Religion

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)

14. I have two kids (aged 2 and 4) and I've never mentioned the word "god" to either of them

Wed Jan 16, 2013, 12:47 PM

Jan 2013

I lean very much towards the atheist side of things. I'm a chemist by trade and I view so much of the use of a god and a god creating everything as an cop-out to answering hard questions. Why is the sky blue? God made it that way! Why aren't dinosaurs alive anymore? God destroyed them in a great flood! Why is fire hot? God made it that way!.... you get the idea. My 4 year old daughter can roughly outline the theory of evolution and she has a very rough idea of band-gap theory (even if she doesn't know that is what it is called) and some very firm understanding on a lot of scientific concepts. Why? Because I take the time to explain the world around her in terms of science and logic and I don't cop out and say "god made it that way".

Is there a heaven or an afterlife? I don't know. I don't think so, but I'm in no position to definitively answer that question. So I don't even feed the idea or concept of a heaven to my daughters.

Do you need to believe in god in order to be good people? Nope. Absolutely not. I believe that people are fundamentally good. I've been in some very shitty situations and humanity always prevails. Always!

I did some time in the military and even faced a decent amount of combat while I was in Iraq. You always hear that adage "there are no atheist in foxholes", but I completely disagree. I didn't believe in a god before war and I certainly don't believe in a god after going to war.

Just some random thoughts, I don't know if I'm really making much of a coherent post here....

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Why I Raise My Children Without God [View all] cleanhippie Jan 2013 OP

14K recs...you should be proud.... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #1

freethinker kardonb Jan 2013 #6

I think you may want to move this...I don't know if Cleanhippie will see it here. Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #8

I see it! Thanks to both of you. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #12

You're welcome. I'm glad you saw both. Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #18

And bravo to both of you for your atheistic bigotry Fortinbras Armstrong Jan 2013 #47

Anti atheist bigotry never gets slapped down on DU Warpy Jan 2013 #51

humble he may proclaim, but the latter of his name is what he is. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #54

Obviously, you are living in an alternate reality Fortinbras Armstrong Jan 2013 #63

I spent the first seven years of my life subjected to a catholic upbringing... Walk away Jan 2013 #81

Your posts get hidden when you consistently cross the line trotsky Jan 2013 #61

"consistent smears against atheists" - that's almost comical. humblebum Jan 2013 #78

I started to write Fortinbras Armstrong Jan 2013 #90

You can repeat it all you like - won't make it any more true. mr blur Jan 2013 #95

And you can deny it all you like. Fortinbras Armstrong Jan 2013 #111

Perhaps you should learn more about what the word "bigoted" means. trotsky Jan 2013 #114

You mean kinda like your bigoted remarks? Amaril Feb 2013 #119

Funny, though, that when a "spiritual" person skepticscott Feb 2013 #120

Right, "raising a child to be Catholic is worse than child abuse" is not bigoted. Fortinbras Armstrong Feb 2013 #126

There is a disconnect here, one that you might never be able to process. trotsky Feb 2013 #127

So you too believe that actions should not have consequences Fortinbras Armstrong Feb 2013 #128

My point is proven. trotsky Feb 2013 #129

Children raised on "Because I said so." are less critical later in life. DetlefK Jan 2013 #2

Oh hell no.... 4_TN_TITANS Jan 2013 #13

"Because I said so" means "shut the f** up and get in line". Dawson Leery Jan 2013 #101

Lots of commenters on that article's page objecting to the flagging DryRain Jan 2013 #3

hilarious cnn update. here it is Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #38

Theres a lot of intolerance in the religio community RedstDem Jan 2013 #4

If you want to see how tolerant... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #17

+1 cleanhippie Jan 2013 #21

Excellent post. SoapBox Jan 2013 #5

Bravo! Stuckinthebush Jan 2013 #7

Pat Tillman's younger brother said it best... Genghis_Sean Jan 2013 #9

I raised my son with the only intellectually honest answer I could give him about "god" melody Jan 2013 #10

EVERYBODY is raising their children without God. renie408 Jan 2013 #11

I have two kids (aged 2 and 4) and I've never mentioned the word "god" to either of them Victor_c3 Jan 2013 #14

Same here. And we're not putting ours in any preschools that do it either. AtheistCrusader Jan 2013 #15

This OP should be titled "Why I Rasie My Children Without Christianity" demwing Jan 2013 #16

It is titled the way it should be... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #19

You are entitled demwing Jan 2013 #24

I agree and good point Meshuga Feb 2013 #122

I think perhaps you are reading the story through the lens of YOUR worldview. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #22

I think that person... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #37

hate to break the news to you NJCher Jan 2013 #20

I know that already, but the difference is that I am trying to teach my child HOW to think... cleanhippie Jan 2013 #23

+1 mr blur Jan 2013 #25

The problem is that no matter what side upaloopa Jan 2013 #27

I couldn't disagree more! cleanhippie Jan 2013 #29

Courage and thinking Laochtine Jan 2013 #112

But as a parent... Meshuga Feb 2013 #123

I agree... cleanhippie Feb 2013 #124

Good point Meshuga Feb 2013 #125

Ditto. Dpm12 Jan 2013 #26

the bible is bullshit? madrchsod Jan 2013 #30

What about the region and it's archaeology make the bible not bullshit? Gore1FL Jan 2013 #33

A study of "the history of the region and it's [sic] archaeology" mr blur Jan 2013 #44

It is interesting that this sort of absolute put-down is never challenged Thats my opinion Jan 2013 #113

I happen to think that God is a very good role model and that God is logical. And humblebum Jan 2013 #28

I disagree. EvilAL Jan 2013 #31

So if someone tells you not to commit a murder and you do it there should be humblebum Jan 2013 #36

so a cherry picked god is a good role model Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #39

The attributes I mentioned belong to the God of the Bible. humblebum Jan 2013 #40

so do 'genocidal misogynist' and 'invisible intangible' Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #41

"genocidal misogynist" - I don't believe I've ever seen those words in the Bible, so I guess humblebum Jan 2013 #43

true 'genocidal misogynist' is more accurate and descriptive of yhwh than 'adonai' but there it is Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #49

Being nice to people EvilAL Jan 2013 #42

Who said that it did require "supernatural role model?" humblebum Jan 2013 #46

I said that, EvilAL Jan 2013 #48

your cherry picking the wrong parts i am told. :) Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #50

Guess so... nt EvilAL Jan 2013 #91

Someone who so say sends earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes wants me to 2on2u Jan 2013 #52

I would be upset if I had a child that acted the way God is portrayed as behaving in the Bible. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #34

So then do you think Obama is a good role model? nt humblebum Jan 2013 #56

I don't think Obama is God, so I don't see the question as remotely related. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #57

Does he not have the power to end his enemies' lives and on occasion use that power? humblebum Jan 2013 #58

First of all, let me first state that I am an atheist. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #59

I would've never guessed. humblebum Jan 2013 #60

That Obama would choose to preserve life if he had the power of God? Gore1FL Jan 2013 #62

Dude, please don't feed him. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #64

You kinda have this thing against open honest discussion, don't you, humblebum Jan 2013 #66

In fairness to him Gore1FL Jan 2013 #70

"When a being is all knowing, all powerful, and all present, humblebum Jan 2013 #73

OK... If that is your argument Gore1FL Jan 2013 #75

Yep. He can be a mean dude when he's mad. nt humblebum Jan 2013 #77

I am not arguing whether or not Obama is a good role model Gore1FL Jan 2013 #83

I know. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #67

It seems your goal is to define the character of a good role model. And you have humblebum Jan 2013 #65

I expect more out of an all-powerful all-knowing all-present being Gore1FL Jan 2013 #68

The leopard shows its spots. nt humblebum Jan 2013 #69

Meaning? Gore1FL Jan 2013 #71

It means what it says. humblebum Jan 2013 #72

So you are talking about biology now? Gore1FL Jan 2013 #74

You have gotten about as far away from your original argument as one can possibly be. humblebum Jan 2013 #76

At this point, I am merely taunting you to make you make a point. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #79

I think you are talking to yourself more than taunting me. You are entertaining humblebum Jan 2013 #80

Any God worth worshipping is morally perfect Gore1FL Jan 2013 #84

Two things: humblebum Jan 2013 #85

I can't know there is no God, You are correct. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #86

You are still basing your opinion on your flawed reasoning. You say there is no evidence humblebum Jan 2013 #87

Post examples of some of this evidence. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #89

"You simply believe what you were told, and have already conceded humblebum Jan 2013 #92

No. Your own words. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #93

No. those were your words, not mine. humblebum Jan 2013 #94

You didn;t recognize bible texts and said God can do anything he wants Gore1FL Jan 2013 #96

Have a ball. humblebum Jan 2013 #97

It's a real shame he doesn't use his power well Gore1FL Jan 2013 #98

Is it that he doesn't use it well, or is it that he doesn't use it the way you think he should? humblebum Jan 2013 #99

He doesn't use it the way Jesus says one should behave Gore1FL Jan 2013 #100

Oh really? So are you saying that Jesus doesn't approve of God's behavior? If that humblebum Jan 2013 #103

I am saying that Jesus says to behave in a manner God does not. Gore1FL Jan 2013 #104

I think maybe you are using the wrong area code. humblebum Jan 2013 #105

What part of it don;t you understand? Gore1FL Jan 2013 #106

So, you don't approve of God's behavior, therefore he doesn't exist? Makes perfect sense. humblebum Jan 2013 #107

No. I said the God you worship, as decribed in your holy book Gore1FL Jan 2013 #108

Sounds to me that man was made more in the image of God than you care to admit. humblebum Jan 2013 #110

It sounds like you are saying Gore1FL Jan 2013 #115

There is indeed something koan-like tama Jan 2013 #109

Ha! Guess we know who got the better of who in that conversation. n/t Ligyron Jan 2013 #88

It could be worse. 2ndAmForComputers Jan 2013 #117

Amen and Amen! paleotn Feb 2013 #118

So, let me get this straight... cynatnite Jan 2013 #116

Those are good reasons. EvilAL Jan 2013 #32

The Flag has been removed BillE Jan 2013 #35

I don't know about anyone else, but I find it difficult... CoffeeCat Jan 2013 #45

Excellent article! Thank you so much for writing it. Owl Jan 2013 #53

I wish it was written by me, sadly it is not. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #55

Beautiful! defacto7 Jan 2013 #82

"Those who can make you . . ." another_liberal Jan 2013 #102

Parents should be honest with their children Meshuga Feb 2013 #121