I am wondering why I get attacked by other atheists, not all of you attack me, but some do. Do you think you will start on fire if you step foot in a church? Why does it mean that i am "confused." Just because I happen to go every once in awhile and listen to a pastor speak about something I do not believe in, does not mean I am confused, it simply means that I am supporting my daughter when she asks me to. Occasionally she will paricipate in talent shows, or choir I want to see my daughter doing these things.
I am a parent first, an atheist second. Why is that wrong to so many atheists?
2006-10-09 04:57:45 · 21 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm surprised that people look down on you for that. Why are people so up in arms over something they don't think exists? I've never understood that. I love your quote at the end- parent first, atheist second. How sad if it were the other way around- belief in your children should certainly come before belief in nothing.
2006-10-09 13:42:56 · answer #1 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm not an atheist, but I think you're doing the right thing. And I don't mean to say that eventually you might "see the light" or anything. My opinion is that if your heart isn't in it, then it doesn't matter how many times you go to a church, it's not going to stick. I mean, that I think you're doing the right thing by your daughter. It's good that you don't let your personal beliefs about religion get in the way of seeing and supporting your daughters activities that happen to be held in a church. My dad isn't atheist, but he never went to church when I was a child either. It would have been nice to see him at the various plays and talent shows I was in. As a child of a parent who didn't see it that way, thanks for putting your daughter first.
2006-10-09 05:10:44 · answer #2 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Your first priority asyou said is to your daughter. If it does not bother you to spend time in a church listening to something you do not believe and you are supporting your child then you are being a better parent for it. You are allowing her to follow her path while still following your own. That shows a great more tolerance than many Christians and ateists I have seen here. Your child will be a happier more well adjusted person because of it and she will learn tolerance from what you are showing her. Power to you. And keep doing what you do. I would go to a wrestling match to watch my child although I do not agree with wrestling as a safe sport. But I cannot live my childrens lives for them. I do not attend church. I am Christian but I have church of my own in my house for me and my husband. My children on the other hand like the church across the street. I let them go and sometimes join them even though I sometimes disagree with the sermon. If it is a glaring difference then we will discuss it after church and see what they got out of it. If later they decide to be atheists I would be sad but it would be their decision to make.
2006-10-09 05:06:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some atheists are just as bad as fanatic religious people. I think you are a good person being supportive of your daughter and letting her make her own choices. I think people, no matter what their choices in life, should be more tolerant. You don't have to like what another person does when it comes to this topic and if that person isn't in your life, why are so many people concerned at what others' believe to the point where they are insulting each other? It's ok to speak your mind but people need to be more constructive on what they say rather than lashing out at each other. Don't let crass people get to you. That's what they want. Take care!
2006-10-09 05:04:18 · answer #4 · answered by Maureen B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how that could be wrong. I think it's great when a parent is a parent... and can set aside differences to simply enjoy what the child is doing. I don't see how that makes you confused. I've sat thru services with friends and family... and I'm a Pagan. That hardly means I am believing every word that is said. I can still think for myself, even when I step into a church. Amazing as that may sound.
2006-10-09 06:29:17 · answer #5 · answered by Kithy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not atheist but agnotsic here. As with everyone, we all have different beliefs and different depths to which we support those beliefs. Good for you for supporting your daughter in what is important to her. It does not mean that you necesarily buy into the dogma that is often associated with religion. Think of it this way, there are a lot worse things she could be involved with other than church so just ignore those barbs and keep on being a supportive partent.
2006-10-09 05:02:30 · answer #6 · answered by Tiger by the Tail 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just like Christians, some atheists feel their belief (or non-belief, as the case may be) is the RIGHT way to believe and any other belief system is wrong. My husband can be like that sometimes... heck, *I* can be like that sometimes, too. It's a base reaction to being forced into a corner.
If my son were to want to go to church, I'd take him. He'd have more questions then he does now and we'd have to deal with that, but if he wanted to go, we'd go. We've read the bible with him and he finds it as silly as we do (and that was completely on his own, without editorial comment from us), so I doubt he'd want to go... that is, until he found out how social an atmosphere it is... he loves to be social.
As I do with evangelical and fundie Christians, just ignore them. You're being a great mom to accompany your daughter to church.
2006-10-09 05:08:11 · answer #7 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with that =) Your daughter comes first. And listening to a pastor is kind of like listening to story time at the library.
2006-10-09 05:04:19 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Mira♥ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just narrow minded people with nothing better to do but try and push their beliefes and opinions on other people. They like getting in other peoples business instead of just taking care of their own. Go support your daughter like a good parent and ignore them.
2006-10-09 06:57:09 · answer #9 · answered by Carp 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think some people are just radicals about there beliefs. I"am a catholic who married an atheist. I asked a question here once regarding our children and allot of the christians bashed me for a marrying an atheist...Some people dont ever see the "gray" in life all they see is "black and white"..
2006-10-09 05:00:57 · answer #10 · answered by Candy S 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋