[If this is merged with another thread, like the "Atheists and Theists" or "The so-called religion of Atheism" threads for example, I apoligise.]
If you guys think Atheism is a religion, or like a religion, then how about this. Now this thread is actually targeted at Atheists for only they can answer the questions, but others are allowed to comment.
Now, for you atheists, how would you raise your children? Would you say to them "This is God, this is what some people believe about him/her, but God (most likely) doesn't exist." Now to me that sounds like Agnosticism. Because they're mentioning God to the child as if it's a possibility. Would an Atheist instead however, not even mention or talk about God to their child unless the child asks? I think so, that's what I would do.
So what I'm trying to say is, do Atheists not teach their children about God, or teach their children not to believe in God?
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I'd say we don't have the right to make decisions for our children., And we should condition them as little as possible. I think honest answers to questions are the best.
The point of this thread was to raise the question if Atheists really have made Atheism their religion in that they preach it to their children and try to convert people to that religion.
Children have to be taught to believe in gods and to adopt certain religious systems. If you don' t tell them that they should believe those things, then you are simply maintaining the status quo.
I believe parents should strive to teach about as many religions as possible rather than stick just to the dominant religion in their culture. All of these beliefs should be explained side-by-side. As long as you as a parent don' t privilege any religion over another, then your children shouldn' t either. As adults, they will choose their own religious identity and path.
Children should be as fair and objective as possible be educated about religion. If they are unfamiliar with religious belief systems, then they will be an easy target for evangelists for just about any faith. If children are ignorant with certain concepts then they will simply lack the intellectual tools necessary to fully understand and evaluate what they are hearing, thus making it more likely that they adopt a very bizarre and/or extreme religion.
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My experience with Atheists has shown me this: Since there is no Formal Doctrine or Atheistic Faith/School, Atheists are as diverse a group of people as one could imagine. Though there are two main reasons Atheist's give for not believing in God (1-no proof, 2-why so much pain in the world?), how they convey this to their kids is broad-ranged. Some make it a priority: Thou shall teach thy child: Believe Not in God. Others--seems like most--deal with it in a more casual manner, eg, bringing it up lightly (like during holidays) or letting their children ask questions.
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For my wife who is Catholic and I’m atheist have talked about this many times. We will introduce them to both sides but not force on side on the other, there will be some things that we will do like baptize them and go to church with her family on the holidays. My wife’s side of the family is very religious and I honor their beliefs by attending church with them during the holidays as well. While I know there is not a god, I also do not ignore the possibility that there maybe one either. You may say that I’m agnostic but I’m not, I just aware of the fact that I can be wrong until absolute proof has been found or proven.
See the thing is that Atheist parents don't necessarily raise their children "as Atheists" per se.
Parents who do not teach religion to thier children do not automatically enforce Atheism either. That is a black and white way of thinking and defining parenting in regard to Theism.
To raise children as Atheists is to convince them that God does not exist, OR to intentionally keep them away from religion in general.
A parent who does niether....who allows his or her child to beleive whatever he or she wants in regard to religion, is not raising thier child as a Theist OR Atheist.
What I don't get XYZ, is why is has to be ONE WAY OR THE OTHER for you ? Do you really see it that black and white ?
explain.
explain. *cough*their*cough*
For that to happen they must first be convinced God does exist. How the **** can you teach someone something isn't true without teaching them what it is? And it's kinda weird how to teach it.
"This is God, blah blah blah."
"I see."
"He doesn't exist though."
"What?!?"
You don't understand how Atheism works do you?
I've already proven to you that someone who knows not of god is atheist.
I don't understand what you mean by "Black and White".
If someone explains to you what something is, you'll first believe it to be true, unless it's taught as fiction, which would be a biased explanation would it not?
When I have children, I'm not going to have them baptized. I'm not going to take them to church. I have a catholic family, while I myself am an agnostic. Even if my children grow up believing in God, I'm never taking them to church because organized religion is nothing but forcing a template of beliefs on people, and I would refuse to subject my children to that
Very wise. I believe that children are curious and alway always ask WHY. If we answer it for them, then we are conditioning them, that is why it is important to leave it with an open question/answer. Don't tell them "Why or what", but ask them, "What do you think, and what led you to that." Then let it go. They will be much wiser in figuring it all out for themselves.
As for what ALL Athiest do, is lumping them all together, I believe. Hmm, guess we should hear from more of them here.
I also believe in taking children to many churches or synogoges..etc, just for the experience of it and ask......"Hey what did you thing of that?" Then tell them about the history and belief of that religion..
May make them wise in knowing.
Last edited by debbiejo on Nov 20th, 2006 at 12:12 AM
I wouldn't force my children to only listen to the music I like, or only watch the type of movies I like, or only read books I like. Likewise I wouldn't restrict their religious freedoms. Children should be free to think for themselves, and indeed be encouraged to do so.
If they had curiosity about a particular religion they're more than welcome to look into it, follow it, so long as it doesn't cause them and/or others harm.
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Nov 19th, 2006 03:11 PM
