I'm an Atheist, and sometimes my 4 yo nephew asks things like, "Did God make me?" or "When did God make ____?"
I'm not going to affirm his belief that God exists, but I don't want to disrespect his parents wish to teach him religion.
How should I handle this sticky situation?
2006-08-07 04:52:31 · 26 answers · asked by Darwinian 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are some good suggestions here. Perhaps I can add another one. When a young child asks me questions like that I usually smile and ask them in a very casual way, "What do you think?" or "Do you think God made you?" or "When do you think God made you?". At that age the chances are good that he will want to tell you the answer he's heard. You need not agree or disagree with it--he may not even notice once he gets to talking. I also use this tactic for answering questions like "Why is the sky blue?" and "Where does thunder come from?". It will encourage him to think for himself but if he's not really interested he will go on to other things. Later when he's older and better able to understand more complex things he will learn the answers.
2006-08-07 07:46:01 · answer #1 · answered by Witchy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many answers here have suggested that you refuse to answer, and refer the child to his parents for answers. That is a good and acceptable course to take. However, you might want to consider that the child is only 4-years old. At his stage of intellectual development, he is not constructing a complex world-view... he is constructing a very simple one, which involves things like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. In about 2 years, his world view will expand to include the Tooth Fairy. At this point in his life, you are not 'betraying our beliefs' if you supply answers that refer to 'god' any more than you are betraying your beliefs by providing an answer that involves Santa. When the child reaches the point in development where he begins to ask sophisticated questions, indicating the onset of 'critical thought' capabilities... THAT is when you need to be concerned about being faithful to your beliefs, and honest with the child... NOT NOW. Check in again when the kid is 8 or 9 years old... about the time he deduces that there is no Santa Claus is about the time that he should start to learn that there are different alternative views about the universe. Until then, God is a convenient, harmless fiction... UNLESS his parents start sending him to bible study, etc.; ath that point, it is no longer a convenient harmless fiction... it becomes mental child abuse.
2006-08-07 12:37:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that you have even thought of this question, shows that you already respect their beliefs as well as your own. You nephew is in good hands. Believer or non believer, you are a good man congratulations, I am impressed.
May be your presence would give him an alternative perspective in life, which these days is very helpful, so that we don't become claustrophobic in our viewpoints, there is enough space in human mind for radical viewpoints to exist in harmony.
2006-08-07 12:06:05 · answer #3 · answered by Abhishek Joshi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him Im not sure thats a good question,lets ask your Mom or Dad im sure they know .
Then you dont disrespect his parents wish to teach him religion
2006-08-07 12:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say this exactly:
"Listen here little boy! There is no God and there never was! This is a cruel, terrible world and you are just getting started in it! Now think for yourself and stop being such a sissy!"
Or something like that.
2006-08-07 11:59:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, you could say- "well, that is a good question for your mom and dad" or simply that you don't know. A 4 y.o. will be very satified with a simple answer.
I applaud you for not disrespecting his parents wishes for him to be involved with a religion.
2006-08-07 11:59:37 · answer #6 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just be honest. surley the parents wouldnt encourage you to lie.
or simply ask the child questions.
like
Have you seen god?
Have you tasted god?
Have you smelled god?
have you heard god?
have you touched god?
They are only questions then, not affirming anything, just encouraging the child to ask questions.
Once again, surely christian parents wouldnt have a problem with asking the kid for their honest 'opinion'
2006-08-07 12:00:30 · answer #7 · answered by CJunk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I would just tell the child that I did not believe in God and that he should ask his Father or Mother any questions like that...
I believe in God, but if my brother did not... then it is still ok for him to tell the truth to my child... and the truth is that he does not believe in God... but not that God does not exist.
2006-08-07 12:04:27 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since he is only 4 years of age, you can easily change the subject. It would be wrong to say something against what his parents wish to teach him, so you are being considerate of them and of their son.
2006-08-07 12:00:11 · answer #9 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say "I'm not positive" or "ask your parents" . that way you are not on the hook. because actually these questions are opinion based you don't need to answer one way or the other. Good for you that you realize that this dilemma, instead of pushing YOUR beliefs!! people on both sides of this argument are guilty!
2006-08-07 11:59:19 · answer #10 · answered by jeffy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋