Atheists, how do you instill spiritual values in your child?

Question

I'm atheist and I'd like to instill some spiritual values in my child. We occasionally go to church. And I've taught him a bit about God.

However, I am curious how other atheists have taught their children spiritual values. I want my son to grow up with the awareness of being part of the universe. He is turning 5 soon.

Please keep it cordial and no fighting. Thanks!

I take my son to church to expose him to the religion I grew up with as a child. However I am going to expose him to other religions, as well. I'd like him to make his own decision about how he'd like to worship in the future.

LOL. For all the flamers (that includes you, pinkstealth ^_~), I mean to define myself atheist due to having no set religion.

My definition of God is that he is the lifeforce that flows through us. I don't define him in the traditional context of christianity.

I believe that Jesus lived, but I don't believe he was more than just a good person.

I believe in our connection with the universe, and I don't believe in the guilt trips that come with some religions.

Answer 1

I don't mean to be unkind, but I don't understand why you would take your child to church or teach your child about gods if you're an atheist? Except that it's all mythical stories people make up to fulfill various emotional and psychological needs.

Other than that, your child learns whatever values you (both parents) model for him. Kindness to others, appreciation of the natural world, morality and so forth don't require any special instruction. Your children learn those values from you and how you interact with others.

Dale McGowan just wrote a new book called Parenting Beyond Belief and has a website of the same name. You may find what you're looking for there. http://www.parentingbeyondbelief.com

Answer 2

Huh? You are an atheist who goes to church. Isn't that like the vegan that occasionally eats a steak?

As an atheist, I do not believe in "spiritual" values. There are morals, ethics and principles. There may be some philosophy at work, but they have nothing to do with anything supernatural.

If you want to teach your child about god, then by all means do so, but do it in an ACADEMIC fashion. Explain why humans invented the various religious systems, what they are used for, etc. It is good to expose children to all aspects of humanity, including our delusional belief systems, as long as it is done academically, and not as a catechism.

I suspect you are not really a true atheist if you feel the need to go to church, and maintain spiritual beliefs. Spirituality tends to be a less abrasive way of describing the remaining delusional aspects people keep after they abandon the parts of religion/god they don't like.

Answer 3

What do you mean by spiritual values? That he is part of the universe? Isn't that rather obvious. I believe that knowledge comes naturally to a baby at about the age 24 months (according to Piaget).

If you mean you don't want your child to steal, how about giving him a crack over the head every time he steals. Or maybe modelling not stealing behavior to the child.

If you mean you want him to do nice things for other people, i.e. work in soup kitchens and stuff, again I think psychologists agree that modelling is the best.

And for goodness sake - keep him away from those church's! How confusing is that? To take him to church and teach him about God when you are an atheist?

Answer 4

Take him for nature walks. Teach him about plants, insects, birds, and so forth. That is how I learned to appreciate the world.

Music can also be an incredibly spiritual experience. My parents played me classical music when I was younger (mostly Mozart - presumably with the believe that it will make me smarter). I don't know whether it has made me smarter, but I think it has made me more spiritual. I have revisited some of those works as an adult, and their sheer beauty is inspiring.

Answer 5

If you're an Atheist why would you take your child to church? That makes no sense at all. Why does your child have to learn anything about religious dogma?

Teach him about the wonder of the world as it doesn't relate to god. Teach him science, philosophy, math... give him an education.

He'll develop any sense of spirituality on his own. Let him do that. Please don't involve him in the dogma of religion, if you don't believe.

To me, the fact that you say you have taught your son about god would tell me you're not an Atheist at all. You're an Agnostic leaning toward Christianity. Seriously... you're taking him to church. Think about it.

Answer 6

Agnostic...wouldnt step foot in a church even if (as the Christians say) my life depends on it.
I have some good friends that have taken my kids to church.
I tell them what I think, what I have researched and answer any other questions they ask. I share with them my views on a more humanistic approach and I practice what I preach so to speak.
Going to church allows them to see the other side of the coin. I want them to make thier own decisions and they know I will love them whatever they believe.

Answer 7

You will be surprised how common sense right actions becomes to a child when you teach him or her to love and respect their own mental gifts they carry within. I teach my child the tenants of observation and interpretation. Every conceptual ideology practiced in this world has a sphere of reference with limiting boundaries.

I am a Taoist which still make me an Atheist by definition. I would teach my children to under that concept of doing not doing and to trust in the intelligence of the body that is connected to that which is spirit. It is all about human ability to survive at the highest level. A child has to have well rounded skills to make life more fun and fulfilling but love of and respect of his own ability the think, create, and return love would be my highest priority.

Answer 8

Your obvious stupidity and trolling aside. No, in fact atheist mothers should love their children more then Christians. After all why will you need kids when you are in heaven? Is eternal bliss more blissful if you spend it with one or two more people. But when atheist die the ONLY thing left to remember them by is their children. Those children are their legacy, their everything. The only proof that many of them existed will be in their children's minds and eyes and memories. Clearly this means they will love and treasure their children more right?

Answer 9

I think that it's a wonderful idea to allow your child to go to church. If he chooses to continue in religion, don't discourage it!!

There are a lot of religious values and teachings that are very beneficial to a growing child. He can learn things such as the cliche "why it's important to be a good person" and it will further help insure other ideals and values.

Answer 10

Take him outside at night and show him the stars. Tell him we are all cosmic beings, made of the same star-stuff that makes up the sun's that light the night sky.

Show him how nature works together in ecosystems and how we are part of the cosmic (or natural) cycle. That our bodies will return to he earth and eventually the universe and that someday in millions of years people may look up at the sky and one of the stars they see may be made from the same energy that was once him.

Science can definitely be spiritual.