Children of atheists - how could you let your child believe in something you know isn't true?

The thing I am most proud of in my life, is that I instilled in my children the ability to question everything, without fear. And in doing so, I also accept the answers to those questions they accept as truth to them.

I've taught them to never accept anything without exploring all sides, as in politics, religion, etc. They were allowed to question authority, but respectfully. Never to accept anything by blind faith.

I armed them with as much knowledge as I possibly could. To do less, would be to set them up to fail.

I'll teach my children to question everything (I don't have children yet). The idea that anybody can indoctrinate their kid at a very young age with mythology is child abuse, and it genuinely scares me. I'm not going to teach them about religion at a very young age, as they have more important things to focus on. In the event that they come home from school and have questions about gods/religion, I'll tell them the truth: there is no evidence for any god and all religion is the work of man. In the event that they want to become religious, that's fine. I'm not intolerant, and everyone has a right to believe in whatever they wish. However, I don't feel comfortable sending them to Sunday school at a very young age so deluded psycho Christians can scare them with imaginary stores of hell fire.

They're children. They haven't discovered a lot of things in our world yet, or rather, haven't refined their own visions of their world. Most atheists would probably agree that no one should force his or her beliefs on anyone else, so it would follow that parents shouldn't force beliefs onto their children (or destroy ones they already have). Also, I would assume that when a child grows up, he/she will find out on his/her own that Santa Claus isn't really real. I also would assume that his/her heart would only be broken for maybe a day tops. One still gets presents on Christmas when Santa Claus disappears. (Also, not everyone celebrates Christmas.)

Atheists have chosen what they believe, and allowing children to believe in whatever they like gives them more freedom to choose or form their own identities (as well as their spiritualities if they see it fit to be spiritual). I don't see any harm or hypocrisy in that.

+ Best Answer should go to snoop3.

Well the thing is raising a kid is a lesson in utter perversion really. Whatever you tell them to do, they're likely to go against when they find their own voice and mind, specifically because you recommended it. So if you try and tell them "this is true", part of their growing up will be to say "Hell no, that's nonsense, I believe THIS instead." So if you let them believe what seems logical to them as a child, but don't hide your own direction from them, you stand more of a chance of them finding a similar path to yours because you give them every option, which is something that they may well grow to respect you for.

Besides, what I believe about the scientific beginnings of the universe and the non-existence of an all-powerful deity works for me. If something else works better for my kids, then good for them. Hopefully, I will have taught them enough about valuing human beings in all sorts of ways to keep their path from straying into extreme territory that values a god more than a human being.

I'm an atheist who has given this a lot of thought lately as we want to start a family. We live in a Catholic country where religion is firmly intertwined with culture and taught in the schools. To not start our child out in this and let them go along with all the cultural traditions, classes, and celebrations would be branding them as different and we all know how kids can be to the "different." If we didn't put them in the "system" to start they would have to get up and leave religion class, not participate in many activities and just not fit in as easily. To me in this culture it might be projecting my beliefs onto them and cause feelings of resentment when they couldn't participate or weren't invited to parties for confirmations and first communions with others, it might even attract them ultimately to the religion. My idea is that they will participate in their dominate culture, we will share why we don't believe as they are old enough to understand, and we will also share information about other belief systems. I think the best place to make a decision from is one of knowledge rather than ignorance of the belief. My husband is an atheist who went through the Catholic system, his mom is a pantheist and his dad an atheist. They told him that it was important to know and be part of your culture and what to believe in the end was up to him. He said he does feel that his childhood friendships would have been harder if he wasn't raised in the Catholic system. Several of those friendships endure today. Most of the people here consider the religion an important part of culture and heritage but they don't take it in the same way fundamentalists do. Most of the couples we know dated several people seriously before meeting their future spouse, lived together before marriage, use birth control, feel condoms are very important for safe sex, don't hate homosexuals, etc..Recently in Italy a group of science students boycotted the Pope speaking at their university because of his anti-science statements and letter he wrote saying the way Galileo was treated was reasonable. There were such huge numbers that they suceeded in him cancelling and it was all over the news. If you went and asked them individually though most would identify themselves as Catholics although they may hold a range of views about God and its existence. I don't think I could raise my child in a rigid fundamentalist religion, where they had to deny science or be told women are subordinate must where a burka or such though.

I also let her belive in Santa. Although I dont believe in Jesus I think generally the people who do follow religion live better lives. I say Generally.... I know there are bad people of every type out there but you gotta admit. Those Ten Commandments are pretty good rules reguardless of where they come from and that I support for my daughter. I was brought up Christian and I figured it out for myself and I will also give her that opportunity. Besides, Its something her and her grandmother can do together and bond. Im not saying I dont believe in a higher power because to assume I know everything is ignorant but I can tell you I dont believe in any of the religions I am framiliar with. My daughter goes to a Mormon church occasionally with her Gma and I think the story of Joseph Smith is rediculous. What I do believe about Mormons is they are very good peoply for the most part who as long as they are not hurting anyone I say leave them be. They help ALOT more people than any mormon I have heard of hurting anyone. The money thing in churches is the ONLY thing I inform my daughter of MY opinions and try to instill the notion that God doesnt need money. If she wants to help people with her money there are ALOT of ways to do it and know your money is going to the right place. Sorry for going off.

How do you know that Triton, the god at the bottom of the ocean, isn't going to condemn you for preaching apart from the one true god, which is Triton.

How could you let your children believe what isn't true?

What could possibly be your benefit?

I'm illustrating a point. That your idea of god of the bible is not shared in my home. My children are fine. They are straight A students involved in the performing arts and are going on to university.

If they decide on a belief, I don't mind as long as its not something that puts them inside of a box that keeps them from contributing to this world and making it a better place.

Thank you very much.

Next.

Actually, my children don't believe in any god/s. I do always make sure to be very clear with them that I could be wrong - lol Pascal - when religion and god belief comes up. So far, they're not buying.

And if any of them would choose to believe? I suppose I would indeed just let it alone for the sake of their happiness so long as it's not stark-raving mad fundie type stuff.

Because my children should have the same right I had. To believe what they want too. Put together the facts , ask questions and then make a choice. Thats a right I would not take away from any child.

I don't believe in forcing a belief on anyone, least of all a child. I'm of the opinion that if you teach a child how to use critical thinking skills and logic, they would eventually end up as atheists anyways. And if they didn't well, at least they would have put a lot of thought into their belief.