How to tell kids there is no god?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe OP should have titled the thread "How to tell kids I don't believe in God" then.

Seems redundant.

Do you preface your posts with “I believe”?

If I’m expressing an opinion, yes, I try to.

Did you post the same sentiment on the “blessings from god” thread?

Or the “jesus christ has risen” thread?

Show me where you advised the OP to change the wording so it reflects that those thoughts are their opinions.

No, I haven’t read those threads. But her post isn’t about religion per se. It’s about parenting and it would fit better in a parent forum, IMO.

It’s about religion and parenting. There are other posts here about religion and parenting “kids complain about religious school”. Have you commented on those?

I haven’t read them. But a post about religious school is about religion and parenting, while this one is not about religion unless atheism is now a religion.

It’s about kids discussing religion. Unless you’re trying to be deliberately obtuse?

Feel free to go comment on those other threads now that you know about them. I look forward to seeing your contribution there too.

Thanks so much. I’m not a “Jesus is risen” or “blessings” type but I certainly appreciate your permission to post on those threads.

So you’re a “there is no god” type?

Go inform those OPs that they should have said “I believe jesus is risen” and “I believe in god’s blessings”. Right? Because obviously they posted incorrectly. Right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well my 8 year-old just mentioned the other day at school that he did not believe in god and a kid told him he was going to hell. My kid said, that’s okay, I don’t believe in hell either. Then the kid said he hated my son.

This is my fear for my kid. Having experienced this myself. -OP

"then the kid said he hated my son" - well, well well, WHO is going to hell now?

[Anonymous]

I think the correct answer is "I don't know". Even an atheist can't be certain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the correct answer is "I don't know". Even an atheist can't be certain.

Says the agnostic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe OP should have titled the thread "How to tell kids I don't believe in God" then.

Seems redundant.

Do you preface your posts with “I believe”?

If I’m expressing an opinion, yes, I try to.

Did you post the same sentiment on the “blessings from god” thread?

Or the “jesus christ has risen” thread?

Show me where you advised the OP to change the wording so it reflects that those thoughts are their opinions.

No, I haven’t read those threads. But her post isn’t about religion per se. It’s about parenting and it would fit better in a parent forum, IMO.

It’s about religion and parenting. There are other posts here about religion and parenting “kids complain about religious school”. Have you commented on those?

I haven’t read them. But a post about religious school is about religion and parenting, while this one is not about religion unless atheism is now a religion.

It’s about kids discussing religion. Unless you’re trying to be deliberately obtuse?

Feel free to go comment on those other threads now that you know about them. I look forward to seeing your contribution there too.

Thanks so much. I’m not a “Jesus is risen” or “blessings” type but I certainly appreciate your permission to post on those threads.

So you’re a “there is no god” type?

Go inform those OPs that they should have said “I believe jesus is risen” and “I believe in god’s blessings”. Right? Because obviously they posted incorrectly. Right?

That's funny, I haven't seen you chime in yet on any other threads with your position on "I believe" disclaimers. Why is that? There are some new ones now too... "Prayer needed" clearly violates your rule. I can't imagine why you aren't criticizing those threads...

[Anonymous]

problem is, OP, that while there are multiple perspectives, as your child ages, she will gravitate toward others who share her beliefs

Religious beliefs (or non-religious) permeate our lives. So you'll just have to teach your child to keep her views to herself, as many children aren't at that level of abstract thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the correct answer is "I don't know". Even an atheist can't be certain.

Atheists don't say they are certain. They realize there is no way to know for certain about god or any other supernatural being. Atheists say "I don't believe."

[Anonymous]

I haven't read this whole thread, but it reminds me of when I was about six and asked my mother if there's really a Santa Claus. (We're Jewish.) She told me she wasn't positive, but she thinks there is.

When I was older (and knew the truth), I asked her why she led me to believe there was a Santa Claus. She said because my (Christian) friends and classmates believed there was, and she couldn't trust a 6-year-old to keep quiet about there not being a Santa. I think it's the same thing here. If you don't want to lead her to believe there is a G-d, just say some people think yes and some think no, and that you're not sure who is right.

Plenty of time ahead for her to make up her own mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read this whole thread, but it reminds me of when I was about six and asked my mother if there's really a Santa Claus. (We're Jewish.) She told me she wasn't positive, but she thinks there is.

When I was older (and knew the truth), I asked her why she led me to believe there was a Santa Claus. She said because my (Christian) friends and classmates believed there was, and she couldn't trust a 6-year-old to keep quiet about there not being a Santa. I think it's the same thing here. If you don't want to lead her to believe there is a G-d, just say some people think yes and some think no, and that you're not sure who is right.

Plenty of time ahead for her to make up her own mind.

Good answer, for Santa Claus, Regarding God -- who some people continue to believe in after they grow up -- Maybe you could also say, that it's hard to tell if any one is right, because god is invisible, even to people who believe in him. People don't see him, but some people say they feel him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last night my 6 year old asked if I thought there is a god. I tried to deflect and ask what she thought, etc. She persisted and eventually I said that I don’t think so. She said “phew, me too!” She said she’s been thinking about this a lot and came to that conclusion. She sounded relieved that I agreed with her.

I don’t want to push my beliefs on her but I didn’t want to lie either. I’m also pretty impressed that she came to that conclusion at 6 - took me several years longer.

Now I’m afraid she will get bullied at school by kids at school who have different beliefs. I did already explain to her that everyone has different beliefs and “god” can be a touchy subject for some people. But she’s 6 and I’d be surprised if she doesn’t bring it up. She has no filter.

Anything else I should tell her?

You already did.