Atheists, I'm gonna reverse this question on you?

Question

you usually ask:

Christians, if your child wanted to become an atheist what would you do?

so i'm gonna reverse that and ask you:

Atheists, if your child wanted to become a Christian what would you do?

Answer 1

It is her choice. Maybe she has seen something I have not or maybe it makes her feel comfortable. It wouldn't bother me at all.

Answer 2

I would show him/her what a biology book is and then I would take my child to a natural history museum and ask him if God created all of this then why is it not in the bible and where does evolution fit into his grand scheme of life. Then I would teach my child what most religions have done historically to our global society. Everything from genocide to ignorance of the unknow have set back the world about a thousand years of knowledge and advancement. It's a shame that you would rather waste your time in a congregation of people who go to there only because they cannot admit that there is an end that does not involve floaty clouds and a guy with flowing white beard at the end of the tunnel. I would then tell my child that you dont have to go to heaven to live forever but rather through your childern; they will remember what good things you have taught them and how the "truth" was more satisfying than fearing some imaginary creature/being who you have to pray to. I would tell them that generations of your genetic code would carry on and you would see your parents through your childern's faces and bodies. I think that if you instill good moral lessons and teach your childern right from wrong then you wont have to make up some boggie man to put fear in them. they dont have to behave for santa to get gifts. I know; but it's more of a commercial holiday that religious these days. Long story short I would make sure that my child would understand that I love them either way but I would put the facts of life out and not some cheesy "lessons learned stories" from some two thousand year old book written by people who still thought that the earth was flat. sorry but the truth hurts.... Biology+History+Common Sense=better person than bible thumpers!

Dave
[e-mail]

Answer 3

We'd have some interesting dinner conversations. As long as they were loving, non-judgmental Christians, I would accept them. I can't think of too many things that would make me not love my kids. Incidentally, they do go to a Baptist church with their granny. They love Bible school and singing. They say they believe in god (and Santa and the Easter Bunny and monsters under the bed). I just smile and say, not every one does (and no monsters live in Mama's house cuz she'd whip 'em good). I grew up the same way. My parents were atheists and they let me go to church with my grandmother. It was fun, until I got mature enough to really think about it. Then it just got weird. I suspect my kids will be the same way.

Answer 4

Of course, I would want to know why they've made the choice to become Christian. I think a good discussion would be in order. But if that's what they really wanted to be, I'd tell them to go for it. I wouldn't need my kids to agree with me or share my beliefs on everything.

If they started to vilify me for being an Atheist and try to convert, then we might have some problems.

Answer 5

this is stupid. present day religions are going to flow the way of Zoroastrianism, yet humanity will arise with the recent ones. the subject isn't with religions according to se, yet with certainty and life-denying advantageous properties such truly a number of the previous ones seem to very own. yet: an concept that it is basic to encode techniques straight away right into a plague which will carry it to the ideas of the host isn't new, yet we are an prolonged way from getting there in prepare. And while it occurs, it truly is utilized for turning in religions besides as the rest to human beings's ideas. what's mroe, atheism generally is a loss of concept and one can't "treatment" human beings from "religions" different than by using coaching them severe thinking and self-doubt.

Answer 6

It's been asked dozens of times. I'd say, as I said before, no problem dude. You've thought about this and Christianity obviously provides you with the answers you're looking for. That's great. Personal contentment is hard to find, but you have to find it on your own terms, and you have. I'm proud of you.

Sorry not to express glib intolerance, but, being on the receiving end of it, that's something I really hate.

Answer 7

Indocrinate them into Atheism and tell everyone it's okay because that's what Christians do. Then fall to pieces when they become Born-again Christians like the son of the founder of American Atheism did.

Answer 8

Don't you love it. When the table is turned around to the Atheist! They have little or no objection if their own kids turned away from their belief, but on this site! They are so concerned and want all the theists to see how wrong they are in believing in God.

The Atheists around here must love us more than their own kids. Bless them, that is so sweet. don't you think so too!

Very interesting. A spoon full of sugar does seem to go done easier!

Answer 9

I've raised 5 and never had the experience, but a friend had one of three decide to get religion. He did exactly what I would do in that situation. He let her decide for herself, offered opinions only when asked, and never, ever, allowed it to affect his relation with her.

Oh, and did I mention he sued the university she'd attended for incompetence and gross negligence?

Answer 10

I would explain why there is no god but children need a bit of experience before they can be entirely rational people, so I would just have to hope that they figured it out for themselves in the end.

Answer 11

I understand the concept of free will so if my child made this decision, there's ultimately nothing I could do about. I could try reasoning with them as best as I could but if they decided it, that's their problem. Didn't you ever see the interview with Jeffery Dahmer's parents? Your question kinda reminded me of that.