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So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 12:43 pm
I'm an atheist, but my sister and her brother are religious. They're not extremists, but I still kind of want to let my nieces know that not everyone believes the bible is the infallible word of anyone. I don't know if they're planning to completely shut them off from anyone saying otherwise, but I know that's my grandmother's way of dealing with naysayers. I have been told it's not my place to teach them life lessons, though this was in context to the way they try to play games.
I certainly don't plan to keep it a secret that I'm atheist, but they're not my kids and I figure as long as they're not volatile to othr people then it may be fine. Extremism is the real problem here.
What would you guys do in this situation?
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 12:48 pm
You have every right to explain your position to them if you are asked about it. Are your brothers and sisters that scared of atheism that they think you will convert their kids just by talking about it?
'The more I learn about people the more I like my dog'- Mark Twain
'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to put you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the road, I know you look both ways.' - Dr House
“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
"If my good friend Doctor Gasparri speaks badly of my mother, he can expect to get punched.....You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit." - Pope Francis on freedom of speech
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 12:57 pm
(November 21, 2013 at 12:48 pm)Bad Wolf Wrote: You have every right to explain your position to them if you are asked about it. Are your brothers and sisters that scared of atheism that they think you will convert their kids just by talking about it?
Aren't all religious people like that? 
Yeah if they ask me, I'll tell them the truth. Sometimes I think they may specifically tell their kids not to ask, though. Plus, a lot of people just kind of assume, right? If you're raised in the faith, you expect everyone else to be in it.
I think there was one time I started eating before they said prayer. That's a new thing we didn't do at our house. Only when we ate over at other people's houses.
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 12:57 pm
(November 21, 2013 at 12:43 pm)Chad32 Wrote: What would you guys do in this situation?
Like Bad Wolf says. If you're a close Uncle, they'll probably eventually ask you something about religion, magic or suchlike. Then your only worthwhile response should be an honest & sensitive one.
Sum ergo sum
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 1:09 pm
(November 21, 2013 at 12:57 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Yeah if they ask me, I'll tell them the truth. Sometimes I think they may specifically tell their kids not to ask, though. Plus, a lot of people just kind of assume, right? If you're raised in the faith, you expect everyone else to be in it.
Are they going to teach their kids about other religions too? Because there is no way that they will be able to deny the existence of other beliefs about how the universe came to be. At the very least, atheism is as equally valid as any religious belief and it should be discussed along with all the others
'The more I learn about people the more I like my dog'- Mark Twain
'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to put you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the road, I know you look both ways.' - Dr House
“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
"If my good friend Doctor Gasparri speaks badly of my mother, he can expect to get punched.....You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit." - Pope Francis on freedom of speech
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Since they don't want you to talk about atheism, discuss other religions. Eventually, they may ask why their parents are for Christianity, of which you can be like "LAWL, no clue kiddos!"
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 1:16 pm
I know that some views of their differs from my grandmother's, like they don't actually believe in hell, but I haven't really talked to them about this. Maybe I should, but I know it can be a touchy subject.
I doubt they're teaching the kids about other religions.
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 1:18 pm
How can they not believe in hell, its in the bible isn't it? I think what we have here is an example of a person caring more about their beliefs feeling good than actually being factual. Not a great ideology to pass on to children
'The more I learn about people the more I like my dog'- Mark Twain
'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to put you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the road, I know you look both ways.' - Dr House
“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
"If my good friend Doctor Gasparri speaks badly of my mother, he can expect to get punched.....You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit." - Pope Francis on freedom of speech
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 1:21 pm
(This post was last modified: November 21, 2013 at 1:25 pm by LastPoet.)
I would do the same I do with my nephews: Be that stern uncle that makes odd sciency stuff.
I can, for some brief moments in time to have a flame in my hands, all I need is a lighter.
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RE: So my nieces are being raised christian...
November 21, 2013 at 1:28 pm
(November 21, 2013 at 1:18 pm)Bad Wolf Wrote: How can they not believe in hell, its in the bible isn't it? I think what we have here is an example of a person caring more about their beliefs feeling good than actually being factual. Not a great ideology to pass on to children
It's debatable if hell is in the bible. Sometime it's called Genenah, which was really just a valley where they burned bodies. Not some spiritual eternal place. Some people don't believe in it, and want to focus on the good parts. There are all kinds of different groups with different beliefs, all worshiping the same diety. That's why I don't believe there's any personal relationship with Jesus or Yaweh. If he was really talking to people, there would only be one christianity. Most likely catholic, but maybe orthodox. I'm not sure which came first.
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