The conflicting beliefs of the fanatically religious

[perdita_dream]

Atheists don't need or want the judgment of religious fundamentalists. It is disturbing how much they hate us, especially when they frequently don't understand their own beliefs.

Comments

[perdita_dream]

Those things are not the same at all. What if the mom died suddenly? The child might think mom can't go to heaven because of her tattoo. And it isn't like a child would want a tattoo, presumably the children would be in their early teens or older when they are told this. Being dishonest with them at that age about the fate of their souls is more likely to add fuel to their naturally rebellious fire.

I cannot see what justification the rabbi or parent could come up with that would make a teenager think this kind of lie ok. You are theoretically talking about their soul's eternal fate. It is for everyone's benefit if you just tell them the truth up front, whatever that might be.

Things like this annoy me because I tended to believe whatever authority figures told me when I was a child, because I was a Good Kid. I think about all the harm programs like DARE do to children (which is my best comparison since I didn't go to church) and it makes me angry that I was so misled. I don't trust authority anymore. I generally see police as useless at best and corrupt and malevolent in general.

If a religious figure lies like this to a child, about the fate of his soul, it is possible the child will then decide all his messages are probably lies, even when there might be some good ones. Perhaps the child will eventually leave the church entirely? Although I see that as a generally good thing (because I don't like religion), I suspect that is not what the parent wants.