Your child's religion?

Question

I am still young, but i am an Atheist all the way..

When i have kids, I really don't want them to live their
life like there is a God and be brainwashed saints that
never live life to its fullest with so many boundaries that effect their morals and values.

Here is the real question.. Do i take them to church every Sunday hoping they will rebel sooner or later... OR ...Do i
tell them there is no God and hope they don't listen to some
religious freak.

If they have little knowledge about God.. i'm afraid they are
inclined to be swayed by a church go-er.
BUT
I don't want them going to church and believing all their life :/

I KNOW it's their decision.. but i am trying to help them here..

What do you think? (mainly directed towards fellow atheists, but all answers are welcome)

Answer 1

You may be interested in reading "Parenting Beyond Belief" which is a collection of writings from atheist and mixed households and how they dealt with various issues in child rearing. Its not prescriptive, each person has their own take and not all approach it the same. You might through reading find ideas that resonate with you that you choose to implement for yourself.

What I've decided in this is to not raise them to be religious but to be open and respectful of religion when they have questions. If we live near a Unitarian Church I would be very happy to have them attend their religious education classes that are very open and factual and teach from all the world's religious traditions (or most) without labeling any as having a corner on the truth. They believe in presenting the information as children are old enough to understand and ask questions and then let them make up their own minds. I would also be open to them going to church with a relative or friend if they asked to go. I would discuss it with them afterward though and share my perspective, respectfully though. I think if you yourself aren't fanatacally anti-religion but share why it doesn't make sense to you when they are old enough they will grow to be critical thinkers who are able to make good decisions. I would also expose them to science and philosophy and good authors on the topics in question. They may still decide to be some religion but I think the chances of them becoming part of a radical or fundamentalist type religion will be pretty slim.

Answer 2

Let 'em know what you think about religion when they ask, but not sooner. Eventually a friend's Mommy will be concerned for your kids' soul and have their kids bring it up to yours, or they will meet some kids who go to church on Sunday, or something, and want to know what the heck is up with all the people that they know being religious.

At that point explain to them that that isn't what you believe, and WHY it isn't what you believe in a way that does not attack the beliefs of those who do. Children, even young ones, have the same internal sense that we all do that discerns between attacking statements and rational, reasoned ones. If you stay indifferent to others beliefs but also steadfast in yours, you will set an example that they will be apt to follow, or at least consider.

All kids have an internal rebel in them, its part of the maturation process. Pushing your stance will possibly bring this monster out. Parenting by example - showing that a good moral life isn't dependent upon a religious base - is probably your best bet.

Answer 3

That is a very good question. I have spoken to my son on many occasions about this and we keep the conversation open. I agree, I do not want him to be a brainwashed, judgmental sheep like we see everyday. However, I don't want him going Satanist either. It's a very fine line.

I'm allowing him (because he's getting older now) to make his own decisions. He says he is 'Christian' but like me does not believe in 'organized religion'. I have raised him to be a leader, not a follower. I have also taught him that being a member of 'the club' is not necessary.

I hope this answer helps.

Answer 4

A true Atheist will let them reason through religion for themselves.

I have 4 boys, and try my hardest not to influence them religiously either way. My parents are continually telling them about Jesus etc... which is fine with me, my goal is to raise good kids who can reason for themselves.

The only time I go out of my way to intervien, is when they come home from Grandpa's telling me how the world is getting soo much worse, and that one day it will have to be destroyed. That has happened a few times.

In that case, I explain to them that reality shows something completely different. We are all better off today, than we were 100 years ago, we live longer, have better shelter, entertainment, food choices, and medicine. We are more civilized than 100 years ago, we understand that race and gender are not a good reason to belittle others, and we are making freedom, more accessible to more people throughout the world.

Education and Science have provided this to us, and the outlook of the world is actually pretty good, if you look at where we have come from.

The doom and gloom stuff that is supported by religious belief is not helpful to society at all, and I want my kids to see the truth about what is really going on, not the 'we can't pray in school' so kids are worse today than yesterday lies.

Answer 5

Its unfortunate that you are an atheist. As for your child's leaning to his/her creator, it is their sole decision to make even though you can influence them at tender age but they could change depending on their God's ordained destiny. Hence, you will do them good to bring them up in the ways of God so that when they grow up they will not depart from it(Proverbs 22:6). Remember the problem of the world is religion which is man searching for God or seeking to know and understand. But, christianity is about living a life replica of christ and the fact that God became man to help man to become like God. Hence, help your children to come to become true believers by conversion and repenting of their sins and accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour that is, the new birth experience( John 1: 1 - 12; John 3:3,7; 1 John 1:9; Romans 10: 9 - 17cf verses 1 - 4; Matthew 11:28 - 30). The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and the knowlede of God is understanding. Also, the works of creation tells of the wonder of God who made all hence it is only a fool that says there is no God (Bible - Psalm 14 & 53).
Read also 1 John 3 and see what information are there to guide you. Shalom!

Answer 6

Well.... I'm not atheist... but I'm not a very good christian.

Anyway I don't think you should shelter them from god or other religious groups. You probley wont want to worrie about all the religious influences until they're older.

Answer 7

I suggest you don't teach your children religion at all.

If you must please choose a better religion that Christianity. Go with Buddhism or Hinduism. Non violent and for the most part less judgmental religions.

Never take them to church at all. Plus with all the attention the church has been getting lately has the possibility of child molestation occurred to you?
I don't take my kids to church whatsoever. They can choose to be religious as they grow older but most likely I think they will stick with logic and reason.

Answer 8

I dont think there's anything you can really do, because eventually when your children become of age when they're able to think for themselves, they will ultimately make their own decisions no matter what you do or say. I know children who grew up in church and eventually became atheists, kids who grew up atheist and became religious, and kids who changed religions once they became more educated. It's hard to control people's thoughts

Answer 9

Most kids eventually rebel. But why bring your kids to church if you yourself don't believe in it?
Teach them what you believe.
By the way, not all Christians are brainwashed. Heck, I'm a Christian, and I just try to be a good person, and that's what Christianity is about, following the commandments.
Anyway, teach them yourself. But be open-minded.
Hope everything works out for the best :D

Answer 10

I was raised Christian, but am now pagan. I have a 4 year old daughter. Her father has mixed beliefs such as I do. She is now old enough to join me in certain um...ceremonies,so to speak. And I want her to know what I believe. But her Nana is Christian. She is teaching her to pray at the dinner table. She can't quite understand really what she is doing, so I say it's okay to thank God for our meal. I believe in God (or Gods, who knows), but I don't believe in praying to Jesus (he MAY have been the son of a God but he was not God) so I tell her Nana she can tell her about God, but don't have her praying to Jesus, because I don't believe in that. And I am teaching her what I know. Nana respects that. When she's older, she can research and decide what her heart tells her to believe. Don't take your child to a church if your going to be disputing it when they get home. When they can understand, express your beliefs and tell them it's not the only option, but it is what you strongly believe in.