Fellow atheists, how do you instill good values/ethics in your children?

Anonymous
Obviously we try to teach by example and talk about doing the right thing when choices come up, but I feel the absence of a more systematic approach to moral education. Has anyone found the Washington Ethical Society or another group to provide a good secular substitute for church?
Anonymous
what's the point of teaching morals and ethics? Those are only things forced on people by religion.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:what's the point of teaching morals and ethics? Those are only things forced on people by religion.


troll
Anonymous
You could get involved by volunteering for organizations such as habitat for humanity. We are agnostic, but still consider it a "faith" and we still donate to the inner-faith clothing shelter and the manna food center. We belong to the Santa Clause religion- just be good for goodness sake!
Anonymous
I am not a troll. Why would you think that?

We can choose to do whatever we want. Only religion restricts what people can do.
Anonymous
I start by posting this in the parenting forum as it is not OFF TOPIC but rather a GENERAL PARENTING thread.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I am not a troll. Why would you think that?

We can choose to do whatever we want. Only religion restricts what people can do.


stupid troll. the worst kind.
Anonymous
Friends of ours absolutely adore the Washington Ethical Society. The kids' program there sounds great. I would check it out if I were you.
Anonymous
Perhaps I'm a hypocrite, but I'm a member of a church and I don't really deep in my heart believe in much of the church doctrine. When I die, I'm not going to go to any place that's especially good or bad. For me, I can go to a moderate church and suspend reality for an hour or so a couple times per month. When we are at church, I feel spiritual and a sense of peace. Hopefully being part of our church community has certain benefits for our children as well. I believe that being a member of a mosque, temple, synagogue, or ethical society would all have similar benefits.

On unrelated humorous side note, I remember my grandfather once saying that he wasn't sure if there was a god or not, but he wasn't going to take any chances. I don’t know where he ended up, but I hope he made the right bet.

Good luck friend. Clearly, you are taking steps to assure your children grow to become moral and ethical human beings and that’s a gift which cannot be replicated by any institution.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I am not a troll. Why would you think that?

We can choose to do whatever we want. Only religion restricts what people can do.


So, you believe that it's atheists that run around murdering people, robbing 7-Elevens, and abusing children? That prior to "established religion," no one had any consciences? Are you insane?
Anonymous
sorry but I'm with the troll... why force the kids to be good if you don't believe that being bad will take you some terrible place?
and good luck teaching them to be good and expect no reward
Anonymous
What about Unitarian?
Anonymous
WES has some strange people.
OP, atheists have the lowest murder rate.
You don't need groups to teach your kids, you can do it on your own.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:sorry but I'm with the troll... why force the kids to be good if you don't believe that being bad will take you some terrible place?
and good luck teaching them to be good and expect no reward


Really? We're not church people, but my kids know what is "right" and "wrong." They know that society has rules for the functioning of society. They are generally good for the sake of being good, not for a reward. We don't need threats to run our moral compass in our house.
Anonymous
I teach my child to respect other people. The golden rule is a great way to live, in my opinion. I agree with the PP. I teach my to child be good to other people because it is the right thing to do, not because the boogey man will get her when she dies. I don't follow any religion, and yet I can control myself and don't go around robbing, murdering or even cheating on my taxes. I don't need a dogma to tell me right from wrong, I can sort that out on my own.
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