Is teaching faith to children a form of child abuse?
Posted by: Kristin Wright on January 8th, 2008
Tag(s): Convention on the Rights of the Child • CRC • Danger to Parental Rights • international law • UN Convention • UNCRC
Tag(s): Convention on the Rights of the Child • CRC • Danger to Parental Rights • international law • UN Convention • UNCRC
Playwright Julie Pascal’s recent article decrying the teaching of religion to children offers a revealing glimpse into some of the dangerous potential found within the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Referring to teaching religion to children as a form of child abuse, author Julie Pascal cites the Convention’s wording on the importance of “respect for the views of the child.”
The UNCRC has been challenged because of it’s reliance on government definitions of the “best interest of the child” — rather than observance and respect for a parent’s concept of what is right for their child.
Read more about some of the dangers of the UNCRC.







While I do agree that a diversified religious education is important for my children, I do not presume to say what is right for millions of others.
Jan 15 at 9:25 pm
What religion a parent chooses to teach their children is up to them. I am an Evangelical Christian and although i believe my Faith is the Truth, I do not think as Americans We should force another to teach my religion to their children, But dont tell me what i can teach my children!!
Jan 16 at 9:11 am
Teaching faith to our children is a right of all parents, and one that should be protected. Our nation has many diffrent faiths and to say we have to become just one is against our constitution and what the united states stands for, Fredom of religon.
Jan 16 at 12:50 pm
When I hear arguments like Ms. Pascal’s, it makes me wonder whether she would have any problem with parents who are vegetarian for ethical reasons deciding to raise their children as vegetarians. Would she insist that children of vegetarians be “consulted” about what diet they wish to follow? Would she force vegetarian parents to violate deeply held ethical beliefs in order to “expose” their children to “alternatives”?
I suspect that Ms. Pascal would be perfectly fine with vegetarian parents feeding their children a meat-free diet. Then why does she equate religious parents raising their children in accordance with their faith with child abuse?
Jan 16 at 9:31 pm
Crimson Wife: Because she has exchanged the truth of God for a lie
Jan 16 at 11:51 pm
This is one of the stupidest things that I have ever heard! As parents it is our right AND responsibility to teach our children and to try to raise them the best way that WE see fit. This, to me, sounds like a step back to the dark ages, and religious persecution! Why would you want to take God away from people? It makes no real sense. Do we really want a Godless world in which abortion, gay marriage, murder, rape..ect..ect.. reign supreme. Are these people even thinking about what they are saying?
Jan 17 at 5:48 pm
I take my role in teaching my child about God very, very seriously. I believe that God expects me to raise the children he blesses me with in a manner that would bring them into a good and right standing relationship with Him. I believe that everything in existance points to God. Everything. Those that deny this deny themselves the One thing they were created for and are decieved. If the government takes the position of claiming child abuse when we teach our children about God, they have sided with evil. Religious freedom is one of the main reasons the pilgrams settled here to begin with. The government is here to serve the people, not raise the children!!!!
Jan 17 at 8:51 pm
I am a Christian homeschool mom of 2, from a Biblical worldview. Just yesterday I attended a Homeschool Day at our state capitol where the Superintendent of Public Instruction boasted of how proud he is of the many restrictions on homeschooling in our state and that it is a good thing; that it’s what is best for the children. The many things that the government thinks are best for my kids don’t line up with what I know to be best for my kids. Let’s not give any more of our liberty away. Draw the line!
Jan 17 at 11:19 pm
Could someone direct me to the exact part of the UNCRC that denies, limits or threatens parental rights? Yhank you:
email@AdvocatePublications.org
Jan 26 at 1:56 am
this needs ro come out in the open it has been in the dark for so long everybody gots rights except parents this is unconstitional taking our children away I haven’t seen mine for a year in a half my children rights where violated and denied my children werent allowed to talk in the courtroom they r 15 and 19 my exinlaws bribe the judge because they had money they also had strings pulled in the courtroom judges never go against county attorney or attorney general this is fraud and a sandal and purgery.
Feb 1 at 5:33 pm
our DHs workers abused their childre it was in the DesMoines Register newspaper and they get to keep their job and their children what is wrong with this pictures its ok for DHS workers to abuse their children they only target poor parents and say that they abuses their childre why is it it said that poor parents abused their children but not rich parents.
Feb 1 at 5:48 pm
@Mirah,
The wording of the treaty is such that it is too vague. Anything a parent does that the “society” thinks is abusive or neglecting can then be acted upon by the government. For example, my husband has a bachelors degree in the medical field, we have taught our children about sex from a biblical/medical view. Medically, and biblically, and spiritualy it makes sense to teach them to wait until marriage for sex. They know “how it works”. We have instilled in them healthy choices that go beyond their hormones, they have been empowered to self control. Now let’s say the health department determines homeschooled children are being neglected in sex education, it’s neglectful abuse. Under this treay the parent could be forced to send their children to public sex education, where as demonstrated by the rise in sexual disease, and teen pregnancy, their efforts are not working. Why should my child be exposed to dangerous practices? Because the government now has the overruling right to take my child out of his home and teach him contrary to the parent under the treaty. Does this make sense, or help you understand the threat a little better?
This article by Ms. Pascal is the most unsubstantiated bunk I have ever read.
Really, this article screams of “it takes a village” mentality, where we are to give birth to a child and give them to the state to be raised, why does this sound familiar? Oh, yes Third Reich, the developer of the ever loving kindergarten. Hmmm, I smell fascism heavily in the air. Scary, scary!
Feb 8 at 8:48 am
Funny, the last paragraph of hers so contradicted itself that I can’t credit her with sound reasoning…she says, “but this means that children are made aware of religious difference…”, she calls this cruel and yet stressed throughout the article that they should be taught the differences so that they can make sound judgement later on when they can decide. Sounds like she doesn’t like particular claims of Truth…so which is it going to be? Teach them or not? She just wants to have our children taught how to do what is natural to them, and that my friends IS NOT in their best interest.
Why is it we can indoctrinate our children about sex at very early ages (even perverted sex) and yet it isn’t ok to teach them about “religion”? Sounds a little biased.
Every decision my husband and I make is what we believe is in the best interest of our children, we love, protect, and sacrifice for them, we aim to pass wisdom to them so that they will be profitable human beings, profitable to God and also to society. You would think that parents like us would be appreciated but instead we are mocked as ignorant fools who believe the world is flat.
May God have mercy on this country, on all of us as He is patiently waiting to judge the earth!
Feb 18 at 11:30 pm
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Apr 19 at 9:57 am