[Ben Holmes]

In a post apparently arguing against parents teaching their children religion, this statement was made:

Bud Wrote:Another thing, scaring children with unsupportable tales of eternal punishment is child abuse.

Unfortunately for atheists, the strongest evidence today for the fact of a theistic universe is science itself.

But even if it could be proven beyond all doubt that there is no God - the teaching of religious values is still in society's best interests - those raised in religious homes are far less likely to rob you, or murder you. Teaching values is the major task facing parents... when character is taught, then society benefits.

Atheism doesn't teach moral values - that can only come from God.

[Lee Abbott]

Not teaching children about religion until they're 12, for example, doesn't mean their parents are Atheists. And if I'm not mistaken, Hitler had a Catholic upbringing from an early age.

[Ben Holmes]

(01-28-2017, 08:17 PM)Lee Abbott Wrote:  Not teaching children about religion until they're 12, for example, doesn't mean their parents are Atheists. And if I'm not mistaken, Hitler had a Catholic upbringing from an early age.

Nah... didn't make that argument.

Interestingly, there are Atheists who bring their children to Church, Google it, it's a fascinating bit of support for the idea that even Atheists recognize the power of Religion in molding character.

Nor are counter-examples particularly important - I've never stated, nor do I believe, that all children with a religous upbringing turn into models of society. I do believe, and it's well supported, that the majority of people brought up with religious values turn out to be an asset to society.

And I'm sure that there are people with religious convictions who don't attend Church, and don't bring their children to Church.

There's all sorts of possibilities here.

But teaching children about religion can hardly be "child abuse" - that's just about as nonsensical as you can get.