While I could make a comment I will instead present my case. Case evidence number 1.

Eh, I turned out ok.

I can’t prove you wrong; I agree. My nephew attempted suicide twice because of this. Xtian homeschooling/home church.

The issues are often psychological and long term. Anyone who is not CIS suffers from most religious indoctrination.

It can also seriously impact critical thinking which is damaging to everyone.

On the other hand, I do know people who are agnostic theists, of various faiths, who seem to derive a great deal of comfort and community from their faith and it is a positive force in their life. Nothing says that can't start in childhood.

I have argued that rearing a child in a religion is “good-child” abuse—in that obedient kids are more susceptible to being brainwashed than are their headstrong siblings.

I disagree that a family passing on their religious beliefs in general can be seen as abuse. Only when things like life saving medical interventions are refused on grounds of religion does it rise to the level of abuse. Prove ME wrong.

Is getting them to believe in Santa Claus child abuse?

prove yourself right.

i am not saying i completely disagree, but on the other hand 1. "indoctrination" is a loaded word. are you considering having any religion whatsoever in the home to be indoctrination, or do you mean serious brainwashing? there IS a difference, regardless of how atheistic we are. not everyone who subscribes to a particular religion is deeply religious, and not everyone who brings a kid to church threatens the kid with fire and brimstone. 2. if the religion and the regional culture are intertwined, NOT teaching the kid what it's all about is a kind of child abuse. the kid needs to know how to survive in his/her world. that is not the same as indoctrination, but again, i don't know if you're using the term more broadly than its dictionary definition. 3. if you have a premise, the burden of proof falls on you. "i think this, prove me wrong" is somewhat offputting, especially since you're posting on a site that isn't going to work too hard in favor of religion. whom exactly are you challenging?

g

I was raised opinionated athiest in a small town. I sometimes think that was similar to child abuse. I do the same now to my kids though. Rather be right than happy I guess.

There is a very small minority (here in the US) in extreme religious cult situations. Some of them are abusive. Other than that it's just humans doing their best to teach there kids how to live in this society.

What would you suggest people be allowed to teach their kids? Who should decide.

It definitely affects their critical thinking abilities, but if children were not indoctrinated the major religions would virtually die out in 2 or 3 generations and the many who currently benefit would lose out.

We all try to indoctrinate our children. I have four sons and I attempted to indoctrinate them to be feminists, pacifists, critical thinkers and humanists. I believe I did fairly well as I am very proud of the young men they've become.

I agree totally, dumbies them down.