RE: Being an Atheist parent in a Christian land
September 5, 2011 at 5:10 pm
(This post was last modified: September 5, 2011 at 5:12 pm by salty.)
Children trust their parents to give them an accurate view of things religious and moral. You say you explain things in a way that your children can understand and help them choose for themselves, then you show them a verse in the bible about dashing the heads of children on stones. If you were truly being fair, perhaps you would share the verses that you exposed your children to with their father and he would counter with something like this: "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres." 1Corinthians 6-7.
What is the reason for encouraging a 4 year old to demand proof? Does your 4 year old have the ability to define proof? Won't the child come and ask you what proof means and see if the answer that was given to them, would satisfy you? Adults know that children are easily impressionable, they copy our speech without knowing what it means before they can choose between right and wrong. Wouldn't it be fair to ask that your children not be taken to church until they are old enough to decide if they wanted to attend church? My mother never planted any religion in my mind as the best, as I discovered the religions she allowed me to ask questions, then she gave me her reasons for her belief. I admired my mother therefore I wanted to become more like her. Will your children admire you when they learn from someone else they love and respect that you scared them away from the bible, for the sake of your own beliefs and not because you actually wanted them to choose?
What is fair for the children? What is the best way to make sure they are not forced to believe if they don't want to? And shouldn't you let them believe if they do want to?
What is the reason for encouraging a 4 year old to demand proof? Does your 4 year old have the ability to define proof? Won't the child come and ask you what proof means and see if the answer that was given to them, would satisfy you? Adults know that children are easily impressionable, they copy our speech without knowing what it means before they can choose between right and wrong. Wouldn't it be fair to ask that your children not be taken to church until they are old enough to decide if they wanted to attend church? My mother never planted any religion in my mind as the best, as I discovered the religions she allowed me to ask questions, then she gave me her reasons for her belief. I admired my mother therefore I wanted to become more like her. Will your children admire you when they learn from someone else they love and respect that you scared them away from the bible, for the sake of your own beliefs and not because you actually wanted them to choose?
What is fair for the children? What is the best way to make sure they are not forced to believe if they don't want to? And shouldn't you let them believe if they do want to?
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
