Will you be able to provide strong parenting skills and apply fundamental principles to your children's upbringing??
2007-02-09 07:11:53 · 37 answers · asked by Infamous 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Being an atheist, I'm not sure how on earth I would do that without God [dripping with sarcasm].
WTF?
2007-02-09 07:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 18⤊ 3⤋
I am by all means not an Atheist, I am a very religious person who loves God and passes religious values down to my daughter. Making sure my daughter is raised with a strong religious foundation is so important to me that I bust my butt to be able to afford to send her to a private Christian School on my single-mother income.
With that said I want to make it clear that I don't think that Atheists are any less capable of being good parents than I am. Although parents are the strongest influences in their children's life, the children of the Atheists will still have every opportunity to learn and hear about different religious alternatives form their peers and other adults.
To ask a question about an Atheist in this way is the same as asking whether or not an Islam or Buddhist can provide strong parenting skills to their children.
It is also the same as me asking if those who choose not to put their kids in a Christian School are still able to apply strong fundamental values to their kids upbringing.
What about the single and/ or disabled parents? Are their parenting skills and values any worse?
I think anyone who shows their children love, nurtures them, teaching them right from wrong, and makes themselves a big part of their children's lives are good parents!
2007-02-09 08:00:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If I die before my children are fully grown, I'd rather have an atheist raise my children than a fundamentalist christian. The atheist is much more likely to provide BETTER parenting skills and SCIENTIFIC principles to their upbringing.
2007-02-09 07:22:53 · answer #3 · answered by Kallan 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's a perfectly fair question.
Parenthood is hard and perilous. No one makes a perfect parent, but the best parents don't give up and remember that they have an obligation to rear disciplined children while allowing kids to be kids. To do that effectively takes planning. You don't want your kids to be the terror of the neighborhood, but neither do you want to take all the fun out of their childhood or squash their natural curiosity.
As a Humanist, I would try to rear my children with strong moral values that teach, among other things, that each and every person has worth and dignity, and that, in order for society to remain orderly and civilized, it's necessary for individuals to balance their needs and desires with the needs and desires of others. In short, personal liberty must be combined with social responsibility. Beyond that, life is a unique opportunity that doesn't last forever, so it's important to make the best use of the time we have. How you spend that time is partly up to the individual, and I believe it is best spent through learning, forming positive relationships with others, living in such a way that the Earth is not harmed, enjoying oneself, and making a positive contribution to society. Live, love, learn, and try to leave behind a better world than that into which you came.
2007-02-09 07:47:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You tend to repeat the same kind of parenting skills that you received from your own parents. Whatever you learned from the ones who raised you is usually what you bring to your own children.
And I have no clue as to what you mean by "fundamental principles." If you're referring to sound psychology and effective strategies, then those things aren't the sole province of any one religion or group of people. They depend heavily on your own childhood experiences and any understanding that you may have acquired in the meantime.
2007-02-09 07:29:15 · answer #5 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HaHaHa! I am a single mother and my kid knows he's loved, has plenty of food & clothing, makes good grades and knows there are plenty of people around who love him and will care for him. Also, he is always considered one of the better behaved students in class and has NEVER been sent to a principles office, had detention, been kicked out of school-no serious behavorial problems at all. Not too tragic a story, huh?
2007-02-09 07:24:23 · answer #6 · answered by strpenta 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, while I believe that religion was the original basis for morals I believe that they can be taught without the foundation of religion. And just because a parent is Atheist it does not mean that they are not supportive of the religion that their children choose to follow.
2007-02-09 07:16:59 · answer #7 · answered by Brandy B 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes
2007-02-09 07:19:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course.
Remember, most of those you see on tv who are being arrested for abusing and molesting children consider themselves christians.
Religion (or lack thereof) doesn't make one a good parent. Good parenting does.
2007-02-09 07:20:55 · answer #9 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sure, the majority of messed up kids were brought up in a religious household. Religous homes tend to push beliefs and restrict freedom of thought and expression.
2007-02-09 07:17:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
How does a belief or non-belief in god affect parenting skills and fundamental principles?
2007-02-09 07:15:00 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 1⤋