I grew up in a non-religious home. My parents and siblings weren't atheist though, just lazy. I remember my mother briefing me once when her sister was visiting from the midwest. She said that if Aunt Jackie asks you about going to church, tell her we went early this morning. Today there's not a lot of communication between my siblings and myself but as far as I know, I'm the only one that identifies as atheist. One brother is a 12-stepper and he and his wife pray at meals although I don't believe they attend church regularly. The other brothers as far as I know fall into the category not following any particular religion but having a loosely held belief that some sort of god exists.
As for critical thinking and the like, neither religion nor atheism were ever discussed in our house and I don't recall any kind of thinking, critical or otherwise, ever being encouraged. Its probably a miracle that I'm even able to form complete sentences when my upbringing is considered.
As for critical thinking and the like, neither religion nor atheism were ever discussed in our house and I don't recall any kind of thinking, critical or otherwise, ever being encouraged. Its probably a miracle that I'm even able to form complete sentences when my upbringing is considered.
