Fairy tales and religious myths not good for children?
Sunday, 02 November 2008, 18:15 Hrs
London: It is a form of child abuse to teach religious myths to young children who are also likely to suffer negatively by reading tales of witchcraft and wizardry like Harry Potter, argues Britain's leading atheist and popular science writer, Richard Dawkins.
Dawkins is planning to conduct research on both the themes as he believes that while fairy tales may impact on children's rationality, they should be cautioned against "unscientific" religious myths.
He is the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. A well-known biologist who has contributed to the research on evolution, Dawkins is equally known for his atheistic and rationalist views on religion and science.
He plans to bring out a book for children next year on the impact of fairy tales on them.
"The book I write next year will be a children's book on how to think about the world, science thinking contrasted with mythical thinking. I haven't read Harry Potter, I have read Pullman who is the other leading children's author that one might mention and I love his books. I don't know what to think about magic and fairy tales."
That fairy tales are "anti-scientific" he is sure of but wants to know if their effects on children are "pernicious".
The Telegraph has quoted him as saying: "I think looking back to my own childhood, the fact that so many of the stories I read allowed the possibility of frogs turning into princes, whether that has a sort of insidious affect on rationality, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's something for research."
Dawkins' book also proposes to demystify Judeo-Christian beliefs and teachings. He argues that teaching children religion and labelling them according to their faiths is a form of "abuse".
He articulated his thoughts on the issue at a recent conference of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, a group of Britons who have renounced their religion: "It is evil to describe a child as a Muslim child or a Christian child. I think labelling children is child abuse and I think there is a very heavy issue, for example, about teaching about hell and torturing their minds with hell."
Referring to his book, Dawkins says he will look into the mythical content of religious teachings, including Judeo-Christian, and how much of it can be scientifically substantiated. He wants to "appeal" to children to "think for themselves and look for evidence" while reading on religion.
Source: IANS
Dawkins is planning to conduct research on both the themes as he believes that while fairy tales may impact on children's rationality, they should be cautioned against "unscientific" religious myths.
He is the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. A well-known biologist who has contributed to the research on evolution, Dawkins is equally known for his atheistic and rationalist views on religion and science.
He plans to bring out a book for children next year on the impact of fairy tales on them.
"The book I write next year will be a children's book on how to think about the world, science thinking contrasted with mythical thinking. I haven't read Harry Potter, I have read Pullman who is the other leading children's author that one might mention and I love his books. I don't know what to think about magic and fairy tales."
That fairy tales are "anti-scientific" he is sure of but wants to know if their effects on children are "pernicious".
The Telegraph has quoted him as saying: "I think looking back to my own childhood, the fact that so many of the stories I read allowed the possibility of frogs turning into princes, whether that has a sort of insidious affect on rationality, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's something for research."
Dawkins' book also proposes to demystify Judeo-Christian beliefs and teachings. He argues that teaching children religion and labelling them according to their faiths is a form of "abuse".
He articulated his thoughts on the issue at a recent conference of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, a group of Britons who have renounced their religion: "It is evil to describe a child as a Muslim child or a Christian child. I think labelling children is child abuse and I think there is a very heavy issue, for example, about teaching about hell and torturing their minds with hell."
Referring to his book, Dawkins says he will look into the mythical content of religious teachings, including Judeo-Christian, and how much of it can be scientifically substantiated. He wants to "appeal" to children to "think for themselves and look for evidence" while reading on religion.
Source: IANS
Don't Miss
Write your comment now
|
Submit your news/press release
Let our editorial department know about any news about your company, your
organization, or yourself, or any press release that you have. If we find it suitable for our audience, we will contact you and make a news. Please
also share any links for the news.
Reader's comments (1)
1: I strongly support the valuable points in
this article.I too often think,"How bad is to
stamp a child in the name of religion and
caste".Our responsible is to guide the
budding generation to live with humanity and
help them to lead a moral life.Let allow them
to think independent, that's why nature has
blessed humans with sixth sense.I will also
appreciate Richard Dawkin, for his effort and
valuable point for children to "think for
themselves and look for evidence" while
reading on religion. His work will be one
giant leap for mankind.
Posted by: sajithas - 01 Nov, 2008
Disclaimer
Messages posted on this Web site under the `Comments' area are solely the opinions of those who have posted them and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Infoconnect Web Technologies India Pvt Ltd or its site www.siliconindia.com. Gossip, mud slinging and malicious attacks on individuals and organizations are strictly prohibited. Infoconnect Web Technologies India Pvt Ltd can not be held responsible for errors or omissions in content, nor for the authenticity of the user/company name or email addresses associated with posted messages. Infoconnect Web Technologies India Pvt Ltd reserves the right to edit or remove messages containing inappropriate language or any other material that could be construed as libelous, potentially libelous,
or otherwise offensive or inappropriate.Infoconnect Web Technologies India Pvt Ltd do not endorse the products and services or any other offerings mentioned in these messages.
- Software Testing is Dead!!!
- Why is Priyanka Gandhi Liked More than Rahul Gandhi?
- Selective Abortion on the Rise among Indians in North America
- Meet the Role Models of Indian Youth
- India's Most Wanted: Pak's Political Hero
- World's Greatest Introverts and Extroverts
- 5 Best Android Smartphones Under Rs.10,000
Beautiful and dress selection, please go to Dresses
| Plan on visiting the Lotus Temple? Get Great Deals on Delhi Hotels ! |
Buy India Wholesale Products on DHgate.com
SPOTLIGHT
US Indian
Two Indian Americans have been invited by the White House to brief US President Barack Obama o..