Should our children be taught to channel love of god into love of mankind instead?

Question

I know my child has lots of love, empathy, positive emotions etc to give, and I want her to make sure she doesn't give it to the wall (ie prayng) but to the living, to the world.

I am an atheist who happens to love life, the Universe and everything in it.

Thunkerkleese, if evolution has done anything for us, it has been to give us a brain of gigantic proportions, with exquisite emotions, feelings, aspirations, etc. Of course it matters. What bothers you is that no-one is watching. Well, no-one is watching, but the ancient ideal of "the good life" is surely worht pursuing, so we and our children can live happily. Even the pre-christians were aware that man does not live by bread alone, and religion has shown a pretty poor result, hasn;t it?

Spectrum7, you display the monotheist's hatred and suspicion of mankind. Read Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Virgil, Dante, Shakespeare, (and others). Yes, man will let you down, but not always. Life's like that.

momo h - what are you doing?

Answer 1

I believe if everyone taught their children love for mankind instead of love for a god it would solve most problems of the world including putting an end to war and terrorism.

I have seen so many people preach their god and religion as the answer to life and happiness, and I am sure you are going to get your fair share of "You need to find Jesus" replies to this question.
But seriously, if any religion has got it right we would all be practicing that religion.
The fact remains that no one can prove the existence of their god and no one has the right to tell you that you should be following a certain religion either. Doing so only causes conflict and hatred which in turn will lead to violence. Its like if I put a gun to your head and tried to force you to do my bidding against your will; "If you don't do everything I say, how I say it, an when I say it, you are going to die" Now that's not a good way to get along with everyone is it?

If every religion in the world would end and we all focus instead on how we should be a good person for ourselves and everyone else living on this planet, we may finally move towards a global peace and harmony.

Believe in an afterlife if you have to so you don't go crazy wondering what will happen to you when you die, but don't become so obsessed that your god is the answer to eternal salvation that you forget you are the one who has control over your life and you always have.

No god has ever came down and stepped in to put things right, anyone who says otherwise is either lying to promote their religion, or is still trying to struggle with their own existence.

Muslims, imagine Christianity is right and everything you have been taught is wrong. That you will burn in hell for eternity because you didn't follow the ways of a Christian god? Are you willing to convert to Christianity? Probably not because you have already been taught otherwise.

Christians, Imagine the Muslims got it right, Jesus isn't the son of god, he was just a prophet. Would Christianity be willing to give up the bible and turn to the Koran? Yeah right, that will never happen either.

Personally, I wouldn't mind the idea of servants and virgins when I die, but that doesn't mean I want to convert just so I can get my freak on in the afterlife. Anyway, does it say whether the virgins are human? I mean maybe I could live with sheep, but if they are porcupines I think it just lost its appeal. Oh, if they are human, do they have to stay virgins once I get there?

My point is this, As long as religion is around, there will never be a peaceful harmony. Our generations will never get to know peace, but if we teach our children that we need to take control of our own existence and not rely on an outside force, we can all learn to respect and communicate with each other. Try to live your life as a good person, have a sense of humor, be generous to the people around you, be educated and tolerant of other cultures, and do it as best as you can while you are here. No religion can or should ask for more.

Answer 2

One of God's commandments is to love our neighbor. I think the important thing is to have that positive outlook towards life. If you believe that there is a life beyond this temporary life that is often filled with adversity and sorrow, so much the better. If you should lose your child tomorrow, do you believe that child is lost forever? I don't. God or no God I believe the love you put into that child is an eternal thing, so even an atheist should rejoice in the eternal nature of love. I don't think it is so important that you believe in God as he believes in you. Our 19 year old son went missing in Chicago about two months ago and our hope is to be reunited someday, in this world or another.

Answer 3

As an atheist you have some really hard thinking to do, because you have to tell your child what you believe to be the truth, which is that you think there is nothing else. Your child is starting at the dead end. Don't take this the wrong way, I'm just trying to work out what I would do if i felt like you. See with my Boys they have been free to pick up faith or drop it. Of course it's been biased by mine and my husbands faith. And they have seen prayer work and reason in who we worship. We have taught them that creation is our responsibility in the same way you will, and that life is important and to be cherished. But the dead end bit, the void, the emptiness I can't imagine trying to bring them to terms with that.

This is a thoughtful response, I will think about it more

Answer 4

If you love life, the universe and everything in it, then you are truly spritual in my estimation. You then have more than most religious people.

And then if you give your child this same sense of love, beauty and awe that you have, then you are truly doing god's work!

You may not like that I see you as spiritual, but I share your love of the Universe (I'll use the capital U as you have), and think to treat humans with compassion and love and to be in awe of nature is something that the religions should learn more about.

Answer 5

If your Children are shown how to love the earth and mankind as a whole as well as natural things around them ,then they are living as God would want. The key word is LOVE.

Answer 6

The thing is to make sure to add love to mankind and basic ethical and moral values. Sometimes religion helps to achieve that goal, though it does not always work. I'd say those values are even more important, and as a consequence to acquiring them, you'll respect others as loving them.

Answer 7

In the Bible, God asks us to show our love for him by serving others. 1 John 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another.

Answer 8

I feel u should teach them to love God first by loving them selves the ultimate way to communicate with God is thru ones heart,have a sense of realization and direction,only in that way they will be able to show love for their neighbour and survive in the crazy world

Answer 9

Absolutely spot on; I would go another step and make it illegal to indoctrinate children with the fears and superstitions of adults. Logic, free thought, and Science will serve our youngsters far better than supernatural fiction. Allow your youngster to develop a love of Nature and the natural world ,explain the reality and truth of what she sees. Through wonder to understanding.

Answer 10

The problem with loving mankind in and of itself, is that man will always let you down... so they will abuse your love and charity. If you love mankind through God, it is no longer whether or not the person deserves your love, but rather loving that person through the eyes of God. Loving God does not limit you to loving others less...