Question to those who,

[5thHorseman]

I've never really heard of religious freaks in Britain doing stuff like that. Certainly British christians seem a lot more reserved than the USA fundies. I stand to be corrected of course.

I believe you've never heard of such a thing. So what? The US has no monopoly on fuckwits or pig ignorant religious aresholes.

Willing to bet that like Australia,the UK has its fair share every bit as bad..Eg you have that hateful Pat Condell and that appalling Whitecombe woman,for a kick off.

No, we really dont, America really does keep the entire share of Christian cunts, even in Spain and Italy no one gives a shit, ours stay quiet and generally keep themselves to themselves and aren't overt about their beliefs and care little for any one elses beliefs. It's Anne Widdecombe and yes she's a douche, but she aint no Ann Coulter. We have nutty muslims instead, but no one gives two fucks what they say.

[ElDinero]

Put it this way, any British politician who released a campaign ad akin to the one released by Rick Perry would be laughed out of the country, or shot and killed.

As far as this thread goes, the answer (as usual, except when it pertains to WWE predictions) is to listen to aleia. That lady is smart, smart, smart.

[Erinome]

Put it this way, any British politician who released a campaign ad akin to the one released by Rick Perry would be laughed out of the country, or shot and killed.

As far as this thread goes, the answer (as usual, except when it pertains to WWE predictions) is to listen to aleia. That lady is smart, smart, smart.

Thanks, El D!

I'm taking you down next time. I gots me a new strategy.

[ElDinero]

Is it 'copy ElDinero's predictions'?

[houseofcantor]

America sux for that kinda crap. Least we're still number one at something.

Tough call, with the kids; without knowing the whole dynamic. If it was my kid, I'd explain it all away; kid would be calling the in-laws liars.

[Erinome]

Well I would first like to say thank you for all the suggestions. I also wanna say wow and sorry for the problems in Florida. I can't believe there are people that would screw with your family because you don't have the same views in America.

I guess it really wasn't a question of how but if I should start talking to her. Maybe how. The big problem for me is I really don't want to take her childhood and imagination away before she is ready. I kinda feel that if I get serious about what's real and what's fake then she will start to question things like Santa, the Easter bunny and so on. I do realize that those are based on religious holidays but for me and my children they are no better than hallmark holidays. We do celebrate those holidays in my house for one because of tradition and I wasn't always an atheist. We also continue because of my kids.

I'm not sure if my daughter really still believes in the tooth fairy but I don't want to tell her, I want her to come to her own conclusions about those types of things.

This is more or less my dilemma. Am I deluded? Lol

I sort of understand that, but here's how and why I disagree:

Let me start by saying that I went against everyone in my family and told my kids about Santa and the tooth fairy. I didn't really come out and say it as much as I put the logistics in perspective for them, and they figured it out themselves, with me simply confirming their logical findings. Why? Because I want them to trust that their mom will not lie to them. I want their trust. Does knowing Santa is a fake ruin their imagination/wonderment? Not at all. They're some radically imaginative kids, trust me.

Does your daughter also believe that Cinderella is a real person? What about talking animals, like in movies? Chances are she knows they're just pretend. If she doesn't, what value is there in a child believing fairy tales to be true? I understand the not wanting to spoil her fun, but why can she not still have fun, as well as a grip on reality?

She's 10 years old. Let her have one last year believing in Santa, and then please enlighten her. She's growing up, and she needs those lines between reality and fantasy to harden eventually. I remember finding out about Santa, and being devastated. How could the people I loved and trusted the most lie to me? What was the point? I still don't get it! I would have enjoyed my presents just as much knowing the truth, and I did.

Yes, you should enlighten your daughter! Part of being a kid is that moment when your parents enlighten you about things. Tell her the truth about Santa, TTF, The Easter Bunny, Jesus, and all the made up bullshit. She's not going to have less fun in life, she's going to feel like a big girl whose dad trusts that she's old enough to know, and she'll still have an imagination and a sense of wonderment. Tell her some awesome truths, while you're at it!

Tell her about the cosmos, and evolution! Tell her that everything that makes her physical body can be found in the stars, and the amazing story of human evolution and survival through nearly impossible circumstances. Tell her things that are worth wondering about!

Good luck!

---

Is it 'copy ElDinero's predictions'?

Damn it!!!!

[Galileo]

I have had several arguments with my religious husband about what we might teach our children one day, because he wants them taught his beliefs etc.

I don't want them to be taught atheism, but I do want them to be taught to think for themselves and decide what they believe in when they are old enough.
that is how I came to atheism, and i think it's the only true way to ever know your beliefs are your own and not something someone has told you is true.



as far as I am concerned 10 would not be old enough, I have told my husband that our children can learn of both our beliefs when they start highschool, as that's most often when they start serious science classes and will therefore soon learn of evolution and their minds are significantly more developed to be able to understand some of the concepts behind religion.


so maybe I would be speaking to the in-laws etc and explaining that you want your children to grow up with the ability to find their own ways and beliefs.

[Norfolk And Chance]

Can you teach atheism?

Isn't it just a conclusion one comes to after reviewing religious evidence?

[Galileo]

I am assuming that one can teach anything if one tries hard enough. I'm sure I could find a way to teach atheism, and make my children rattle off my own beliefs whenever they are called to do so, but it would just be a mockery of atheism and I would be an incredibly bad mother.

[pgrimes15]

Whenever my children brought up the subject of religion because they were exposd to it at school my wife and I always said "Some people believe that, mummy and daddy don't but you have to make up your own mind. " I suspect that is not a consideration allowed by religious parents. The result 10 years later is 2 well adjusted a decidedly atheist adults. (I accept this approach may not work so well in the US)

regards

pgrimes15