I think religion works because parents coerce their children into it by denying them basic live necessities if they do not comply. E.g. they will not eat until they pray.

> I think religion works because parents coerce their children into it by denying them basic live necessities if they do not comply.

Certainly childhood indoctrination (even if without this particular kind of coercion) is part of the continuity of religion (though adult conversion into, out or, and between religions is a thing), but I'm not sure there is any evidence that childhood coercion of the sort you describe makes religion stickier.

Do you really think that's how it works in any but the most abusive families?

Yes, I actually think that's how it works in "normal" (or rather typical) families. We will never know until somebody actually has a poll of some kind.

Also, what do you mean by "the most abusive"? If we are talking the entire world, I'd guess that's how it works in >80% of religious families. Perhaps that number is lower in US, but not by much. Considering how abusive it is, I'd say the most families are "the most abusive".

P.S. in the first para by "normal" I mean that if you ask many random religious people of age 30+ most of them would consider that behavior normal.

I bet if you don't put any bad words in your question like I did in my statement, and simply ask "would you consider normal making child pray before he can eat?" even among well-educated religious people many will answer "yes". Try on your close friends, eye opening thing it is.

> P.S. in the first para by "normal" I mean that if you ask many random religious people of age 30+ most of them would consider that behavior normal.

I was raised in a religious household, am 30+, and don't consider coerced prayer of the type that seems to be described [0] normal (in fact, I find coerced prayer theologically unsound.)

OTOH, I wouldn't be surprised to find it fairly common.

[0] An expectation of respectful silence while someone else leads prayer, or an offer without obligation to lead group prayer, certainly. But coerced prayer is another thing altogether.

I understand, that it does not apply to all people, but, obviously, those considering it normal won't comment here.

Do you have children? If you do, do you coerce them into your religion (btw what is it)? If you do, how?

Do you have any evidence for this or is it pure speculation?

It is a speculation I drew from observing behavior of people I know.

Yeah. The most abusive get far worse.

Never heard of anyone approaching it that way. Much more on the level of "wash your hands before you eat."

"Woops! Don't forget to [pray/wash your hands]!"

Hygiene and religion both start out as learned behaviors before the child is able to understand the principles.