Do you think children have more respect for secular parents?

Question

You know, the old argument that atheists are better people because we do good not because we want a reward or we’re afraid of punishment if we do bad but because we use our own judgment to determine right from wrong which is the mark of a more advanced being. But do you think children would be aware of this and compare their parents with the religious parents of their peers?

Answer 1

I am a firm believer that actions we dub as altruism are really self-motivated behavior in disguise. Having said that, atheists aren't so obvious as grasping Christians.

I don't know if there's MORE respect, but I can certainly believe (from personal experience) that once you see through your parents' religion, they lose a big chunk of their credibility.

Answer 2

"we use our own judgment to determine right from wrong which is the mark of a more advanced being."

If the judgment is right, then this is true. If the judgment is wrong, then this is SO primitive. Do you see the flaw?

intrinsically good may be what you are going after here I understand, but a secular parent cannot insure this I hope you understand.

Answer 3

Not unless their atheist parents drummed it into them that they were "better than" other people because of their false belief that the only reason Christians are good is because they are scared of God.
That would be telling a lie to innocent children.
It would also be filling children with prejudicial views and transferring your bigoted views over to them.

When the children grow up and become more mature than their parents, they will resent them for the lies that they told.

Every "question" is a put down, is it not?
Get those little digs in.

Mature people don't look down upon others. You're more holier than thou than the biggest fundamentalist I've ever seen....

Answer 4

I do think that kids will not respect parents if the parents do not follow the faith they claim to have.

I have seen kids with "Christian" parents rebel when they find that their parents faith is just superficial and not actively lived.

I have seen kids of agnostic and atheist parents rebel when the parents are not consistent with the values they have tried to instill in their kids.

I have also seen kids rebel when their parents don't instill any values- they try to be so bad that their parents will finally set some rules.

Answer 5

it depends on the parents actions.if they behave in a fair and consistent manner and treat their children with due respect,if they are forthright and honest in their dealings in general ,then they can earn and keep the respect of their children and others.

Answer 6

Hell if I know, I didn't know many religious parents growing up. But I respect my parents quite a bit.

Answer 7

I havent much to compare this with
i know my own children give me lots of respect and we talk about various religions and beliefs , and I respect their views and they respect mine

I have only one of my daughters friends to compare with really as there are not many religious people in my area
but she has lost respect for her parents , who have raised her in their religion and keep a tight reign on her

so not something I can comment on too much sorry

Answer 8

Wow, don't think too much of ourself, do we? One attribute of an advanced human is not looking down on others.

Answer 9

No I don't think there are that many kids that have respect for their parents peiriod.

Answer 10

No, I think that children who are brought up on Christian principles grow into adults who appreciate what they were taught.