Comments on: Religion vs. Atheism in Parenting

By: krishnan

krishnan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:31:37 +0000

Hi Mahendra,

What does the “attack her line of thinking” mean here.
“But rather than telling her ghosts are all nonsense, I would attack her line of thinking and make her realize for herself that ghosts don’t exist.”

Can u explain it?

By: krishnan

krishnan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:00:50 +0000

Great Article. But what happens in reality is as was indicated a form of Child abuse. Letting not the child think or reason compromises the true purpose of education which now has the only meaning of a way to teach how money can be churned out ignoring the mutual love among human beings.

By: Mahendra

Mahendra — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:33:17 +0000

Dear Gauri,

Thank you! I think my blog has too many diverse topics, which typically results in a fragmented readership, where readers of one kind of posts don’t know about the other kind of posts!

Thanks for sharing your conversation. I am very grateful. This topic continues to engage my mind. It is two years since I wrote this post, and my daughter is now three. I think a follow-up post will help me observe how this topic has evolved in my parenting life.

By: gauri

gauri — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:38:51 +0000

I’m surprised I hadn’t read this post! Wonderfully written!! My son has already asked me what God is. (My husband is an out and out atheist – I’m not a believer either, but I leave others to their beliefs (and devices) and wouldn’t mind being a part of some small pooja if it’s going to make someone I care for happy.) That said, here’s part of our conversation:

“What’s God, mommy?”
“God is being good and fair to everyone, and being responsible to yourself.” (Responsible will change to ‘answerable’ when he’s slightly older & knows the difference).
“But Kelly says Jesus is God.”
“Well some people just like to call it by different names. But if you like, you could ask Kelly to ask her mommy if being kind is the same as God.”
“But then who made the world?”
“Didn’t you watch Planet Earth? It made itself, bit by bit. The world is sssssoooo big, it’s hard for just one someone to make it.”

Etc. etc…he was curious because someone mentioned God. Now he doesn’t really care, he prefers Star Wars I’m sure it will crop up again.

I should bookmark this post and discussion; very interesting.

By: PMTC

PMTC — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:26:40 +0000

I agree with DotMom (above). That’s why it’s a blessing to be raised in a religious family. Pruning them to be good christians, bhuddists, etc. may be mind boggling to the child. I myself was subject to hours of prayer meetings, services, and more at a young age. But, it only added to the curiosity and respect for the God I was spending so much time for. I’m 17 now and aware of other various religions and their concepts. I believe the seriousness put into my childhood has showed me tha religion is a dangerous thing. One has to be careful when questioning, doubting, and researching religions for one is dealing with their own lives and the wrath of ‘God’. I have doubted and questioned and only found my religion to hold true. but, hey don’t get me wrong. I’m not a devout, holy, strict individual. I have my doubts and fears but that there is NO God is just beyond me.

By: mahendrap

mahendrap — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:21:22 +0000

DotMom: Nice write up, thanks for sharing…

RC: //I think it would be very unlikely for a kid to become religious if both parents are true atheists.//
You’re probably right.

By: Fear, Religion and Child Abuse; Searching Beyond Rhetoric | Skepticum

Fear, Religion and Child Abuse; Searching Beyond Rhetoric | Skepticum — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:43:40 +0000

[...] thoughtful post with a focus specifically on the issue of inducing fear in children and Mahendra of An Unquiet Mind gives the perspective of one raised in a Hindu [...]

By: The Rational Fool

The Rational Fool — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:02:45 +0000

rc:
I agree with you, so far as the proof in question here is for the existence of historical Rama. I was not aware that there had not been any archaeological studies to gather evidence to establish or negate the existence of historical Rama. The original statement in the ASI’s affidavit (since withdrawn) is “… [Ramayana] cannot be said to be historical record to incontrovertibly prove the existence of the characters.” This statement is more precise and rigorous, and I stand corrected. Thanks.

By: rc

rc — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:35:39 +0000

I want to address this point by The Rational Fool.

>> To say that there is no proof that Ram existed is not the same as saying that Ram did not exit. The statement is about the existence of the proof, and not about the existence of the subject of the proof. >>

To say that there is no proof that Ram existed is not the same as saying, “There have been no archeological studies to assert whether or not there is proof that Ram existed”.

On the topic of atheism:

I have no opinion on atheism, although I like Sam Harris’s views on keeping it under the radar. I find it unacceptable if atheists attack the beliefs of devotees of Sabarimala/any other temple. Would a true atheist turn to God if some rituals were “fixed” ? I also find it hypocritical if atheists (esp Indians) engage in “role playing” ceremonies, while holding the priests to ridicule.

Either you are in, or you are out. No tears will be shed on either side. Make your choice and stick with it.

I think it would be very unlikely for a kid to become religious if both parents are true atheists. We can factor out external influences (grandparents, uncles, neighbours) because they are applicable only when the parents consciously allow them.

By: DotMom

DotMom — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:17:22 +0000

Bloghopped over from Usha’s. I had done a post on this a littile while ago

http://thekarmacallingblog.blogspot.com/2007/09/faithless.html