Comments on: Tract #26: Are Atheist Children Dangerous?

By: Tan

Tan — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:17:52 +0000

Im an Athiest, I come from a strict Christian family. Church on Sndays, fasting, praying before-food, bed, waking up, etc…Living with believers is extremely hard especially when they dont tolirate you. I go to apublic co-educational school but most of my class mates have a religion or at least believe in something. I dont, i believe in, well frankly- science.

You may now be wondering how old I am. well.. Im 15. I am denied by my family and get pushed and koncked about for being an Atheist.

I dont see why we are a dangour to anyone, after all, we are just kids. I dont know anyone who as a child, sat down and thought about a friends of theirs religious believes. You become friends with someone because of who they are as a person, not what they believe in. If one of you friends converted to Atheism now, would you quit their friendship? No, i didnt think so either.

I know i might be wrong saying this, but its my view and oppinion as a young Athiest woman. I truely appoligise if i have offended anyone.

By: CMcK

CMcK — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:38:22 +0000

I don’t think a child can really be labelled as ‘Christian’, ‘Atheist’, or any such group. I don’t think these are positions one can hold without reasoning oneself into that position.

By: RaptorX

RaptorX — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:11:10 +0000

“I believe this is extremely important because you really would not want your children just believing in something because someone told them to.”

I am sorry but isnt christianity based on the fact that an invisible man *told* the israelis to write down his commandments and then now people just do as that book *tells* even if sometimes it is against reason?

Not saying that you are a christian though (I cannot know that from your post only) but rather asking clarification on that point.

By: A Hosein

A Hosein — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:43:10 +0000

Children are very impressionable. Although it may be beneficial in some ways to allow your child to be aware of other beliefs, it may very well be “dangerous”. Personally, I think it would be a good idea to allow both children to understand the other’s beliefs, for educational purposes, I suppose, without letting the talk grow too deep.

I also believe that it is natural for a lot of people, atheist or not, to go through a period of doubt. I believe this is extremely important because you really would not want your children just believing in something because someone told them to. In this period, you can show them the evidence, etc. that made you accept your religion. But in the end, it will be up to them to decide whether it makes sense to them or not. This is an issue almost all religious parents might have. So whether your child knows an atheist or not, doubt may inevitably enter their minds. A relationship with an atheist might just act as a catalyst. Again, a problem here is stereotyping atheists. It’s very much like allowing your child to befriend a Muslim or a Hindu, etc. But I believe that this decision-making should best be done when the child is more mature.
With that said, even if your child ‘deviates’, still encourage him to keep an open mind. With experience, his views on life and religion can change. So do not shun him if he doubts strongly. He’s still your child, only his beliefs have changed. But your hope should not go.

This discussion is really thorough, concise and helpful. Kudos to you!