atheist parents

[lucysky]

I was wondering how atheist raise their children in a world full of religious people trying to shove their beliefs down other people's throats. I don't have kids but I want some someday.

[kılıç_mehmet]

Like other people, take my parents for example.
I was quite influenced by my father on an ideological scale, although he's too fixed in his opinions, and we have quite a lot of arguments.
He's short on temper too, and a very harsh man sometimes.
But he's my old man, whatchagonnado? In 20 days I get to see my family again, I missed them.

[Perhaps]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNoh1dd_19I

Perhaps this might help. I'm in the same boat as you, however.

[Voltair]

I would explain to them that they live in a world where a lot of people believe in the idea of deity. I would encourage them to always ask questions and find out the answers for themselves. I would teach them how to think and not what to think and let them take their own journey.

Note: I would intervene if they started having the idea that God was going to toast them in Hell. Not interested in my kids being scared shit-less. Although I think Aleia will have a lot of good insight to offer since she is an atheist parent :o

[kılıç_mehmet]

I would explain to them that they live in a world where a lot of people believe in the idea of deity. I would encourage them to always ask questions and find out the answers for themselves. I would teach them how to think and not what to think and let them take their own journey.

Note: I would intervene if they started having the idea that God was going to toast them in Hell. Not interested in my kids being scared shit-less. Although I think Aleia will have a lot of good insight to offer since she is an atheist parent :o

Well, I didn't really talk too much to my parents about religion when I was little, but I mostly talked with my grandparents, who were mildly religious.
I got most of my knowledge about the native religion here(Islam), from them, but my father knew a lot more than any of us, although mostly on a theological basis, rather than a practical one.
My grandmother had practical knowledge, so she taught me how to pray and stuff...
When I got a little older, I began to discuss religion, however that was overshadowed when I began to develop ideas, drastically different from what my father and mother had. That was the source for most of the drama in the house.

[Michelle_Patton]

The only thing you can really do for your children is teach them to think for themselves. If they decide to believe in god, there's not a lot you can do about it. I was religious when my son was younger, and he came to church with me, we prayed before meals etc. He's 18 now, barely remembers it, and he's an atheist.

Kids will decide for themselves, all you can do is be there for them and support them no matter what - that's what they'll remember and believe in in the end.

[Erinome]

The number one rule in my house- Question everything, especially authority.

Our moral code is the golden rule. We have open discussions about anything and everything. I never lie to them, even about the tooth fairy/santa (my daughter is "anglostic" about fairies). I want them to trust what I say, and I shoot them straight. If I don't know the answer to their question, I don't make shit up to fill in the gap. We look it up, and if no answer can be found then I tell them the question they've asked is unanswered. We talk about everything from sex from a biological standpoint (they're really young), to what marijuana is, and why it's stupid that its illegal. I want them to have a keen understanding of the world so that there isn't much shock when they're thrust out into it. Because of this, my son (7) and my daughter (5), can tell you every Republican nominee, how old the earth is, quote Carl Sagan, and burp the alphabet. We have a lot of science talk in my house too. Can't have enough of that!

Most parents, I've noticed, think it disrespectful when they tell a child to do something and the child asks "why?". I encourage my kids to ask why, and view it as a learning opportunity. If you tell a child why you want him/her to do something, the next time, they won't wonder and they'll understand. Understanding is one of the most important things you can ever teach your kids, IMO. Failure at school, and laziness with studies is simply not an option. They can be what ever they want to be, say whatever they want to say, and they know mom loves them, no matter what.

I encourage their imagination, and show them that there are plenty of realities to imagine and wonder about.

[Voltair]

Told you she would

[lucysky]

thanks

[twocompulsive]

I do not have any children but
what we teach them should also
apply to adults too. I have two basic
and inviolable absolutes which we all
should employ and without any exception
The invocation of The Golden Rule which pre
dates Christianity even though it was advocated
by Jesus himself. Now forget about any philosophical
objections : this is the moral foundation for how we should
live our life. Second fundamental is the way we reference our
reality. We should learn to question everything and accept nothing
and not be worried about consequences either. For the greats did that
Galileo - Copernicus - Newton - Darwin - Einstein - as they were not afraid
to contemplate that which was not accepted - they challenged convention and
we are all the better for it but we also need to understand that logic and reason the
tools of objective inquiry are not perfect but they are the best we have none the less so
need to use then anyway. But also remember we are nothing at the end of the day in cosmic
terms : the Universe cares not a jot about us so the sooner we understand that the better. Socrates
once said he knew nothing and we need to remember that we have limitations to our capabilities but can
still strive to improve ourselves both intellectually and morally. That is what we need to reference and pass to
our offspring : helping our fellow man and seeking knowledge - these two should be the universal standard : end of
[ I have just read your post aleialoura and we think exactly the same - you and I share some deep truth man so welcome ]