Thanks for all the responses folks.
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Plus, most religions have good moral values behind them, and as a child you are taught with universal rules instead of the more general rules.
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Could you be a little more specific in which religions have good moral values? I find a majority preach a mindset of "ours is the only true way" which isn't appropriate in a multicultural society. Frankly, it's not appropriate worldwide, but small steps and all. I also believe that most ingrain an insane notion that happiness isn't really possible here on earth, because the divine isn't here.
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Not only is imparting religious knowledge to one's offspring a duty for most religions, but most of this knowledge is most easily absorbed and internalized at a young age.
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My first, cynical response would be: so it's ok to spread the memes when the child is most susceptible?*
Ok, so these religious articles that state you should teach your kids as early as possible, well weren't they written quite a time ago? You know, before we really got to grips with concepts like "freedom of religion" and "personal choice".
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By not exposing your child to religion you are just as guilty of imposing your dogma upon them. You have to teach them something; God or no god.
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I'm not really arguing for mass producing atheists. I'm saying that
endorsing any faith to your child is a crime of choice deprivation. I'd be up for teaching them about all the mythologies of the world, and presenting it with the sentiment: these are stories that you put as much faith in as you like.
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Let's say my child does decide to adopt my religion. At age 15, or 18, or 21, or whenever he is old enough to decide this, EVEN if he does decide to do so, his lack of training in the faith puts him at a huge disadvantage.
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Ok, that raised a grin. What training does someone need to be a member of a religious sect? Are there Catholic Exams? Buddhist Meditation Practicals? Sorry dude, I think that ones a misfire.
* I've been reading Snow Crash again. Fascinating book. Religion as a virus and other such grooviness.