system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Children should not be allowed to go to church

EDIT FOR DELTAS:

So my view was changed in several ways which I'd like to note here:

1. I think I was painting all religion with a very broad brush due to my upbringing and several people have given some examples of how their religious upbringing was quite different and did not pose the problems I stated.
2. I had not considered the value that places of worship have with regards to community and having a "third place" for children to interact. I think, especially in smaller rural communities, that my view would be harmful for the community.
3. Keeping kids out of church isn't likely to solve the indoctrination problem, and may actually worsen it as it would force parents to be even more active in the brainwashing at home. 

**Thanks to everybody for sharing your views and giving me some new perspectives. Love yinz.** 

First some definition of terms:

By children, I mean anyone under the age of 13. By church, I mean any place of worship, not limited to the Christian faith. The place of worship must be delivering sermons or performing some other form of religious ceremony. Visiting a temple and simply performing a ritual as seen in Buddhist or Shinto faiths would not qualify here.

Now to explain:

I grew up a Jehovah's Witness. I had no say in the matter. I was inculcated and indoctrinated for as long as I can remember, and I think the same is true of most children raised in religious homes. As a kid, you go with your parents wherever they go, you have no choice. When that includes church, you're essentially forced to learn certain teachings and beliefs, and as a child you trust your parents' judgement and do not question it. This is basically a form of brainwashing.

I believe children's minds should not be subject to this, which is why I propose the age limit of 13. By then, you're at the age of reason and can think for yourself for the most part. An adolescent inserted into church at that age would be able to critically evaluate the claims made by the preacher, and would be able to decide for themselves whether or not this is true. When you've been raised in that faith from birth, it's much harder to question it and look at it objectively.

In addition, I think that religion generally does not teach critical thinking and actively discourages it in favor of blind obedience. This is not healthy for children and is not beneficial to their long-term thinking skills later in life.

I realize this opinion is somewhat radical as it strips parents of their authority over their children. My view won't be swayed by first amendment arguments regarding freedom of religion, as I believe that you are essentially depriving children of that freedom by indoctrinating them as parents. I would, however, be open to considering potential benefits of children attending church services or arguments as to why it's not detrimental to their development. Or whatever else you guys can come up with, so change my view.
gpt
I think your childhood experience as JW is being generalized across all religions, which is inaccurate. In the mainline Protestant denominations, for example, critical thinking, doubt, and questioning are encouraged - how else does one understand something complicated without examining its contradictions and questions? There are *certain* religions that discourage critical thinking (like JW, perhaps?) but by no means all. 

Also, as distasteful as it is, a large part of parenting is what outsiders might call "indoctrination" or "brainwashing." That does not necessarily make it wrong. Parents teach their children what they (the parents) believe is right and wrong, which is the prerogative of parents. Many parents do this poorly, but just as many children reject those teachings as adults and form their own opinions and ideas. 

Critically examining what your parents taught you in chdhood, and coming to your own conclusions about those issues is a BIG part of growing up. Religion, politics, and worldview are all elements of this.