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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:07 pm
(December 19, 2014 at 1:02 pm)Cato Wrote:
This morning, my daughter affirmed that she doesn't believe. This came out as a simple matter of fact while she was sharing her frustration with extended family members pressuring her to baptize my 10 month old granddaughter. Knowing me, she preemptively told me that telling them all to fuck off wasn't an option for her. I told her to get the Methodists and Presbyterians involved to discuss this with other family members that are Pentecostal and Baptist. She should only consider the proposed baptism once they all agree on the course of action. Problem solved.
My kids aren't baptized. It wasn't a problem on my husband's side of the family because Baptists don't believe in infant baptism. On my side of the family I simply pointed out that the baptism ceremony requires a promise on the part of the parents or other sponsor to raise the child Christian, and that that wasn't happening and that if the kids wanted to be baptized later, they could. The girls are in their late teens and show no inclination.
It is funny though. Infant baptism bothers my husband because of his baptist upbringing even though he is no longer Christian. I just lack superstitious beliefs that make it matter one way or the other. If I didn't have to promise to do anything, I wouldn't have cared what words a pastor or priest said over the babies. Empty words and ceremony won't contaminate a baby. It's just words.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:09 pm
(December 17, 2014 at 7:49 pm)Heywood Wrote: Every house has its own beliefs and traditions. You should raise them with the beliefs and traditions that are prevalent in your house.
No, you should teach children how to make rational decisions then let them choose for themselves.
Teach them how to think, not what to think.
You can fix ignorance, you can't fix stupid.
Tinkety Tonk and down with the Nazis.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Thinking you need to baptize an infant so they'll get into heaven should bother anyone. Especially if you also believe in fire and brimstone hell.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:15 pm
(This post was last modified: December 19, 2014 at 2:36 pm by Jenny A.)
(December 19, 2014 at 2:10 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Thinking you need to baptize an infant so they'll get into heaven should bother anyone. Especially if you also believe in fire and brimstone hell.
But I don't think it. And that's the point. That other people who love my kids think it matters, matters because I love those people. As long as it doesn't change how my kids are raised, why shouldn't the old dears be comforted. It won't hurt the kids.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:21 pm
Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile. I obviously don't know your family, but I doubt they'll just stop at your kid being baptized if they can help it.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:23 pm
That's it, dammit. We need a parenting thread.
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:24 pm
(December 19, 2014 at 2:21 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile. I obviously don't know your family, but I doubt they'll just stop at your kid being baptized if they can help it.
Given the number of Christian books, videos and other stuff the kids have gotten for Christmas, I see how words said over them would have made a difference. Fortunately, talking to the kids about the books, videos, their grandparents' beliefs, and mostly just answering questions is a perfectly fine antidote.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Making them aware of your beliefs is one thing. Forcing them on your child is unacceptable. If you are presenting them as truths, and not allowing them to think otherwise, this is forcing and is wrong.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Sorry, a thought just occurred to me. We're raising children now? I thought we just ate them.
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RE: Will you raise your children as Atheists?
December 19, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Well you have to grow them up to a certain amount, right? Fatten the pig before you roast it.
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