Richard says: The history of childhood is a tale of superstition and ignorance

Forum member writes:
Richard, you would like us to believe that some of the “infanticide, murder, rape, slavery, sexual abuse and abandonment” of children that has occurred throughout history is the result of Christianity.
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I thought I drew the distinction that the historic practice of Christianity using the bible as guidance certainly did not work powerfully against these practices, and still doesn’t, so far as we can observe. The academic study of child welfare in history by Nick Frost contains a limited number of pages and even so you will find many references to church authorities (Cardinals and other church authorities offering advice for the most part). Most of the advice was counterproductive to the welfare interests of children and self serving on the part of religion. A search for the bible or “cardinal” will turn up many references.

As much as anything children in history lived a nightmare existence, if they even survived, because of superstition and ignorance. Much of the superstition was the result of organized religion just as it is today. Search the anthology for references to possession, devils, demons, and the like. The one remedy humans hit upon that destroys superstition is the scientific method and right now, today, the superstitious are fighting reason with a passion. Did you read any of the document?

With reference to the biblical quote: Suffer the children to come…. one section of the Frost anthology (p. 36) specifically mentions this, but has a different interpretation. It is usually represented as a way to present Jesus as a champion of children and is meant to enhance his standing. The alternate interpretation is that this is Jesus laying on his hands to perform an exorcism because children were all thought to be naturally wicked. Exorcism was a common Near Eastern practice according to the reference.

In modern times the dogma of original sin is going strong and has a vocal and wealthy supporter in James Dobson. He is probably responsible for more child abuse cases in the United States than any other single person. Just a wild guess reading what he writes and based on the fact that he earns tens of millions of dollars each year on his book sales. Devoted followers believe his evil theories and defend him against all comers. He was a confidant of George W. Bush. Dobson is not alone and the prospect of the U S Senate ratifying the UN Convention on the rights of the Child has the right livid at the thought of state laws finally putting an end to their child battering.

On the subject of defining a Christian I believe your definition is commonly expressed but very broad. I have a lot of problems with the way the various sects go about *being* Christian and the disparity really is another argument for atheism. Surely, an all powerful supernatural being could have inspired holy texts clear enough that everyone would sign up to the same creed. But that didn’t happen, obviously. It might help if more Christians spoke to their fellow Christians about their behavior. For example:

On March 27, 2009, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor of Britain told the BBC that atheists are not “fully human.” This created an uproar in Britain. Then, on May 21, 2009, at the induction of his successor, he called atheism “the greatest of evils.” He continued by blaming all wars on atheists. Murphy-O’Connor is the leading Roman Catholic official in Great Britain. This is really nothing new. In one of his radio addresses aimed at children Pope John Paul told them he was saddened that some people rejected Jesus. Sorry, but we have a perfect right to our non-belief and it does not make us inferior in any way.

Here is the Cardinal speaking:

“If you leave out God, then you’re not fully human because you’re not fully human if you leave out God”. -Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Conner

Nothing like tautologies to prove how well you understand logical thinking.

A Christian? Where were all the Christians that could have jumped up and protested? I don’t find the Pope leading that pack. Did anyone on this list send a comment to the BBC, Guardian, or The Independent? Silence equals consent.

Posted on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 10:36 am in Child abuse, Children's rights, Religion.
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