How do you go about the subject of religion with your child? Do you not say anything and they learn and believe what they want? Do you educate them about and they come to their own conclusions? Do you enforce atheism onto them? Personally, I think it best to them and have them come to their own conclusions. As I've witnessed indoctrination, from a distance not personally, I don't want that forced onto anybody. Thoughts?
As a kid, I grew up with Catholicism imposed on me, and it was a heavy burden. When I met the man who would become my children's father, I already knew Christianity was off the table. He was persuaded in short order, and together we began to explore paganism, in literature, and eventually in community. We met with other self-identified pagans a few times a year, and had many of the advantages of a church without the obvious disadvantages. Our paganism meant to us that the earth, and plants, and sexuality, were sacred. Women were honored. So was science. We had rituals, but no hard beliefs imposed on anyone. When we talked about it at home, we were frank and open. We talked about various mythologies and belief systems around the world, and always referred to Jewish, Christian and Muslim teachings as mythologies as well. When the opportunity arose to attend a friend's bat mitzvah or confirmation, we took it, so the kids could have a look. We let our children choose for themselves. The 20 year old self-identifies as pagan today; both parents are self-declared atheists.
i tell them my feelings and tell them both sides and let them choose.
My mother never spoke to me about religion until I started to question it. She was born a jehovahs witness and turned atheist and swore she'd never force religion on anyone like it had been on her. She let me go to church and bible school and one day I came home and told her I didn't think I believed in it. She told me it was perfectly fine to find my own beliefs.
It's a system I always truly appreciated growing up. The idea that I could decide without fear. That was the strongest thing she could have done for me
It is an ongoing discussion at our hose. We discuss religion, atheism, science, mythology, what other religions believe, how it has impacted society and history. We encourage them to educate themselves, learn about new things, religions and make up their own minds.
On going personal and philosophical dialogue. Starting very young when grandma starts indoctrination with children's bible stories and continuing thru the teen years with deeper discussions about finding meaning in life and adulthhood with open discussions about how they see it differently than you. As honest as possible without indoctrination or belittling of others beliefs and encouraging respect for others and real examination of the good and bad of religious practices both now and historically.
I encouraged my kids to talk with others, lots of others, about differing beliefs. It led them all to agnosticism in one form or another.
I share my experience and ever changing thoughts on the topic, as do my parents. I've taken them to a few types of churches, long enough to connect a bit. I encourage them to read up on it and assure them that whatever path they choose wrt matters of the spirit, I will love them and hope that they can find happiness in it. I've also made certain to convey that they can change their minds along the way. That is often where growth occurs.
We have relatives who are uber religious. We discuss that, too. The kids don't hear me mock or belittle any of it.