Odd, Isn't It?

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Childrens, generations of tomorrow. They have massive amount of untapped potential, yes. They are the ones that will inherit this earth one day. The ones that will lead humankind to the next step in our history. The ones that will determine our fate as a species in the future.



But... what future?

Do we want a... Peaceful future?

Do we want a...Secular future?

Do we want a...Religious future?

or maybe some of us might say we want t greener future.



"What do we want?" That's the question. Of course, being a sane human, like everyone else around, I want a future where the earth is green, the world is in peace, the society is morally perfect and science is advanced.

Then again, think about it, are we heading that way? Or is it the other way? The earth being mutilated to death by us, nuclear war between nations, murderers walking around the streets as if it's a norm, science growth being stunted by political and religious interests.

By the looks of it, we're more in the latter on the fragile balance between ideal and cataclysmic future.

But if this happens, who's to blame? The childrens of today that will be the leaders of the future? Or us, their educators in their early upbringing?



Well, logic tells us it's their fault they ruined the world, they had the powers to change, to make it a better place for us, but they didn't and instead opted for the more destructive route.

Then again, to every problem, we have to examine it to the very roots before making any claims. The root of the problem is us, today's generation, today's leaders, today's educators, today's parents.

Well, I'm not going to talk about all of the problems, instead I'm just going to bring up one which is interesting : - Religious Indoctrination of Children.



*Again, if you had seen this post , you will more or less know that I'm not a big fan of religion.


To start off, take a look at this picture...



Hmm... Cute bunch of babies eh? Well, their so pure and innocent, and they have no idea at all what's happening around in this world.


Alright, let's pretend they live in Malaysia, and all of them are born in different family. Let's define their religion according to the religion of their parents shall we?


Ahh... Not that bad eh? 4 babies of different religion lying together in a same bed, how warm and fussy does it makes you feel inside :)

But did you notice something strange? Nevermind... Let's move on to another picture...

What if we define their musical taste according to the musical preference of their parents?



Oh...Kay... Again, let's move on to the next picture.

This time we categorize them to their favourite football team according to the football team their parents support.



Ahhuh... Looks a bit odd, isn't it?

The next one... This time we define them according to their parents' politics orientation.



:O

Wait, there's more...Political parties according to their parents.


What if their parents are racist, sexist, or sadist? Or just atheist? 



Hmm.... What do you think?

To a normal Malaysian society (and most societies in the world), the first picture (the religion one) probably looks fine, and the others are just plain absurd, we can't possibly tell what football team do they like or what political parties do they prefer at this age. 

But can I ask... What's the difference between those and religion?



Think about it for a second...



We do not force our children to like a genre of music, or which football team to cheer for, and yet we're forcing our children to believe in religion at such a young age when they have absolutely no idea what is religion?

That's Religious Indoctrination!



Of course, I'm not saying that religion is a bad thing. But shouldn't the children be given their right to choose what they want to believe?

A Muslim child was brought up in a family of Islamic faith, but he chose to believe in Christianity during his teenage, that's his right, right? (No pun intended)

Then why in the world should you forbid him from changing his faith? Was it because Allah would punish him? But if he embraces Christianity and pledges his allegiance to the Christianity God, then would the Christianity God protect him from Allah's punishments? Or are they the same God? If so why would he mind if we're Christians or Muslims? (I know this sounds silly, but I still don't understand how account transfer works in religion, since we have no contracts with God(s))



Again, what if a person choses not to believe? Is there a problem? You can switch hobbies anytime, you can choose to have Italian or Japanese or Chinese food, or none of them. But why religion cannot be subjected to the same freedom of choices? Isn't it all based on personal preferences?

Again, I ask you to think about it...



Now this brings me to another strange phenomenon. When you meet another person and then started a conversation, for example, on the topic of musical preferences, or politics, or etc, there are bound to be differences in opinion. What happens next? You have debates, critics, both voicing out what they think. And in the end of the day, it's not a big deal, we go home and nothing happens. (Watch what happens when you criticize religion in this country)

But why can't religion be subjected to debates and critics too? Is there anything so special about it that it's a taboo to speak about it? Does it mean that when God is involved in a topic we should all just keep quiet and be subjected to his will and mercy?

Does God even exist anyway? Or are we arguing over an imaginary being? (To be talked about in a future post)



We have a choice in religion people!!! We can choose what we want to believe!

The only thing (In my opinion) in this world that cannot be subjected to debates and critics is racial issues. Common sense? You are born a Chinese or Malay or African or Caucasian, you can't change the fact, you didn't have a choice, that what makes this topic sensitive if criticized or debated, that's what makes it special.

But you're not born Christian or Muslim, no, you have a choice to choose what to believe in! But  yet many parents are depriving their children of their right to choose, instead asking them to believe what the parents believed in (without rational thoughts).

If your father forces you to listen to Elvis Presley, how would you feel?

It's okay if you liked it too, but what if you prefer rock music? Would you feel oppressed, as if you don't have freedom?



I've seen so many children being brainwashed to be so committed into their religion that I sometimes think "What the hell is wrong with this world?"

Please, if you're a rational being, you would have thought like that too...

Sorry to say, but we as humans have much more important and better things to do than to pray to God hoping that everything will just fix themselves on their own. Imagine the time you spent on that is spent elsewhere, for example saving the environment, I'm sure it'll make a difference in this world.


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This post was inspired by a documentary called "Jesus Camp" released in the year 2006. It talks about a Summer Bible Camp in the USA. I can't help but to feel sorry for the kids. 

This is the link to the first video of the 8 parts video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhjIlhAShuU)

Please, watch it too if you have time. I beg you, and you'll understand why I wrote this.



And of course, I also wrote this because of a deep personal problem that I'm facing now, and I have no idea what should I do. If you think you're close enough with me and want me to share my problem with you, please do tell me (in the comments or the chatbox or whatever)... I will tell you personally when i have the chance...


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So... Why so serious guys? Religion is just another way of life, and if we can make fun of it, laugh and still get on with life, that's real quality living.

Atheists even make fun of themselves too but it's all in the name of humour :)Your turn?


Till next time, cheers~