What do you think of me teaching my children atheism , but also , alowing any religion they wish ?

Answer 1

Teach atheism??? Umm, your children were born atheists. All you need to do is not impose a particular belief system on them and you've given them more than a fighting chance. This starts by being HONEST and STRONG when they ask you difficult questions like...

"what happened to fluffy the cat when she died?"

"where did Aunt Margaret go after they buried her?"

"why do people kill in the name of god?"

"why didn't you and mom/dad get married in a church?"

"why don't we celebrate Easter?"

"why don't you say God Bless You?"

And so on, and so on.

When children are young and they are exposed to traumatic events, the natural inclination is to ease their pain, and the simplest way to do that is to invent DENIAL. God is just an elaborate form of denial. When a child asks why their pet died, as sickening as it sounds, it's easier for parents to make up the bullshat stories like "god wanted him in heaven." then to tell the truth... "I really don't know." because the latter does nothing to comfort the child.

So much of our world is integrated with irrational religious traditions that it's sometimes difficult to live atheistic lives, let alone shield a child from all the theistic crap they are exposed to growing up. Not to mention the ridicule they will probably face at a young age from their friends who believe in god. There is a great deal of peer pressure to "believe" in god.

Then there is always the fun part of going out on that second or third date and having to tell that new person that you don't believe in god. Atheism isn't exactly the popular choice.

I'd suggest you start by NEVER teaching your children about religion (natural or supernatural) until they are at least six or seven. This is probably going to be impossible, but try anyway. Personality is formed in the ages between three and six, so this would be the time to keep religious beliefs as far away as possible. Of course, you can still teach values, principles and your own systems of ethics and morals. Later you can start exposing religion as an engine for historical events and introduce all the various beliefs, why they were embraced at different times, by whom, what the ramifications were, etc, etc.

Good luck. It won't be easy!

Answer 2

Why not just expose your children to all major religions and letting them make an informed decision? What's the point of "teaching" atheism? Atheism is the lack of a belief in God. So there's not really a whole lot to teach.

Answer 3

I've a question for you.... How exactly do you teach non-belief? Not sarcastic, just wondering.

I have a friend who grew up in an atheistic household. Her father adamantly forbade any religious literature in the household.

In the end, she found her own path, and is now a Christian; a Catholic. (yeah yeah yeah, some will say that's an oxymoron.... whatever) The point is that she found her own path, just as have I, and just as shall everyone else.

Forcing one to believe a certain way is one thing. Teaching atheism by ridiculing other ways, to me, is a bit off. Letting your children know your ways, practicing or not practicing certain beliefs in your household is fine. Threatening to disown a child for not adopting your beliefs, or other such coercive techniques in my mind is immoral, but then again, I'm not everyone.

Still, I think that people are destined to find their own path.

--Love and Light,
--Dee

Answer 4

I think you're free to teach them whatever you wish as long as it's within the norms of society's standards (otherwise you might get some beef about it). I also think it's excellent that you teach them about other religions. I feel that my parents could have taught me more when I was younger, but I really don't think they knew enough to begin with. Education is key for success in any matter of life, kudos to you!

Answer 5

Interesting that you have to teach them atheism, it doesn't come naturally. In truth, if they are of the called, the elect of God and their names are written in the book of life, they will be believers, if not, they won't. There is really nothing you can do about it, either way.

Answer 6

I am instructing my son that all people has unique ideals, and that this can be a very individual selection that all of us ought to make in our lifetime. I coach him to be respectful of alternative peoples ideals, it doesn't matter what they're. I reply any questions he has as truthfully as I can and inform him what "a few men and women" think, and what I think. Then I ask him what he thinks. Hopefully in the future whilst he's historic adequate and has requested adequate questions, he'll come to a decision what he believes in his possess center. And I will respectfully help him in that. Even if it approach he calls and pesters me day-to-day approximately saving my soul. :)

Answer 7

I believe that your children should be able to chose what religion they believe in. I do not believe in god how ever I let my children go to church come home tell me about god and what they learned. How would you like for someone to make you believe in something and not give you a choice. Maybe you should explain all the religions there are and let them chose. Don't tell them that you don't believe that there is no god.

Answer 8

That's what I plan to do. Not teach atheism so much; just logic and critical thinking. That leads to skepticism and atheism anyway.

Answer 9

If you want to teach your kids a bunch of lies, I guess there's nothing we can do about that. I just hope you are at least honest enough to tell them that it is a theory at best, no proof that it is true. If you were to be truly honest, you would also teach them that in the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.

Answer 10

Actually, Atheism doesn't have to be taught. All I am doing is explaining all of the different religions and telling them that although all state they are absolutely true, none of them can prove it.