Children Quote by Richard Dawkins
“A child is not a Christian child, not a Muslim child, but a child of Christian parents or a child of Muslim parents. This latter nomenclature, by the way, would be an excellent piece of consciousness-raising for the children themselves. A child who is told she is a 'child of Muslim parents' will immediately realize that religion is something for her to choose -or reject- when she becomes old enough to do so.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The God Del, 2006
Labeling children by parents’ religion encourages personal choice, reducing imposed identity.
In simple terms: Naming by parents’ faith promotes choice.
Let children choose beliefs.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling affect belief?
- Can identity foster autonomy?
Children may still feel pressure.