Question for atheists

[Aggie]

This may have been discussed before so sorry if it has. I was just thinking about religion and the future, (Going to a wedding tends to do that to us women).

So I was wondering how atheists feel about their children's religious beliefs. If you don't raise your children with a religion and let them choose what to believe on their own, how would you feel if they chose to become, let's say, a Catholic. Would you be inclined to try and rationalize their views or talk them out of believing what you think is non-existent?

I know most of the atheists here have stated that they won't push their beliefs on others, but your own child is a different story.

My dad used to be an atheist, but he is now a Christian. When I would spend the summers with him, he never offered to take me to church (which I attended every week with my mother) and it's not like I could have gotten there myself. I just feel like my dad could have been more supportive of my beliefs even though he didn't share them.

Thoughts?


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[Furtherman]

I will teach my kids about right and wrong. I believe that everybody (HEALTHY in mind) knows the difference. I'll tell them to be kind to others. I guess that falls under a "good karma" belief.

If they ask me about "God", I'll tell them what I believe. (I don't believe in the bible "god")

But many factors would come into this. If my wife wants the kids to go to a catholic school - I have no problem with that. Kids will believe what they will. Inevitably their beliefs will change as they enter adulthood. And then they can make their own decision.

I don't think raising your kids with religion should be a priority. Just love them and set good examples and chances are they'll turn out good people who can believe whatever they want without pushing it on others.

[East Side Dave]

God is fucking funny!

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Big Ass Mafia

[Bill From Yorktown]

how about a middle of the road guy? This topic hits very close to home with us. My mother-in-law is very religious. My parents had a falling out with the Church a number of years ago (all politics and little to do with being Christian). My wife and I have baptised our son, and are godparents for her niece, but we're not Church attendees. We have our beliefs as such, but a lot of what the organization we refer to as the Church does we do not agree with.

A slightly different spin on the same question - what do we do? At this point, we've avoided anything but the basic "cow-tow" to what the Church asks of us for our son, but sometime soon we're going to have to make a decision.

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[ADF]

I'm an atheist, but if my kids wanted to believe in any of that stuff they'd be free to do so. A common feeling among most atheists is the desire to not push one's belief system on others. It would be hypocritical of an atheist to force atheism on someone else, especially one's children. I wouldn't, however, feel inclined to support my child's belief by taking him to church, but I would probably end up doing so as I wouldn't want my child travelling to church alone. Hopefully, there'd be some sort of "youth group" that could take care of his religious needs as I certainly won't be spending any time at the church (or temple, etc.). That being said, I would hope that my child would find the intelligence within himself to think clearly about the world and come to the same conclusions I have about religion.

<center><img src = "http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/adfbaroque.gif"><br>The boy with the thorn in his side.</center>

[Furtherman]

A common feeling among most atheists is the desire to not push one's belief system on others.


Amen.

I mean... right on!

[42nd-delay]

I guess I am agnostic at this point, raised Presbyrterian, but I'm glad my parents made me go to church every Sunday as a kid. I feel like it gave me a moral and ethical framework irregardless of the religious aspect. Plus, I think traditions and holidays are important things for families to share. Most religions teach essentially the same tenets, and as long as they teach tolerance of others, even people of other faiths, I think it's ok.

------------------------------
"42nd-delay is the only person who's making sense." - Ron, 3-12-02

[DJEvelEd]

God fuckin ROCKS!!

Go God Go God Go God Go God

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May your Kum Krusted Kocks be Konstantly Kovered in Kunt.

[Mike Teacher]

irregardless


[weeping]

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[Yerdaddy]

I'm an atheist, but I believe that faith is a natural thing for humans, especially children. I think it plays a role in helping cope with a complex world when one doesn't have alot of answers. But it would be important to do like ADF describes, which is try to keep the options on the table for the child. I'd tell the truth as I know it about religions, and that they also have the option to reject them. I don't think you need religion to teach right and wrong. There are consequences to doing the wrong thing and benefits for the right thing, and you don't need to put the fear of god in a child to teach them the difference. That being said there are some lessons from the Bible that I would definitely teach my child. I would teach the kid the Isaac and Abraham story, then I'd pretend to talk to god when I knew the kid was around, saying things like "Yea god, I know! I'm gonna do it this weekend! ...He would'nt go to sleep... Alright! I'll do it now!" "Hey kid! What say we go hiking this weekend, just me and you?" Always keep em guessing, I say.

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[David Lee Kinison]

Proof there is no GOD!

Joe Theisman has a Superbowl Ring
Dan Marino does not

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/a72fe1cb/bc/Yahoo!+Photo+Album/TRAINREK.jpg?pf3EkX_AZjhWlQbg

DLK

A Lil Aint Enough !!!

[DJEvelEd]

Joe Theisman has a Superbowl Ring
Dan Marino does not

Dan Marino wasn't a good enough QB or he would have a ring. God works in mysterious ways. God loves Trent Dilfer.

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May your Kum Krusted Kocks be Konstantly Kovered in Kunt.

[David Lee Kinison]

Idiot.................


DLK

A Lil Aint Enough !!!

[DJEvelEd]

poo poo face,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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May your Kum Krusted Kocks be Konstantly Kovered in Kunt.

[Death Metal Moe]

I'd set it up like this:

"Well, you can either go to church every Sunday until you die and put 10% of your money in the collection place, or I'll take you out to the arcade every Sunday."

Seiously, I'd just bribe them. Fuck hypocricy. It would be worth it so I wouldn't have to get up on Sunday morning to Dr0p them off and pick them up.

And you KNOW if you were Dr0pping your kid off to some church that every other parent and the preist would be bothering you to join. Fuck off.

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How can this poison be the dream of my soul?
How did my fantasies take complete control.......yea.

[sr71blackbird]

Aside from kids, religion never really hurt anyone.








Im kidding!





I was raised Catholic, and while I dont regulaly go to any services, I do think that God has a place in the world. Its a powerfull thing to be a part of something larger than yourself, and any religion can do that for anyone. Just respect each others opinions and be civil to one another, is all Jesus ever really preached.


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Many Thanks Soup!

[jamesdiggy]

Who is this Ath you speak of? And where do I send my check?

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A Ted Knight in Shining Armor
I am now blessed with an ADF sigpic

This message was edited by jamesdiggy on 9-9-03 @ 11:01 PM