Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Is teaching your kids religion child abuse? Some say yes. Here's why that's absurd.
Support the channel by visiting: brianholdsworth.ca/help
In this video, I address a troubling accusation from prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens: that raising children in a faith tradition—particularly Christianity—is a form of child abuse. I examine this claim, challenge its circular logic, and compare it to the standards we use in other areas of life. I also look at real data on the positive effects of religious upbringing.
⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: Is religious upbringing child abuse?
00:43 – New Atheist claims: Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris
02:12 – Real-world analogies: bears, school shooters, brushing teeth
03:30 – Circular reasoning in anti-religious arguments
04:39 – Hell on earth: the addiction crisis as a living parable
05:54 – What real child abuse looks like
07:17 – Science tell us: faith linked to better outcomes
09:18 – False equivalencies: bad religion ≠ all religion
10:44 – What if Christianity is false? Still net positive.
12:07 – Atheism’s demographic and existential crisis
Music written and generously provided by Paul Jernberg. Find out more about his work as a composer here: pauljernberg.com
Podcast Version: brianholdsworth.libsyn.com
Is teaching your kids religion child abuse? Some say yes. Here's why that's absurd.
Support the channel by visiting: brianholdsworth.ca/help
In this video, I address a troubling accusation from prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens: that raising children in a faith tradition—particularly Christianity—is a form of child abuse. I examine this claim, challenge its circular logic, and compare it to the standards we use in other areas of life. I also look at real data on the positive effects of religious upbringing.
⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: Is religious upbringing child abuse?
00:43 – New Atheist claims: Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris
02:12 – Real-world analogies: bears, school shooters, brushing teeth
03:30 – Circular reasoning in anti-religious arguments
04:39 – Hell on earth: the addiction crisis as a living parable
05:54 – What real child abuse looks like
07:17 – Science tell us: faith linked to better outcomes
09:18 – False equivalencies: bad religion ≠ all religion
10:44 – What if Christianity is false? Still net positive.
12:07 – Atheism’s demographic and existential crisis
Music written and generously provided by Paul Jernberg. Find out more about his work as a composer here: pauljernberg.com
Podcast Version: brianholdsworth.libsyn.com
