Haha..... that's a good one. Thats pretty much my mother's attitude.... avoid confronting it, its not happening.

Me: I think I will let him go to catholic school like I did and make up his own mind when he is older.

I have had issues because my wife really wants us to christen our son and I am an Atheist. I have agreed to do it on the basis that I was christened and want to give my son the same choices I had.

Me: I think I will let him go to catholic school like I did and make up his own mind when he is older.

I have had issues because my wife really wants us to christen our son and I am an Atheist. I have agreed to do it on the basis that I was christened and want to give my son the same choices I had.

I think it is important to give our kids knowledge about religion, and if it starts with christening them, then so be it.
I did not though. But what I do, is give them as much information about all religions as possible (when they started asking). My kids are now 13 and 15. It does kind of surprise me when they do not understand a religious reference in books or a movie, but I did grow up Catholic.....so it was shoveled down my throat from the time I was born.
I bought them a book that is informative and it breaks down (simply, but better than nothing) the essence of a mitt full of religions in the world. I can not remember the name of the book off the top of my head (I am at work or I would get off my butt to look).
But this seemed to help a lot with questions they were coming up with about religions. They now know that I am an Atheist, but I did not want to tell them for so long until they were able to grasp this concept because I wanted them to THINK for themselves and not have someone else dictate their beliefs, especially me.
They are still searching their way through all the information out there, but I am very confident that when they do choose a belief system that it will be there own:)
That is the best feeling.

Me: I think I will let him go to catholic school like I did and make up his own mind when he is older.

I have had issues because my wife really wants us to christen our son and I am an Atheist. I have agreed to do it on the basis that I was christened and want to give my son the same choices I had.

I think I'd let my wife (if I had one) christen our child (if we had one) but I'd do so because I know it doesn't really do anything. I mean, why not? I don't think it gives the kid any choices he wouldn't have had if he weren't christened, but OTOH, it's not really any kind of a handicap either, unless it ends up leading your wife to actually have him participate. Baptism is one thing, confirmation quite another.

I'm inclined to agree, 100%.

Me: I think I will let him go to catholic school like I did and make up his own mind when he is older.

I have had issues because my wife really wants us to christen our son and I am an Atheist. I have agreed to do it on the basis that I was christened and want to give my son the same choices I had.

I think it is important to give our kids knowledge about religion, and if it starts with christening them, then so be it.
I did not though. But what I do, is give them as much information about all religions as possible (when they started asking). My kids are now 13 and 15. It does kind of surprise me when they do not understand a religious reference in books or a movie, but I did grow up Catholic.....so it was shoveled down my throat from the time I was born.
I bought them a book that is informative and it breaks down (simply, but better than nothing) the essence of a mitt full of religions in the world. I can not remember the name of the book off the top of my head (I am at work or I would get off my butt to look).
But this seemed to help a lot with questions they were coming up with about religions. They now know that I am an Atheist, but I did not want to tell them for so long until they were able to grasp this concept because I wanted them to THINK for themselves and not have someone else dictate their beliefs, especially me.
They are still searching their way through all the information out there, but I am very confident that when they do choose a belief system that it will be there own:)
That is the best feeling.

You are doing the right thing. I was taught one way of believing and only one. "Mormonism". It took me a very long time to realize that that wasn't the kind of life I wanted. It took me a long time to 'let go of god' and everything else mormon'. I have 3 grown children (19, 21 & 24) and raised them being open and honest with them. We had very open communications about any subject, including religion (sex, morals, logic, questioning the norm, etc) and all the baggage that comes with a religious background. They are now very well adjusted, forward thinking, loving, giving Adults.We always told them that we wanted them to think for themselves and not always go along with the crowd. It is very rewarding to know that your children's opinions and beliefs are their own and not little copies of ourselves. It is so important that they are searching their way through all the information out there, being exposed to all sides so they can make 'informed' decisions. Looking forward to getting to know many people in this group. Thank you for your post.

When I was trying to explain to my mom why I don't believe in god anymore, I said, "I just can't believe god is real."

Her response, not her literal response but the essense of it, was, "Well, what's that got to do with it?"

Remember for most people, "atheist" doesn't mean "I just can't believe god is real," it mean "I am in rebellion against god and I want to lie and cheat and steal and fornicate without feeling guilty about it and that makes me an atheist."

That's what the sermons say. I know, I was there. :P

My knee-jerk reaction is to keep kids away from religion, but I have to admit I'd rather them be around it and know it exists and understand it-- if they don't have innoculation to it, Campus Crusade or their friends' youth group will get them when they're older. Just for goodness sake don't let them attend Vacation Bible School!

When I was trying to explain to my mom why I don't believe in god anymore, I said, "I just can't believe god is real."

Her response, not her literal response but the essense of it, was, "Well, what's that got to do with it?"

Remember for most people, "atheist" doesn't mean "I just can't believe god is real," it mean "I am in rebellion against god and I want to lie and cheat and steal and fornicate without feeling guilty about it and that makes me an atheist."

That's what the sermons say. I know, I was there. :P

My knee-jerk reaction is to keep kids away from religion, but I have to admit I'd rather them be around it and know it exists and understand it-- if they don't have innoculation to it, Campus Crusade or their friends' youth group will get them when they're older. Just for goodness sake don't let them attend Vacation Bible School!

I agree! I was raised Mormon. When I was attending BYU (a mormon school) I started questioning everything. I never finished college because I just couldn't live there with all those religious hypocrites. I was always told that an atheist is someone with no moral compass, cheaters, sinners, someone who never took responsibility for their actions. Why would I want to be one of those? So I continued for many more years thinking that I was supposed to believe in god and I needed to raise my kids in the church. But through much study and discussion, I finally let go of god and everything to do with him. There was always a feeling that was with me all the time when I was religious. A feeling of inadequacy, foreboding, fear of punishment. When I let go I was free of all that. I felt at peace. I knew that my life had changed for the better. I am so much happier (even when I am sad) in my life. I wish I had done this earlier in my life, though. I was so ingrained and brainwashed in religion that it was so hard to escape. I am so proud of who I am today and what I have accomplished.

So I agree that we should teach our children about everything we can. Don't hold back. Let them make informed decisions in their life and maybe they won't have as much regret as many of us do.

When I was trying to explain to my mom why I don't believe in god anymore, I said, "I just can't believe god is real."

Her response, not her literal response but the essense of it, was, "Well, what's that got to do with it?"

Remember for most people, "atheist" doesn't mean "I just can't believe god is real," it mean "I am in rebellion against god and I want to lie and cheat and steal and fornicate without feeling guilty about it and that makes me an atheist."

That's what the sermons say. I know, I was there. :P

My knee-jerk reaction is to keep kids away from religion, but I have to admit I'd rather them be around it and know it exists and understand it-- if they don't have innoculation to it, Campus Crusade or their friends' youth group will get them when they're older. Just for goodness sake don't let them attend Vacation Bible School!

Sermons? He11, that's what xians tell you on YouTube posts and forums at MFP, for the love of FSM! "You're an atheist because you want to be free to sin." The part they don't seem to get is that I couldn't believe if I wanted to. I just don't see any convincing evidence that a god exists, and saying I do doesn't make it so. In fact, I never did believe, even when I was a "believer." It bothered me that everyone was so sure that this thing exists that I just couldn't see any evidence for! But 17 years of catholic school made me pretty scared to label myself atheist so it took some time. But even when I was a catholic charismatic praying in tongues I didn't believe, even though I said I did. I WANTED to believe.

Now, if someone presented me with evidence (and the bible isn't evidence, nor is personal experience) that a god existed, I absolutely would believe. And I don't contend there is no god. I contend that I do not believe there is one. I could be wrong. As Isaac Asimov said, "I don't have the evidence to prove that God doesn't exist, but I so strongly suspect he doesn't that I don't want to waste my time."

That's so true, I've tried to explain that to people too, but they insist it's a conscious choice we make to believe or not. They don't understand that a person cannot just force themselves to believe something that goes against logic and reason. Christians say "listen with your heart", but I think what they mean is "put faith in your emotions rather than in your intellect", That's why places of worship put so much effort into creating an atmosphere that will cause an emotional response from their flock. These emotions keep people locked into their belief systems because they are told it's the holy spirit filling their hearts, and this is what they consider evidence of their God. They don't see that they are victims of very effective brainwashing techniques used to gain their trust and devotion and to discourage them from doubting or questioning what they are taught to believe is "truth". But they are no more able to make a conscious choice not to believe than we are to make a choice to believe.

Why in the world would you send your son to catholic school if you are atheist?

btw, it is possible to teach a child the beliefs of all the various religions, (which is handy for any person to know)
WITHOUT INDOCTRINATING THEM.

i know, cuz i did it.
I gave my children the info on ALL major religions, so they'd have outline of those beliefs and rules and holidays, etc. THIS CAN BE DONE AT HOME, (i was pretty well versed on all religions)
or with films or books,
WITHOUT sending the child to a religious school for his entire childhood.




I told them my own world view, as well,
and always told them,
that it is up to THEM to decide what they want to believe in.
that my love for them is unconditional,
and whatever brings them peace and joy, i am all for it.

i also encouraged,
and demonstrated,
critical thinking skills,
and much encouraged them to QUESTION EVERYTHING, especially if it makes no sense to YOU,
and to feel free to form their OWN ideas and thoughts, independently from mainstream thinking.

and both my kids DO have critical thinking skills....................
both of my kids would also question why an atheist would indoctrinate their child in a religious school, or, if the child is godless, why any parent would send a vulnerable child into a school chockfull of religion where they will not fit in... It's hard enough to be an ADULT atheist in this religious nation,
but a child,
set into a building where his faith will be hammered into him, upon threat of eternal punishment or guilt or make him feel lousy for NOT buying into it to their satisfaction?
that is what you call "giving the child a choice"?????????



My kids and i had lengthy discussions on the pros and cons of belong to a church, we visited a few, and the role of religion, the impact of religion on our govt, on some humans, etc, etc. We also discussed extremists, too. All types of topics, afterlife, rational thinking, morality,
lotta discussions about morality,
etc.

Both are adults
and one is just as atheist as i am,
and the other, is a more agnostic atheist, who occasionally borders on being a deist. (deist---someone who does believe in a god, but no specific named gods, no organized religion, just "a" god of some type). But more often, she is atheist than deist, but, she is still exploring it all..