Debate - Raising your kids with religion

[Phteven]

[QUOTE=boobaloo;1854415]

I actually was taken aback by the comment on the Duggan family that have their beliefs... The comment that their swimsuit was "ridiculous". Conversley your swimsuit may be "ridiculous" to others. We should be very wary of judging anothers beliefs/ways as ridiculous, silly or anti... From what I know many a fine war has been started in the name of religion. That is not religions "fault" it is the folk who judge anothers beliefs in a way that can be heard as hurtful and arrogant.

QUOTE]

the comment that i made about the swimsuits being ridiculous was intended in the context of children not being able to be comfortable within their body - that 'god' made -, but are instead expected to be covered at all times, and be kept modest. bodies are something that should be celebrated, not something that children should be made to feel they have to keep hidden for the sake of thier faith.

this comment does not make me 'anti' anything, i too was raised as a catholic, and had my family torn apart by religion for many years., i have a good understanding of what religion is all about.

I don't understand how being covered equates with not being comfortable with one's own body. It's arguable that people who choose to cover are so comfortable with their bodies that they don't have to seek the validity of displaying it for the gaze of others.
Who is more comfortable with their body - the 14 year old girl throwing up in a toilet so she feels better about herself or the 14 year old playing football in a tracksuit and hijab? Covered women have much lower rates of self-harm and eating disorders

[Maruschke]

I don't understand how being covered equates with not being comfortable with one's own body. It's arguable that people who choose to cover are so comfortable with their bodies that they don't have to seek the validity of displaying it for the gaze of others.
Who is more comfortable with their body - the 14 year old girl throwing up in a toilet so she feels better about herself or the 14 year old playing football in a tracksuit and hijab? Covered women have much lower rates of self-harm and eating disorders

Well said. FWIW, I did a subject at uni that covered comparative religions, and found out that many non-muslim women (especially in Egypt) have started to adopt the hijab. The women claim that it is liberating to them to not have to worry about or be defined by, fashion or sex appeal. I can see where they are coming from! I will see if I can find a link to the original study (sorry to go OT...).

EDIT This isn't the article I was thinking of, but it makes the same point.