Do you want your kids to agree with you?

truethat · 1st May 2012, 08:07 PM

Starting a new thread to discuss some ideas raised in Quad's thread. But this is more general.

For me I don't care what my kids believe as long as they come by it critically. In general I have liberal thinkers. Two of my kids were raised Muslim. But as their mother I've always exposed them to other religions including Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism. I have a very diverse group of friends and they have as well. Example, my son has dated a Christian, a Jew, an Atheist etc. One is a bit more skeptical than the other.

My youngest son is being raised as an atheist basically, in that we don't do anything religious in our house. My husband is basically agnostic and leans towards believing in Aliens more than God. I am a strong atheist. My husband's family are Greek orthodox and so my son has some experience with that religion and we teach him to be respectful of others.

Two of our friends have been Born Again Christians. One we blew off because he was rude but the other is still a friend. We don't really care what they believe, they know how we believe, there've been some concessions on both sides. For example I've gotten my friend to reconsider her views on Homosexuality and she's pointed out the importance of spiritual peace in some people.

But bottom line it's not my concern what my kids believe. I would love and hope that they don't believe in God but it doesn't bother me in the slightest if they do. I know there's no God, I've explained it but I do understand the appeal it holds for some people.

It's never really occurred to me that I should care what they believe because I don't care what anyone believes, it's not my business.

I'm curious if other parents feel otherwise.

arthwollipot · 1st May 2012, 08:12 PM

I want everyone to agree with me.

truethat · 1st May 2012, 08:14 PM

I love you arthwollipot! LOL

SezMe · 1st May 2012, 08:14 PM

Can I infer that you had two kids with a Muslim father and have subsequently had at least one more with a different father?

TheGoldcountry · 1st May 2012, 08:21 PM

truethat, this is ENTIRELY different from what we discussing on the opposite thread. I would encourage any children to disagree with me.

truethat · 1st May 2012, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by SezMe

Can I infer that you had two kids with a Muslim father and have subsequently had at least one more with a different father?

Yep!

devnull · 1st May 2012, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

I want everyone to agree with me.

This.

Seriously though, Im more interested in teaching my kids *how* to think rather than *what* to think.

SezMe · 1st May 2012, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by truethat

Yep!

Interesting. How do your Muslim kids now relate to you? What level of interaction do you have with them? Their father? I'm interested (nosy?) in more details.

Lowpro · 1st May 2012, 11:29 PM

I would never want my kids to agree with me because I think kids = free labor around the house.

truethat · 1st May 2012, 11:32 PM

I'm their mom. What do you think? LOL Their father I don't know what you want to know. We all get along great, more distance now than before since their dad has remarried. And it's just a mixed family with lots of different personalities. We all respect and love each other. It's pretty calm. Very supportive. ? Sometimes a pain. Family.

Rasmus · 2nd May 2012, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by devnull

This.

Seriously though, Im more interested in teaching my kids *how* to think rather than *what* to think.

Isn't that the same tihng, though?

If you taught your kids how to think, and they applied that knowledge to announce that 2+2 = 5, then not only are they incorrect, but they made a mistake in their thinking somewhere, too.

I just don't understand why religion is treated like taste in music or food, and not like physics or biology. Clearly, there either is a god, or there is not - and if there is one, then clearly it either corresponds to a particualr religion, or it does not.

Having wrong or unsupported ideas deserves no more respect or understanding than the physics crackpots that think they have disproven relativity or the hollow earth nutters.

arthwollipot · 2nd May 2012, 04:03 AM

This seems vaguely appropriate:

Cayvmann · 2nd May 2012, 04:54 AM

If my kid thinks the same way as me and has the same opinions, she will not be able to do any better than I have. That would be sad...

I actively ( try to ) teach her that I can be wrong, and that she needs to find out things for herself, despite my opinions. Of course I still give advice and hope she heeds what seems to be obviously correct. Obvious does not always equal to true though.

joobz · 2nd May 2012, 05:02 AM

I want my children to be correct.

So yes, I want them to agree with me.

sgtbaker · 2nd May 2012, 07:17 AM

Ultimately, I want my kids to be without religious beliefs. I can't control what they believe nor can I control how they come to their conclusions. The absolute best thing I can do is try to teach them to question things. My oldest is the most analytical. She doesn't simply accept things as fact and since she was very small, had an interest in knowing as much as she possibly can about any given topic. She is an atheist.

My son, also now calls himself an atheist, but generally calls himself one because both his parents call themselves atheists. He did not come to that conclusion through critical thinking. I worry for him, in that sense because he is so impressionable. If his father says Obama sucks, he will simply repeat it and resent my questioning as to why Obama sucks. The truth is, I don't care what he thinks of the president or the world, for that matter, I would just prefer him to have an actual reason other than "Mom, Dad, my teacher says so!"

My youngest is a Christian. She, too, does not seem to be interested in critical thinking. I've tried to explain to her that asking why she makes a particular assertion is not an attack, that I am genuinely interested in how her line of thinking works but she just groans and says, "whatever!" She is sensitive to the conclusions that my oldest and I share and it makes her feel like an outsider so I don't push it. She may come to a point where mental consistency is important or she may not. All I can do is encourage it and love her regardless of the outcome.

Gord_in_Toronto · 2nd May 2012, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by sgtbaker

Ultimately, I want my kids to be without religious beliefs. I can't control what they believe nor can I control how they come to their conclusions. The absolute best thing I can do is try to teach them to question things. My oldest is the most analytical. She doesn't simply accept things as fact and since she was very small, had an interest in knowing as much as she possibly can about any given topic. She is an atheist.

My son, also now calls himself an atheist, but generally calls himself one because both his parents call themselves atheists. He did not come to that conclusion through critical thinking. I worry for him, in that sense because he is so impressionable. If his father says Obama sucks, he will simply repeat it and resent my questioning as to why Obama sucks. The truth is, I don't care what he thinks of the president or the world, for that matter, I would just prefer him to have an actual reason other than "Mom, Dad, my teacher says so!"

My youngest is a Christian. She, too, does not seem to be interested in critical thinking. I've tried to explain to her that asking why she makes a particular assertion is not an attack, that I am genuinely interested in how her line of thinking works but she just groans and says, "whatever!" She is sensitive to the conclusions that my oldest and I share and it makes her feel like an outsider so I don't push it. She may come to a point where mental consistency is important or she may not. All I can do is encourage it and love her regardless of the outcome.

Somewhat the same situation in my family. My wife is a church-going Christian but not a proselytizer and I (can be) a Badassed Atheist with Attitude though I control myself around her and her friends (if I ever take Frank up on the invitation to the "Men's Breakfast", many , many relationships might be destroyed for ever

).

My son describes himself, if asked, as an agnostic. My daughter is a non-church-going Christian.

I'd did my best over the years. They are both in their thirties now and can believe what-ever-they-wish.

Spindrift · 2nd May 2012, 10:59 AM

Our two kids are atheists but it was more through osmosis than direct instruction. We do not go to church and we would criticize religious beliefs, but we never said to them "There is no such thing as god." Religion was just not a concern.

Since I'm always right, my children have no alternative but to agree with me.

AvalonXQ · 2nd May 2012, 11:02 AM

It's very important to my spouse and I that our children also choose to be Christians.

It is also important to me that they be able to think critically and come to that choice after a lot of thought, study, and consideration.

Spindrift · 2nd May 2012, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by AvalonXQ

It's very important to my spouse and I that our children also choose to be Christians.

It is also important to me that they be able to think critically and come to that choice after a lot of thought, study, and consideration.

And if they don't?

nvidiot · 2nd May 2012, 11:09 AM

If my kids (which I don't have) agreed with me I wouldn't be able to learn anything from them.

AvalonXQ · 2nd May 2012, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Spindrift

And if they don't?

Then we will likely be very disappointed, but I suspect the debates at holidays will be very lively (assuming either of the kids take after me).

If the kids take after my spouse and deconvert, they will probably not visit on holidays. That would make us sad.

Mudcat · 2nd May 2012, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by AvalonXQ

It's very important to my spouse and I that our children also choose to be Christians.

It is also important to me that they be able to think critically and come to that choice after a lot of thought, study, and consideration.

A point of contention: thinking critically and coming to decision about religion after a lot of thought, study, and consideration can only lead to the conclusion that religion is full of ****.

dropzone · 2nd May 2012, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by joobz

I want my children to be correct.

So yes, I want them to agree with me.

However, mine are idiots so I don't have high expectations and they'll believe whatever idiotic ideas they want.

Yuri Nalyssus · 2nd May 2012, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by joobz

I want my children to be correct.

So yes, I want them to agree with me.

You're wrong

Yuri

westprog · 2nd May 2012, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Spindrift

And if they don't?

I think it's clear that for most people, they want their children to come to their own conclusions, and for those to be the right conclusions. For some people, if their child has the "wrong" beliefs about religion, then that indicates that the child has failed to think things through properly.

No point in pretending to children that you really don't care what they think if actually you do.

Agatha · 2nd May 2012, 02:56 PM

No. I had children, not clones. Whatever they feel is right for them in terms of religious belief is what makes me happy for them. My ex-husband professed to Christian belief, which is why we married in a church, but I don't know what he believes nowadays and sadly, three of the kids refuse to see him. My youngest still visits his dad regularly, though I doubt religion is one of their topics of conversation!

I brought them all up to think critically, I hope, and though I was always open about my lack of religious belief I ensured they had a good grounding in religion; the three boys went to a Christian independent school and though my daughter's school wasn't overtly Christian, they had a daily act of worship and plenty of religious education. All four of them are atheist at the moment and I expect they will remain so, but it's their choice.

Rasmus · 3rd May 2012, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by Agatha

No. I had children, not clones. Whatever they feel is right for them in terms of religious belief is what makes me happy for them.

Really? You'd be happy for them if they joined the Westboro Babtist Church, Jehivas Witnesses or Scientology? It would make you happy to know your children werre protesting funerals of other people with "God hates fags"-Posters?

Quote:

I brought them all up to think critically, I hope, and though I was always open about my lack of religious belief I ensured they had a good grounding in religion; the three boys went to a Christian independent school and though my daughter's school wasn't overtly Christian, they had a daily act of worship and plenty of religious education. All four of them are atheist at the moment and I expect they will remain so, but it's their choice.

That is Christian education, not a religious ones. You didn't send them to as school that was Hindu, Jewish or Muslim, right?

1st May 2012, 08:07 PM	#1
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	Do you want your kids to agree with you? Starting a new thread to discuss some ideas raised in Quad's thread. But this is more general. For me I don't care what my kids believe as long as they come by it critically. In general I have liberal thinkers. Two of my kids were raised Muslim. But as their mother I've always exposed them to other religions including Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism. I have a very diverse group of friends and they have as well. Example, my son has dated a Christian, a Jew, an Atheist etc. One is a bit more skeptical than the other. My youngest son is being raised as an atheist basically, in that we don't do anything religious in our house. My husband is basically agnostic and leans towards believing in Aliens more than God. I am a strong atheist. My husband's family are Greek orthodox and so my son has some experience with that religion and we teach him to be respectful of others. Two of our friends have been Born Again Christians. One we blew off because he was rude but the other is still a friend. We don't really care what they believe, they know how we believe, there've been some concessions on both sides. For example I've gotten my friend to reconsider her views on Homosexuality and she's pointed out the importance of spiritual peace in some people. But bottom line it's not my concern what my kids believe. I would love and hope that they don't believe in God but it doesn't bother me in the slightest if they do. I know there's no God, I've explained it but I do understand the appeal it holds for some people. It's never really occurred to me that I should care what they believe because I don't care what anyone believes, it's not my business. I'm curious if other parents feel otherwise.
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	__________________ “Do not argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” ― Mark Twain

1st May 2012, 08:12 PM	#2
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,005	I want everyone to agree with me.
	__________________ Jadey (in RvB game thread): I just want to take a moment to commend Arth on his role as Parasitic Alien Tumor. I think he really connected with the character and there were times when I forgot that he was just acting. That's the kind of talent that you can't teach.

1st May 2012, 08:14 PM	#3
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	I love you arthwollipot! LOL
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	__________________ “Do not argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” ― Mark Twain

1st May 2012, 08:21 PM	#5
TheGoldcountry Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States Posts: 1,530	truethat, this is ENTIRELY different from what we discussing on the opposite thread. I would encourage any children to disagree with me.
	__________________ Not exactly, I'm talking about something I don't know about, if its there then it is what I am talking about and thats not nothing. -punshhh I have no idea what you're trying to say, but I'm still pretty sure that you're wrong. -Akhenaten

1st May 2012, 08:24 PM	#6
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	Originally Posted by SezMe Can I infer that you had two kids with a Muslim father and have subsequently had at least one more with a different father? Yep!
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	__________________ “Do not argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” ― Mark Twain

1st May 2012, 08:14 PM	#4
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,369	Can I infer that you had two kids with a Muslim father and have subsequently had at least one more with a different father?

1st May 2012, 08:27 PM	#7
devnull Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 4,532	Originally Posted by arthwollipot I want everyone to agree with me. This. Seriously though, Im more interested in teaching my kids how to think rather than what to think.
	__________________ no, i don't think i need to read naturalistic literature more accurately, to be convinced its true. - Gibhor

1st May 2012, 11:22 PM	#8
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,369	Originally Posted by truethat Yep! Interesting. How do your Muslim kids now relate to you? What level of interaction do you have with them? Their father? I'm interested (nosy?) in more details.

1st May 2012, 11:29 PM	#9
Lowpro Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 4,520	I would never want my kids to agree with me because I think kids = free labor around the house.
	__________________ "If I actually believed that Jesus was coming to end the world in 2050, I'd be preparing by stocking up on timber and nails" - PZ Myers

1st May 2012, 11:32 PM	#10
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	I'm their mom. What do you think? LOL Their father I don't know what you want to know. We all get along great, more distance now than before since their dad has remarried. And it's just a mixed family with lots of different personalities. We all respect and love each other. It's pretty calm. Very supportive. ? Sometimes a pain. Family.
truethat Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,626	__________________ “Do not argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” ― Mark Twain

2nd May 2012, 12:19 AM	#11
Rasmus Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,138	Originally Posted by devnull This. Seriously though, Im more interested in teaching my kids how to think rather than what to think. Isn't that the same tihng, though? If you taught your kids how to think, and they applied that knowledge to announce that 2+2 = 5, then not only are they incorrect, but they made a mistake in their thinking somewhere, too. I just don't understand why religion is treated like taste in music or food, and not like physics or biology. Clearly, there either is a god, or there is not - and if there is one, then clearly it either corresponds to a particualr religion, or it does not. Having wrong or unsupported ideas deserves no more respect or understanding than the physics crackpots that think they have disproven relativity or the hollow earth nutters.
Rasmus Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,138	__________________ "Well, the religious community could not just make it up." - JetLeg

2nd May 2012, 04:03 AM	#12
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,005	This seems vaguely appropriate:
	__________________ Jadey (in RvB game thread): I just want to take a moment to commend Arth on his role as Parasitic Alien Tumor. I think he really connected with the character and there were times when I forgot that he was just acting. That's the kind of talent that you can't teach.

2nd May 2012, 04:54 AM	#13
Cayvmann Muse Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 578	If my kid thinks the same way as me and has the same opinions, she will not be able to do any better than I have. That would be sad... I actively ( try to ) teach her that I can be wrong, and that she needs to find out things for herself, despite my opinions. Of course I still give advice and hope she heeds what seems to be obviously correct. Obvious does not always equal to true though.
Cayvmann Muse Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 578

2nd May 2012, 05:02 AM	#14
joobz Tergiversator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: That's how you get ants Posts: 17,496	I want my children to be correct. So yes, I want them to agree with me.
	__________________ What's the best argument for UHC? This argument against UHC. "Perhaps one reason per capita GDP is lower in UHC countries is because they've tried to prevent this important function [bankrupting the sick] and thus carry forward considerable economic dead wood?"-BeAChooser

2nd May 2012, 07:17 AM	#15
sgtbaker Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,547	Ultimately, I want my kids to be without religious beliefs. I can't control what they believe nor can I control how they come to their conclusions. The absolute best thing I can do is try to teach them to question things. My oldest is the most analytical. She doesn't simply accept things as fact and since she was very small, had an interest in knowing as much as she possibly can about any given topic. She is an atheist. My son, also now calls himself an atheist, but generally calls himself one because both his parents call themselves atheists. He did not come to that conclusion through critical thinking. I worry for him, in that sense because he is so impressionable. If his father says Obama sucks, he will simply repeat it and resent my questioning as to why Obama sucks. The truth is, I don't care what he thinks of the president or the world, for that matter, I would just prefer him to have an actual reason other than "Mom, Dad, my teacher says so!" My youngest is a Christian. She, too, does not seem to be interested in critical thinking. I've tried to explain to her that asking why she makes a particular assertion is not an attack, that I am genuinely interested in how her line of thinking works but she just groans and says, "whatever!" She is sensitive to the conclusions that my oldest and I share and it makes her feel like an outsider so I don't push it. She may come to a point where mental consistency is important or she may not. All I can do is encourage it and love her regardless of the outcome.
sgtbaker Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,547

2nd May 2012, 08:44 AM	#16
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,416	Originally Posted by sgtbaker Ultimately, I want my kids to be without religious beliefs. I can't control what they believe nor can I control how they come to their conclusions. The absolute best thing I can do is try to teach them to question things. My oldest is the most analytical. She doesn't simply accept things as fact and since she was very small, had an interest in knowing as much as she possibly can about any given topic. She is an atheist. My son, also now calls himself an atheist, but generally calls himself one because both his parents call themselves atheists. He did not come to that conclusion through critical thinking. I worry for him, in that sense because he is so impressionable. If his father says Obama sucks, he will simply repeat it and resent my questioning as to why Obama sucks. The truth is, I don't care what he thinks of the president or the world, for that matter, I would just prefer him to have an actual reason other than "Mom, Dad, my teacher says so!" My youngest is a Christian. She, too, does not seem to be interested in critical thinking. I've tried to explain to her that asking why she makes a particular assertion is not an attack, that I am genuinely interested in how her line of thinking works but she just groans and says, "whatever!" She is sensitive to the conclusions that my oldest and I share and it makes her feel like an outsider so I don't push it. She may come to a point where mental consistency is important or she may not. All I can do is encourage it and love her regardless of the outcome. Somewhat the same situation in my family. My wife is a church-going Christian but not a proselytizer and I (can be) a Badassed Atheist with Attitude though I control myself around her and her friends (if I ever take Frank up on the invitation to the "Men's Breakfast", many , many relationships might be destroyed for ever ). My son describes himself, if asked, as an agnostic. My daughter is a non-church-going Christian. I'd did my best over the years. They are both in their thirties now and can believe what-ever-they-wish.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

2nd May 2012, 10:59 AM	#17
Spindrift Enturbulator Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Right here! Posts: 8,449	Our two kids are atheists but it was more through osmosis than direct instruction. We do not go to church and we would criticize religious beliefs, but we never said to them "There is no such thing as god." Religion was just not a concern. Since I'm always right, my children have no alternative but to agree with me.
	__________________ I've always believed that cluelessness evolved as an adaptation to allow the truly appalling to live with themselves. - G. B. Trudeau A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. - Kay, Men in Black.

2nd May 2012, 11:02 AM	#18
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853	It's very important to my spouse and I that our children also choose to be Christians. It is also important to me that they be able to think critically and come to that choice after a lot of thought, study, and consideration.
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853

2nd May 2012, 11:04 AM	#19
Spindrift Enturbulator Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Right here! Posts: 8,449	Originally Posted by AvalonXQ It's very important to my spouse and I that our children also choose to be Christians. It is also important to me that they be able to think critically and come to that choice after a lot of thought, study, and consideration. And if they don't?
	__________________ I've always believed that cluelessness evolved as an adaptation to allow the truly appalling to live with themselves. - G. B. Trudeau A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. - Kay, Men in Black.

2nd May 2012, 11:09 AM	#20
nvidiot Botanical Jedi Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,793	If my kids (which I don't have) agreed with me I wouldn't be able to learn anything from them.
nvidiot Botanical Jedi Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,793	__________________ www.horsemen-gaming.com

2nd May 2012, 11:17 AM	#21
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853	Originally Posted by Spindrift And if they don't? Then we will likely be very disappointed, but I suspect the debates at holidays will be very lively (assuming either of the kids take after me). If the kids take after my spouse and deconvert, they will probably not visit on holidays. That would make us sad.
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853

2nd May 2012, 11:38 AM	#22
Mudcat Man of a Thousand Memes Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,685	Originally Posted by AvalonXQ It's very important to my spouse and I that our children also choose to be Christians. It is also important to me that they be able to think critically and come to that choice after a lot of thought, study, and consideration. A point of contention: thinking critically and coming to decision about religion after a lot of thought, study, and consideration can only lead to the conclusion that religion is full of ****.
	__________________ The major problem with Ocham's Razor is that while the simplest answer may be the best answer that doesn't make it the only answer or the right one. Kopji: A perfect utopia where everyone follows the rules is more like a hell than a heaven.

2nd May 2012, 11:54 AM	#23
dropzone Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,666	Originally Posted by joobz I want my children to be correct. So yes, I want them to agree with me. However, mine are idiots so I don't have high expectations and they'll believe whatever idiotic ideas they want.

2nd May 2012, 12:03 PM	#24
Yuri Nalyssus Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Ancient Isle of Avignuon Posts: 1,074	Originally Posted by joobz I want my children to be correct. So yes, I want them to agree with me. You're wrong Yuri
	__________________ "The test of democracy is freedom of criticism." -David Ben-Gurion Peasant: Now we see the violence inherent in the system. King: Shut up! Peasant: Come and see the violence inherent in the system, help, help! I’m being repressed! King: Bloody peasant! Peasant: Ooh, what a giveaway, did you hear that... that’s what I’m on about, d’you see him repressing me? You saw it didn’t you... - Monty Python and The Holy Grail

2nd May 2012, 12:16 PM	#25
westprog Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,928	Originally Posted by Spindrift And if they don't? I think it's clear that for most people, they want their children to come to their own conclusions, and for those to be the right conclusions. For some people, if their child has the "wrong" beliefs about religion, then that indicates that the child has failed to think things through properly. No point in pretending to children that you really don't care what they think if actually you do.
westprog Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,928	__________________ Dreary whiner, who gradually outwore his welcome, before blowing it entirely.

2nd May 2012, 02:56 PM	#26
Agatha Winking at the Moon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,216	No. I had children, not clones. Whatever they feel is right for them in terms of religious belief is what makes me happy for them. My ex-husband professed to Christian belief, which is why we married in a church, but I don't know what he believes nowadays and sadly, three of the kids refuse to see him. My youngest still visits his dad regularly, though I doubt religion is one of their topics of conversation! I brought them all up to think critically, I hope, and though I was always open about my lack of religious belief I ensured they had a good grounding in religion; the three boys went to a Christian independent school and though my daughter's school wasn't overtly Christian, they had a daily act of worship and plenty of religious education. All four of them are atheist at the moment and I expect they will remain so, but it's their choice.
	__________________ People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... timey wimey... stuff.

3rd May 2012, 03:32 AM	#27
Rasmus Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,138	Originally Posted by Agatha No. I had children, not clones. Whatever they feel is right for them in terms of religious belief is what makes me happy for them. Really? You'd be happy for them if they joined the Westboro Babtist Church, Jehivas Witnesses or Scientology? It would make you happy to know your children werre protesting funerals of other people with "God hates fags"-Posters? Quote: I brought them all up to think critically, I hope, and though I was always open about my lack of religious belief I ensured they had a good grounding in religion; the three boys went to a Christian independent school and though my daughter's school wasn't overtly Christian, they had a daily act of worship and plenty of religious education. All four of them are atheist at the moment and I expect they will remain so, but it's their choice. That is Christian education, not a religious ones. You didn't send them to as school that was Hindu, Jewish or Muslim, right?
Rasmus Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,138	__________________ "Well, the religious community could not just make it up." - JetLeg