So let's first explain how my school works, In our School we also have the Students from the 9th Grade and below down to the 1st graders (I don't know much about US schooling system).
As I was at school, it was the long-break (20-30 minutes), me and some of my friends went outside to just calm down and break off from the lessons for a minute.
As soon as we sat down, there was this kid who was about (6-7 year old, 1-2 Grade), he came to me asking me about what are these pimples (they were scars from my acne) on my face, so I told him these were scars from my acne.
He then asked me: "what's acne" - I normally explained that to him, alas, he wasn't really grown up enough to understand.
But here's the bad part, as I was talking to him, I thought, if I ever found a way to manipulate someone, it would be through religion. So I held his hand, drew out my pen and drew some-type of demon figure and I told him that if he didn't go and buy me a Chips from a story nearby, he'd be cursed for life and would go to hell (since he was kind of muslim-oriented, the word for Hell is "Jahannaam").
By saying this he started shaking and it really amazed me how he just went and came back in 2 minutes, with 3 bags of chips asking me which one I liked, as soon as I reached my hand he started tearing up, I could see it in his eyes how much scared he was.
Now, I felt really sad about it, because I didn't really believe a kid would react that way, but thankfully, he was really willing to listen to what I had to say, so I first took a wet napkin and brushed off the figure (he just smiled for a second) and I told him that Hell doesn't really exist and that it was just a fantasy. He really lightened up there, and for some reason, he told me that his mother actually taught him about "Hell", so I could understand his reaction to my words.
So in the end, I paid back in money, gave him those 2 bags of chips and kept one for myself.
Believe this or not, it's your entire opinion, I am stating what I acted on. It was cruel, I know, but I really couldn't believe the effect of such art of manipulation being taught to kids at such an age, it truly pissed me off.
Yet again, I cannot speak for all kids, but I would like you to focus on just this occasion.
So, what are your thoughts on this?
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Well I'd say this is why the most successful religions "get them while they are young". If they waited until they were adults to tell them about religion, they'd laugh in their face.
I think you taught him a great lesson that he'll never forget. I think that being relieved from the fear of hell should be seen as more of a service rather than a disservice. Good job Endri
If nothing else, the tyke has been taught a valuable lesson about the value of skepticism. And you made the boy's god-fearing mother look a little less wise and all knowing which, given her history of making her son think the boogie man might drag him to a boiling pit of demons, is sorely needed. I won't compliment you for toying with the lad, but I think it might do some good.
Toying would be kind of the wrong word to use, I never toy with people, it's not my thing and I did it regretfully to say so, being an Atheist myself and seeing how Religion could've impacted me the same way as it did to him. He calmed down pretty quickly, but either way, wouldn't you be flashed from the Idea of how much of an impact one could have on his Child if taught such things.
Just imagine the reason why fundamentalists exist, it's mind-blowing to have this carved on a Child. I know it's wrong, if I'd put myself in the parent's position I'd be infuriated. For that I am sorry, to all the Atheists here who have children.
Don't get me wrong, Endri. I'm not trying to throw stones. And seriously, I think it'll probably do the kid some good. I saw someone convince an 8 year old that they were a real life Star Destroyer Admiral from the Star Wars universe. Hilarity ensued.
From what I've gathered from Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker and Richard Dawkins as well, children take in adult direction wholesale out of an evolutionary requirement to quickly learn the threats of the world. Threats like fire and heights and snakes and stove tops are learned not by experience but by unquestioned deference to adults that are raising the child. It is that built in tendency that makes religion so poisonous to youth, and is the very thing the mother took advantage of with her warnings about hell. You did the kid a favor by giving him a memorable case-study to reflect upon. A bag of chips and a life lesson, brought to you by your friendly, local Atheist. The more I think about it, the more I like it!