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Benign as in it wasn't some overly mystical, witchcrafty black magic voodoo - any Hindu worth his prayer beads would recognise his 'chants' off the bat. Not be

Benign as in it wasn't some overly mystical, witchcrafty black magic voodoo - any Hindu worth his prayer beads would recognise his 'chants' off the bat. Not benign in the "what could possibly go wrong" sense :)

rbanffy 17y ago
Either way. It's not benign in the sense it makes children, who will, hopefully, become adults one day, believe in magical things. Prayer solves no problem and believing some mystical entity is to blame for bad things that happen removes responsibility from the people to correct and or prevent it. No. It's simply bad. If, someday, we find out gods and goddesses really exist, it will be (I hope) a nice surprise. In the meantime, it only makes sense to educate kids that humans are in charge.
- unexpected 17y ago
  It also makes sense to educate kids to respect other peoples' religious views.
  - dantheman 17y ago
    I used to hold that view, but why single out religious views? Why not teach people to respect everyone else's views no matter how vile? Respect the racist's views, it makes them feel better -- who cares it if may cause them do evil. Respect the scam artist's views, he feels that what he does is right. etc.. Just because most people claim to believe in magic and fairy dust doesn't mean it's true, and if they are offended because you: 1. Don't believe in the same fairy dust they do 2. Point out errors and inconsistencies in their views 3. Behave in a way inconsistent with their views, that poses them no harm Then maybe they aren't as firm in their beliefs as they thought.
  - thaumaturgy 17y ago
    ...Why? There's a fine difference between respecting a person, and respecting a person's religious views.
- ErrantX 17y ago
  I see what your trying to say; and I do sympathise. Really there are two situations though (and I think youir mixing the two together and making a general statement). Firstly parents teaching a child about their own religious views. Now I personally think that the correct way to do this is to present those views and allow the child to make a choice; but I don't think I can turn round and tell a parent instilling their views on a child that what they are doing is wrong. They are trying to teach the child things they believe to be correct and are doing so in good faith and with love. I am hopeful that our society now is modern enough to give the child their own choice later in life. On the other hand we have people teaching religion to children generally. For example here in the UK primary schools are supposed to have so many hours "worship" each week. I find that kind of thing just sickeningly horrible (partly because I consider organised religions pretty evil (or non-benign) entities). Unfortunately it doesn't worry most parents (who may not have beliefs - but just shrug their shoulders at the "brainwashing" and say it's not having an effect). Removal of choice is something I despise. With all that said this is not really a topic worthy of a forum like this. :)
  - rbanffy 17y ago
    > With all that said this is not really a topic worthy of a forum like this. :) Unless we find a way to hack religion to suit our purposes ;-)
    - CrazedGeek 17y ago
      We should start a Scientology clone. Idea: Call it Grahamism, get pg and jgrahamc to chip in, expand, and profit.

rbanffy 17y ago

Either way. It's not benign in the sense it makes children, who will, hopefully, become adults one day, believe in magical things. Prayer solves no problem and believing some mystical entity is to blame for bad things that happen removes responsibility from the people to correct and or prevent it. No. It's simply bad. If, someday, we find out gods and goddesses really exist, it will be (I hope) a nice surprise. In the meantime, it only makes sense to educate kids that humans are in charge.

unexpected 17y ago
It also makes sense to educate kids to respect other peoples' religious views.
- dantheman 17y ago
  I used to hold that view, but why single out religious views? Why not teach people to respect everyone else's views no matter how vile? Respect the racist's views, it makes them feel better -- who cares it if may cause them do evil. Respect the scam artist's views, he feels that what he does is right. etc.. Just because most people claim to believe in magic and fairy dust doesn't mean it's true, and if they are offended because you: 1. Don't believe in the same fairy dust they do 2. Point out errors and inconsistencies in their views 3. Behave in a way inconsistent with their views, that poses them no harm Then maybe they aren't as firm in their beliefs as they thought.
- thaumaturgy 17y ago
  ...Why? There's a fine difference between respecting a person, and respecting a person's religious views.
ErrantX 17y ago
I see what your trying to say; and I do sympathise. Really there are two situations though (and I think youir mixing the two together and making a general statement). Firstly parents teaching a child about their own religious views. Now I personally think that the correct way to do this is to present those views and allow the child to make a choice; but I don't think I can turn round and tell a parent instilling their views on a child that what they are doing is wrong. They are trying to teach the child things they believe to be correct and are doing so in good faith and with love. I am hopeful that our society now is modern enough to give the child their own choice later in life. On the other hand we have people teaching religion to children generally. For example here in the UK primary schools are supposed to have so many hours "worship" each week. I find that kind of thing just sickeningly horrible (partly because I consider organised religions pretty evil (or non-benign) entities). Unfortunately it doesn't worry most parents (who may not have beliefs - but just shrug their shoulders at the "brainwashing" and say it's not having an effect). Removal of choice is something I despise. With all that said this is not really a topic worthy of a forum like this. :)
- rbanffy 17y ago
  > With all that said this is not really a topic worthy of a forum like this. :) Unless we find a way to hack religion to suit our purposes ;-)
  - CrazedGeek 17y ago
    We should start a Scientology clone. Idea: Call it Grahamism, get pg and jgrahamc to chip in, expand, and profit.