forcing a child to undergo religious indoctrination under the threat of being burned for eternity is nothing less than terrorism. If any of us adults have a choice of being burned alive or shoot a stranger and be released, most of us will shoot the stranger. This is the same thing that the moslems do to produce suicide bombers.

I have asked my children, who are both in their late twenties, this very question: Do you regret, or in any way feel harmed, by the decision your mother and I made to send you to church and Sunday school, culminating in your confirmation in your early teens? Both of our children know of, and to some extent, share my philosophical journey, and yet both do not feel in any way diminished by their church experience. But then, our family was not as focused on doctrines as much as actions. We made trips to Mexico to build houses (most Americans would call them hovels) for unimaginably impoverished families, and we volunteered locally. Plus, we participated in, and truly loved, the music. And so, while it appears that our kids have no regrets--and if they don't, neither do we--I must admit to wondering what it will be like for the next generation!

There are far worse versions of child abuse, surely?

Honestly, it was for me. But that the abuse stemmed from a group leader rather than the actual school itself.

The abuse of one should not reflect the intent of the whole.

Guess what? Parents can’t go to church or do anything unless they can find child care! As long as no one is hitting the kids I’m not going to call it abuse. Encouraging parents to educate their kids a certain way is one thing, requiring it is another.

It is forced indoctrination into a cult, that seems to be in the legal definition of child abuse.

I think it has a strong potential. I am against anyone telling me how I should raise my child (I don't btw), but I think that religion should be taught as a socio-political cultural phenomenon in public schools. There fore the parent indoctrinated child will at least be better informed about beliefs being pushed on to them .

It matters not what you believe, your child is innocent, until you corrupt them

Children don't come into the world with any clue about gods or religions or politics or nationality. They absorb what they are exposed to. I think they should be presented with all points of view, and to be taught how to THINK critically - I.E. is there any basis in fact for what I am being told? I doubt any child raised to think for itself would readily swallow religion, or blind political loyalty, or even patriotism. Most people here only came to these conclusions somewhat later in life, and it's sad. For many people, early indoctrination is difficult to overcome.

Absolutely !

From what I discovered as young child, the prime reason for dispatching us to Sunday school had little to do with saving souls, but more to do with dad being assured of getting at least one uninterrupted bonk per week !

fuck yes

If i do a church thing i will insist that im there as well she never gose with just the folks

I say "no" - it is not child abuse in my opinion.
Yet it will become one if they proceed doing so, after the child had stated he/she doesn't want to go there.
As per myself, I am definitely not going to send my child (or children) to such an institution, yet there is quite a list of extra-curriculum stuff that I believe they need to learn and will definitely seek to at least introduce them to it.
So if we assume that sending a child to a Sunday school, while not against the child's will, is abuse, then sending a child to any form of extracurricular activity, should be considered so. To this I strongly disagree.

Any place that takes children and sits here and waves hell, and heaven, the idea of the devil, of sin, and so much more over their heads. Before that child is able to reason, and process right from wrong as many of these churches and programs do. Are at the very least toxic, and using fear as a weapon. I think if it isn't abuse, it's very close to passing that ledge.

It's very much about control, and fear. Which is the basis for most abuse cases.

Yes .As a catholic I was forced to go to religious instruction and dreaded it . I always got in trouble for not going and this caused me to be unhappy and depressed . I had to memorize idiotic prayers .At the time I did not even question their validity.It was not until I got older that I realized they were nonsense. To prove the power of brain washing, 50 years later I can still remember word for word many of these prayers,yet I can not remember a telephone number

Criminalizing Sunday School would only swing government oppression in the opposite direction, although that would likely be the best for the child.

Of course it is. The religious indoctrination of children should be a criminal offense.