I think this is a serious topic that needs to be talked about.


In Nigeria, the constitution is the number one law of the land, and it supersedes and trump’s down every other law in Nigeria. What this means in simple terms is that even if the constitution is wrong, and the law contradicting the constitution is right, the constitution will still be applied strictly notwithstanding.

“The Constitution of Nigeria is the supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nigeria has had a series of constitutions. The current constitution was enacted on 29 May 1999, inaugurating the Nigerian Fourth Republic (With 1st, 2nd and Third Alterations or Amendments).”

According to this Supreme Law of our land, everyone has freedom of religion. This Freedom is guaranteed in a part of it called SECTION 38. You can also call it the 38th Law of Nigeria as a Sovereign Nation and Republic. This section says:

Section 38(1):
“Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief.”
From the above, the 38th Law of our land states that anyone who is a “person” is entitled to their freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to change their religion if they want or so desire.

Now, who is a “person” in Nigeria?
We will now move to the number one Law or Act in Nigeria that explains terms and words of law in Nigeria. It is called “INTERPRETATIONS ACT”, properly quoted as Interpretation Act – CAP I23 L.F.N. 2004.


According to this Interpretation Act, a “Person = includes any body of persons corporate or un-incorporate.”
Un-incorporate here simply refers to people mainly, among other things i don’t want to bother you about.
But before one can be a person under “un-incorporate” above, they must be a Nigerian citizen.

A child born to parents who are citizens of Nigeria therefore is a person within the definition above. As a person under this definition, the child is automatically guaranteed the Freedom stated in the number one Supreme Law of the Land, The Constitution.
The legal real age of consent in Nigeria is 18yrs. This age is contained in The Number One Law of the Land guiding the rights of a Nigerian child called “Child Rights Act”. This law protecting the rights of a Nigerian child states in Section 31(3) (a) of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003 states that:
“Where a person is charged with an offence (of unlawful sexual relations with a child) under this section (31 of the same act), it is immaterial that the offender believed the person to be of or above the age of eighteen years.”


From the above Law, we can see that the age of consent of a child is 18yrs (note that this law applies differently for persons in the armed forces).
So far, we have stated what the law of the land stipulated with regards to who a person is and we have confirmed that a child is a person in Nigeria. As a person in Nigeria, the child is therefore guaranteed his right to choose to believe or venture into any religion of his choice. The child is also guaranteed to form their own thoughts about religion without interference or influence from anyone.

With this in mind, using your influence as the child’s caregiver or guardian to lure the child into your personal choice of religion is a violation of that child’s right to their freedom of thought and religion. The Law of the Land stipulates that every child can only be exposed to religion at the age of 18yrs which is the age of consent.

This simply means that any religious act, baptism, induction, thanksgiving, etc, engaged in with or on behalf of the child is a violation of the child’s right to his thought and religion. It’s not for you as a parent or guardian to decide what religion is good for your child. By engaging in such act, you are simply forcing your world view on the child, and that is a violation of the child’s right to freedom of thought.

Whatever you may be thinking right now, remember that i didn’t make the Laws. Unfortunately, most children are abused by their guardians and parents, and forced to accept religious beliefs and views because the guardians or caregivers are feeding or caring for the child. The law of the land says this is wrong, an outright abuse and violation equal to rape, but more violent and brutal; a mental rape. Children should make religious choices of their own will or volition when they reach the age of consent.

In summary, every religious act you did for or on behalf of your child is a violation of his freedom of thought and religion because the child never gave consent. Knowing better or being the child’s parents or guardian is not the issue. The violation and violent mental invasive rape lies in the fact that the child didn’t consent to your religious or non-religious imposition.


Drops pen!

Righteousness89:
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

if you Waiting for the government to guide you on what to do, then be ready to receive anything that comes from such a child..

vickydankal:
For us Christians it is not about being politically correct but a duty and necessity at least while the child is still under your roof. Train up are child in the way he should, not must go until the age of consent for him to decide what’s best for him. Religion has helped in no small way to instilling fear, order and respect for human lives. Leaving your child to grow up by chance is very risky. If you know the way would hesitate to teach and show your children?

Authoreety:


I go with this one.. Children that are trained to follow Christ turn out to be good citizens. And u must start teaching them as soon as they can hear you talk.

vickydankal:
For us Christians it is not about being politically correct but a duty and necessity at least while the child is still under your roof. Train up are child in the way he should, not must go until the age of consent for him to decide what’s best for him. Religion has helped in no small way to instilling fear, order and respect for human lives. Leaving your child to grow up by chance is very risky. If you know the way would hesitate to teach and show your children?

Coder2Client:
When we are talking about law and constitution in Nigeria, we are talking about a lawless country and her inconsequential constitution that are repugnant. The same constitution that gives freedom of religion and what have you, will still still be used against your belief.


Can atheists freely profess their belief even when the constitution does give freedom of religion?

atheistandproud:
@IamMichael

I was raised a pentecostal. Basically grew up in church.

By age 10 when I was in JS1, I had at least finished the Bible cover to cover twice. I was done with "My Book of Bible Stories" a JW publication and I was on to the next one "Questions Young People ask".

My teacher, then, Uncle Chris was dedicated. Where he had problems with my parents was when he tried to sneak me to a Congregation meeting. My dad never forgave him. My mom did tho but he was never allowed to come to the house again.

The book of revelations tortured and frightened me as a child. Till date when I flip through, a shadow of that old ghost still lurks in those pages. Old habits die hard I guess.

I was number one pic for sword drills, quizzes and Bible debates. I left my mom's church for RCCG because they had a better system for teenagers. I grew there and soon had my name forwarded for school of disciples, made assistant youth president and was mounting the altar/pulpit for programmes. I was only 16 by the time.

I was systematically and intensively brainwashed.

I know the system, in and out, I fought for it, engaged in debates for it. Church helped me hone my speaking and writing skills. But ultimately it is damaging for the psyche. It makes one sheep.

If I have kids, till you're 18, I won't bother you with religion or non religion. I'll let you grow as a child to an adult and then let you make your mind.

When I renounced religion, my old church took down my photos, erased my awards and made me a personal non grata. Some do not even speak to me again.

Vic2Ree:
If possible, when they are old enough to apply critical thinking

IamMichael:

Well, the law says 18yrs. But, according to you, what age will you refer to as critical thinking age? And what are the factors that constitute or determine the critical thinking age?

atheistandproud:
@IamMichae.l

I was raised a pentecostal. Basically grew up in church.

By age 10 when I was in JS1, I had at least finished the Bible cover to cover twice. I was done with "My Book of Bible Stories" a JW publication and I was on to the next one "Questions Young People ask".

My teacher, then, Uncle Chris was dedicated. Where he had problems with my parents was when he tried to sneak me to a Congregation meeting. My dad never forgave him. My mom did tho but he was never allowed to come to the house again.

The book of revelations tortured and frightened me as a child. Till date when I flip through, a shadow of that old ghost still lurks in those pages. Old habits die hard I guess.

I was number one pic for sword drills, quizzes and Bible debates. I left my mom's church for RCCG because they had a better system for teenagers. I grew there and soon had my name forwarded for school of disciples, made assistant youth president and was mounting the altar/pulpit for programmes. I was only 16 by the time.

I was systematically and intensively brainwashed.

I know the system, in and out, I fought for it, engaged in debates for it. Church helped me hone my speaking and writing skills. But ultimately it is damaging for the psyche. It makes one sheep.

If I have kids, till you're 18, I won't bother you with religion or non religion. I'll let you grow as a child to an adult and then let you make your mind.

When I renounced religion, my old church took down my photos, erased my awards and made me a personal non grata. Some do not even speak to me again.

iamdannyfc:
What is it with the congregation meeting? Is it sacred
And why is your Dad angry with him to that extent?

atheistandproud:


I agree with Vic2Ree

Mental maturity cannot be measured using biological age.

Some individuals mature mentally by 15, others by 30 lol.

IamMichael:

Well, the law says 18yrs. But, according to you, what age will you refer to as critical thinking age? And what are the factors that constitute or determine the critical thinking age?

atheistandproud:


I agree with Vic2Ree

Mental maturity cannot be measured using biological age.

Some individuals mature mentally by 15, others by 30 lol.

Beetunez44:
I see no reason why a father won't want to share with his child the beautiful factor that helped/worked and is working for him.
Beyond reasonable doubt that is called SELFISHNESS and IRRESPONSIBILITY. Christians are selfless and also responsible.

Why does rich men trains their child with wealth? why do they acquire property for them even while they are young? (peoples darkened mind will see this to be right and religion to be wrong)

my children will watch me tongue for hours, watch me in fellowship, watch me heal the sick and raise the dead, get baptised in the holy ghost and in love early...

Let's see why they will not love God.

Vic2Ree:

What this guy said:

IamMichael:

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Professorcplus:

Go read "The righest man in Babylon and rich and poor Dad" then come back to quote me

I watched my grand-dad speak to Oracle in incantations for hours, watched him socialized during ifa festival, watch him heal the sick and raise the spirit, get baptized in the osun spirit and love early...


Let's see why I will not love Ifa the most high God.

---

[b]Your child only love your God because you have a loving relationship towards the child with respect to how you portrail God. Which means, the child haven't have some awful/bad experience which affect his/her life [/b]generally.The child just haven't found enough flaws about the belief or just stick to continue "loving" because of fear of rejection among you and your associates.

Beetunez44:



Christianity is a life where Life can be gotten. The deepest of love is found and imparted in it so my child will definitely know the love.

About awful experience, how can you find an awful experience in a source of life. God is One in which there's no darkness.

Religious men will one day find flaws but spiritual men will continue to unearth mysteries in fellowship to keep them going.

Whatever rock your boat is your choice .

EOEI:
I think its better to start from JHS 1 and the child will able to grow thru the religious aspect of life. I personally studied in Ghana and i did Religious and Behavioural Studies from JHS 1 thru 3, i grow up thru Christian and Islamic studies in the subject. The subject was dropped in my SHS1 and i can tell u that i knew some important part of Islam as a Christian.

Beetunez44:
I see no reason why a father won't want to share with his child the beautiful factor that helped/worked and is working for him.
Beyond reasonable doubt that is called SELFISHNESS and IRRESPONSIBILITY. Christians are selfless and also responsible.

Why does rich men trains their child with wealth? why do they acquire property for them even while they are young? (peoples darkened mind will see this to be right and religion to be wrong)

my children will watch me tongue for hours, watch me in fellowship, watch me heal the sick and raise the dead, get baptised in the holy ghost and in love early...

Let's see why they will not love God.

IamMichael:


Forcing your religion on your ward is a mental rape. That you are the guardian is inconsequential. You wouldn't want to be forced into another religion or denomination by your employer simply because he or she is paying you salary!

Beetunez44:



I just went over my post and I didn't see anywhere I used the word FORCE or am I seeing differently?

Beetunez44:

I see no reason why a father won't want to share with his child the beautiful factor that helped/worked and is working for him.
Beyond reasonable doubt that is called SELFISHNESS and IRRESPONSIBILITY. Christians are selfless and also responsible.

Why does rich men trains their child with wealth? why do they acquire property for them even while they are young? (peoples darkened mind will see this to be right and religion to be wrong)

my children will watch me tongue for hours, watch me in fellowship, watch me heal the sick and raise the dead, get baptised in the holy ghost and in love early...

Let's see why they will not love God.

Righteousness89:
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

if you Waiting for the government to guide you on what to do, then be ready to receive anything that comes from such a child..