re: religion or not?

My 11 yo, for sure, watches me when we're at my MIL's and prayers are being said before meals. I can see her staring at me.... I just wonder if I'm doing her a dis-service by not teaching her anything. I can see she kinda follows my lead and isn't really interested in church, just because I don't go...

Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:" We're atheist and don't bother teaching the kids about religions. They've asked a few basic questions ... [snip!] ... not be taking them to churches etc to sate their curiosity. Nope. They can do all that on their own time when they move out."

us either!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Devil Duckie:</b>" us either!"</blockquote>




Too much useful information to get through to them before I start bothering with hokum. It's a non issue here. They have a question about something, I answer it factually, the end.

<blockquote><b>Quoting S U Z I E:</b>" My 11 yo, for sure, watches me when we're at my MIL's and prayers are being said before meals. I can ... [snip!] ... teaching her anything. I can see she kinda follows my lead and isn't really interested in church, just because I don't go..."</blockquote>



Maybe open up a dialogue about it after the next time you guys are in a situation like that. See what's on her mind about it and go from there.

Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Devil Duckie:</b>" us either!"</blockquote> Too much ... [snip!] ... I start bothering with hokum. It's a non issue here. They have a question about something, I answer it factually, the end."

yes and yes.

Quoting Devil Duckie:" I don't think it's disrespectful. they get their information out of a book of stories. what are fairytales?"

lol It's not that I disagree entirely, it's just not the first terminology I would have used.

I don't intend to bring it up until it becomes an issue. He's 3 1/2...he doesn't care right now, anyway.

I'm curious how many people who have no time for "hokum" or "fairy tales" use the Tooth Fairy, Easter bunny, or Santa Clause.

Not that they all nesisarily have anything to do with God or Religion but they are Fairy tales and um... "Hokum"

I'm mormon and take my son to church every week. He's only 1 so obviously doesn't understand any of it. I plan to raise my children in the mormon beliefs. If when they're older and choose not to be mormon that's their choice. Of course I'd like them to stay in the mormon religion, because it's what I believe to be right.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Legendary Amanda:</b>" I'm curious how many people who have no time for "hokum" or "fairy tales" use the Tooth Fairy, Easter ... [snip!] ... Clause. Not that they all nesisarily have anything to do with God or Religion but they are Fairy tales and um... "Hokum" "</blockquote>




We do "santa" but not seriously, we actually call him Festivus Gary. Same with the tooth fairy. They know there's no such thing, its just for fun.

My daughter knows that I believe in God and Heaven and I don't go into much beyond that. We are also open about all religions and beliefs. It teaches her tolerance of all people. If she would like to join a religion when she is older she is more than welcome to. This doesn't mean that I don't teach her science.

SO and I are both Atheists and we teach science. If they have questions, we answer them according to our beliefs, but we don't "hide" religion, either. It's there if they want it, but we don't teach it and if they ever wanted to go to church, I would take them, I'm certainly not going to let someone ELSE handle their religious questions and feeding him some of the BS I have seen in terms of morals and such.

Quoting Legendary Amanda:" I'm curious how many people who have no time for "hokum" or "fairy tales" use the Tooth Fairy, Easter ... [snip!] ... Clause. Not that they all nesisarily have anything to do with God or Religion but they are Fairy tales and um... "Hokum" "

We do santa and tooth fairy and stuff because it's fun, but none of them actually believe in it, lol - the information age has killed all belief.  

<blockquote><b>Quoting LolaMcKitten:</b>" We do santa and tooth fairy and stuff because it's fun, but none of them actually believe in it, lol - the information age has killed all belief.  "</blockquote>



Haha my daughter is too young to google so I'm in the clear for at least another year!

Quoting Legendary Amanda:" <blockquote><b>Quoting LolaMcKitten:</b>" We do santa and tooth fairy and stuff because ... [snip!] ... all belief.  "</blockquote> Haha my daughter is too young to google so I'm in the clear for at least another year!"

Mine is, too - but I think seeing "santa" on all these commercials has him questioning things. Dude, I remember when I was little, Santa was REAL, it was such a different time (despite only being 20 years ago). I only found out at age 5 when my brothers friend ruined it for me. It was the singular worst day of my childhood.  

We will be raising LO with the principles of freethought, which requires an education in philosophy, logic, and basic scientific principles, and supplement it with history of religion. These are excellent tools that she can use to analyze any supernatural proposition that is presented to her, which extends beyond religion. Freethought itself is something that is applicable to almost everything, it's not limited to religious topics, so it will be useful all her life.