Atheist Dad Seeking Answers

[Ben Davis]

So, do you have any examples of what should be countered/explained from an early age?

My indoctrination used guilt as the emotional lever (common in catholicism). A couple of current symptoms as examples: 1. I find it almost impossible to lie convincingly; 2. simple accusation can trigger guilt responses.

If I knew how that indoctrination could be effectively countered, I think I wouldn't suffer the problems I do now (I never got therapy). My advice would be not to allow those lessons to be taught in the first place. Thinking it through for a moment, exercises in establishing & building self-esteem would be helpful as would constant reassurance that there's no supernatural 'judge' of their every thought.