break me; shatter me, I have so much anger inside of me that I have to take 6 anger pills a day to keep myself under control, I used to blame my parents for what I've become, but later on, I realized that it's not their fault, their parents did that to them as well, so they didn't know any better. So I learned how to forgive them for what they've done to me as time went by. After I became an Atheist, I confronted them, sure they were mad at first, but later on, they understood my point of view, they accepted my point of view.


What I'm trying to say is, as they're children, their minds are like a sponge; they absorb anything they're told, they're vulnerable, you tell them God exists, they'll go on by that belief probably for the rest of their lives, you tell them Islam is the right religion, and they'll go by that belief probably for the rest of their lives too. And here I recall a great quote of Carolyn Porco: “All the atoms of our bodies will be blown into space in the disintegration of the solar system, to live on forever as mass or energy. That's what we should be teaching our children, not fairy tales about angels and seeing grandma in Heaven“.

 

[keiv]

Outside of the jehovahs, I've literally never met anyone who tried to force or shove their belief down my throat, yet, I constantly read these atheists/antitheists complain about their so called experiences. As a matter of fact, what I have experienced is anytime I run into an antitheist ironically they're the first one to mock and ridicule my beliefs while trying to champion tolerance. Sucks that you have to take "6 anger pills" a day though . Hope that all works out for you.

Also, how can you call that a great quote when your religion of science can't even come up with the answer regarding whether or not the universe will have an ending?

 

[Zafran]

Funny coming from a Muslim specifically. We Atheists do mind our business, when do you think we get in our worst shape? When Theists try to shove their beliefs down our throats. There is a saying that kind of fits this situation: Having a religion or having a belief system is like having a penis, you can be glad to have one, you can be proud of having one, but don't go around shoving it down everybody's throat.



Religion does not shape us, and it most definitely does not keep us safe. If anything, it's the total opposite. I mean, what kind of danger would we put ourselves in without religion? If anything, I totally agree with Dawkins, I've always promised myself that if I were to have children of my own, and no matter what anyone inside the family or outside of it (society) says, I will give them total freedom to belong to any religion they choose, just because I'm an Atheist doesn't mean I'll tell my kid: Listen son, I'm an Atheist, so you have to be an Atheist. That's the kind of ideology that religious parents go by, they're Muslims so their children have no choice but to be Muslims as well. If I'm a parent, I'll just tell my kids to study whatever belief system they wish, and understand it better, and if they admire what the result of their research is, they can belong to that belief system. Oppressing children and forcing them to belong to the same religion you are, or be disbelievers like yourself, should be illegal, and whichever parents do that should have their children taken away by child services as such household with such oppressing and forceful parents is not appropriate for children.


He's not out of line, he's doing what he knows is best for children. I was brought up in a Muslim household, my freedom of belief was taken away from me by my parents, I was forcefully sent to a mosque to learn and study the Quran at the age of 9, I could have missed any class in school, but I couldn't miss the Islamic studies class. How do you think that worked out for me? It did to me nothing but break me; shatter me, I have so much anger inside of me that I have to take 6 anger pills a day to keep myself under control, I used to blame my parents for what I've become, but later on, I realized that it's not their fault, their parents did that to them as well, so they didn't know any better. So I learned how to forgive them for what they've done to me as time went by. After I became an Atheist, I confronted them, sure they were mad at first, but later on, they understood my point of view, they accepted my point of view.


What I'm trying to say is, as they're children, their minds are like a sponge; they absorb anything they're told, they're vulnerable, you tell them God exists, they'll go on by that belief probably for the rest of their lives, you tell them Islam is the right religion, and they'll go by that belief probably for the rest of their lives too. And here I recall a great quote of Carolyn Porco: “All the atoms of our bodies will be blown into space in the disintegration of the solar system, to live on forever as mass or energy. That's what we should be teaching our children, not fairy tales about angels and seeing grandma in Heaven“.

Humans don't live on forever as mass energy in the solar system especially when they are dead in the first place. God, the day of judgement, heaven and hell are not fairy stories. The whole point parents want there children to have a religious education is because they believe it revelation.

When I was a kid I too was bought up as a Muslim, but the way I was taught was pretty bad. Very little about Islam, a lot of blind recitation. When I left I pretty much became an agnostic until I read the Quran (translation) and started to research the religion my self. However a lot of people in my family are a mixed bunch from secular to religious. All of us had a similar up bringing to me.

In other words Parents have a right to teach whatever they want to there children (who loves children more?), but ultimately the children decide how they want to live when they are older. Dawkins and any other institution doesn't have that right and I especially don't think Dawkins Knows better then the child's parent.

 

[CalmPassenger]

Interesting post...

 

[Pygoscelis]

Outside of the jehovahs, I've literally never met anyone who tried to force or shove their belief down my throat, yet, I constantly read these atheists/antitheists complain about their so called experiences. As a matter of fact, what I have experienced is anytime I run into an antitheist ironically they're the first one to mock and ridicule my beliefs while trying to champion tolerance.

Atheists vary as much as theists as far as that goes. I have met atheists who don't even think about religion. They don't believe in God(s) but they don't care and they have no interest in talking about it. I have also met atheists who seem to make a mission out of mocking the religious whenever they can. Just like I know some very relaxed religious people who never push it at all, mostly the jews and catholics I know, and then you have the mormons, baptists, etc, who shout at you and hate on you not only if you don't believe in God(s), but if you don't believe in their very particular religion.

As a Muslim, if you live in the west, you've got a better perspective than the Christians do on how Christian-dominant the place is. Atheists complain about that sometimes. The public funding of Catholic schools is an issue where I live (in Canada). No other religious schools get public funding. None should. There are lots of other cases like that. When a religion dominates like that and tries to push its weight around, I think it makes sense to push back at it, in a secular and multi-cultural country.

 

[Pygoscelis]

In other words Parents have a right to teach whatever they want to there children (who loves children more?), but ultimately the children decide how they want to live when they are older. Dawkins and any other institution doesn't have that right and I especially don't think Dawkins Knows better then the child's parent.

Depends on what exactly we are talking about. Children are very susceptible, and what goes in a kid's head tends to stay there for a long time. If I could remove children from parents like Fred Phelps or the KKK etc I would. We all have a responsibility to care for children, and sometimes we need to speak up when parents get abusive. And some things parents teach children can be abusive. Tormenting children with thought of fire and brimstone may qualify.

Ultimately parents will teach their kids what they want, and I think the best safeguard is to have information on other ways of seeing things readily available to the children. Even if their parents disagree or oppose certain, and tell their kids those views are wrong, they should not hide those views from the kids and pretend they don't exist.

 

[Karl]

Depends on what exactly we are talking about. Children are very susceptible, and what goes in a kid's head tends to stay there for a long time. If I could remove children from parents like Fred Phelps or the KKK etc I would. We all have a responsibility to care for children, and sometimes we need to speak up when parents get abusive. And some things parents teach children can be abusive. Tormenting children with thought of fire and brimstone may qualify.

Ultimately parents will teach their kids what they want, and I think the best safeguard is to have information on other ways of seeing things readily available to the children. Even if their parents disagree or oppose certain, and tell their kids those views are wrong, they should not hide those views from the kids and pretend they don't exist.

When did you become a communist? Was it taught to you at school? Is that Canadian culture?

 

[Scimitar]

Richard Dawkins should feel shame at his lack of humanity and emotion. he should realise that parents always have the best interest at heart for their children.

A parent will want to give the best of their lives to their children, this will include their religion also.

In a world where "freedom of choice" and "free speech" are constantly touted as expressions of our socio-human development, I find it weird how the very same liberties we so proudly shout about, are gradually being taken away from us one by one - like thefts in the night.

Scimi

 

[Karl]

The problem here is the rise of socialism and these relatively new international socialists. They believe in no borders and boundaries. They are Godless but do have a set of dogmas and catch cries that they believe they have the right to force on everyone. These creatures worship the United Nations and all it stands for, being a one world order totalitarian secular state. Of course the rulers will be in New York and other sycophantic to the course cities and of course it will be a Zionist American way hegemony. You will be able to worship what you like but law and control will be theirs and if you will not be assimilated, you will be destroyed. But hey, while there is life there is hope. My hope is that these devils will squabble and fight each other for the power and in their destruction of each other the liberation to the rest of us, well at least the survivors.

 

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace be with you Pygoscelis;

Children are very susceptible, and what goes in a kid's head tends to stay there for a long time.

As religion declines in the UK, children are being taught a free for all, that is all relationships are equal, very sadly around fifty percent of children do not live with both biological parents, this is not natural. Many of these parents and children are very troubled about their separation.

Religion supports families and communities that look after each other, this has to be a positive reason to support God and religion.

If I could remove children from parents like Fred Phelps or the KKK etc I would.

I agree some ideologies are wrong. I would prefer to encourage loving relationships of one man, one woman for life, this has to be the best and greatest way, all relationships are not equal. But it seems we are not allowed to stand up for our beliefs.

In the spirit of supporting families.

Eric

 

[Pygoscelis]

When did you become a communist? Was it taught to you at school? Is that Canadian culture?

I became a communist the same day you became a terrorist.

 

[Scimitar]

pfft, hahahaha, that was clever

Scimi

 

[Karl]

I became a communist the same day you became a terrorist.

I was born a terrorist as I am a Fire Horse with the blood of Norse, Anglo Saxons and probably all the ten tribes of the Anti Christ, but Allah loves me as I acknowledge Him as my creator even though I have a heathen spirit and am not a goody goody two shoes. But communists believe they are above God and spread their anti God propaganda.

 

[sister herb]

When did you become a communist? Was it taught to you at school? Is that Canadian culture?

What in his post was with the communism? I am a muslim and a communist and I didn´t see anything communism in his post.

 

[Karl]

Depends on what exactly we are talking about. Children are very susceptible, and what goes in a kid's head tends to stay there for a long time. If I could remove children from parents like Fred Phelps or the KKK etc I would. We all have a responsibility to care for children, and sometimes we need to speak up when parents get abusive. And some things parents teach children can be abusive. Tormenting children with thought of fire and brimstone may qualify.

Ultimately parents will teach their kids what they want, and I think the best safeguard is to have information on other ways of seeing things readily available to the children. Even if their parents disagree or oppose certain, and tell their kids those views are wrong, they should not hide those views from the kids and pretend they don't exist.

You have NOTHING to do with my children so you have no responsibility to them. You have no vested interest in them and I will not tolerate communists trespassing on my property and stealing them from me. You are not even my kind. How would you like it if the KKK were all arrogant and self righteous like you and wanted to take your offspring off you because of your liberal lefty commie atheist ideologies?

 

[Karl]

What in his post was with the communism? I am a muslim and a communist and I didn´t see anything communism in his post.

You should go and talk to an Imam. Communists burn Churches and Mosques etc and kill all believers in God or gods. They are the embodiment of evil and the antithesis of Islam, Christianity etc. Pygoscelis talks like a communist, they have a certain way of collective rationalization in their speech. e.g. " WE all have a responsibility to care for children" is a typical communist statement. A non communist would say instead "PARENTS have the responsibility to care for their children".
Communist propaganda is quite subtle, just look out for the word "We" in their catch cries or other collective words. Communists cannot conceive individuality or separatism, they can only function on a totalitarian coercive mass, repeatedly spouting Godless dogmas.
Read about the Red Terror. Learn about the horror you are calling yourself.

 

[ardianto]

We all have a responsibility to care for children, and sometimes we need to speak up when parents get abusive. And some things parents teach children can be abusive.

I totally agree that we all have a responsibility to care for children, and we need to speak up when parents get abusive. Children are part of society too. But I disagree with Richard Dawkins that children need to be protected from religious education from their parents. Teaching religion to children is obligatory for every religious parent. What I agree is, children need to be protected from extremism that taught by their parents, or other people, including extremism in religion.

 

[ardianto]

Pygoscelis talks like a communist,

Not every atheist is communist, or support communism.

 

[Scimitar]

I was born a terrorist as I am a Fire Horse with the blood of Norse, Anglo Saxons and probably all the ten tribes of the Anti Christ, but Allah loves me as I acknowledge Him as my creator even though I have a heathen spirit and am not a goody goody too shoes. But communists believe they are above God and spread their anti God propaganda.

Gosh, you two are a double act awesome stuff guys haha

Scimi

 

[Karl]

I totally agree that we all have a responsibility to care for children, and we need to speak up when parents get abusive. Children are part of society too. But I disagree with Richard Dawkins that children need to be protected from religious education from their parents. Teaching religion to children is obligatory for every religious parent. What I agree is, children need to be protected from extremism that taught by their parents, or other people, including extremism in religion.

What makes you think you have that right?? FYI, YOU only have a responsibility to "protect" YOUR offspring. You DON'T have any inherent or legitimate responsibility to "protect" MY offspring, just as I have no inherent responsibility to protect your offspring either. In fact I'm not the least bit interested in your offspring and I don't care what you do with them. Why should I? Me and my offspring are NOTHING to do with you therefore you have no right to arrogantly and self-righteously interfere in my domestic affairs. Me and my offspring DON'T belong to any "society" (as you call it), nor do we ever WANT to be. We are freestanding separatists and will live our lives our own independent way without being interfered with by outsiders. As I have said to you many times before, I will defend my parental sovereignty and my property rights to the death, if need be.

All this "what about the children" hype we continually hear these days in the Zionist controlled mainstream media is nothing more that a collectivistic New World Order ploy which attempts to overthrow private property, parental sovereignty and to eventually outlaw religion. It attempts to destroy entire families by trespassing into all household inner sanctums to usurp paternal sovereignty. I for one will NEVER tolerate that.