My Personal Opinion

Being involved in the field and having my own personal experiences, I typically watch any documentary that is based on the paranormal, if time and schedule permits. I always keep an open mind and respect all points of view. However, the other night I was watching "Psychic Kids" on A&E and got a bit annoyed at one of the parent's closed-minded attitude and belief system.
A psychic girl needed help dealing with her newly discovered ability and with getting rid of the fear that accompanied what she sees. The girl's mother is an overly religious person. (Let me clarify that statement: I consider someone "overly" religious when they get to the point where they try in every way to literally force their beliefs on you). Chip Coffey explained to the mother that they were there to help her daughter. Just as he started to speak about helping any spirits they come in contact with to cross over, he was interrupted by the mother shaking her head sideways signaling "No". She said there are only good angels and bad angels (demons), nothing in between and that she didn't feel comfortable with her daughter being part of helping them... because she belived the spirits her daughter sees are just demons in disguise.

Now, excuse me for being blunt, but I think this is just ignorant. See, the mother didn't believe in spirits and ghosts; she viewed them all as demons, which is somewhat typical of someone with her beliefs. The reason I say this is ignorant is because ghosts and spirits are mentioned throughout the bible. And I'm not saying everyone should believe in ghosts; everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I think being so narrow-minded and closed to any other possibilities is the exact opposite of what her daughter needed. And it wasn't just being narrow-minded; the mother was trying to force her religious beliefs on her daughter, like it or not. She wouldn't allow her to form her own beliefs, which happened to be a somewhat religious faith mixed with her Native American heritage. The differences, coupled with the daughter's psychic experiences, caused extreme tension, one of the exact things Chip and Lisa were trying to alleviate. If you watched the show, you'll understand what I'm talking about.

I'll get to the point: As a parent myself, I understand wanting the best for your child and wanting to do everything you can to protect them. But... forcing your belief's on them, especially as a teenager, and not allowing them to form their own view's is only depriving them of a very important learning process. Any parent knows that pushing something like this on your child usually results in them pushing back... and rebelling against the very thing you're forcing on them. Religion is a sensitive subject and is one that I'll never force on my son.

I'm all for everyone having their own opinion and belief system and I'm all for someone being religious, if that's what they choose. But on the other hand, if they choose the opposite route, I respect that as well. Freedom of choice is something we should all have, including religion.

Preaching at someone constantly, or worse, preaching "down" at them, is infringing on their rights. Punishing someone, thinkly poorly of them, isolating someone or making comments like "You're gonna go to hell if you don't..." or "God doesn't like..." is just slamming religion down their throat. And if people act in this manner, then tell me what's the difference between them and a cult? My brother is an atheist, I believe in god... so what? I still love and respect him and his belief makes no difference to me at all. Some people, or "so-called" Christians, will even going so far as to tell you that if you listen to music like Metallica, AC/DC, Black Sabbath or Ozzy Osbourne, then you'll go to hell. That's ignorant shit, and it's wrong, no matter how you look at it. Seems to me that Christians shouldn't judge anyone or shun them just because that person doesn't have the same belief system as they do, or watch "improper" movies or listen to what they deem as "improper" music. Always make sure you look in the mirror before judging someone by your own personal standards.

Everyone knows about religion and everyone knows how to learn more if they wish. But DON'T force it on anyone, especially a child, and especially someone that's discovering they have psychic gifts. Seems that I remember "Love They Neighbor" somewhere. Seems I also remember "Freedom Of Religion", or feedom of "lack of".