RE: Raising an Atheist
November 3, 2016 at 2:55 am
(This post was last modified: November 3, 2016 at 2:56 am by AceBoogie.)
to OP
Firstly I want to say that I am NOT a parent and don't plan on ever having children, but I have had some ideas on this and have thought about what I would do if I ever do have children.
As others have said I would probably focus more on raising my child to be skeptical of all claims. There are, some things however, that are not really up for debate. You can be skeptical of all claims but that doesn't change how old the Earth is, or how babies are born or how grass grows. I would teach my child the facts as I know them and would teach them that, when confronted with topics concerning god(s) and/or religions, always ask tough questions. I would teach them the difference between faith and knowledge.
It seems like it would be a very difficult thing to navigate as a parent but I suppose the best thing you can do is be consistent about it. Don't falter or change your ideas from moment to moment and give your child a solid, HONEST foundation to work from. I always said to myself if my child became a Satanist, so be it. If they become a devout Catholic, that's cool too. As long as whatever they do makes them happy, doesn't harm them and doesn't make them feel any sort of internal conflict, so be it.
But, let's be honest, what rational, skeptical human being would buy into the bullshit they wrote in the bible?
Firstly I want to say that I am NOT a parent and don't plan on ever having children, but I have had some ideas on this and have thought about what I would do if I ever do have children.
As others have said I would probably focus more on raising my child to be skeptical of all claims. There are, some things however, that are not really up for debate. You can be skeptical of all claims but that doesn't change how old the Earth is, or how babies are born or how grass grows. I would teach my child the facts as I know them and would teach them that, when confronted with topics concerning god(s) and/or religions, always ask tough questions. I would teach them the difference between faith and knowledge.
It seems like it would be a very difficult thing to navigate as a parent but I suppose the best thing you can do is be consistent about it. Don't falter or change your ideas from moment to moment and give your child a solid, HONEST foundation to work from. I always said to myself if my child became a Satanist, so be it. If they become a devout Catholic, that's cool too. As long as whatever they do makes them happy, doesn't harm them and doesn't make them feel any sort of internal conflict, so be it.
But, let's be honest, what rational, skeptical human being would buy into the bullshit they wrote in the bible?
“Love is the only bow on Life’s dark cloud. It is the morning and the evening star. It shines upon the babe, and sheds its radiance on the quiet tomb. It is the mother of art, inspirer of poet, patriot and philosopher.
It is the air and light of every heart – builder of every home, kindler of every fire on every hearth. It was the first to dream of immortality. It fills the world with melody – for music is the voice of love.
Love is the magician, the enchanter, that changes worthless things to Joy, and makes royal kings and queens of common clay. It is the perfume of that wondrous flower, the heart, and without that sacred passion, that divine swoon, we are less than beasts; but with it, earth is heaven, and we are gods.” - Robert. G. Ingersoll
It is the air and light of every heart – builder of every home, kindler of every fire on every hearth. It was the first to dream of immortality. It fills the world with melody – for music is the voice of love.
Love is the magician, the enchanter, that changes worthless things to Joy, and makes royal kings and queens of common clay. It is the perfume of that wondrous flower, the heart, and without that sacred passion, that divine swoon, we are less than beasts; but with it, earth is heaven, and we are gods.” - Robert. G. Ingersoll
