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. ------- 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. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/indoctrinate-child-reasoning-scientific-temperament/d/130648 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism