Atheism a Disservice to Children?

Question

In the question about Religious Propaganda, one of the answers told the mother she was doing a disservice to her daughter for saying Jesus did not exist. It was a statement that really caught me off guard.

I am an atheist, and I have two young children. Neither is really old enough to discuss these things with, but at some point we will talk about my beliefs, their mother's beliefs, and eventually what they believe. I will always be up from an honest about how I feel. I will also be very supportive in whatever beliefs that they decide to embark on. I just hope they explore, research, and learn everything they can about something before coming to a decision.

I think it was very presumptious for someone to imply even discussing atheism and that god does not exist around a child is bad. I guess I could say the same thing about christians who tell their children there is a god.

According to SlickCut:

"You are a very foolish man as I can see.I don,t think it is wrong for children to look for God as a way of having faith..Just because you are atheist,it should never rub off on your children,you know by being so up front as you call it,that when you give them your opinions that they will believe you and become atheist also...If you really mean what you say,they you need to keep all your opinions to yourself and not prod your children into being atheist by letting them know up front what you believe in....What would it hurt for your children to have hope!? "

--Well, shouldn't christians do the same and not introduce children to christianity at all. Let the child wander down whatever path they come across?

I do agree, children are born naturally atheist, and would not know of religion until it is introduced to them.

Answer 1

The real disservice would be indoctrinating children into a religious belief system that they couldn't possibly comprehend and accept based on rational, informed choice.

I'm with you on this, by the way. I'm a parent of one and I plan on approaching the subject in much the same way. Seems very reasonable to me. I don't see why someone would get uppity about being reasonable.

Answer 2

I am an atheist, also with two kids, ages 11 and 13. My family is very religious, so now that my kids are old enough to understand, they really question me. I answer their questions as clearly and completely as I can, then they go talk to Grandma or Auntie and quiz them. I have no problem with them learning everyone's beliefs, as a matter of fact, I think when they discover their own truth, it will be well balanced because the will have explored many religious or non-religious options. It's was very presumptious an implication for someone to make, but I find that religious types rarely want to give the other side a chance to defend their views.

Answer 3

I am also an atheist and I think that giving your child the tools they need to think critically and make up their own mind is the best thing you can do for them as a parent. If you have well thought out reasons why you are an atheist I think you should share them with your child when they are old enough to understand as well as point them to some literature. A sound grounding in science I think would be helpful as well. I then think you will have given them a good start. I have decided though that it should be their choice and never to tell them they shouldn't believe and give them access to information on religion. I think this is healthy parenting. Sounds like we are on the same page with this. I think indoctrination is the unhealthy thing and a disservice to your child.

Answer 4

On the other hand, while you think you're doing a good thing, what about the religious mother who raises her kid in religion? Look at the answers on here. It's obvious that if a kid is raised in religion, atheists (at least on this site) raise hell on how can we raise a kid like that. I don't know if you're picking on my answer (I couldn't find the one you were picking on, but mine was closest), but you didn't read the question very closely.

She said that she had to explain Jesus to her kid and it was TRAUMATIZING! That was what got me. How hard is it to say, "Oh, that's a picture of the Christian Jesus. Let's try another quarter" or "Bad luck, honey. Maybe next time." NO, she puts down that the explanation was TRAUMATIZING! If my kid got a sticker of Buddha or the Pentacle (which they do sell in those machines, I've gotten them on occasion), I wouldn't tell my kid in a way that would be deemed traumatizing. I'd give a simple explanation and move on. Did anyone else pick up on that part?

Answer 5

I am 46, my wife is 44....
Our children are 21 and 19 respectively.

They have been told everything about all of what we do and believe in and have been since they hit the age of 10. They were allowed to do as they pleased, and we accompanied them when and where possible. They saw first hand in both our extended families and the religious communities exactly what humankind was capable of.

One is currently 'Agnostic' (and yes; knows it means that they dont really know..... which is the real definition of that term). the other is Atheist with a full understanding of that term as well.

In both cases it was the very same set of circumstances that they noticed over a decade of looking at it as objectively as possible. Rampant ignorance, an abject mindset of distrust in anything 'scientific' as if it were spawned of the devil, and a heartless mentality sometimes extending to anyone not of that one specific church drove them away faster than any Discovery Channel special could have.

We're extremely proud of both children and they are held up as examples of good behavior and model citizens despite the fact that they're the only ones who are not dyed-in-the-wool believers.

Answer 6

I believe that the decline in religion in this country is the reason for metal detectors in schools, etc.

When I was a child in school, there were bullies, but today it is different, they bring in guns and knives.

This did not happen when we had prayer in the public schools, teachers did not discount God, and everyone was treated as though they had worth.
We did not need metal detectors.
The teachers used to say the worst problem they had with children was chewing gum, and running in the halls, which were both prohibited in the stone age when I went to school.
I graduated from High School in 1955, before many of you were born.

People knew their neighbors, and if someone was sick, the whole neighborhood would rally around that person until they were well.
If it were a child that was sick, they would make trips to the store so that the mother could stay at home with the sick child.
It was different, and I wish it were the same today.

grace2u

Answer 7

It is very presumptuous for anyone to tell another what or what not they should be telling their own children as regards religion, spirituality, or the lack of. Should a Jew not tell their children that Jesus is not the messiah, should Muslims not tell their children that Jesus is only a prophet. How dare someone say these things. This is the whole problem with Fundamentalist Bigots that demand the rest of the world believe as they do. If you don't like the way I do, or do not believe, and you don't like what I tell my children about what is, and is not real, then I suggest you pour yourself a great big hot cup of STFU.

Answer 8

I totally agree with you. However, the woman who told her children that Jesus didn't exist might be a little ignorant. That is like claiming Abraham Lincoln was fabricated by the Republican Party and never actually existed. Jesus was a historical figure, but not everyone agrees about his divine influence. I myself believe that Jesus was just a very influential man in his time, not the son of god. But getting back to the point, I agree that you should be honest with your children and I'm happy that you are willing to support whatever beliefs they find themselves comfortable with.

Answer 9

You are a very foolish man as I can see.I don,t think it is wrong for children to look for God as a way of having faith..Just because you are atheist,it should never rub off on your children,you know by being so up front as you call it,that when you give them your opinions that they will believe you and become atheist also...If you really mean what you say,they you need to keep all your opinions to yourself and not prod your children into being atheist by letting them know up front what you believe in....What would it hurt for your children to have hope!?

Answer 10

If it could be proved the teaching kids about Jesus was good, I'd do it (even though I'm an atheist) in the same way I'd be ok with them believing Santa brings their presents at christmas.

Children need to be taught HOW to think, not WHAT to think. They also have a right to be happy and educated well.

Answer 11

You're doing exactly what I wish my parents had done for me, which in some way they did, all they wanted me to do was get confirmed so I could get married in a church, they said "I don't care if you go to church or not, just as an option get confirmed so that if you want to you can get married in a church" it worked for me, I'm an agnostic, more on the atheist side, and I'm not the kind that think christians are stupid, I'm just a normal person with my own views.