If, in any culture, children are taught, 'We are all equally unworthy in the sight of God' -
If, in any culture, children are taught, 'You are born in sin and are sinful by nature' -
If children are given a message that amounts to 'Don't think, don't question, *believe*' -
If children are given a message that amounts to 'Who are you to place your mind above that of the priest, the minister, the rabbi?' -
If children are told, 'If you have value it is not because of anything you have done or could ever do, it is only because God loves you' -
If children are told, 'Submission to what you cannot understand is the beginning of morality' -
If children are instructed, 'Do not be "willful", self-assertiveness is the sin of pride' -
If children are instructed, 'Never think that you belong to yourself' -
If children are informed, 'In any clash between your judgement and that of your religious authorities, it is your authorities you must believe', -
If children are informed, 'Self-sacrifice is the foremost virtue and the noblest duty' -
- then consider what will be the likely consequences for the practice of living consciously, or the practice of self-assertiveness, or any of the other pillars of healthy self-esteem.-- Nathaniel Branden ("The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem")