Children shouldn't be pressured or forced to accept their parents' religion

Zach! Very interesting debate! This should be fun and an exciting challenge. Christians do not view Christianity as a religion but a personal relationship with God. I realize you view Christianity as a religion so for the purpose of the debate I will not contend with your classification unless necessary. As to children I am also assuming you are meaning that we should not raise them in the structures of doctrines. I do not think any religion outside of Islam forces a child after the "age of accountability" to conform to its religion but other religions may strongly recommend their "religion" based upon a set criteria. You might classify this as pressure. So I will understand you to mean to teach children the essential elements of their faith from a very early age and constantly teaching them more as they grow, this teaching them before they ever have a choice for or against the concept within the religion. Your resolution is stating ultimately you believe this is somehow a "bad thing". Your resolution is stating this is as something that should always NOT be done. (I only know of the Muslim religion that "forces" retention after the "age of accountability".) Here is a concept for teaching younger Children. I heard this some years ago… A man was attending a private school parent's introduction course. The Instructor was regaling all of the parents with the intense curriculum of the Kindergarten through 12th grade. The instructor started with the incredible science behind the development of hand eye coordination programs and the instilled exercise routine of 1st through 3rd grades. He explained with vast detail the great lengths they went to in instilling a love for science, math and art that would propel all of the 4th through 9th graders on. It was a massive program that calculated every step and minute throughout the years and classes. Finally the instructor after nearly an hour of a very intense explanation of the High School grade levels directives for driving and educating the students in advanced sciences and literature, even delved into the technical aspects of a mass variety of specialization. It was truly amazing. After the instructor finished his precise presentation he smiled and asked "Any questions?" The entire audience burst out laughing. The whole presentation was so detailed and so well articulated that the audience as one, thought a question about the programming would be absurd! The man at the start of this retelling slowly raised his hand. "I do have a question. What Kind of Man will my son be?" The instructor's smile slowly left his face and was replaced by a quizzical look "I do not know what you mean." The man clearing his throat spoke up "Well, everything you have detailed out sounds absolutely wonderful. I think everyone here is incredibly impressed with the lengths you all will go to teach our children. But my question is, when my son grows up to become a man, what kind of man will he be? A good man? A patient and loving father? A self serving wretch?" The instructor's face became quite solemn. "I have no idea." The man nodded yes. "I thank you for your candor and honesty, but your answer scares the hell out of me." This short recap of the understanding that had so much impact on me is quite vivid. Secular humanism struggles to make a physically and mentally sound person but outright neglects spirituality and morality. Without a moral compass what are you suggesting children choose? Without a personal relationship with God what are you suggesting children choose? By you (Zach) agreeing with the resolution you are suggesting that morality comes from something that is inherent within man rather than something that is taught to them. This is proven false by history. Christians disagree with the Nazi value system. We do so because of objective moral values given to us by God. It is not incumbent upon a person to AGREE with objective moral values, it is entirely by choice. Enough of the German people agreed with the Darwinist moral value system they then adopted it. They actually killed off people when they became a "drain" on society, they called them "eaters". Objective moral values are defined as values that have a transcendent authority. Many people choose against moral values. Having a personal relationship with the God that created those values is necessary to live them fully. Teaching your children those moral values is necessary to have a full relationship with God. I have 4 children under the age of 4. They are incredibly obedient and have not experienced the "terrible twos" or threes for that matter. It is through teaching them the basics of Christianity and obedience to God that has done this. Without a clear moral and spiritual compass we see many cultures like the Nazi's that culminate in a "self" orientated society. Why would this be a benefit to NOT show the ramifications and instruct my children? Spirituality is a necessary function to understand who God is. This is also not something someone will inherently discover without guidance. Here is the concept: ""My Father is great! He is the founder of an entire Nation of people who do nothing but try to aid people if they allow Him along with us and my older brother is the Leader of that nation."" This is an incredible claim! How can you possibly understand that and believe it right off the bat? It takes education. The same can be said for the basics of life right up to the Supernatural. You see a car but to interact with it requires education. When you were 15 you didn't jump right in the car and do a 3000 mile stint. All things require education to interact with it. Even the metaphysical like marriage falls under this system. The physical, metaphysical and the supernatural require education. Some things are can be "argued" as inherently known (by a discrepancy of definition) but the deeper things are all learned. In summary all children are a direct product of what they have been taught. All people are a sum total of what they have been taught. You do not know ANYTHING you were NOT taught. Simply put even your belief as Pro to the resolution was something you heard. You choose to believe it. Children choose to believe a religion or reject it. The pressure is purely in the ramifications of a choice or belief. Deuteronomy 6:4-8 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes…