Atheist Dad Seeking Answers

[pocaracas]

Welcome Mxwll!
Are you the Mxwll for the Mxwll Eqs?


As for kids, I have 3, in the 5, 7 and 9 marks... a catholic wife who takes them to mass every sunday and sunday school, on tuesday.
The youngest is still free from all of that non-sense and stays with me on Sundays.
The others... well, I don't talk about it.
They are fully aware that I have no belief for the magical sky-daddy. That should be enough...
But, every now and again.... the subject does come up, even if only a bit...

Then I ask stuff like: did the dinosaurs come before or after jesus?
Just trying to get them to think a bit...
Usually ends with them admitting they don't know and I should ask mum...
I don't expect it to be very easy for me, but I do try to get them to think, instead of just letting themselves be indoctrinated... and, at the same time, I supply science books (the for kids kind).
They already like dinosaurs, so it's really easy!

[Mxwll]

Are you the Mxwll for the Mxwll Eqs?

Nope, just a Mxwll. Thanks contributing!

[downbeatplumb]

Just teach them to think rationally.

[Mxwll]

Just teach them to think rationally.

I am not sure you can directly equate rationality and morality. I am teaching them reason and rationality, but I am also concerned with the softer side of human nature as well.

[Raeven]

Welcome, Mxwll!!

I'm not a parent, and Ben Davis has already touched upon it -- but I don't think the lesson of empathy can ever be stressed enough. And not just to children -- but especially to children. Learning how to put yourself in another's situation, to think about how they may be feeling, leads so readily to considerate, moral, giving, thoughtful and tolerant behavior. And we could sure use a whole lot more of that!

Best to you. I'm sure you'll find many opinions here on this subject worthy of your consideration.

[ChildOfReason]

Growing up in the deep south, and as a child of deeply religious parents, I wish that I was able to discuss atheism with my parents, but sadly, I can never do this. I assume that all atheist children like me crave the ability to discuss their reasoning with another atheist, and I suggest telling your son that if he has any religious questions, he can talk to you.

[StuW]

My own daughter is 17 in January and went to a catholic school despite not being catholic (it has the best exam results at the time we were looking around). She is now at college and doing R.E. as one of her A-Levels. Despite all this, I *think* she identifies as an atheist or at the most an agnostic. During her upbringing I wasn't even sure on my own position on theism so don't think i persuaded her either way. Overall I tried to make her question everything in life (regretting that in some scenarios now she's of the age she is!) and not accept what other people claim until she'd looked into it herself and made her own decisions.

I think If you teach them to think logically and question everything you are giving them the equivalent of "teach a man to fish", but for belief and knowledge.

[Mxwll]

Thank you al for the welcomes and the input. I will post progress updates.

[Doubting Thomas]

My wife is Catholic and wants our children to be raised Catholic, but I just want them to be able to think for themselves. I hate the idea of them being taught such stories as Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac and the global flood myth like I was. Religion teachers always gloss over the death aspect and focus on "the glory of God." But perhaps I can explain that God killing people or telling others to kill people doesn't make him a good God.

[Ben Davis]

My wife is Catholic and wants our children to be raised Catholic, but I just want them to be able to think for themselves. I hate the idea of them being taught such stories as Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac and the global flood myth like I was. Religion teachers always gloss over the death aspect and focus on "the glory of God." But perhaps I can explain that God killing people or telling others to kill people doesn't make him a good God.

My atheist father allowed me to be raised catholic by my irish roman catholic mother. As a result, I have deep-seated neuroses that I still struggle to overcome, even in my late 30's. Don't be fooled; catholic memes are invasive, pervasive & damaging.