Being an Atheist parent in a Christian land

[Kayenneh]

I think you did the right thing. One should teach one's children to think, not what to think. Now, this might be really hard, but I think you take a great approach if you're willing to answer questions and show how to back up reasoning without swallowing every statement whole. My nephew asks a lot of questions, and though he's only three I try to answer as truthfully as possible. (The religious questions have yet to come, but seeing that his grandmother is very religious, I'm counting on them to come at some point.) I'm just really sorry that you and your friend parted on such terms, but if she took offence because of such a thing, then maybe she wasn't such a great friend after all..?

[Erinome]

It's sorta hard to make a decision at such a delicate age, when they can believe anything without putting any rational critical thinking skills to it.

That's why I only focus on teaching them about questioning everything. It's the opposite of indoctrination. If they ask enough questions, one day they might find an answer that is right, and whatever it is will be their business. I think it's safe to say that one who truly questions everything couldn't be a part of any religion that teaches blind submission.

[MilesTailsPrower]

Hmmm one thing I would mention, I used the word tact because children being innocent don't have much of it, i would not teach such a militant stance simply because young children are still developing how to integrate with their peers and the world around them.

If you give your kids strong anti christian views they will have repeated issues like the one you had already.

That's just my opinion, I'm not saying what you did was wrong just that kids lack of tact was probably something you didn't account for at the time meh?

Well at least he knows? I'd love to see a kid debate religion at a young age :p
Don't believe in god until you understand it, don't just hop aboard the bandwagon because of what everyone else thinks. It's not like you are telling them they aren't aloud to believe in god. They are too young to form their OWN opinion on the subject.

[Erinome]

I think you did the right thing. One should teach one's children to think, not what to think. Now, this might be really hard, but I think you take a great approach if you're willing to answer questions and show how to back up reasoning without swallowing every statement whole. My nephew asks a lot of questions, and though he's only three I try to answer as truthfully as possible. (The religious questions have yet to come, but seeing that his grandmother is very religious, I'm counting on them to come at some point.) I'm just really sorry that you and your friend parted on such terms, but if she took offence because of such a thing, then maybe she wasn't such a great friend after all..?

I think she's never read the bible. She seriously tried to argue that there were no such verses in the new testament, and wouldn't even let me show them to her. She claimed she had read it cover to cover, but obviously not.

It's hard to explain large concepts to little ones. I am pretty great with analogies (like Jesus), so I put them to good use. I try to find ways to explain larger concepts in ways that relate to their world. I put a lot of thought and effort into how I parent my children. I think everyone should, if they're going to have them.

[MilesTailsPrower]

I think you did the right thing. One should teach one's children to think, not what to think. Now, this might be really hard, but I think you take a great approach if you're willing to answer questions and show how to back up reasoning without swallowing every statement whole. My nephew asks a lot of questions, and though he's only three I try to answer as truthfully as possible. (The religious questions have yet to come, but seeing that his grandmother is very religious, I'm counting on them to come at some point.) I'm just really sorry that you and your friend parted on such terms, but if she took offence because of such a thing, then maybe she wasn't such a great friend after all..?

I think she's never read the bible. She seriously tried to argue that there were no such verses in the new testament, and wouldn't even let me show them to her. She claimed she had read it cover to cover, but obviously not.

It's hard to explain large concepts to little ones. I am pretty great with analogies (like Jesus), so I put them to good use. I try to find ways to explain larger concepts in ways that relate to their world. I put a lot of thought and effort into how I parent my children. I think everyone should, if they're going to have them.

Does Psalm 14:1 ring a bell? I'm pretty sure if a Christian hangs out with a "Vile" person, they are going to hell too. But that would be bad for them, that's the last thing they want.

Anything that makes THEIR religion look bad, they just change the whole thing up with "That's not my bible!"

[Kayenneh]

I think she's never read the bible. She seriously tried to argue that there were no such verses in the new testament, and wouldn't even let me show them to her. She claimed she had read it cover to cover, but obviously not.

Well, that's the problem when people don't question. I can frankly never understand why anyone would prefer to live in ignorance, when all you have to do is ask why, or in this case take a look at a passage in the bible. To let self-justified rage get in the way of friendship and not admitting something when you're wrong just because you just might lose face, is beyond me.

It's hard to explain large concepts to little ones. I am pretty great with analogies (like Jesus), so I put them to good use. I try to find ways to explain larger concepts in ways that relate to their world. I put a lot of thought and effort into how I parent my children. I think everyone should, if they're going to have them.

Keep up the good work, I hope that your children will be able to appreciate what you've done for them

[Erinome]

They are unwilling to admit that their religion makes their religion look bad. At least to the people of reason whom stand on the outside looking in, which we all know is the clearest vantage point.

Keep up the good work, I hope that your children will be able to appreciate what you've done for them

Thanks, I will. They are smart kids, and I'm a lucky mom. I hope they will too!

[Santewi]

You definitely did the right thing. It's wrong that children are brainwashed and told to believe in this and that. They should know the facts, and when they are old enough, decide themselves.

And of course the Christians deny all those verses. "Oh, it's our holy book and all, there is no bad stuff in there. Or if there is it's justified because its done in the name of god..."

I know a lot more people would be atheists if they weren't raised as Christians/Muslims/whatever. Since they are born, they are taught to believe, and not to think about it. Most people just accept it and never start thinking what they actually believe in. Hopefully your kids know enough so they won't get brainwashed

[The Grand Nudger]

Sounds to me like you're doing fine.

[frankiej]

As long as they are happy, healthy and know how to think, then you are doing fine