I am really just so proud of my son, and I wanted to share it with you all. He has learned the scientific method over the past week or so, and last night, while witnessing me have an argument with his father over religion (again), he said something totally profound.
We weren't really getting into it that badly, it's just that my son told his paternal grandmother that he is an atheist, which is something I do not condone, because it is my belief that he's to young (8) to know what he is yet. He griped about it, and I had just begun to defend when my son interrupted me.
He said that he is an atheist because the first step of the scientific method is to make an observation, and he's never observed god in any way. He went on to say that since the second step was to ask a question based upon what you've observed, he's logically decided that "Is there a god?" is not even a valid question, worth an answer. He told his father that if he ever observes a god, he will then ask that question, and use the rest of the scientific method to "draw a conclusion about a god".
It blew me away. I knew he was smart, but to see how he is thinking for himself, in a critical manner, and using such astounding logic... it's enough to melt my heart. He told us that he told her he's an atheist because he doesn't lie, and he didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but he can only be himself.
He's awesome. I'm humbled and honored that I have the extreme privilege of being his mom.
We both assured him that we love him no matter what. Of course, then his dad took me aside and accused me of "filling his head with atheist bullshit". I was too overwhelmed with pride to be angry.
I know I talk about my kids a lot, but they're my whole life, so I can't help it. I also hope that what I share about my kids will give others hope that the future generation isn't going to be nothing but drones.
We weren't really getting into it that badly, it's just that my son told his paternal grandmother that he is an atheist, which is something I do not condone, because it is my belief that he's to young (8) to know what he is yet. He griped about it, and I had just begun to defend when my son interrupted me.
He said that he is an atheist because the first step of the scientific method is to make an observation, and he's never observed god in any way. He went on to say that since the second step was to ask a question based upon what you've observed, he's logically decided that "Is there a god?" is not even a valid question, worth an answer. He told his father that if he ever observes a god, he will then ask that question, and use the rest of the scientific method to "draw a conclusion about a god".
It blew me away. I knew he was smart, but to see how he is thinking for himself, in a critical manner, and using such astounding logic... it's enough to melt my heart. He told us that he told her he's an atheist because he doesn't lie, and he didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but he can only be himself.
He's awesome. I'm humbled and honored that I have the extreme privilege of being his mom.
We both assured him that we love him no matter what. Of course, then his dad took me aside and accused me of "filling his head with atheist bullshit". I was too overwhelmed with pride to be angry.
I know I talk about my kids a lot, but they're my whole life, so I can't help it. I also hope that what I share about my kids will give others hope that the future generation isn't going to be nothing but drones.
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Well done Mom! You have a very intelligent youngster there!
