Childhood Religious Indoctrination is Psychological Abuse

My opponent has hamstrung his own argument by admitting he is referring to "the indoctrination practices common to ALL DENOMINATIONS within ALL the world's major religions" while at the same time seeking to discount Wahhibist Muslims and their indoctrination practices because it is inconvenient to his argument. At this point in time, I shall simply begin responding to my opponent's rebuttals, as I have made my major points clear. >> "Wahhabi Islam is not a mainstream sect of Islam and its indoctrination practices do not reflect those of Islam as a whole." All denominations, remember? Please tell me that these examples (http://www.hizb.org.uk...) (http://expat21.files.wordpress.com...) (http://www.inminds.co.uk...) are not of an "unreasonable limitation of freedom of movement or social interaction." >> "A Christian parent would undoubtedly consider hell just as real a threat to a child's well-being as a sex offender or an electrical socket..." The unreasonable expectation here is not simply the threat of hell, but rather the expectation that a CHILD is willing and mentally competent to set aside their present hopes for a future that is years away. This is an abuse of the trust a child has in their parents - the child does not know better than to take their word as truth - truth that removes their ability to think for themselves without the terrible guilt of sin hanging on their conscience. >> "Might I suggest my opponent properly comprehend his/her sources before providing them, as this source does not support my opponent's argument." It is clear my opponent does not understand the larger context of the argument. This is a specific case of the INDOCTRINATORS THEMSELVES admitting that they are walking a dangerous line beside unrealistic expectations, and that, sometimes, they DO ask unrealistic things of the children they are educating. >> "This article concerns a variety of religious views about corporal punishment... corporal punishment is not a universal tenant held by all Christians" But it IS held by some. All denominations, remember? The point is salient - sometimes religious indoctrination involves abusive corporeal punishment. >> "Furthermore, it is not universal Christian doctrine to place children in the firing line. Specific conflicts are not named nor are sources given that prove they employ child soldiers let alone as religious martyrs." Who said anything about Christians? But now that you mention it, in "Jesus Camp" they do in fact refer to the children as soldiers for God... But I was referring to the thousands that have died in conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, where children are taught from an early age that the enemy is a God-hating (or Allah-hating) despicable fiend. Here's a great article from Time about it (http://www.time.com...). In Africa, 1986, 3000 child soldiers fought... not all for religion, but some, yes (http://www.faqs.org...). >> "My opponent provides no evidence that links the teaching of religious articles in childhood with discrimination against people of other faiths in either childhood or adulthood and he/she makes an unsubstantiated link between this and religious unrest in France" I was unaware that commonly known current events needed to be "substantiated." Perhaps in another debate I should have to provide evidence of an oil spill in the Gulf? (http://en.wikipedia.org...) - This should satisfy you concerning the social problems in France, particularly in the schools. >> "Though religious intolerance is a reality in most societies, it is not considered a form of psychological damage" Except that religious intolerance is form of unacceptable or antisocial behavior, which my opponent's own source considers to be psychological abuse. >> "One assumes a person going to church is doing so with the express purpose to practice their faith and a reluctance to do so also indicates a reluctance to practice their faith." I doubt this position will find much sympathy among the readers who were dragged to church as children. >> "The withholding of conventional medical treatment is not part of universal Christian doctrine or indoctrination practices" Doesn't need to be. All denominations, remember? It is a part of SOME fundamentalist ones like the Christian Science Church. >> "The resolution is that religions are (sub)cultures and as a result, socialization applies" Nooo... the resolution is at the top of the page. Religions are no more cultures than political affiliations. It is a deliberate misuse of terms. AFFIRMED.