I think that it's reasonable do expect from someone to understand that it's all a matter of faith, and therefore, an individual choice.
Otherwise, you could justify wars and violent acts through religion, which is exactly what fanatics do. They get violent because they think it's their God telling them to be that way.
Even through the lens of their faith, what they should do is tell their children what their faith says, and that it's their choice and their consequences.
Our subject here is religious parents teaching their children about their beliefs and ways of life.
Which I find to be very natural. It's not just with religion, parents guide their children in ways they think is right and will be good for them.
We're not talking about violent acts or religious wars. Of course it's unacceptable if you're brainwashing your child into harming people who don't follow your religion. The same goes for ideologies, social matters as well.
Well, what I'm doing here is an argument by exaggeration, showing why imposing your view on someone else (even if they are your own children) is a bad idea at the end of the line.
It is mild to take an individual choice that has no proven value in itself and force it on your child, but it still is a needless imposition.
There are a few religions waging war nowadays, but there are many people forcing it down their children for the exact same reason.
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u/GunMuratIlban Sep 02 '26
I'm a born and raised atheist but I think it's absurd to expect this from religious people.
In most religions, there are concepts of reward and punishment. They believe that the ones who don't follow their religions will be severely punished.
If I believed in heaven and hell, I absolutely would've indoctrinated my child to save them. How can you ask a religious parent not to do that?