I had precisely the same reaction. It took 40 years for me to fully realize my regret that basic philosophy, logic, and critical thinking are not mandatory high-school courses in the United States.
I’ve always been skeptical of orthodox religion, even in childhood, but only now do I fully realize what a crime it was to send me, and so many others with me, into the world without even the most basic lessons in the philosophy of logic. I feel violated, as though my entire life’s potential was denied me without so much as a whoopsie-daisy.
The ability to reason effectively is something that every child should be taught well before the university level.
I can think of no compelling reason to deny children this vital tool except that religions very much prefer it that way.
