Tom & Katie divorce over scientology, marriage impossible

good for her, i wouldnt want my child raised as a scientologist either

If she gets custody of the children I wonder if she'll raise them as christians? Their beliefs are on a par with the Scientologists, in my opinion. Looks like the children will end up loosing either way

She (used to be) Catholic Tom.

Seriously????

Seriously????

Yes, in terms of believability. Why not? If the christian myths appear more acceptable than the Scientology myths it's probably because we're so familiar with them. From where I stand they're both as unlikely as each other.

I understand what you mean ... to a certain extent. I don't subscribe to any organised religion myself although, like many, I was brought up a Catholic. However, there's much more to, say, Christianity than a set of myths. There's an ethic, especially in the case of Christianity which I like. Things like caring for others, as in the case of the Street Pastors which is a Christian group I admire very much.
I completely understand why people opt out of organised religion, but subscribing to religion doesn't make you a bad person, which is what I feel you're implying with this comment: -

I think that's a terrible generalisation.

I think that's a terrible generalisation.

That wasn't what I was implying at all. It's rather that I find it upsetting that children indoctrinated into any particular religion don't get any say in the matter. By the time they're old enough to make an informed decision, it's too late. The parents have made the choice for them. That seems very wrong to me.

Of course they have. That's their job and it's not 'wrong' in and of itself. It's your job to educate your children and to prepare them for the rest of their lives. The vast majority of parents love their children and they want what's best for them. If that includes a belief in God, most of them will pass that ideology on. The children of atheists are just as vulnerable to indoctrination as anyone else, as are the children of people with strong political views or any other viewpoint, for that matter.

I worry sometimes that the Atheistic community aren't in danger of becoming what they so vociferously profess to hate - missionaries for their cause, which seems to be the eradication of religion. Although, frankly, I can't see that happening. Let's say you manage to ban it. You think people are going to sigh sadly, shake their heads and wander off to read some Dickie Dawkins? I doubt it. But let's say you do that and we all join the cult of the FSM; what happens then? Well, then you'll have to police it. Make sure people aren't sneaking off to have a crafty prayer in the toilets. Could be a lot of work for the Atheistic Prayer Police.

That's something I'm well aware of and it's something I've thought much about with regards my daughter. I don't want to impose my own views on her because that's indoctrination too.

Not really, Tom. That's parenting. As I said, I was brought up a Catholic. The main point is that I'm no longer practising the Catholic faith. I grew up and I made up my own mind. Your gorgeous daughter will do the same. We all decide for ourselves eventually. I believe in God - very strongly - but that view owes nothing to anyone beyond myself. For a long time I leaned to Atheism, but that doesn't fit, so I'm a Deist. My choice, my decision - no one makes me believe it. Certainly not my parents.

Moved to religion because that seems to be more relevant.
Les.

I very much agree with what you said in your last three posts, Les. Whatever a parent believes about God or not will generally be what they pass onto their children because naturally that is what they think is right. But in general I think most parents don't strongly practice their religion, therefore leaving the children to find their own thoughts on the subject.
I think I was lucky as nothing was pushed at me. I sort of sailed along and thought of religion when certain situations arose I suppose. Though I have loosely always had an interest in how we came about. Something which has grown much stronger now I have time to ponder it.

What I do accept is that I don't 100% believe which one of the many views in here is correct, if any, though of course some I have more confidence in than others. My religion is a bit of this and a bit of that.

Have to say I find the Scientology Church worrying though. I read a story in the paper over the weekend from a woman whose father put her in the camp. Her mum had split from the father because of his scientology religion, but the mum died and the father got sole custody. From the age of seven until I think late teens she was in a virtual prison. She wasn't allowed treats, sweets or pop or to play like children should. Instead she was to study Scientology and take regular exams. Between that she cleaned hallways and toilets. She saw her dad just once a week on Saturdays and she wasn't allowed hugs, kisses and cuddles from anyone.
They weren't taught sex education yet were cross examined on sex from the age of 8. They aren't allowed to talk or mix with the opposite sex and only allowed to marry within their religion. The only way this girl saw to get away from Scientology was to become pregnant by someone out of the religion. She managed to hatch a plan to do this and they eventually let her leave.

No wonder Katie Cruise got her daughter out of a life like that! I'm surprised that Tom Cruise would want to put his daughter through that tbh. I thought he would be a more hands on father than to have her go through that.

That's just the problem with any kind of radical belief though isn't it. As a father who has faith in Scientology presumably he believes that he's being a good father to Suri by bringing her up in the way he believes to be right.
One zealot is as bad as another whatever "religion" they come from!

The vast majority of parents pass on their values to their children, both religious and non religious. It's what happens.