If you are an atheist would you feel comfortable

[Anonymous]

sending your child to a very overtly religious after care in a church? I am atheist but I don't mind exposing the children to various points of views in hopes they will eventually come to their own conclusions about things. One DC goes to a nondenominational but christian preschool that doesn't seem very focused on jesus. He's got a little prayer about nature that he learned there which mentions god, but that is all I've seen and it is not a problem for me. Due to various factors, our other child is suddenly left without after care and I'm contemplating a place that is overtly religious - they teach bible stories, they have daily prayer, they teach that christ is the one way to heaven. We rarely talk about religion at home unless they are asking a question so I worry that the only teaching they'll get will be telling them this is the only way and everyone else is going to hell (the opposite of inclusive). However, I'm desperate and considering it. Would you?

[Anonymous]

No, I wouldn't feel comfortable with that at all. Exposure to religion is very different than having a child in a faith-based program.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I did this. We are atheists and non-church goers but both were raised with religion. My kids went to a Baptist preschool. Daily prayers, chapel once a week, etc. It was close to my house and I liked the program overall.

My take is that understanding religion is a critical part of participating in the secular world. I have tried to expose my kids to all kinds of religions and I would ultimately like them to make up their own mind about what they think. So I viewed preschool as an opportunity as part of that process. I would be happy for my kids if they were ultimately believers on some level. I think there can be a lot of comfort and community derived from faith-based organizations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I did this. We are atheists and non-church goers but both were raised with religion. My kids went to a Baptist preschool. Daily prayers, chapel once a week, etc. It was close to my house and I liked the program overall.

My take is that understanding religion is a critical part of participating in the secular world. I have tried to expose my kids to all kinds of religions and I would ultimately like them to make up their own mind about what they think. So I viewed preschool as an opportunity as part of that process. I would be happy for my kids if they were ultimately believers on some level. I think there can be a lot of comfort and community derived from faith-based organizations.

One more thought. Another thing I liked is that my kids would come home and talk about prayers or bible stories and it was a great jumping off point to talk about religion and what other people believe. We did a lot of "Some people believe this and some people believe that..." conversations. It's not a cult. It's not like you're not allowed to expose them to other points of view as part of the process or you'll get kicked off the compound.

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist personally BUT husband is Catholic and I think it would be nice if our kids were raised with some religion, so I might be slightly more open to this sort of thing than you, I don't know. I wouldn't make this a dealbreaker. Daycare and after care are so hard to find, honestly, I think one has to be flexible. I also view Bible study as good cultural awareness. I will say my husband probably wouldn't be happy about a Protestant preschool because he is Catholic, but he's also a pragmatist, so... In any event, whatever you decide doesn't have to be forever.

[Anonymous]

maybe only as a stop gap until you can get something more suitable for the long term?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I did this. We are atheists and non-church goers but both were raised with religion. My kids went to a Baptist preschool. Daily prayers, chapel once a week, etc. It was close to my house and I liked the program overall.

My take is that understanding religion is a critical part of participating in the secular world. I have tried to expose my kids to all kinds of religions and I would ultimately like them to make up their own mind about what they think. So I viewed preschool as an opportunity as part of that process. I would be happy for my kids if they were ultimately believers on some level. I think there can be a lot of comfort and community derived from faith-based organizations.

One more thought. Another thing I liked is that my kids would come home and talk about prayers or bible stories and it was a great jumping off point to talk about religion and what other people believe. We did a lot of "Some people believe this and some people believe that..." conversations. It's not a cult. It's not like you're not allowed to expose them to other points of view as part of the process or you'll get kicked off the compound.

I'm 10:23 and agree with this viewpoint. Since we're not religious these convos don't happen in our house and that's too bad in a way.

[Anonymous]

Sure. My kids went to a Jewish daycare and to a Presbyterian preschool. I think it's great to expose kids to different religions as well as different cultures. I don't know how I would feel if they became devoutly religious at any point, but that will be their decision to make.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, we've done the "some people believe this, some people believe that". It just seems so dogmatic when the director says the religion is part of every activity. I asked if he could skip the bible lessons and that was a no, plus she said it's throughout the entire program anyway in the songs, and the books they have, their circle time, etc. It's baptist church, and I have a lot of baptist people in my family and they are very, very adamant that I am going to hell. Some of them (my family) are against marriage equality - would that kind of thing be mentioned? Surely not, right? Not for kids in elementary school?

My husband's family is muslim, although he isn't. So obviously they don't believe in jesus. Will he be told negative things about them? Such a quandary.

[Anonymous]

No. I'm fine with sending them to a daycare in a church or something that has it around but doesn't focus on it, but I'm not okay with that level of indoctrination that you described.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like this would be a bad option for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, we've done the "some people believe this, some people believe that". It just seems so dogmatic when the director says the religion is part of every activity. I asked if he could skip the bible lessons and that was a no, plus she said it's throughout the entire program anyway in the songs, and the books they have, their circle time, etc. It's baptist church, and I have a lot of baptist people in my family and they are very, very adamant that I am going to hell. Some of them (my family) are against marriage equality - would that kind of thing be mentioned? Surely not, right? Not for kids in elementary school?

My husband's family is muslim, although he isn't. So obviously they don't believe in jesus. Will he be told negative things about them? Such a quandary.

It really depends on the program. I went to Catholic school and we were never told that non-Catholics were going to hell or anything like that. The religious component was very inclusive and positive--Bible stories, treating other people with respect and love, being kind, helping those in need, etc. But not all religious programs are like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, we've done the "some people believe this, some people believe that". It just seems so dogmatic when the director says the religion is part of every activity. I asked if he could skip the bible lessons and that was a no, plus she said it's throughout the entire program anyway in the songs, and the books they have, their circle time, etc. It's baptist church, and I have a lot of baptist people in my family and they are very, very adamant that I am going to hell. Some of them (my family) are against marriage equality - would that kind of thing be mentioned? Surely not, right? Not for kids in elementary school?

My husband's family is muslim, although he isn't. So obviously they don't believe in jesus. Will he be told negative things about them? Such a quandary.

I'm the poster that used a Baptist preschool. My Baptist preschool was not this dogmatic. Hell was NEVER mentioned. The religion stuff was never presented as "this is the only way". It was pretty benign. Lots of Jesus loves you type stuff. But your kid is older, so it could be more intense. I think if you are hearing specifics from the director that make you uncomfortable about this specific school and the prayers and stories your kid will hear, then you bail. Ask to see some of the songs, books, stories that will be used. I wouldn't bail just based on other Baptists you know in your life.

[Anonymous]

Presumably there isn't a lot of hell talk for little kids, nor should they be going into the differences between religions (e.g. Muslims are going to hell). I think that would be developmentally inappropriate. You could probably confirm this with the director if you wanted, by saying your child is sensitive and easily upset by talk of death, etc. In my experience, even the most church-y of preschools are mostly about songs, Bible stories, Bible themed crafts, Bible verses, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I'm fine with sending them to a daycare in a church or something that has it around but doesn't focus on it, but I'm not okay with that level of indoctrination that you described.

Right, what the PPs have said. We send our kids to Lutheran preschool and JCC camp, and it's all very inclusive and great communities. What you describe would go against my comfort as well--go with your gut. Maybe not this particular school.