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Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
#1
Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
Saw this referenced online and they make a solid point. Most kids grow up on bible stories and fairy tales. Do you think there's enough out there for kids nowadays?

Here's the book they are trying to kickstart.

[snip]
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#2
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
I don't get the point of teaching the lack of things. If my kids ask if God is real (because they heard about it from a friend), then I'll engage her in a creative conversation-- how do you know things are real? Does somebody you love saying something true really mean it's true? Etc.
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#3
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
Almost never.

But that works the same way with jesus.
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#4
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
Books that teach critical thinking skills, yes.

Books that teach 'atheism', no.

Atheism is the natural outgrowth of correctly applied critical thinking skills. No need to teach 'atheism'.

You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
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#5
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
(November 25, 2014 at 7:18 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Almost never.

But that works the same way with jesus.

The Jesus crap is easily shoved down a kid's throat. When they're very young, they believe all kinds of supernatural stuff.
[Image: Bumper+Sticker+-+Asheville+-+Praise+Dog3.JPG]
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#6
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
I can only agree. Specifically atheist books for children sound like a really terrible idea! I don't want to indoctrinate my kids to become atheists, that's literally throwing out the intellectual baby with the bathwater if you ask me. Teaching the result of a very personal and possibly never-ending thought process is exactly the opposite of what we should aim at. It is at odds with my - and I can only assume most atheists' here - values as free thinkers.
(and also - are we not better than they?). Teach them critical thinking and about the science of the world, and maybe, atheism will come to them, and maybe it won't. There are really more important things than that.

(November 25, 2014 at 8:02 pm)Simon Moon Wrote: Books that teach critical thinking skills, yes.

Books that teach 'atheism', no.

Atheism is the natural outgrowth of correctly applied critical thinking skills. No need to teach 'atheism'.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition

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#7
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
"Most kids grow up on bible stories and fairy tales." is there a difference?
The meek shall inherit the Earth, the rest of us will fly to the stars.

Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups

Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling with a pig in mud ..... after a while you realise that the pig likes it!

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#8
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
We have plenty, perhaps you know them by another name - textbooks.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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#9
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
Teaching a child that god isn't real is the same as teaching them god is. Teach them to make their own decisions and proper critical thinking skills and let them form their own beliefs. Teaching atheism to children is teaching them that atheism is correct, which is the mindset atheists want to avoid if they don't want to become another cult.
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#10
RE: Do we need more Atheist books for kids?
I think I can manage not to lie to my children without turning our family into a cult Mech, but thx for the advice.

"Teaching math to children is teaching them that math is correct"
"Teaching biology to children is teaching them that biology is correct"
"Teaching ........."

Obvs, fairies get no special passes, from me anyway.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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