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I did as a child. My parents raised us to be atheists, but didn't give us (or at least me) any guidance on how to handle the horrible reactions we got from other children and adults.
I am an atheist and have no children but if I did I personally don't feel it would be right to push my philosophy on to them. I think everyone needs to follow their own path and think for themselves. I really have a problem with religious people who are basically suggesting that thinking is dangerous and could lead you to hell but I also don't agree with an atheist parent who feels that their child needs to follow in their footsteps and think the same way they do. It sounds like you've come to the same conclusion as your parents regarding religion and the belief in God but to be honest I think it would be unfair for an atheist parent to be hostile to the beliefs of a child who felt religious just as I feel it's unfair for religious parents to expect their children to be good Christians or whatever religion they happen to be. For myself, my feeling is that we need to teach children to THINK, not to follow.
my feeling is that we need to teach children to THINK, not to follow.
Definitely. My Christian parents encouraged me to think for myself (and to be a Christian) and now they have to deal with having a son who is definitely not Christian. I know that pains them in a way, but I also know that they would still not have raised me differently because they respect and value individual thought too much. If/when I have kids - I will do the same and if that means that my children become some kind of religious fundamentalist then so be it.
Whats wrong with America? when people are afraid to tell their neighbours that they are atheists, when they have to pretend that they are christians so they are accepted In their community.
That's not the country I thought America was, once It stood for freedom, now It's religious Intolerance, and It's getting worse.
I do actually believe in a "god". More like an alien actually. Yeah the ones from space. My boss is an evangelical christian. There is no way I could let on to her that I do not buy in to the religious stuff because I need my job.
Yes I have. When I was kid to keep my parents and the Church they attended off my case.
After I was an adult, it never really came up again. If someone talked about God or religion, I'd just nod my head and agree and politely move the topic on to something else without making it seem too obvious.
I did have to lie in Basic Training, because either you went to Church on Sunday morning or you cleaned latrines. No brainer there, and totally not fair to non-religious types. So ya I'd go to the church they had there and take a nap for an hour.
I'm facing a wierd situation now where my kids are in Scouts and for some reason, there are some religion requirements to get badges (badges you HAVE to have to go to the next rank, etc).
Well I first I thought we could just fudge it, but I told their leaders that we aren't big on religion in our house and are letting the kids make an informed decision when they are ready.
I dunno, what does camping and making projects have to do with Religion?
But yes in a social situation I will play along, as I don't have any desire to get into it with people I barely know. If they got to where they were inviting me to their church, I'd politely decline.
Yes I have. When I was kid to keep my parents and the Church they attended off my case.
After I was an adult, it never really came up again. If someone talked about God or religion, I'd just nod my head and agree and politely move the topic on to something else without making it seem too obvious.
I did have to lie in Basic Training, because either you went to Church on Sunday morning or you cleaned latrines. No brainer there, and totally not fair to non-religious types. So ya I'd go to the church they had there and take a nap for an hour.
I'm facing a wierd situation now where my kids are in Scouts and for some reason, there are some religion requirements to get badges (badges you HAVE to have to go to the next rank, etc).
Well I first I thought we could just fudge it, but I told their leaders that we aren't big on religion in our house and are letting the kids make an informed decision when they are ready.
I dunno, what does camping and making projects have to do with Religion?
But yes in a social situation I will play along, as I don't have any desire to get into it with people I barely know. If they got to where they were inviting me to their church, I'd politely decline.
Not very suprising, I used to be a scout, fortunately i quit before i needed to meet those requirements. Althought the main reason behind religious requirements for badges is most likely because the BSA are heavily supported by the Mormon Church
Not very suprising, I used to be a scout, fortunately i quit before i needed to meet those requirements. Althought the main reason behind religious requirements for badges is most likely because the BSA are heavily supported by the Mormon Church
Ick, I don't like Mormons, but thats another topic....
This church is Protestant. I'm not sure how the Pack is going to deal with this situation, nor do I know how far my kids wanna go with Scouts anyways. It was just an idea of mine to get them some social interaction. I wasn't counting on any real drama, let alone religious ones. I tend to bury my head in the sand and go somewhere else when these things come up but I wanna see if I can find a way to work with it first.
Reason being of all the Christian orders I've have dealings with Protestants were the most reasonable so far.
I asked on a thread awhile back if there were people in your life that you wouldn't want to discuss your atheism with and I said that there was one person, my StepFather.
My parents never asked, but I'm almost sure my mother knows. I see no point in bringing it up. If she asked I'd tell her, although I know she will worry and pray about me.
I never pretend to be religious in order to avoid a conflict. I have walked out on conversations because the sensation to puke was too great. I'm about to break with my churchy aunt. One more conversation about abortion and gays will make me snap. It will not be pretty.
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