Comments on: Thought for the Week – The Virtue of Good Parents http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents Not Facebook Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:58:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Stephen http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-1746 Stephen Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:11:45 +0000 http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/#comment-1746 Dave: I agree, I'd love a follow up programme. I think a lot of atheists would agree with Dawkins and when they watch this kind of programme it confirms all these prejudices. However, it's only fair to acknowledge that the vast majority of religious believers are not like this. It's easy to pigeon-hole and tar them all with the same brush but it's not terribly helpful. One of the reasons why we find this kind of thing so shocking is because of how rare it is. S Dave:

I agree, I’d love a follow up programme.

I think a lot of atheists would agree with Dawkins and when they watch this kind of programme it confirms all these prejudices. However, it’s only fair to acknowledge that the vast majority of religious believers are not like this. It’s easy to pigeon-hole and tar them all with the same brush but it’s not terribly helpful. One of the reasons why we find this kind of thing so shocking is because of how rare it is.

S

]]> By: Dave Powell http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-1734 Dave Powell Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:34:50 +0000 http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/#comment-1734 I was always uneasy about Dawkins claiming that bringing any child up in a particular faith was child abuse, Alonzo Fyfe has an interesting post on this - http://atheistethicist.blogspot.com/2007/06/religion-as-child-abuse.html but this programme did make me feel uneasy. The children were obviously mimicking behaviour they'd seen from their parents and their church. I think Terrys dad even mentioned the word groomed at one point. I have heard of one child preacher that ended up as an atheist philosopher but can't remember his name - it would definitley be interesting to see this followed up at some point. I was always uneasy about Dawkins claiming that bringing any child up in a particular faith was child abuse, Alonzo Fyfe has an interesting post on this – http://atheistethicist.blogspot.com/2007/06/religion-as-child-abuse.html
but this programme did make me feel uneasy. The children were obviously mimicking behaviour they’d seen from their parents and their church. I think Terrys dad even mentioned the word groomed at one point.
I have heard of one child preacher that ended up as an atheist philosopher but can’t remember his name – it would definitley be interesting to see this followed up at some point.

]]> By: Stephen http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-1716 Stephen Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:16:30 +0000 http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/#comment-1716 I believe quite firmly in the strnegth of the human spirit, and I only hope these kids' spirits can withstand what is happening to them. Perhaps another documentary in 15 years time would be interesting. S. I believe quite firmly in the strnegth of the human spirit, and I only hope these kids’ spirits can withstand what is happening to them. Perhaps another documentary in 15 years time would be interesting.

S.

]]> By: Frank Carillo http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-1711 Frank Carillo Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:56:34 +0000 http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/#comment-1711 I've seen these kids, I remember a few years ago watching the story of a child like this and I agree it is child abuse. It beggars belief actually. I’ve seen these kids, I remember a few years ago watching the story of a child like this and I agree it is child abuse. It beggars belief actually.

]]> By: John http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/comment-page-1/#comment-1708 John Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:33:26 +0000 http://www.john-wright.net/2008/02/17/thought-for-the-week-the-virtue-of-good-parents/#comment-1708 It's scary. These people are certainly guilty of a form of spiritual and emotional child abuse, and - regardless of the decent intentions - I think you're right to see them as horrendously bad parents. I too feel sorry for these kids; they remind me of some gypsy kids I've seen preaching before. They've learned their behaviour so attentively (soaked it all up like a sponge) and wish to please their parents so badly that they end up sounding exactly like them. :S It’s scary. These people are certainly guilty of a form of spiritual and emotional child abuse, and – regardless of the decent intentions – I think you’re right to see them as horrendously bad parents. I too feel sorry for these kids; they remind me of some gypsy kids I’ve seen preaching before. They’ve learned their behaviour so attentively (soaked it all up like a sponge) and wish to please their parents so badly that they end up sounding exactly like them. :S

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