Atheists: Are we expecting too much from parents?

Question

I am an atheist, but I have no children to raise in these difficult times. What ever I choose to believe has little effect on the lives of others.---But, I might be reluctant to try to raise children in a society that has no exstension to the law, or no built-in moral corrective.

Many parents were raised by parents who beat or threatened their children in order to make them " behave ", but these techniques are no longer acceptable, and many of the modern parents don't know any other way to discipline.
Isn't it understandible that today's parents might fear for the future of their children in a life without religion?

I must confess that I sympathize with parents who are trying to protect their families the only way they've been taught how to do it.

DISSOLUT:---Parents are confused as to how to go about disciplining children without resorting to the only tools that they understand.
If you're so hip, why don't you volunteer to teach these skills.
I suspect that you really don't give a damn, but you want to create the impression that you've figured it all out.
Do you solve all your problems by oversimplifying them, or trivalizing them?
Or do you just get off by missrepresenting what others say?

ZMJ:---I'm merely asking Atheists if they have compassion for people who are responsible for lives other than their own.
So many atheists seem to believe that the only question is whether you're dumb enough to believe in fairy tales, and has little to do with concern for one's children, or sustaining their marriage vows.

INJANIER:---You're a very intelligent parent.---Unfortunately all parents are not so blessed.
Too bad we don't have many like you to teach the confused parents.

I'm not suggesting that anyone should force religion onto their kids, but I believe we often ridicule parents simply because they fear raising their kids without these old familiar tools.

I, for one, intend to be a little more temperate in my criticism, in the future, and try to give some information in place of so much ridicule.

R U RANDY:---Of course, I agree with you 100%,---However, there are many well-meaning Christians out there who are not so sure that you can raise children without corporal punishment or religious intemidation. Caring atheists can't encourage these people to step out into the light by simply using ridicule and sarcasm.---Most Christians will merely write you off as an evil smart a ss.---So why should we bother trying to educate, if this is our only approach?

( Sp.) intimidation---sorry.

If you're convinced that the best way to help sincere , but ignorant parents is by continually insulting them without trying to understand what makes them tick, then I'm afraid this is where we part company.

But I'll continue to have great respect for your intelligent views.

MARVINSU:---We agree on this.--- I hope we can keep pointing out these kinds of facts, and at the same time remember that ignorance is our enemy and not certain " types" of people.

Rather than condemning or ridiculing people for trying to control their children with these antiquated techniques, it would be better to point out that their are better ways, that don't have the negative side effects.

Answer 1

I've often said that religion may be necessary if it keeps the religious from becoming immoral. I've heard many people say 'morals only come from religion'. While I trust they believe this and it applies to them I worry what they would do without religion.

If there is a segment of the population who feels that outside of a religious context there is no inherent value in treating others with dignity and respect then I fear that segment of the population if the only thing that supports their civility were removed.

If religion is all that stands between me and the religious expressing every base animalistic urge and desire then I suppose religion may be the lesser of those two evils.

Answer 2

It is very tough to raise your child in this world nowadays. I am too an atheist, but was raised in a Christian household, going to Christian schools. Now that I have my own kids, I do the same thing-raise them in Christian schools. For one, they have better education, they learn discipline, morals, and a whole deal more than they ever would in public schools. Even though I do not push religion on my child, I will let her live her life and decide for herself what she believes in. I do know what you mean about how parents make their children "behave", and mostly it is wrong. Growing up the way I did helped me a lot. It gave me much more patience, and understanding in how to raise my own family. Most parents like the idea of having kids but don't want to put the work into it.

Answer 3

Morality derived from religion is alway based on the "carrot or the stick", from a choice of heaven or hell to more tangible alternatives. Atheists assume that morality must be taught by example. While atheist are not always perfect examples, those I have known are generally successful.

It is interesting to note that the most religious segment of the USA, the South, is where you will find the most prejudice and the most racial hatred. I believe that the hatred does not come directly from religion, but from the example of parents. Perhaps religion is not much of a source for anyone's morality.

Answer 4

I agree with “demetri” with one exception, the reference to animals as somehow leaving humans out of the mix. Humans are not only animals but are the proven most dangerous ones on the planet.

I am not referring to what happens when a human ventures into the territory of a hungry predator; said other animal will often attack either to acquire food or to protect what it considers its territory. This predator is not, apparently, capable of the deceit and subterfuge exhibited daily by the human animal.

I also agree with the difficulty on rearing kids in our current society since it normally only takes a few bad apples to mess up a society. I might even support corporal punishment though I chose not to employ it with my son who, amazingly enough, turned out just fine.

I say that until people, in general, begin to universally (like this is going to happen) consider the mind bending responsibilities of parenting, before they have unprotected sex, we are going to have management by crisis, as usual.

I further agree that actual morals have nothing whatever to do with religion and further, that the management and manipulation of the human animal indulgence therein is an organized, historical example of immoral human behavior.

Having said that, threat management has been the norm since pre-humans formed tribes before our ancestors dropped from the trees and began the long and, no doubt painful, process of bipedalism.

Thinking and contemplation is free for everyone on the planet. No dictator, not even ours, here in the USA, has the power to prevent a person from actually ‘thinking’. It is a condemnation of modern humans that so few avail themselves of the natural right.

I believe it was Albert Onerock who intoned:
“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” Albert 1879-1955

Answer 5

My ex and I raised a daughter without religion and had no major problems with morality. She picked up on the Golden Rule early in life, virtually without prompting. I think most children have this sort of innate moral sense; you only need to reinforce and encourage it.

We always allowed that religion was a choice she could make. Ironically, it was a couple of pushy evangelical family friends who decided her against Christianity.

Answer 6

Good argument, difficult to prove though.

However some would argue that we humans have built in morality. Some would argue nature versus nurture. Regardless of whether it's intrinsic or learned through our parents and other role models, what's important is that we have it.

With regards to disciplining the children, some would argue that it's actually more of a punishment to children to be grounded from TV, Phone, etc than to be physically hit.

Answer 7

Hitting children is a bad way of disciplining them. It is cruel. Its like hitting kittens. Parents should never beat children because it can have bad psychological effects on them when they become adults e.g Michael Jackson was beaten as a child. If parents want their children to grow up with their religion then they can do this without beating their kids. I am a Muslim and if I had children I would bring them up with Islam but I would never beat them.

Answer 8

My life began a long time ago... 1946... and I was raised in a house that practiced no religion. I was also raised in a family that was kind and generous, fair and orderly.

I see no credence to the points you appear desirous to establish. Families can raise children very successfully or very poorly with or without religion. It's simply done through the application of common sense and common decency.

I was one of three... we all turned out alright. I have four kids of my own.... they all turned out alright. What's the problem?

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Answer 9

Say to them which you're an identical guy or woman, and factor out issues that are comparable... it relatively is no longer "Christ like" for them to decide you! lol Emily: Agnostic Atheists are ones who do no longer a hundred% be attentive to that a God would not exists, yet have not got self belief a God exists. there's a huge distinction between understanding, and believing. i could say ninety 9% of Atheists are Agnostic Atheists...

Answer 10

I know of one prominent atheist (the Academy Award winning actress Jodie Foster) who has chosen to expose her children to all kinds of religious beliefs, traditions, holidays and symbols - and has agreed to let them make up their own mind about such matters by the time they are adults.

I am a Christian - glad I was raised a Christian - but it is hard to argue with such a sensible approach!