I find that calling a child catholic,or muslim, or hindu, etc, is completely unethical and unfair to the child's development.
Nonsense. If they are a child of let's say a Catholic, then they are a Catholic child, even if they do not remain it in later life.
It inhibits personal advancement and thoughtfulness because its a limitation that is imposed on them--a metaphorical ball and chain.
Nonsense.
Who are you actually thinking about when you say that?
Why do you think that people cannot be thoughtful just because they understand that intelligence is behind everything rather than luck?
Do not parents tell their children what they think is right.... including atheists? What if the atheists are wrong? What kind of ball and chain are you putting round their necks?
Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins have argued, which I agree with, that you wouldn't call a child a republican, or a democrat, or any other political position because a child isn't old enough to understand the complex issues behind various stance--there is nothing more complicated than the nature of reality, which makes religious labeling even more disgusting.
To say it is disgusting is ridiculous. You might well say they are middle class or working class. What is the difference?
The reasons why religions like this is obvious
Is it really!
--its a form of early prostelization
So you are telling me that Dawkins brought his daughter up as a Christian then did he? 'Pot calling the kettle black', I think.
that sticks with a child more easily because their families and communities which they grew up with are peer pressuring them to conform to their societal standards.
As is the case with any family. We do what we think is right for our offspring.
Children are also more susceptible to suggestions.
Such as atheist suggestions perhaps? I don't know, but I'm guessing that Dawkins offspring is not a Christian.
However, it completely demolishes the chance for most children to have an unpolluted period of personal progress where they can individually learn about what beliefs they find most appealing. Religious families inherently tarnish this fundamentally important process.
Important? What if what they are telling them is correct? What if they say don't go too close to the cliff face, but you want them to do have this ''personal progress''.
In an ideal world I would like there to be laws prohibiting the prostelization until they are capable of making more sophisticated judgments.
In an ideal world, it would be heaven, and then we would all believe.
In conclusion parents are doing a disservice to their children by demanding that they stick to the family household religion .
No they are not. They are giving them a chance to save their souls, a soul you don't even believe in because you are a materialist, and therefore limited..... a fact which you seem to be insistent on forcing down everyone else's throat.
It really is a form of child abuse
No it is not. Child abuse is letting them die with no hope!
since it obliterates the potential for a child to learn for themselves,
A child now has to learn for themselves?!? What is this I am reading? Chuck them in a room and say, Learn it yourself, I'll see you in twenty years. The foods over there, and don't forget to change your nappies.
instead of being force fed a bunch of garbage created by iron age peasants.
And there we see the problem. You call God's word, garbage, and therefore force that onto everyone else, presumably you think we should do the same with our children. But some of us understand it! And just because someone lived in the iron age and may have been a peasant, don't forget, they are your forefathers.
Why not say believe in the Father and son and do good to others. Is that so hard? Perhaps your spirit won't allow you to.
But do not forget, with such a formula, I do not think you would come to much harm. If there was not God, then it would make little difference. But if there is, you have just created a mountain of problems for your offspring! Are you prepared to take that responsibility?
