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and i dont exactly know how to answer that of course i'd try to explain that there all a lot of outdated commands to try and control stupid people but if he is adamant how will i know which faith to put him in for?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

[blu3wave]

I don't think choosing a specific religion is always a necessity, if you at least believe in a higher power or force out there. There is some proof of that, ie- some things that just cannot be explained by logic alone ( I personally think Darwin's theory is a load of flawed crap).

Anyway, if you believe in something bigger than yourself, thats a start, from there its up to you how you want to explain/relate it to you children.
People choose one religion over another, despite them all having the common theme of belief in God, based largely on the morals and values upholded in that particular religion ... if it makes sense to that person, they stick to it.

[naomi24]

Blu, whilst I can't agree that Darwin's theory is totally incorrect - and I believe that evolution is, to a degree, a fact, I have no explanation for the beginning of time and of the universe - hence I can only attribute it to the unknown. I've come to the conclusion that there may be an almighty power, but that power is not the biblical god. He is endowed with too many of the worst of mankind's human failings.

[Ice.Maiden]

I agree with waldo. My 2 children haven't been baptized into any faith. They take an interest in what's taught at school - and this covers the main beliefs. I teach them about the more abscure ones as well, so that one day, if they decide to follow their chosen path, then that is up to them. It has nothing to do with my own thoughts on the subject. In our family, we have a mixture of faiths, and it's never yet caused a problem, so why should it in the future?

[Theland]

Annapolis is taking place very soon - guess what? The Arab muslims will torpedo it before it begins! So, we will have a whole new chapter of Bible prophecy coming true. So, as far as I 'm concerned, the Bible is a book of prophecy that is accurate. "Jerusalem .... burdensome stone, ..... cup of trembling." If I'm wrong, (and if the Bible is wrong, then Annapolis will be a roaring success and everything will be hunky dory.
Remember folks! You read it here first!

[JockSporran]

People have got to make their own decisions. As a child grows up, they may think about life and the universe and spiritual matters, and they will form their own opinions or beliefs. Let them do this. It's their decision. Do not try to control their mind.

By the way - have you read 'The Crow Road' by Ian Banks'?
It's on a theme like that. A young man, brought up by an atheist dad, starts to believe in a higher power. (The crow road is a Scotish euphemism for death).

[China Doll]

The Crow Road by Ian Banks? Yes I've read it, but I don't think I got the religious stuff... unless I've gotten myself mightly confused with another book or indeed my interpretation, both of which are entirely plausable reasons!

Anyway, I maintain that organised religion to me is an ugly, monstrous thing but just because that's what I think does not grant me leave to look down on or be condescending to those who draw a source of comfort and lead very good lives as a result of or in line with their beliefs. (It would also not be very dutiful of me to be condescending towards my own mother who is indeed a believer). If a child of mine chose to draw comfort from a religion or found in it an answer they were seeking then as long as I didn't think it was masking something else I doubt it would bother me too much. Well unless they started bugging me to subscribe to it too, then I might have to send them to their room with no dinner regardless of their age.