Isn't telling children they are at risk of eternal torture a nakedly obvious form of social engineering?

I would class it as psychological child abuse, and would have ANYONE preaching this inappropriate drivel before a court of human rights. Any child subjected to this kind of mistreatment will surely be completely unable to comprehend anything other than they've been told, and will live for a long time in ignorance.

Religion is the only form of mass indoctrination that has actually worked. Even the Nazis couldn't pull it off completely.

Very true it's an excellent point made. Furthermore, it's not just child abuse because so many believers are adults who are abused and self abuse...and abuse others.

There is absolutely no problem in a life without religion. We can have morales and ethics founded from empathy and compassion rather than fear of being stabbed by daggers in depths of a fiery hot hell, forever.

@Those who do not know God because of wilful disbelief, can never hope to understand. That God loved the world so He gave His only begotten Son, will forever be a mystery.

You just do not do that before they understand God is a loving Father. The motivation is love, not fear. The balance must always be on the positive. No true Christian parent would do this. However I can imagine that non-believers or name- christians would use this tactic.

MIMI

Not social engineering - cruelty. When I was a child my parents put a picture of Jesus with bolts of light coming out of his eyes. At the bottom - it said - "He can see everything you do and if you sin you will go to Hell!".

I wet the bed until I was in my early teens until I went to live with my aunt - my parents said I was so wicked, they couldn't keep me! Small crimes like "It wasn't me - it was John" (my bro) which most kids commit. Yes - I've done my homework when I hadn't.

Needless to say I am an atheist.

Mo

Uni Lec (retired) Phil of Religion and English

Ma and Grandma

Atheist

Most children are curious about everything and ask questions like "why is the sky blue?" the next question is, "what happens when we die?" Children are born with a knowledge that this life isn't all there is. In that they are wiser than many adults. Christ Himself said we need to have faith as a little child.

Logic has nothing to do with the world of the spirit. For logic go to the book of Proverbs. Logic may get you through this life but won't help you in the next.

Yes I agree spock , its a form of brain washing . Live long and prosper

Yes.

everything you're told is for the purpose of social engineering in essence. if you don't teach your children, someone else will come along and teach them for you. you yourself are a victim of bad doctrine. the purpose of enlightenment is to rightly divide, discern, and commit to the truth.

As with most religions fear is the key

If it is, it doesn't seem to work.

Perhaps they should try a different tack.