Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 17:20     Subject: When other people's kids bring up God
Anonymous wrote:I think this is more of a parenting question than a religious question. If you are atheist or agnostic or follow a non-monotheistic religion, how do you handle it when other people's kids bring up God and repeatedly insist that God exists? I try to mildly say "well, some people think God exists and some people don't" and change the subject, but some kids will just keep insisting and try to get into it. The problem especially arises when my DC says "no, God does not exist" and then both kids ignore my attempt to say people have different views and agree to disagree. I find it a little awkward to be dealing with this with other people's kids, especially since these are early elementary kids. If you've btdt, any suggestions beyond what I'm doing? If your family believes in God, how would you like me to handle this? It doesn't happen a lot, but it's a little awkward when it does.


You are asking a parenting question. And, I'm sorry that this is such an uncomfortable situation you're facing. I see that you don't want it discussed, perhaps out of respect for the parenting choices of others, perhaps because it's a conversation you'd rather have privately with your child.

I'd distract!! "Do super heroes exist?!!! Who'd win a battle: The Hulk or Iron Man?" "Do you guys know about cyborgs---half person, half computer robot???" "Whaaat?!!" If they were fighting over a toy, you could take it away. With a conversation, I think your only course is to introduce a new provocative topic. "HMMMM, what do you think you're getting for Xmas this year, Tommy?!" "What should I get Sam for Xmas?" You'll want to get them off-topic, to have them let go, right?

Best of luck to you, managing this. Sounds awful.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 17:19     Subject: When other people's kids bring up God
Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to understand the context, OP: you're saying early elementary school kids routinely bring up God to your kids, and then insist on arguing with you and your children about this? Is that right?


In OP's first post she talks repeatedly about what "I try to say" and when "I" get in the middle. So she's claiming that she's often in the middle of theological arguments between her kid and other kids.

I have two kids in their late teens and this has *never* happened to me. Methinks OP is a professional victim or pot-stirrer. If you doubt it, check out her over-the-top and distorted reaction at 15:23.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 17:13     Subject: When other people's kids bring up God
I'm trying to understand the context, OP: you're saying early elementary school kids routinely bring up God to your kids, and then insist on arguing with you and your children about this? Is that right?
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 17:10     Subject: When other people's kids bring up God
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'd honestly prefer that as a non-believing adult you not engage early elementary kids in discussion about religion. My kids know that different people believe different things, but they don't quite know what elements of what we believe are actual fact vs. an individual belief. You never know a family is going through (for ours there was a fairly recent death) and what role religion is playing for that child in helping deal with it. Older kid, sure. Early elementary, no.


Then you should teach your kids not to bring it up with other children.



The adult should not need to engage the child in a discussion that might challenge their family's beliefs. The OP was talking about a child talking to another child and the adult wanting to participate, too. If your child says they don't believe in God, fine. It's different if its an adult challenging the beliefs. My children know that different people believe different things, but I can't guarantee you they won't tell you grandpa went to heaven because they're preschool age and early elementary and that's a nuance beyond "some people don't believe in God."
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 15:27     Subject: Re:When other people's kids bring up God
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We don't believe in god but we don't stress if DC's friends bring up religion.

We started coaching her early on about how to respond. She would say something like, "believing in a god is a private matter. I'm just a kid. You will have to ask my parents."


Why are you teaching your kid a script to say to her friends? Why can't she have a conversation without her parents dictating her language? You're just as crazy and oppressive as the super religious people!

That is because 4 year olds do not need to talk about god. What's wrong with giving them the language to disengage from religious discussions from the crazys like you.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 15:27     Subject: When other people's kids bring up God
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'd honestly prefer that as a non-believing adult you not engage early elementary kids in discussion about religion. My kids know that different people believe different things, but they don't quite know what elements of what we believe are actual fact vs. an individual belief. You never know a family is going through (for ours there was a fairly recent death) and what role religion is playing for that child in helping deal with it. Older kid, sure. Early elementary, no.


So i am not allowed to discuss religion with my kids? Where do you get off making that request?!


Not PP, but way to read something she never said into her post. Fly that atheist victim flag high!
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 15:23     Subject: When other people's kids bring up God
Anonymous wrote:I'd honestly prefer that as a non-believing adult you not engage early elementary kids in discussion about religion. My kids know that different people believe different things, but they don't quite know what elements of what we believe are actual fact vs. an individual belief. You never know a family is going through (for ours there was a fairly recent death) and what role religion is playing for that child in helping deal with it. Older kid, sure. Early elementary, no.


So i am not allowed to discuss religion with my kids? Where do you get off making that request?!
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2015 15:16     Subject: When other people's kids bring up God
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'd honestly prefer that as a non-believing adult you not engage early elementary kids in discussion about religion. My kids know that different people believe different things, but they don't quite know what elements of what we believe are actual fact vs. an individual belief. You never know a family is going through (for ours there was a fairly recent death) and what role religion is playing for that child in helping deal with it. Older kid, sure. Early elementary, no.


Then you should teach your kids not to bring it up with other children.


Maybe *everybody* should be more respectful. That includes atheists too. This atheist victim thing is getting really old, given how some of you behave.