sounds like a setup for a joke, but it's not. anyone have any experience with this scenario? how do you talk to a child about christianity and/or atheism?
2007-02-16 17:56:31 · 13 answers · asked by yaddayaddayadda 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Don't brainwash the child, tell him/her about your understanding of the world and let the child make his/her own mind up when old enough to do so. People of different political views get married and the children have no problem sorting things out for themselves when they are old enough.
As Dawkins says, there is no such thing as a Christian/Jewish/Moslem/Atheist child any more than there are Republican/Democrat/Socialist children. There are children of Christians, Jews and Moslems but the children are not of the religion until they are old enough to decide for themselves.
2007-02-16 18:04:50 · answer #1 · answered by tentofield 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First, it's a great idea to bring up any child to recognize that there are a broad range of beliefs in the world. Just Christianity has 4 major divisions plus at least a couple of hundred denominations and flavors.
It's also important for a child to know that belief (or lack thereof) is a personal thing and people should not be judged mainly on that basis.
Lastly, we are all fallible human beings and there is no way to truly know whether my Lutheran beliefs are superior to Joe's Catholic ones or Jane's Baptist ones.
2007-02-17 02:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by roxburger 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can cause some conflict between the parents but probably be good for the child who would be allowed to experience the many sides of the belief that there is a man living in a cloud.
2007-02-17 02:05:34 · answer #3 · answered by liberty11235 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
explain that there are many different ideas about the nature of the universe and tell the child that the parents have different views.. explain both ideas and let him decide as he grows older
2007-02-17 02:02:24 · answer #4 · answered by Nora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A large number of children grown up like this. Even me. My father was an athiest. It does not make any matter until we choose our ways.
2007-02-17 02:00:56 · answer #5 · answered by Red Scorpion 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a big joke to me.
2007-02-17 01:59:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teach by example, let the child see both sides of the coin and let him choose from what he learns.
2007-02-17 02:00:51 · answer #7 · answered by saintrose 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Simple, you explain to them the concept of religion and encourage them to check out anything they are interested in and make a decision for themselves. If they want to join a religion, you accept it.
2007-02-17 02:00:15 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats tough. I would not be willing to teach my children what I believed is a lie either way. If your the Christian, pray pray pray, and take them to church with you. If your spouse objects, pray pray pray.
2007-02-17 02:10:26 · answer #9 · answered by 10 Point Shoe-In 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My hubby is an agnostic, more on the atheist side. I bring our child to church, and he says as long as I don't force her to believe, then it's fine.
2007-02-17 02:02:01 · answer #10 · answered by ♫O Praise Him♫ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋