A question for atheists

[Super Cynic]

At a tender age of fourteen, it is much harder for me to answer this question. However, I would like to think that I would put no pressure whatsoever on my children. I would let them believe what they believe. When they became old enough to understand, I would explain my view but with no intention of changing theirs. It may sound corny and unrealistic, but that's what I would try to acheive.

[Paul the Human]

That doesn't sound corny or unrealistic at all. It pretty much describes how I raised my son. I let him join church groups with his friends from school... and attend church with them from time to time. I also made sure that he knew that there are many, many religious beliefs and explained some of the differences between them. I also told him what I believe and tried to get him interested in the sciences. Most of all... I encouraged him to make up his own mind and tried to give him the tools to do so.

Did it work? Who can say? He's is an atheist, but he is also an overly 'emo', tattoo covered, piercings display on two legs... with the world's worst taste in music. Heh! Teaching him to decide for himself may not have worked out... you know... on all fronts.

[The Omnissiunt One]

That doesn't sound corny or unrealistic at all. It pretty much describes how I raised my son. I let him join church groups with his friends from school... and attend church with them from time to time. I also made sure that he knew that there are many, many religious beliefs and explained some of the differences between them. I also told him what I believe and tried to get him interested in the sciences. Most of all... I encouraged him to make up his own mind and tried to give him the tools to do so.

Did it work? Who can say? He's is an atheist, but he is also an overly 'emo', tattoo covered, piercings display on two legs... with the world's worst taste in music. Heh! Teaching him to decide for himself may not have worked out... you know... on all fronts.

It just goes to show that you should beat your young'uns until they're just terrified, trembling shells of humanity who submit to your every command. That's how I was raised, and it didn't do me no harm. Now, let me put on my coat... it's time to murder some prostitutes...

Seriously, though, although I'm a bit young to be considering such matters, I think I'd educate my sprogs in skills of critical reasoning, and my own moral values, and I'm sure they'd come to the same conclusion as I did. If not, it's time to get out Ol' Spanky the stick...