Atheist Children

[Craveman]

I think what Dawkins meant was that he's for teaching kids how to think critically, and not necessarily WHAT to think.

I agree with you on that tav but what I'm wondering about is the influence coming from the parent. Kids, at a young age, pick up a lot of characteristics from their parents and this could/will apply to their religious views (or lack of).

(Just for the record, I will try my utmost best to raise my child neutral with no influence coming from my side, or should I rather say that I would like to strive towards doing this.)

Why would it be important?

Not that important tav, I'm merely interested in what people think about it. How about this for a question: "How many children, with atheist parents, end up being religious?" Personally I can't think of any! So the point that I'm trying to discuss is more to do with parents striving to raise their children neutral. Isn't it more honest to just say "F#ck it, one day I will raise my child an atheist/sceptic?". If my child comes home one day and tells me that all the stories in the Bible are true and that hell is real, then I will definately feel obliged to voice my opinions. Who are they going to believe? The parent of course...

I would dare say atheist parents are not 'brainwashing' with their point of view, I would say they are merely presenting their child(ren) with facts.

Now that is a bold statement...what was that about burden of proof?

I try and teach as much open-mindedness through vried opinion as possible

My son wants to be baptized at 7

This is the point I'm trying to make. Even though you might say that you try to raise your child neutral, they are still going to take on their parents' view on things.