[maryz]

however, we do not educate our young as well as we ought

Isn't that just another instance of "trendiness"? After all, the style in educational theory for a few decades now has been to make it "fun" and let the kids discover things for themselves. The results are just as obvious in secular education as in religious!

[Cronos]

not in the sense I mean. I mean that for instance, Sunday school should be compulsory, children should know what the Nicene Creed means, at at the time of confirmation should know at the very least Early Church history -- the early heresies are great starting points. Too often Catholics are poorly educated and don't know enough of their own faith.

I do NOT believe in "let the kids discover things for themselves" -- parents' duties include instructing the child in the Faith -- without some faith, children are rootless and aimless. With some faith, even a bad one (say Islam), the child has SOME value system, some hopes, beliefs, etc. without it, they are rootless.