if your child told you?

Question

he/she was an athiast waht would you do?
who would you react?

how not who...typo

Answer 1

I'd want to know if my child has thought out how he feels. We'd have a discussion of religion and atheism. Then, if that was truly how he felt, I'd be OK with it.

Answer 2

Know that I don't have a child. So, I cannot answer this as a parent would. But I can answer it in a way that I believe I would react. I am a Christian, but I am a firm believer that someone MUST choose their own path. I may not agree with what someone chooses to believe, but they have a right to do that. If I had a child, I would love them with all my heart. I don't think being an atheist makes them a horrible person. I think they have chosen to do something on their own.

I would want to talk to them and figure out why they believe the way they do. I would want them to understand that I love him or her no matter what. That is the key. Parents have a problem with loving their child no matter what. I may not like what a child does because it's against what I would do. But, I have to love them.

Answer 3

I would ask why. If my child gave me some kind of half-assed answer like, "Religion is stupid," or "Nothing makes sense," I would take my child to the library and check out books on multiple different religions. I would then make that child sit down and read them all and come back to me with a more substantial answer. My child's age and maturity level would determine how detailed would want the answer to be.

Choosing what to believe or think should never be done irrationally. I would make sure my child researched all the options before making a decision, even if that decision is none of the options.

The important thing is not to judge. Listen to his or her reasons. Accept them. If you tried to raise your child with a religion that he/she is now resisting, chances are your child is going through a rebellous phase and will get over it shortly. If your child does not return the the faith you raised him/her with, at least you won't have allienated your child by expressing how wrong you think his new beliefs (or lack thereof) really are.

Answer 4

I would suggest that you actually speak to them like and adult and dont let your faith intervene in the arguement. Religion is about your own faith. Make persuasive statements to the fact of how fate just doesnt seem to be a 'natural' thing. How sometimes, there just seems to be something else out there. Barring that, just encourage your child to live a good life and do right by others as I see no God condeming your child to whatever hell you want to imagine, just because they are and atheist.

Answer 5

Interesting question. Kind of shows where some Christians heads are at.

I don't think I'd do all that much - I mean, a belief is not the same as a lifestyle, it's not a hobby and provides no inherent pleasure. I might poke at the edges (hell, he or she did bring it up) and see just what kind of atheist they were.

Answer 6

How old is the child? What does the child's family believe? Who told the child about religion and/or atheism? It is not a simple question you ask.

Answer 7

I highly doubt that he will BUT it is possible so how would I react? hmm I really dont know. I would just have to accept it. He's my son and I love him. I'll pray about it. He'll see the truth one day, hes too smart not to.

Answer 8

I would think that it was great that they even knew what their religious preferences were. So many people have no idea and don't learn about religion. I would tell them that I am proud they have studied religion, and that if they are atheist that is fine with me. I would tell them to keep studying and always keep an open mind.

Answer 9

A child has to make up his own mind to believe in God. I would love my child and demonstrate the love of God to him.

Answer 10

... children are born atheist. If a religious parent heard this, (s)he'd continue trying to indoctrinate the poor child to believe. I, as an atheist, would be proud if a child of mine said that to me.