Parents worldwide routinely commit their children to religious organizations to be groomed as members of the faith. Though the practice is widely accepted, a growing number of people around the world believe the practice violates the children’s human rights. In order to voice this concern, the second annual Day of Protest Against Hereditary Religion is scheduled for January 20, 2013.
Some children suffer emotional harm from their confrontation with fearful dogma and superstition at an early age. Although civil libertarians have long objected to this practice, clergy in most faiths argue that a child is always free to chose a different faith when they reach their majority—usually 18 years of age—and leave the family home. The protest organizers feel this argument is disingenuous because every effort is made during the child’s formative years to insure they will never leave the faith, including the inculcation of fear and the threat of ostracizing by family and community.
Recent neuroscience research strongly supports the idea that early religious inculcation is difficult to escape. Constant repetition of inputs to the brain have been shown to create permanent neuronal configurations that can be nearly impervious to change.
The international Day of Protest Against Hereditary Religion on January 20 is being staged in cyberspace and will feature a virtual rally stage with nationally recognized experts exploring the protest themes and leading real-time discussions. The event announcement is on Facebook.
For more information, contact event spokesperson Richard Collins
at
(628) 328-9862 or librehombre@yahoo.com, or visit http://www.endhereditaryreligion.com
Event announcement: https://www.facebook.com/events/297429563701513/
Hi Maryam.
I’m overjoyed to see you backing an event such as this.
I think the forced indoctrination of children is the only reason the religions of the world have as much power as they do, since most people would no doubt laugh at the absurdity of religious scripture if presented to them for the first time as rational adults. I’ll be sure to take part on the day.
All the best, Kevin.
in·doc·tri·nate
[in-dok-truh-neyt] Show IPA
verb (used with object), in·doc·tri·nat·ed, in·doc·tri·nat·ing.
1.
to instruct in a doctrine, principle, ideology, etc., especially to imbue with a specific partisan or biased belief or point of view.
2.
to teach or inculcate.
3.
to imbue with learning.
Synonyms
1. brainwash, propagandize.
The protest organizers feel this argument is disingenuous because every effort is made during the child’s formative years to insure they will never leave the faith, including the inculcation of fear and the threat of ostracizing by family and community.
More than that, but it’s mainly what you said, is that brainwashed people don’t even understand that there are options available, let alone freely choose.
Between social and emotional pressures and threats, and indoctrination from birth, I doubt that very many ever do reject their faith. I’ve read that 97%(or more, can’t remember) of adults that practice a faith were raised in religious families/households.
Hi Maryan,
I will be attending the Women in Secularism conference in Washington.
I am leaving Melbourne on the 16th and will return on the 20th.
I will be staying in the Washington Marriott at Metro Center
I am looking forward to see you.
In sisterhood
Elida Radig
Progressive Atheist Inc.
see you there!
See both of you there!