Don't Indoctrinate A Child: It Permanently Loses Power Of Reasoning And Scientific Temperament
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
11
September 2023
"Many authorities now believe that young
children should not be subjected to religious brainwashing. They should, at a
later age, be exposed to several different religious and philosophical
teachings and they should be taught to think critically."
A reader's comment
"A
child's early exposure to religion/ Indoctrinates his mind and restricts his
vision". I read these lines years ago. I can't recall who wrote them. But
the message remains ever-relevant.
Instead of
teaching religious 'truths,' it's far more advisable to inculcate moral and
noble values in them. A tender mind doesn't and cannot question. It takes
everything for granted. So, if you teach a child that Muhammad split the moon
into two halves, Jesus bifurcated the sea, Hanuman and Krishna lifted mountains
and all that religious nonsense, a child will believe without a murmur.
By the time
that child grows into an adult and in a position to question, his mind will
have become indoctrinated and enslaved.
An
indoctrinated mind doesn't question because it permanently loses power of
reasoning and scientific temperament. It follows like a sheep or a slave.
Parents who teach religiosity to their children are the biggest culprits. They
make their kids servile forever.
One must
undertake religious studies only after a certain age when one can discern,
decipher, delve and distinguish. Expose your child to Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khanan's
edifying two-liners (Dohe) which are non-religious and are based on life
and its myriad aspects and experiences, Sadi's 'Bostan' and 'Gulistan',
Dag Hammarskjold's 'Markings' (6 reflections), Ralph Waldo Emerson's 'Nature', 'Society and Solitude, ' 'Concord
Hymn' and 'The Rhodora.' Just one book is far more profound than all the
antediluvian scriptures put together.
Expose the
young minds to such soul-enriching books and teachings rather than exposing
them to Ram, Krishna, Jesus, Zarathushtra, Moses and Muhammad's fictional lives
and dubious teachings. Don't drill a fictitious god into their brains. Let them
explore it (god) on their own.
Children
should be taught non-religious morality in schools because religion and
morality are poles asunder. To thwart growing religiosity, it's important to
keep children away from its toxic influence at homes and schools.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul
is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He
has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several
languages including Persian.