aethists choosing religion

[The Sherman]

i've had this put to me before and it is a bit of a nightmare for me but

someone has said what will you do if when you have kidsthey want to be a religiest?

and i dont exactly know how to answer that of course i'd try to explain that there all a lot of outdated commands to try and control stupid people but if he is adamant how will i know which faith to put him in for?

how do you weigh up different faiths when their all based on nothing- no evidence at all. They might think that zeus or thor or allah or jesus is right and how will i tell them which is the one that will not put them in hell?

How do you choose???

[Octavius]

Obviously you might want to ensure they practice it safely, but if one of your kids wanted to be a religionist then wouldn�t it be down to them to choose one themselves, if they haven�t already? (age dependant obv)

I mean, it could be worse, they could turn round one day and say they want to be an accountant. Would you then choose the employer for them?

[Octavius]

Moreover, supposing they said they wanted to go and support Tottenham. Even I would have to march them off to confessions for that sinful thought.

[WaldoMcFroog]

A child, by its very nature, does not possess the critical capacities to understand the implications of any religion any more than it has the critical capacity to appraise Keynesian economics vs Moneterist economics, and thus while your child is not an adult, you have a duty to guide the child to the best of your ability, by which, in the circumstances I mean not indoctrinate them with any religion whatsoever.

If you have brought up your child to think critically, and they reach an age where they are capable of understanding the concepts involved and they still decide that religion is the way to go, there's very little that you can do.

[The Sherman]

Waldo what a thoughtful and insightful answer

my next question is this

instead of me saying i'm an aethiest what if i was under one religion would people share the same sentiment of encouraging them to think for themselves and look at them all and see which one is the 'right' one That was the point i wanted to come to.

I would never be so arrogant as to say to a child my religion is right and all others are wrong.

[Octavius]

No me neither, but if it�s a choice between Arsenal and Tottenham I would.

[Skreecheeboy]

As Ghandi once said, "It doesn't matter which God you love, but that you love God."

[WaldoMcFroog]

Thanks for the plaudits, though it's not my argument.

The fact is that no religion I can think of encourages critical thinking amongst its followers (the whole story of Adam and Eve is saying 'For F__'s sake, don't think, just obey'), and for obvious reasons.

[The Sherman]

so octavius if your kid believed in a different god, and then therefore would be going to hell for not following and worshipping your god you'd have no problem with that?

[Octavius]

Don't think, just obey (pay up) That sounds like 21st C British politics to me Waldo.

[jake-the-peg]

I think you'll find the Ba'hai faith is pretty good for openmindedness they believe there is truth in parts of all world religions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD_ Faith

[Octavius]

Actually Sherman - at a certain age - no I wouldn�t have a problem with my children worshipping a different god. I would grace them the free will they were born with to make their own choices in life, with minimal influence and guidance from me. The question of them going to hell or not would be largely dependant on what religion and what hell THEY believed in, not me. If they lived a happy contented and good life, I would be happy for them.

Of course my points about football and careers above were tongue-in-cheek, but it follows the responsibility of raising children and accepting they may have choices that you might not necessarily agree with. Similar things happen with political preferences. If you were an out and out Conservative and your (grown up) child wanted to follow someone else, what would you do? Let them read the manifesto of each party and then decide? Of course there is an age disparity here, so we assume that these choices are of a relatively coherent child going towards adulthood.

[The Sherman]

so let me get this straight, what you actually believe is that each person from each religion goes to their own version of heaven and hell?

[The Sherman]

that doesnt really make any sense at all? Which god(s) did create the world then?
All of them?

[Clanad]

I often see the old shibboleth employed as a supposedly valid argument; that being the primary purpose of "religion" is "to try and control stupid people". Yet, I came to belief in Jesus fairly late in life after a thorough and I hope, thoughtful study of the evidence(s) surrounding the subject. I think I posses the ability to think critically, but more importantly, my personal experience is repeated many times over with friends, colleagues and acquaintences that are well educcated (many with Phd's) who, after considering all the evidence, reached the same conclusion.
I sincerely don't know how to explain that away. Obviously, as exampled on this forum, two people can look at the same evidence and come away with opposing views. But to assume that all "religionists" are stupid and easily swayed just doesn't fit the facts.

I find more atheists that don't have a grasp of the evidence's for Christianity than I do Christians that don't have an understanding of reasons for adhering to atheisim. I full well know there are dyed in the wool, life-long, supposed Christians that suddenly reject the faith. I also believe, through experience, that most of those are individuals that have reached a crisis in their lives and believe that their 'god' didn't respond the way they think it should have.

So, long-winded way of saying preconcieved notions by atheists and agnostics, of the underpinnings for faith are often at odds with the actual evidence. I think our discourse would be better served if a mutual understanding of positions could be achieved. That certainly doesn't imply evangelization of or to either side, since converts (either direction) are not likely in forums like this.

Contd.

[Skreecheeboy]

As far as I've always been aware, we on earth don't decide who goes to hell or who is saved, it's He who watches over all of us and ultimately decides. Best of luck mate!

[Clanad]

Contd.

Therefore, I respectfully disagree with Mr. McFroog (surprise, surprise) in his statement "...no religion I can think of encourages critical thinking..." since, for example, Isaiah 1:18 requires "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD...", among many others...

[Octavius]

Generally Sherman yes, except those who don�t believe in either. We all end up where we believe we will end up (or want to), whether that be in heaven or hell, hamistagan, pushing up daisies, the Elysium, the elysian fields, Davy Jones� locker, the Milky Way, Samsara, the planes of existence, nothingness, reincarnated, sheol, the Fields of Aaru, a place of pride in the warrior hall, the Summerland, at the table of ancestors, Valhalla, walking amongst the living, At the particular time of the personal event it all becomes eschatological anyhow.

[Skreecheeboy]

You forgot Nirvana Octavious.

[Octavius]

Nirvana , Parinirvana, I kinda covered that one with a general reference to Samsara, though I reckon I missed a lot more besides.

[Skreecheeboy]

Namaste! You're probably right, I'd never even heard of most.