Atheists, help?

Question

Wel I don't have any kids (yet). But i was laying down thinking about things, and my mind wondered off onto the subject of the future, and this scenario drifted into my mind.. Say I have a kid, we'll say son.. now.. I do not believe in God, as i'm a proud Atheist, But should i inform him right away (as soon as he's able to understand) that there IS no God, or do i wait until he's older? I feel like telling him as soon as he's got a working mind is no better than Xtian brainwashing. But then if i don't, he may be susceptible to said Xtian 'brainwashing' from other adults of peers. Being a young child i remember how easily you believe the firs thing you're told. Or i could completely negate the subject until he asks me about it?

Let's say one day, he is sitting in the livingroom and brings up something about what 'god' has done for us. Do i then explain there is no god? I mean, i would love for him to not live ANY of his life with that dangerous delusion. But then what about santa?

Do i not tell him things like magoc, santa, easter bunny etc are real? wouldn't that hinder his imagination?

Answer 1

Let them enjoy being a kid. I don't want children myself, but if I did, I'd let them believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, etc. That's part of childhood.

The revelation that none are true aren't emotionally devastating to kids once they get older. There's a difference between enjoying youth and placing your life's trust in imaginary figures.

Answer 2

Well, don't tell him God just plain 100% doesn't exist. Tell him the truth: That you are smarter than him, you have looked at the evidence, and you think God existing is not very probable. Tell him he can believe whatever he wants, but that it might be a good idea for him to think about what you believe considering he's just a kid and not yet very intelligent.

Remember, as with things like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and ghosts and flying saucers, young children are more likely to believe in them than older people. So long as you just tell him the truth and make sure you make reasonable, logical arguments, it's not a serious thing if he believes in God when he's only like five or six years old, he'll probably realize the sense of what you've been saying later on anyway. And if he doesn't...well, naturally we'd prefer that that not happen, but technically he does have the right to believe whatever he wants so long as he doesn't start harming other people over it.

Answer 3

Actually this very thing was got me started on hanging out in religious chat rooms. I wanted to hear the kinds of things my kids might hear from Christian kids and be ready to respond to them.

There is no need to tell him there is no such thing as a deity until he brings the subject up, which would likely be brought on by things he's heard at school. If other kids tell him he's going to hell, he might indeed be a bit rattled, but he'll come to you for comfort. That's a good time to sit down and explain that the idea of a deity who tortures people for not worshipping him in the exact right way doesn't make any sense. (Plus, who can worship a spoiled brat?) People made up the idea of deities to explain things they didn't understand, and then later used religion to control how people behave. This will make a lot of sense to a school-age child. Tell him how people once fervently believed in the Greek pantheon, and the Norse and Egyptian gods, and tell him that the god his friends are talking about is no different than the other fairy tales. Be ready to answer his questions.

Thinks like Santa and the Easter bunny are okay, because if you don't try TOO hard to conceal things, kids can pick up pretty quickly that it's all pretend, for the sake of fun. Believe me, books and stories will contribute much more to you're child's imagination than honest belief in mythological figures.

Answer 4

I was raised in a Christian family, but my parents did not force me to go to church. In fact, we rarely discussed religion even though they were both Sunday school teachers. They were more concerned with teaching me what they considereed to be right and wrong from a personal viewpoint. When I did something wrong, they would say. "Would you like it if that had been done to you?" I would say no, and they would tell me apologize or otherwise make amends. I grew up believing in Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc., which I believe are important for the growth of the mind. Fantasy can be good as long as the individual can learn to distinguish it from reality. I would suggest you not tell your children anything until they start asking. I am an atheist, but I think you would be doing your children wrong by telling them in absolute certainty that there is no god. Like it or not, we believe there is no god; we cannot say with absolute certainty that one does not exist. Atheism is itself a religion (Merrriam-Webster's online dictionary defines religion as "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith" and atheists believe there is no god). Your children will be much better people if they are allowed to make such decisions for themselves. If they believe there is no god through the course of their own discoveries, then good for them. If, however, they believe in a god of some kind, then good for them. They would no doubt still love you, and you would still love them (I would certainly hope so at least). Do want to raise clones of yourself, or independent, rational, free-thinkers? Give them the tools to make the decision, but allow them to reach the conclusion for themselves. You would be doing the world a favor.

Answer 5

Well you child will be born an atheist.
You should (in my opinion anyway) just let that ride until he's older. Then when/if he starts to question it let him know what you believe, and what the other side of the argument is. Just let him decide for himself what path he wants to choose.

As far as Santa, there's nothing wrong with "believing" in him. It's a fun tradition. I'm 30 and still get things from Santa.

Answer 6

both of my parents are atheists, as well as my brother and I. we were rasied to think for ourselves. I was taken to church with my grandma and went with the girl scouts (if you know anything about the girl scouts, you know they are a religious group). I was allowed to make up my own mind. And we did believe in santa and the easter bunny, but we were children. I was 8 when I demanded that my mother tell me the truth about santa. We always assumed god was just another story to make people feel better about themselves. Most of my family, both sides, are religious. But honestly, religion affects my day to day life very little. I am now at an age to get married and have kids. My fiance is also an atheist, but we plan to show our children everything out there, just so they can be educated about religion and can make up their own minds.

Answer 7

I don't think I'd say anything about it until he asked me. If/when he does, you can tell him that some people do believe, but you don't, and here's why.

As for Santa, I can't think why it would be bad for him to think that his parents give him presents at Christmas time, if that's something you celebrate.

Edit: I don't think you'll hinder his imagination by telling him that Santa and the Easter bunny and magic aren't real, but it's fun to pretend.

Answer 8

I'm not an atheist, nor am I a believer in any kind of organized religion. What I will tell my daughter when she's old enough is "Other people may believe that, but this is what I believe..."

I will also encourage her, when she's older, to read about all religions, which I hope the two of us can discuss together. I want her to be knowledgeable about people and society, and learning about religion is a part of that. My daughter will get my advice and nurturing, but also the freedom and encouragement to think for herself.

Answer 9

I recommend that if you have a kid you let him make up his own mind about God, so it has meaning for him. I doubt that a christian or any other religion is going to brainwash him, when his father is an atheist. He's going to pick up on that whether you tell him or not. Raise him to think for himself and it will all work out. I grew up with an atheist father and christian mother and didn't really make up my mind about God until in my twenties. But now I have my belief system and it works for me.

Answer 10

These questions will not come up tikk 4-5. Then its your choice. I have a 4 year old asking about God. I tell him that IF there is a God..that it is a loving God...kind and giving who my watch us from above the clouds. I don't think he is old enough to understand that my husband and I are agnostic...we want to give him as much info as possible and let him make his own choice....
Your child may grow up and want to be a christian...you never know...will you still respect and love him if he chooses that path??? I suggest giving as much info as you can...don't force your athiestism view on him...just answer questions as best as you can...but don't take away all his ability to imagine beautiful stories such as Santa...and his ability to give without receiving....Easter BUnny and his renewal of life (spring)...Good Luck.