What do I tell my kids?

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
I'm not religious and my wife will be that way too (I hope).

So when our kids come up to us and ask "so daddy mommy what religion are we?"

What in the world am I supposed to say?
 

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
Should I just tell my kids that we are Christian so they fit in at school?

Stupid I know...
 
May 16, 2000
13,522
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You study religion in general, and provide a general education ABOUT religion, not IN a religion. You offer comparative understanding so that they can go into the world and make informed, intelligent, independent choices.

Religion is a lot like domestic violence...someone has to step up and break the cycle in order for things to get better. Stop your children from being sheep. You have the power to change the future through your actions.
 

D1gger

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,411
2
76
Where you raised in any religion? You could always just say that you were raised as a christian, but don't attend church.
 

cubeless

Diamond Member
Sep 17, 2001
4,295
1
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tell them they are stupid, too, since u won't know if they are or aren't smart either...
 

RESmonkey

Diamond Member
May 6, 2007
4,818
2
0
Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Just tell them the truth.

Religion is a lie.

Problem is, when they're in a convo with other kids and say religion is a lie, they'll get into fights with other kids.

But yes, I think telling them the truth is still the right thing. Just let them know that there are believers out there that are too stubborn to let go.
 

SpunkyJones

Diamond Member
Apr 1, 2004
5,090
1
81
Your not even married yet, and your concerned about this? Just tell them what your general beliefs are in regard to religion. As to fitting in, we are not a religious family either and there are no issues for my kids fitting in at school.
 
May 16, 2000
13,522
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Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Just tell them the truth.

Religion is a lie.

Problem is, when they're in a convo with other kids and say religion is a lie, they'll get into fights with other kids.

But yes, I think telling them the truth is still the right thing. Just let them know that there are believers out there that are too stubborn to let go.

That's not a bad thing at all...it gives them a taste of what the world is really like and lets them practice how to deal with stupidity and confrontation.
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
10,373
1
0
Originally posted by: Aimster
Should I just tell my kids that we are Christian so they fit in at school?

Stupid I know...

No, don't do that. Be honest with them. You don't have to explain every detail at first, but don't lie to them or withhold too much info either. The goal is to explain enough in such a way which you believe will result in your kids understanding what you are saying, satisfies their curiosity, and they will grow up to be accepting of everyone's differences. Make sure that they know they can approach you for answers to any questions they have in the future too. Slowly but surely, they will learn about different religions whether it be from you, friends of theirs, or independent study. From there, they will decide what they wish to believe on their own, but hopefully they will be accepting of everyone no matter what they believe.
 

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
You should be more concerned about tricking some girl into marriage first. The thought of you having kids makes me worry for our future generations.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
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Answer the question with "Whatever religion you want to be a part of"
Let them decide what religion they should or shouldn't be a part of.

I told my nieces when they asked that question at about age 5, what I believed in and also explained what others believed in, trying not to belittle any one religion.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: Aimster
Should I just tell my kids that we are Christian so they fit in at school?

Stupid I know...

No, don't do that. Be honest with them. You don't have to explain every detail at first, but don't lie to them or withhold too much info either. The goal is to explain enough in such a way which you believe will result in your kids understanding what you are saying, satisfies their curiosity, and they will grow up to be accepting of everyone's differences. Make sure that they know they can approach you for answers to any questions they have in the future too. Slowly but surely, they will learn about different religions whether it be from you, friends of theirs, or independent study. From there, they will decide what they wish to believe on their own, but hopefully they will be accepting of everyone no matter what they believe.

Sadly judging from the samples on ATOT, the majority general populace seems to believe that if you believe in any religion you're a dipshit. :frown:
 

Chiropteran

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2003
9,811
110
106
Tell them the truth.









We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence. What these people don?t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,654
6,532
126
tell them you are gay.

that way they can walk around saying "im gay just like mommy and daddy"
 

RESmonkey

Diamond Member
May 6, 2007
4,818
2
0
Originally posted by: Homerboy
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: Aimster
Should I just tell my kids that we are Christian so they fit in at school?

Stupid I know...

No, don't do that. Be honest with them. You don't have to explain every detail at first, but don't lie to them or withhold too much info either. The goal is to explain enough in such a way which you believe will result in your kids understanding what you are saying, satisfies their curiosity, and they will grow up to be accepting of everyone's differences. Make sure that they know they can approach you for answers to any questions they have in the future too. Slowly but surely, they will learn about different religions whether it be from you, friends of theirs, or independent study. From there, they will decide what they wish to believe on their own, but hopefully they will be accepting of everyone no matter what they believe.

Sadly judging from the samples on ATOT, the majority general populace seems to believe that if you believe in any religion you're a dipshit. :frown:

Religious zealots are dipshits. Religious leaders that spread their stupid faith and give people false promises need to be killed.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
I was raised exactly that way (entirely agnostic family) and it was never an issue. The kid will most likely figure it out for him/herself early enough. If he/she does bring it up then you can say "we're not religious" or "whatever you want" or "we don't go to church", etc...
 

miketheidiot

Lifer
Sep 3, 2004
11,060
1
0
Originally posted by: Homerboy
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: Aimster
Should I just tell my kids that we are Christian so they fit in at school?

Stupid I know...

No, don't do that. Be honest with them. You don't have to explain every detail at first, but don't lie to them or withhold too much info either. The goal is to explain enough in such a way which you believe will result in your kids understanding what you are saying, satisfies their curiosity, and they will grow up to be accepting of everyone's differences. Make sure that they know they can approach you for answers to any questions they have in the future too. Slowly but surely, they will learn about different religions whether it be from you, friends of theirs, or independent study. From there, they will decide what they wish to believe on their own, but hopefully they will be accepting of everyone no matter what they believe.

Sadly judging from the samples on ATOT, the majority general populace seems to believe that if you believe in any religion you're a dipshit. :frown:

mainly because that is the facts