To all Athiests...?

Question

Athiests do not believe in shoving beliefs down other people's throats, correct? So I am asking all athiests, would you accept your child being a Christian? If your teenage child did research and came to their own conclusion that they believed Christianity, (which people have done) would you let them become a Christian? Or would you try to talk them out of it and force your beliefs on them ?

Answer 1

They can believe whatever they want. But if they end up being a typical Christian and tell me I'm going to Hell, then we've got a problem.

Answer 2

I'd be OK with it I guess. My child has gone to a Christian pre-school/kindergarten for the last couple years, no big deal.

I just want my children to approach the world with an open mind. I have not forced any particular belief system upon my children. I have in-laws who might as well be raising their children in bubbles out in the woods somewhere - they absolutely brainwash their kids. It breaks my heart because these are smart kids, and at the age of 4, 6 and 8 they're telling me evolution is a lie, drums are pagan instruments and electric guitars are evil. That's not for me, and I don't want my kids going through life like that.

If my children grow up and decide, based on their own free will, that Christianity (or something else) is the way to go, I'd deal with it. I'm not saying I'd like it, but I'd respect their decision.

Answer 3

That is an interesting question. I am agnostic, (probably more atheist than anything), but I have been baptised and confirmed as a member of the Church of England. I do not believe that there is a God watching over us, or that there is an afterlife in heaven. However, I believe that Jesus existed and think that many of the Christian morals are sensible. Many of my friends are religious and this does not bother me at all.

My point is, after all my ramblings, that if I had a child and they decided to become Christian, I would accept that and support them in whichever path they chose to take. I just feel that there is more to religion than simply looking at one set of beliefs and following them despite the contrary evidence. I would encourage them to consider all their options, and if, after looking at all the relevant information, they decided that that was the right choice for them, then that would be fine with me.

(By the way, I do not see atheism as a means of destroying other people's beliefs, just as a refusal to be tied to one set of morals and ideas. I think that many religious people feel threatened by this.)

Answer 4

I am Atheist, my children are ages 19, 17 and 10.. I have always allowed them to form their own opinions on religious beliefs.. When each has become interested in religious beliefs I have help them do research, taken them to various churches (until they became old enough to take themselves).. My children's religious beliefs or lack there of has always been their choice.. I answer their questions to the best of my ability, if I am unable to answer a question to their satisfaction I help them find someone who can whether that be a priest, rabbi, minister or other clergy-person..

My 19 yr old is agnostic meaning she believes there is a higher power (god, deity or other) she believes all organized religion is bogus however and believes it is her personal relationship with her higher power that is important..

My 17 yr old is atheist, he believes there is no higher power (god, deity or other)..

My 10 yr old hasn't as yet formed an opinion but is beginning to ask the same types of questions her older siblings asked at the beginning of their research.. I am not pressing her or inundating her with information, I answer the questions she has or find the appropriate person to answer.. In time she will form her own opinion..

I would never force my opinion o my children they are not miniature mes, they are each individuals with a right to their own views and beliefs.. If that means they are atheist, buddist, hindu, muslim, christian, wiccan or any other faith that's fine with me..

Answer 5

Making an issue out of my child's decision to convert to Christianity would be completely going against the most important thing concerning religion which I believe to be true, which is that religion is a personal decision that everyone has to make for themselves. So if my child came to that conclusion on their own, then no, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Answer 6

That's an excellent question. My child is 9 right now. He's already asked me what my beliefs are and I've answered him honestly. And I've told him that it'll be up to him to make up his own mind about what he believes or doesn't believe when he grows up. And I mean that. As his parent, I think it's very important that I protect him from being programmed from childhood in anyone else's belief system, including my own.

Answer 7

I have raised my daughter to think for herself, so I will accept anything she chooses to believe. I have exposed her to enough religions to feel comfortable with any decision she makes. That's how I was raised (by my Christian parents, who have no problem with my beliefs), and that's how I'll raise any children I have. Spiritual or religious beliefs mean nothing; it is actions that will tell you who a person truly is. That's something else my parents had the good sense to teach me. By the way, I think my daughter is leaning toward Taoism. She seems to be studying its concepts more than any other faith or belief system.

Answer 8

I am an agnostic who cannot have children of my own, but if my husband and I decide to adopt, we will educate the children on a variety of beliefs and non-beliefs and let the children choose their own paths. Everyone has the right to walk the path they choose.

Considering the fact the 95% of my family is christian, my husband belongs to the Church of England, I'm hardly going to say no you cannot explore christianity.

Answer 9

Talking a person out of beliefs and forcing your own upon him are two different things. I would point out the contradictions and hypocrisy and hope that these would be enough to dissuade him. However, I can't really force anything to happen.

Answer 10

i have nothing personal against christians in general, just the ones who show hatred towards the ppl who don't believe what they do so my answer is i would accept it. i might even encourage it if i thought it was making my child a better person. would christians be as accepting if thier child was gay?