Atheists: What are your feelings about having children?

Question

Nothing in my whole life has meant so much to me as my children do. But I know some atheists are ambivalent about having children on the grounds that it seems pointless creating a life that simply has to struggle hard for eighty-odd years to survive before the inevitability of death and oblivion. If I ever felt like this, I don't now, obviously. But do other atheists have views about this?

And of course, the address in the title line isn't meant to exclude anyone (though I'd prefer respectful answers). Presumptions of ownership are horrible.

Some people seem to think this is MY view. I thought I'd made it clear it was not - I love my children (2, one of each, perfect parent-replacements!) more than anything. But I'm also pretty nihilistic and I've heard the argument against having children, which can be made for many other reasons, being made on nihilistic grounds. As far as I'm concerned life is brilliant, and I have my own justifications for giving my children the chance for existence - like me, they will make their own meaning to life. I just wondered what others thought.
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Answer 1

I have a child. I love my child. I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't go back and stop my child from being born if I could. I don't see the world as a big pit of death and oblivion... I mean, I kind of do, but I also see the great potential. It's in this potential that I hope he finds meaning and purpose.

Right now he sees a lot of purpose in his sippy cup...

:-)

Answer 2

I cannot speak for all atheists, but the first thing to remember is that atheism is far from a collective. We agree on some points and disagree on others. The only issue we all agree on is that there are no gods.

My personal view on childbearing is this... I do not want to have a child. My decision firstly is due to the fact that so many people have 3 or more kids these days that if it keeps up, the human race will not be able to support itself for very long. I don't want my children to grow up in such an environment and if i don't have any it might lessen the blow on everyone down the road at least by 1. I would adopt before having a child of my own. There are too many children out there without parents, it seems selfish to ignore life that is already here on earth. I don't really like being around kids for too long so these weren't difficult decisions to make, however if somewhere down the line i change my mind it will be adoption.

Answer 3

BL

I am married but neither myself nor my wife want children. My wife has her own reasons, but basically I did not want children of my own due to some concerns I have about potential genetic problems in my family and I would not do well to learn that I passed on this genetic risk to my children (I would rather not be specific as to the issue).

That being said, I think kids are Ok and actually have considered adopting. While an atheist, I do not consider myself a nihilist, and do not see the world in the way you described.

I would think it would be tough though to raise a child as an atheist, without teaching them to hide their true feelings. Christians on the whole seem to be less tolerant now than when I was a child, that would just single kids out for scorn.

Answer 4

Maybe I've heard wrong, but I've never heard of a atheists saying have children is bad, or that it doesn't serve a purpose. Maybe the person you spoke with didn't want kids period? Without it being connected in any way to their personal religious (or lack there of) beliefs?I've know several people who have not wanted and do not have children. Have some of them been atheists? Yes. Have some of them been religious (christian)? Yes. I have seen no evidence that connects not having children to atheisim.

Answer 5

well i'm agnostic anyway i don't have children i love kids it's just that i haven't met the right one to settle down with and have kids anyway i view kids as the future of the world whether they grow up to be scientists lawyers doctors athletes or whatever they choose to do when they get older anyway although at times there's a part of me that doesn't want to have kids as there is so much suffering going on in this world and at times the world feels like a cold and desolate place

Answer 6

Bad Lib, I know lots of atheists and I' can honestly say I've never met one who would forgo having children for the reasons you've outlined.

People choose to have or not have children for a variety of reasons, and sometimes they don't choose at all - it either happens or it doesn't - But the I've never heard of the inevitability of death figuring in anyone's calculations.

Answer 7

My mate and I had two, one to replace us each, that is enough. The world population is expanding far too fast and resources will not last forever. Personally I am strongly in favor of zero population growth or better yet negative growth. There is no way this earth can support the current rate forever. Parasitic infestation bleeds anything to death in excess.

Answer 8

I am atheist and my children are my world. I know believers that do not want children and do not have them. This is an individual thing, not a religious issue. I raise my children to weigh the facts on any issue and decide for themselves. My son is atheist and my daughter is not. I do not want to make this important decision for them.

Answer 9

Being a nihilist/atheist, I'm not going to have children. I think that my philosophy would not make me a great father. If I had already had children, I honestly think I would never have become a nihilist.

Answer 10

Atheists have thoughts? So what? every physique has human thoughts, not something new approximately that. Btw. why do atheists continually make assumptions approximately what non secular human beings think of? yet, how can one have non secular thoughts or strategies and not have faith in any spirits? particularly humorous what number atheists like it the two techniques.