Good children's books for Atheist/Agnostic families?

Question

I want my kids to learn about life from an agnostic point of view - the topic of death for example: I don't want their heads being filled with nonsense of an afterlife (ie. heaven, angels, nirvana...).

Any suggestions of childrens stories that tell about the natural cycles of life and death?

thanks

My baby is only 10 weeks old and the other one is soon to be conceived.. lol

Planning ahead.. :)

Answer 1

Could you not educate them on the difference between fact and fiction then allow them to read any type of mythology that takes their fancy.

I was allowed to read any mythology, and being aware of the huge amounts of mythology that is in disagreement about such things as death and the afterlife made me realise no one really knows. That's an agnostic trait.

It depends how old they're really. If you can teach them the difference between a fictional book and a reference book they should be able to read most things safely.

Edit: Like numbnuts said the there are some excellent BBC documentaries that show life and death. I would recommend David Attenborough's "Living Planet" series or any of his other works. I loved them as a child and he is an Agnostic as well as a great Zoologist.

When I started reading I was encouraged to read everything with literacy being prioritised above content, if you are more concerned with natural life cycles David Attenborough has done brilliant work in easily understandable formats.

Answer 2

"want my kids to learn about life from an agnostic point of view - the topic of death for example: I don't want their heads being filled with nonsense of an afterlife (ie. heaven, angels, nirvana...)."

I doubt there are to many good books that say "There is nothing after you die". Just doesn't seem like it would make that good of a story.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

How old ? Mitch Albom tells some good stories. "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" is not a religious book, more of a parable. Many of his stories cover dealing with grief. Probably not what you are after.

Answer 5

Science books are a good place to start. There are many of them in the children section of any good book store.
Make sure you read them first, we found one with a clear religious message in it. When we pointed it out to the store owner, she sent the book back.
It has no place in a science section.

Edit, jebussaves, she DID say she did'nt want her kids to be told fairy tales and nonsense, so why did you suggest the bible?
Can't you comprehend what you read?

Answer 6

An agnostic is a person who is not sure if there is a God. If you are truly an agnostic, how can you be sure that the afterlife is "nonsense"?
But to answer your question, Dr. Seuss was a pretty secular children's writer.

Answer 7

I can't help you with books, I'm afraid (I'm neither English nor do I have children which DOES limit my knowledge somewhat), but I found this:

http://humaniststudies.org/enews/index.php?id=247&article=10

Apparently "Agnostic Mom" posts regularly about how she raises her children being agnostic. Maybe that would help you?

Also, this looks like something you could enjoy: http://parentingbeyondbelief.com/forum/

Answer 8

It depends how old they are.
If they are 10 or over, try Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series. They're making a film of the first one, The Golden Compass (known in the UK as Northern Lights), but the books are an excellent parable against religion, god, heavens etc.
It's a fantasy so there are angels and demons, but it's clearly anti-religious in tone.

Answer 9

use nature books to show them the true cycle of life. For example the tree grows sucks goodness from it's enviroment during it's life and when it dies it gives back all that goodness to hundreds of other creatures

Answer 10

If you really want to be a good parent, teach them about athiesm the same way you teach a kind about alcohol, sex, or any other life deciscion.

Give them a balanced persepective and let them choose their own way of life when they're old enough and be supportive of it. If you want them to be open minded don't brainwash them either way. Be true Agnostic and tell them it's uncertain, otherwise you'll be guilty of your own close-minded views.