Should the law ban or at least monitor and restrict religious education of young children?

[Douglas Carpenter]

Poll question: Should the law ban or at least monitor and restrict religious education of young children?

I would be totally against this idea - even if there might be a case that restriction has a valid point. The danger of this level of government intrusion into family matters - from my point of view - would greatly out way any conceivable benefit and the whole concept smacks of totalitarianism.

However, I have seen some post that would lead me to believe that there are some people here on DU who would regard any religious instruction of young children as a kind of forced indoctrination placed on someone too young to rationally consent.

[AnnieBW]

1. Define "Extreme"

I know of several cases where a parent lost custody of their child because they were Pagan and took their child to Pagan events and the ex-spouse objected to it. The courts will almost always side with the parent in a "traditional" religion, even if no harm was done to the child.

[Douglas Carpenter]

3. for me, extreme would mean cases like the Jim Jones cult

[Countdown_3_2_1]

2. In a Free Society, restrictions like these are not possible.

People of faith, want to raise their children in faith. Its natural.
The first amendment guarantees they can raise their children any way they please.

To make these restrictions a reality, you would have to do away with Freedom of Religion and the Freedom of Assembly clauses in the Constitution.

Further, the monitoring of families and children would by necessity be be so invasive, that even secular families would revolt.

Bottom line, embrace diversity and accept people of faith as a simple fact of life.

[Douglas Carpenter]

4. well of course I absolutely agree

It is just that I have read some comments that if taken to their logical conclusion - banning or severely restricting is where it appears one would end up.

[HereSince1628]

5. Oh say how one measures "absolutely extreme"

If only we knew...

[Douglas Carpenter]

8. For example the Jim Jones cult which lead hundred of children into committing suicide

or the "Children of God" cult which actually made pedophilia a central tenant of their religious practice

[HereSince1628]

9. You suggest a 'case example' rather than an operational principle

Some religions/sects teach an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth justice. This makes execution for murder (seen as extreme in much of the world) a religious mandate.

Then there are America's 'hot button' such as abortion, homophobia.

How does one write legislation so that acting against "absolutely extreme" religious education can be made operational within the justice system?

Case by case is sort of where we are right now, with judgments made about acts (that may have been motivated by religious belief/education) using comparisons of actions to existing laws.

[kirby]

6. Unless the Constitution is amended, this is a moot point n/t

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. well of course and the public would not stand for it. That is why I used the word "should"

[elocs]

10. There was plenty of room in the poll for a simple "no" choice.

I vote a simple "no". Just "no".

[stray cat]

11. Should extremists on the left be denied the ability to speak to their children?

Where do you stop it and are you the next target with a new administration?

[LeftishBrit]

12. In the family, no, as that would involve an infringement of civil liberties

I am not happy with the thought that some parents teach their kids that e.g. those with different beliefs are going to Hell; but I am still less happy with the government sending people to snoop on what parents are communicating to their children.

However, I think that religious instruction in primary schools and other public institutions that serve young children should be inspected and monitored.

[defendandprotect]

13. Not by law ... but we should strive to protect the conscience of youth ....

Society should work against brainwashing children into religion before their

own consciences have been developed and before they have a right to consent.

Religions know if they don't "get 'em young" they won't get 'em.