It wouldn't bother me unless they thought things beyond don't steal, don't lie, be kind, etc. Any business about marriage or abortion or sexuality and I'd be right out.

I went to a Baptist aftercare on the Hill and it didn't make me Baptist. Other kids were Jewish, Orthodox, and (I assume) atheist. I wouldn't worry too much. Might be a great way to start some philosophical conversations.

Absolutely not. I am an atheist married to a Catholic. No to any religiously affiliated education or daycare. DH can take DC to a mass twice a day for all that I care but there is no way I would hand over my child to professional indoctrinators as walk away, even if it were free daycare. Sometimes you can't pick cost-efficiency because it's a bad choice.

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.

You're an atheist, but are hoping that your children are believers? That is odd. It is one thing to be accepting of it, but you are apparently looking for that comfort and community for them.

To OP, I absolutely would not, not at this age. At this age they take everything to be truth and are not quite old enough for those conversations.

I wouldn't like my children be forced to do prayers and rituals that they don't believe in. I want them to make decisions and take actions based on their own thoughts and morals, not ritual. So while exposure to religion is one thing, dropping them in a church daycare is totally different. In addition, I do respect the choices others make and that they want to run a church based daycare and that people want their own children to attend such a program and I wouldn't feel comfortable having my child there going against the grain and questioning them or saying things outside of their beliefs and ruining the experience the other children parents have decided to let their children have.

So from both sides of the equation it seems like a bad idea.

No. I sent my kid to a school run by a church which they described as nonreligious-- turned out they said grace and some things which I didn't mind but didn't consider "non-religious", but having someone affirmatively teach my kid about Jesus and God and heaven/hell and having to "undo" that (if I even can) would be a nonstarter if I had any other options.

No, but its a personal choice. I am jewish/atheist and we did a church 2 year old program as they said they don't do much religion and I was very uncomfortable. They said my child could opt out and I saw one teacher forcing prayer hands when my child had no clue what it was and then getting angry he didn't immediately comply.

No, not if there is a good deal of religious talk. This only because my parents were atheists, said nothing, sent us to catholic preschool and religious gatherings and I never understood a great deal about why they were they way they were. I get it now. I understand. I want to help my kids understand. This was step 1 in my family's choosing to deal with the situation.

However, I have many great, great memories from religious education that I don't have from secular education. There's a lot to be said for that, too.

No.

NO. I would not do this. It's not what I want my child learning.

If the director told you that religion is part of everything they do, I think she's trying to tell you that this is truly a religious school and that you really shouldn't consider it if you have a problem with that.

I would send my kid to a school like you describe your older kid going to -- a place that has some religious teachings but nothing dogmatic or constant. This is a good sort of religious exposure and can even teach good morality if done right, as it may focus on helping others and being a good person.

The situation you describe sounds MUCH different, and I would particularly not be comfortable with this. I think the fact that your husband has a Muslim background (even if he isn't practicing) might be a sign that the school isn't going to be supportive or inclusive related to your family, and that's not acceptable.

I grew up atheist, but my best friend was extremely Christian, and my parents let me go to church and vacation bible camp with her. It wasn't over-the-top but always made me feel a little uncomfortable. I was definitely an outsider, and I felt it. It was also painful to hear my friend beg my parents to go to church and believe in god because she liked them and wanted them not to go to hell. Did it ruin my life? No, but I would prefer to avoid this for my own children.

I'm leaning no, because this sounds like true indoctrination. I went to several church-based daycares as a child and most were wonderful. The religion part was evident, but I saw it mostly as a game. We learned songs and stories about Jesus, and I memorized them. We could have been singing about Mohammed or Moses or the Tooth Fairy.

However, one "teacher" I had (and I should say this particular teacher was the issue, not necessarily the entire program) really did want to pound it into us that there would be dire consequences if we didn't BELIEVE.

In hindsight, I'm sure she was talking about how believing in Jesus leads to everlasting life. But I took it literally. I remember coming home one night and pleading with my mother to the point of tears during a "some people believe that" conversation, because I was certain her non-belief was going to kill her. I was truly terrified that she was going to die. Like THAT NIGHT.

So... maybe find a better fit.

I was raised Catholic and consider myself agnostiest (my only non-atheist belief if that I don't think the absence of proof of a god necessarily means one doesn't exist). Our DD goes to a Christianish daycare (they say a little prayer before they eat) which we don't mind at all. I would probably have an issue with going all out religion wise, but if you're in a bind and it's well liked then do what you have to do.

Atheist Jew here. No way in hell would I do this. You're desperate though, so maybe for a short time, but I'd keep looking.

Personally, no, but I know plenty of atheists who have sent their kids to religious preschools and were fine/happy with their experiences.

Anonymous wrote: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.

These are my feelings as well but I think its important to remember that there is no one way to be an atheist, just as there is often not a singular way of "being" anything at all. So I can see why some would be comfy and some wouldn't be.