of this intriguing idea would be the question of schooling.

or science. Bringing up children to believe a religion uncritically is unfortunate, but the bottom line is, there would be no way to enforce a law like that. It just needs to be something that we as a society learn to accept over time as part of a new norm.

The better angle, I think, is to pursue educational standards that encourage critical thinking, empowering children with the tools to reject their religion when they reach an age where they can do so.

...enforcement would be "problematic" and I have not contemplated even the simplest response to that question.

But in response to the idea that Math and Science would be "lumped in", I would ask, show the harm.

Easy enough to do with enforced spirituality, I would presume, not so much with general education.

Very problematic. There is a particularly prolific scolder in another group here on DU who loves to think the world is so nice and black and white where every religious belief is fine as long as it doesn't "harm." And c'mon you guys, can't you just leave religion alone?

But it's not that simple. Who gets to define "harm"? After all, the anti-choicers think that abortion murders a human being. Clearly they would define abortion as harm! So should abortion be illegal? Are religious beliefs that accept abortion causing harm?

Math causes and you have the harm there...

as most religion is there is no acceptable method for this to be implemented without a direct assault on yet another of our Bill of Rights Protections.

Parents indoctrinate their children all the time including politically, some kids rebel away to be sure but others find their parents politics to be quite acceptable regardless of which side of the aisle they are on.

I do not believe this is appropriate for our legal system any more than I believe I need the government's instructions on a proper way to raise children.

My children attended college, served their nation, one runs his own business and the other is a senior executive in her company all without any government assistance in protecting their spirituality or lack thereof. The government actually teaching science and not religion would be a great start, this idiotic intelligent design should be eliminated immediately. Government teaches that which can be proven with evidence, parents teach the other stuff for good or ill, that's how it should be in my opinion. YMMV as it most certainly should.

to their children. Even if you were to make it "illegal", this would be done behind closed doors. It actually has been done in the past with Jews who were so persecuted that they "converted" to Catholicism to survive, but still kept the Jewish traditions alive in their homes. In fact, persecution is probably the best way to make people stick closer to their religion.

In the church that I was raised, you were not baptized until you were 13---the age of consent to the church. Other sects, like the Amish, actually do what you are suggesting in spirit.....the children are not members of the church until they reach adulthood and can decide whether they want to stay or not.

But making this a statutory offense would open a can of worms that no one wants to see opened. It would just give the religious more of a cause.

There is a wall between state and religion that must be upheld. Parenting choices in things religious should be left on the other side of that wall, as unfortunate as that choice may be for the indoctrinated child.

...and commentary.

Much appreciated critique of my morning commute derived thought of the day...

Which obviously needs some work, if not proper filing into the trash can.

and building critical thinking and problem solving skills in schools, instead of just being forced babysitters between tests. That will help this problem, and build a more well rounded citizenry.