Labeling children as any religious denomination is wrong

Thank you, Vaibanez, for presenting this debate topic. My opponent argues that labeling children as (belonging to) any religious denomination is 'wrong'. He defines a child as 'a person between birth and full growth', and wrong as 'not in accordance with what is morally right or good'. I would first like to point out that though I do agree you 'shouldn't' label children as being adherents to a religion, it is not 'not in accordance with what is morally right or good'. In short, it is not 'wrong' by my opponent's definition. He has presented simple contentions which I will refute as enumerated by him: I: Understanding complex religious ideas does not require adulthood, nor is it a pre-requisite for being labeled as an adherent of a religion. In fact, being labeled an adherent of a religion only requires that you follow the traditions, teachings, partake in the rituals, etc. of that religion. Though children are not always informed enough to compare and make a choice, it does not matter as their morality is nonetheless being developed through some structure that will resemble that of their parentage no matter how they choose to label themselves. Furthermore, no one but the parents should decide what is 'wrong' or 'right' to label their own child. My opponent also states this is no different than labeling them as "democrat, fascist, or communist". This is untrue. To be officially a Democrat, one should be registered to vote as one. To be fascist, one must demonstrate the political leanings of fascists, and the same goes for communists. To be a Catholic, a child must simply live in a Catholic home, and be baptized into the Catholic Church shortly after birth. You see, religion is part of the social environment of the home, and is often dictated by culture. For example, to say an Afghan child- a child which lives in a country and is part of a culture in which 99% of the population (http://en.wikipedia.org...) is Muslim- should not be labeled as Muslim is ridiculous. The question as to whether or not it is right to indoctrinate children is another, but to label them as such is not 'wrong'. II- The question of whether or not a child can understand the complexities of religion is not as foolish as the implication that they cannot simply believe these ideas if they are taught. Parents reserve the right, and bear the responsibility of teaching their children. If they choose to raise them as liberals, conservatives, atheists, Buddhists, Christians, etc., it is their choice. Understanding "spirits, salvation, sin, reincarnation, heaven and hell, purgatory, etc." is no simpler for and adult than it is for a child. In fact very few adults who have spent their lives as adherents of a religion ever learn the complexities of the religions in which they profess belief. Religion is never a "rational" decision, and in this irrationality adults are no more mature than their children. III- Though my opponent correctly states that religion is an individual decision, he ignores the fact that many (if not all) religions teach you to teach your child that very religion. Labeling a child as part of a religion does not "bar that individual" from changing their mind later on. It does not "make it more difficult" to follow an individually preferred path. In fact, my opponents third contention seems to be a complaint about how difficult it is to convert individuals once they have grown as part of a religion. Well, if religion is an individual decision and personal choice, who cares? If one is going to lack rational, not being 'labeled' as a child would not afford them any more rational than they would have otherwise acquired throughout life. A child would have to be completely isolated from society to not have a 'majority influence' on his/her life. The parents would have to hide their religion and beliefs, and the child would have to not be allowed to attend church, Sunday school (if Christian), weddings, funerals, etc. The child would have to be completely sheltered from any experience which can lead to a label. THIS is ridiculous. In conclusion, if parents don't label their children somebody else will. If they don't teach their children, somebody else will. If parents don't exert the influence and take the responsibility they have been given as parents, somebody else will. It is not wrong to label children as adherents to a religion. Not always, not wholly, and not unless you want somebody else to do it for you.