Atheists: If your child wanted to become a Christian, would your ridicule them like you do with others?

Question

Just a theoretical situation.

Aren't you inflicting emotional abuse on them and undermining their ability to make their own decisions?

Answer 1

One of my very closest friends became a Christian after years of atheist indoctrination from her parents. She was ridiculed and despised for making her choice. Later on whenever her mother was alone in the company of the grand kids she would try to brainwash them into believing that God does not exist and that Christians are delusional. (sound familiar) This is a form of abuse to say this about a parent who chooses to believe and raise their kids with Christian beliefs. Well It didn't work as they saw her for what she was. Being raised as Christians to be forgiving they had no resentment toward their grandmother and went on to choose for themselves to believe in God. After all, aren't we all our own person.

Answer 2

I don't think that 'ridicule' is what I would do. No - that tends to alienate people. I would, however, discuss the whole subject in a logical fashion AND press my point of view.
However, this IS all hypothetical, as my parents were closet atheists, I found out at 12 yrs old. My two children are atheists with no influence at all from me and the subject of religion never came up. Just something that they were not interested in, as is very much the case with those in Europe.
Sad about the US, isn't it? So backward.

Answer 3

Congrats on your captivating words.There’s little question that persecution is a stark fact of residing the Christian existence. The apostle Paul warned us that “each and every person who needs to stay a godly existence in Christ Jesus would be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus informed us to assume persecution from the worldwide by using fact in the event that they persecuted Him, they're going to persecute His followers additionally. Jesus has made it very sparkling to us that those of the worldwide will hate us by using fact they hate Him. If Christians have been like the worldwide—ineffective, earthly, sensual, and given to excitement, wealth, and ambition—the worldwide does not oppose us. yet Christians do not belong to the worldwide that's why they hate and persecute us (John 15:18-19). Christians are, or could be, inspired by ability of distinctive recommendations from those of the worldwide. we are inspired by ability of the affection of God and holiness, on an identical time as the worldwide is pushed by ability of the affection of sin. that's our very separation from the worldwide that arouses the worldwide's animosity in the direction of us. the worldwide could like that we've been like them; for the reason that we at the instant are not, they hate us (a million Peter 4:3-4).

Answer 4

Wow, just wow. Ridicule is expected in the Christian walk, from anyone at anytime. My parents know what happened to me and my husband, but do not comprehend the joy we feel living for God. The only time I heard my mom giggle was when I asked her is she wanted to come to church but I think that was more nervous laughter. Now she sees our transformation in talking about what God has done in our lives, and is beginning to understand that we are all born of inquity and must repent to be saved. But I cannot repent for her, she must do that by her own will. Other than my parents, our friends notice changes in our demeaner and lifestyle and only have praise after seeing that same joy twinkle from our eyes. And they are starting to see that feeling that joy is independent of whatever issues are happening around us. They are curious about certain aspects of our lifestyle, but no verbal mocking, even after they ask "what is the True Gospel?" I do imagine they may be snickering and snorting at us in discretion, but have honestly come to realize that there is something about the Christian walk that allows us to cope with many life issues that typically destroy the livelihood of others.

The anonymity of this forum allows us all to be more bold and vocal of our inner most thoughts, that we would not otherwise verbalize in person to others. If our thoughts consist of mocking and ridicule, it would come out moreso on an anonymous forum than in person. However, there are the extroverts like me, who don't follow this normal behavioral template because the way I am on here is the way I am in real life. I say it like it is and get real with others. And if that means spreading the Good News of the True Gospel, I will do that with honor to the Lord. It is amazing how many hunger for this message in person. It is more than I envisioned. Some have a hard time admitting their hunger because there is a notion that it will risk their "popularity" with friends, family, coworkers, and loved ones. So they will ridicule for the sake of securing their social and familial circle. This anxiety is expected. But what me and my husband found out the potential cost of division within family and friends was part of the Christian walk. Jesus predicted division, in His Name. Luckily, so far, my husband and I have been received well within our own. Those that do not understand the Lordship of God in our lives, we no longer yoke with them. So we pray for them and continue our journey forward.

Answer 5

I suppose they would say. Aren't you Christians abusing them by making them become Christians?

Well, if I have kids, I will leave it up to them. I will give them teh truth of the Lord Jesus but ultimately it will be between them and God. They won't be forced.

They still still be my children even if they became gay, abortionists, satanists, evolutionists, and atheists.

Answer 6

Would I tell them that I think religious faith is an epistemologically worthless exercise and that the god concept is logically impossible? Yes, if they asked what I think. I'll even elaborate if they want me to do so. This is assuming that we're talking about a "child" who is old enough to grasp such abstract concepts as "faith" and "god, and to be contemplating on it's own the possibility of converting to the Christian religion.

BUT... I won't "ridicule" them, just as I don't "ridicule" people here (unless they're aggressively stupid).

I'm not undermining anything by merely providing my perspective as it's requested. If I INDOCTRINATED my child into atheism without so much as an explanation or allowing them to understand the reasoning behind such a stance, I would be guilty of the kind of "child abuse" that religious people inflict upon their children by assigning a belief to the defenseless youngsters before they're even old enough to comprehend such a concept, let alone agree or disagree with it.

In this "hypothetical situation", would you find some fault in my decision? No, seriously, I want you to answer me.

Answer 7

Interesting is the responses of those who say they would ridicule their children yet they often complain about Christians who indoctrinate their children.

Answer 8

If you didn't want your children to do drugs, would it be easier for you to tell them the harmful effects of cocaine or the helpful effects of not doing cocaine. Pointing out what will not happen does not happen does not have the same effect that revealing what would happen.

Some may say it's the same thing, but if I tell you "If you do this you will die because of it," instead of "If you don't do this you will stay alive," there will be a substantial difference in the opinion of the drug. At the very least, subconsciously.

Answer 9

I would treat them just as if they decided to believe that Santa was real, or that they can commune with the dead, or communicate telepathically with plants: I would point out why their belief is A) ungrounded and B) unhealthy. If he/she decided to continue with the crazy behavior, I'd probably take further measures, but I'm not sure how effective ridicule would be.

Answer 10

I would let them make their own decision, but if they asked my opinion, like is done on here, I would give it to them.