We’ve just come across some very interesting news stories across the globe on child abuse and the boundaries of such abuse and thought they would make for great Friday contemplation….
The first news items suggests that teaching Christian morals to children is child abuse. The thinking behind this is that some of the teachings and popular customs and rituals may be sending out damaging messages. Of course, we could apply this perspective to all organised religion and of course political movements, too. So, what do you think? Are movements in general dangerous for young minds, should we draw the line somewhere and seek to address persistent flaws in modern-day thinking and ritual or should we prevent the state from interfering and allow parents to raise their children as they wish?
The second piece considers the view that childhood obesity is also a form of abuse. This item comes off the back of court rulings in Australia, where child protection workers can use childhood obesity as a way to remove a child from the home and be placed under state or clinical supervision. This raises questions about social engineering and where we draw the line when it comes to child abuse. It also asks us to consider the meaning of abuse – whether it is an active intent on the part of parents, or a byproduct of ignorance or even a cry for help in situations where parents need support, too. If allowing a child to become obese is a form of abuse, then perhaps we can also include lack of exercise and even the choice of foods parents select when feeding their children. Where do you think we should draw the line?
ladyportia27 said:
If we ban Christian moral beliefs then it would follow that we ban all religious moral beliefs…Christian, Jew, Muslim etc.
As for obesity and removing children. From the children I met who were removed- oddly enough their weight gained enormously in care.The children left deeply traumatised and weighing more than ever….so that is clearly not the solution,
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daveyone1 said:
Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
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pennylilac said:
I certainly don’t think religious morals are abuse. Each family must teach and bring up their children as they see fit. Religious morals are rules for general common decency on the whole and it could be said that is such morals are not taught to children then that is equally abuse, as it leaves youngsters bereft of any credo, or common aim.
It is extremism that causes the harm, and by that I mean extremism from all religious persuasions.
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Dana said:
The line seems to be set very low! It appears anything and everything can be twisted and proclaimed abuse!
Families need to get back the freedoms they used to have in deciding what is best for their child. We don’t live in a perfect society but real hardcore abusers are a very low percentage and others may need a little help or support or education as an alternative to taking children into care, where the act of removal is abuse of the child by the state!
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charles said:
Childhood obesity is absolutely child abuse and parents who have obese children need to be punished until their child loses weight.
As for religion I do think it is wrong to indoctrinate your kids. However I don’t see how that could be changed. There is no absolute viewpoint so anything from traditions, to politics, to religion, to morals, ect is indoctrination from a certain viewpoint. To take it to the extreme murdering someone isn’t inherently wrong or right unless its viewed under a certain ideology. To interpret anything there has to be a basic assumption or principle everything else is built on.
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