Atheist Should Teach The Children The Good News That There Is No God.

What if they ask me direct question about what I think?

Than give them your opinion, but if they don't ask for it don't give it.

That's what Christians should do too, right?

That's what everyone should do regardless of what you believe. Don't push your beliefs on your kids and let them figure it out for themselves.

Most Christians don't have a problem with that .

Most Christians don't realize the indoctrination is taking place.

What does that have to do with not pushing your beliefs on to someone ??
"Than give them your opinion, but if they don't ask for it don't give it"
This was the heart of what was being stated then you said "that's what Christians should do to,right?"
Why are you bringing indoctrination into it when I was referring to not giving an opinion untill asked?

I don't know. I've grown bored with this silly argument.

My position is that religious indoctrination of children is child abuse, but I clearly recognize that my opinion is not widely shared.

Children deserve the right to make their own choices- not be subjected to religious brainwashing. This is what I would teach a child: consider all of the alternatives and make decisions guided by logic and reason.

Save the children from becoming so ignorant!!!!!!!!

Here's an idea: Be honest with your children and provide them with the material necessary to come to their own conclusion instead of forcing them to adhere to your beliefs and ideals. Be a parent not a dictator.

Great idea!

...but that doesn't mean they can't be raised within a religion. “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple; your philosophy is simple kindness.” The Dalai Lama

Sounds good!

The advantages of there being no "personal" god and no hereafter were made long before Christ's message was distorted, around Buddha's time by the Greek philosopher Lucretius, if memory serves me correctly.

I'm an ordained member of the Clergy and have a doctorate in Metaphysics. As an Atheist myself, I teach my child that there is a God - It is every one of us. Nothing is predetermined and nothing is controlled by one fictional "character".

AND, that picture is disgusting! What is wrong with their parents?!? Child Protective Services should be called on them, not only for the words on the signs and the fact that they push such hatred on their children, but for the fact that they didn't even pixelise the kid's faces! This will haunt them when they are older because nothing goes away on the Internet!!

the word "God" - might that confuse the child with all the references to an external, infinite overseeing God everywhere in the culture?
But I think your approach is excellent . . . and I bet your child will benefit greatly.

Right on about the Westboro kids - shameless child abuse.

Pardon my ignorance on this but as an ordained member of the Clergy how does that coincide with being an atheist? I'm asking cause I really don't know and wish to learn .

I'm guessing he grew intellectualy AFTER being ordained.

Children should be told that there are those that believe in God w/o any bias in the discussion. When old enough to understand, they should be allowed to make their own choice...

OK

I agree with you. Children should be ignorant to any religion, or lack of, until they're of sound mind to fully understand what anything means.

Which I think is when they are over 18. After comparative religions/philosophy/metaphysics classes in high school.

Agreed. Teaching facts first is a must before teaching faith.

Right on!

I don't think "faith" is something that should, or even CAN, be "taught".

Please don't insult the majority of believers with comparison to extremism.

I think the damage done by religious indoctrination of children is on a continuum . . . teaching hate without violence is almost as bad as hate WITH violence for the damage it does to a childs life. And below that, just teaching the myths and superstitions of ordinary theology has deep psychological effects that can interfere seriously with entire lives.

I don't know where you get your information, but I know of nobody teaching their children hate - except extremists. and I don't count them as Christians, (or Muslims, for that matter) because Jesus taught love. Of those photos you shared, one was Muslim extremists and another was Westboro Baptist Church members, who are notorious hate mongers - and no Christians accept them as Christian. And that child was only mimicking what she has been taught by more hate mongers. My muslim friends are the exact opposite. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.

(more)

If you aren't following Jesus's example, you're not Christian - plain as that. I don't abide hate in any forum, but most especially in my church. I've been attending my church for 19 years, and have never once heard hate preached against anyone. And that's why I go there. But, we also don't put up billboards and carry signs.

Children shouldn't be brainwashed into thinking anything that there is no evidence for.

Just because the "great" Chris Hitchens said it doesn't make it true . I'm wondering what dismissed without evidence means. One possibility is that when atheists say "prove God" / theists say "disprove God". Now, this seems to be the perfect time for Hitchens' comment to be espoused. Neither theist NOR atheist is able to claim victory. Please spare me the usual atheist rhetoric. I know atheists feel there is nothing to prove on their side and blah blah but for the purpose of the example it's assumed they do but God forbid,not in reality!
Am I to assume its the above example that Hitchens would be referring to (or something similar)? If not what would be an example??

"dismissed without evidence" means there is really no point in discussing an assertion made with no evidence . . . . it's a waste of intellect.

Atheists aren't making any assertions . . . . reality is what it is.

Kids should be able to decide for themselves what they believe in. But that doesn't mean that they sholdn't be taught morals.

Right on.

But kids have no way of telling the difference between "morals" and "beliefs".

Is "homosexuality is a sin" a moral or a belief?

It would be a belief, because when I think of peoples beliefs, I think of their religion, and the word "sin" pertains to religion. In my view, morals have to do with what you think is right and wrong. Now if you said "homosexuality is wrong," then it would seem more like a moral,

I don't plan on having children, but if I do, he's going to be an evil genius.

i like your style.

I don't understand the options. Save the children from atheism or religion?