I am pleased to announce that I have partnered with Richard Collins to launch a new website/blog at http://www.endhereditaryreligion.com called End Hereditary Religion. The website is focused around the issue of childhood indoctrination and raising awareness concerning the very real problems associated with it. Unfortunately, it still seems like quite a big taboo to criticize the way children are brought up and often brainwashed in deeply religious families (see for example the excellent but disturbing documentary Jesus Camp, which attempts a more balanced approach).

As Richard describes the site:

The End of Hereditary Religion provides news, research resources, and discussions about how to end hereditary religions. The scope is international and a main focus is working to eliminate the early and intensive indoctrination of minor children. Parents are the controlling vector for perpetuating hereditary religions. The debilitating effects of present day organized religions more appropriate for ancient tribes than for modern people, can be and must be ended. Educating parents and motivating them to change is the goal. (More on the About Page)

There is much more work to be done on the site, but it is a start. I am encouraged by Richard’s determination on an issue in which few people, it seems, want to get thoroughly involved. It is my hope that the site I am building will serve as a good vehicle for the excellent ideas that he has.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Encouraging Children to Believe Falsehoods (msatheists.org)
• Religious Indoctrination as Child Abuse? (atheistrev.com)