Forgive Me if I Smack You in the Mouth!

[Cinjin]

2 Is far too young to be forming opinions and fully rational thoughts about religion. I think it's perfectly rational and cumpulsory to protect your child from any influences you deem as hazardous. Shielding them from outside influences they will see as adults though, might backfire in the long run. For now completely shield them, but if your child was 10 and said the same thing how would you react? You can't help but influence (read as force) your ideologies onto young children, because they experience what you do in a large part. My children enjoy Church and believe in God and JEsus, because I bring them with me when I go. If however they have questions about it, or feel like God doesn't exist I'm also fine with that. My kids are a little older than yours though. In general I've found that not making too big a deal out of anything at the younger ages (whatever to focus) us usally the better path to take in the long run.

Despite the fact that I don't agree with you taking children into where the disease breeds, grows and is contagious, I do still acknowledge your right as a parent to do so. And unlike your religious brothers who do not afford me this right, I would not chastise you for those actions. (I would just ridicule them on this site - obviously)

Agendas can wait. Children should be given the chance to simply be children.

Sorry about unnecessarily bustin your balls.

[Minimalist]

You need to get your kid this t-shirt to wear to grandma's.

[Cinjin]

You need to get your kid this t-shirt to wear to grandma's.

[fr0d0]

I think it's unfortunate people choose to try to influence infants like this. I agree it better left and not aggravated I think. I'll challenge my own kids if they come up with anything twee (I have done often). I also don't mind what they think. To me it's important they have their own thoughts and aren't damaged by me, hindering them in making an unbiased decision about anything.

I'll attack/ mostly be sarcastic like you know I enjoy: to adults trying the same on myself.

[JohnDG]

Ummm that is at the heart of atheism

I realize that, thank you for pointing it out. I was up at 4am so I couldnt really think straight.
The belief of having no belifes is still a belief wether you like it or not, theres just no escaping believening something ever. I just wish his kid would grow up without hearing any of it or even knowing the word belief, but then that could effect him in some undesired way.

Which is what "the best case senario of atheism is all about...your point JD???

Your right, athiesm is the best thing for him, but it shouldnt be that way, there should be no such thing as thiesm or even athiesm, only science. Too bad the world doesnt work that way.

[tackattack]

@ Cinjin - I don't consider it a disease, I consider it a fortification of a positive life model. If it wasn't positive or was forced , my children nor I would go. I also acknowledge your right as a parent to take your kids with you and let them share in your life. If you're willing to allow them to make the same kind of informed decision I encourage mine to make, then see no problem in what you do, either. You, of course, have the right to raise them any way you see fit. My "religious brothers", since I'm non denominational would afford you all the same rights and would not chastise you for those actions, or force religion upon you. You're welcome to come to the temple just as much as you're welcome to leave it. Bust away

[binny]

I believe I should have the RIGHT to say, "keep your mouth shut around my son about your silly beliefs!"
Believe it or not .... I'm not sure I do.

Yes you do. This is your son, living in your house, not the grandparents son. They have no say in how you raise him.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Cinjin Cain Wrote: I believe I should have the RIGHT to say, "keep your mouth shut around my son about your silly beliefs!"
Believe it or not .... I'm not sure I do.

You're right in terms of in public. You may also not tell another person what they may say in their own house.However,in YOUR house,you (and your wife) make the rules. People accept them or they are not welcome.

I have several strict rules:

No unpleasantness; a person gets to abuse me in my own home just once.

No smoking. (ex smoker,the smell of cigarette smoke makes me want one)

I allow alcohol,if people bring their own, but do not tolerate drunkenness. (I'm a recovering alcoholic)

No Firearms.

No illegal drugs; legal,not moral objections.

My house,my rules. For some strange reason, I don't have a lot of visitors.

[JohnDG]

Cinjin Cain Wrote: I believe I should have the RIGHT to say, "keep your mouth shut around my son about your silly beliefs!"
Believe it or not .... I'm not sure I do.

You're right in terms of in public. You may also not tell another person what they may say in their own house.However,in YOUR house,you (and your wife) make the rules. People accept them or they are not welcome.

I have several strict rules:

No unpleasantness; a person gets to abuse me in my own home just once.

No smoking. (ex smoker,the smell of cigarette smoke makes me want one)

I allow alcohol,if people bring their own, but do not tolerate drunkenness. (I'm a recovering alcoholic)

No Firearms.

No illegal drugs; legal,not moral objections.

My house,my rules. For some strange reason, I don't have a lot of visitors.

Your forgetting, no bitches after 11pm

"No offense ladies, I just think it sounds funny"

[Rainydays]

What do you do when your 2 year old son walks up to you and sees an action figure of jesus in your hand (it was a joke gift from my sister) and says to you, "thats jesus - he loves me. He saved me."
Yeah - you know he damn-sure didn't get that info from me!

My wife's parents are christians (so are mine, but they're a good distance away), so I'm pretty sure he got it from them and/or their friends. At any rate - I'm pissed to say the least, but what do you do when its your wife's family?

Does my 2YR OLD son really need to be indoctrinated with the same bullshit that I was fed when I was a toddler?! Don't parents have the RIGHT to keep religions (even popular ones) away from their children????

Give me your thoughts if you would.

A 2 year old has no idea what is going on. It's just a figure with a name, he cannot understand those complicated concepts. Most likely he will not understand it if you make a big deal out of it. Kids just copy you and accept what you say. Unfortunately something is easier to copy than nothing. You are free to disagree with your son and point out the other side. Believe me, he will make up his own mind when he is older. I know full well what it is like to have religious grandparents. However, without a solid backing of the religion it means nothing. I went along with every silly religious thing they did on visits and it never changed me a bit.

Your wife's parents are inconsiderate, but they probably don't realize it. If they do, they probably justify it with saying it is not a bad thing. Again, that means they don't realize they are inconsiderate. Mind that this applies to you, your kid won't mind it. As I said, they won't break your kid with some religious talk, just as long as they don't bring the fire and brimstone. If they did that, I'd never go there again.