Do you want to become the mirror immage of what you hate? Would you dissown your child if they chose to believe something you didnt?

Do you want to become an asshole like those who kick a gay child or pregant girl out of the house "simply because" "It aint right".

Dont shelter them from reality. Do the best you can. If you constantly teach them critical thinking skills and skeptisism and "it is ok to question". Even if they end up believing something you dont, they'll have better conflict resolution skills.

I dont think the key is to say, "I'll disown you if". That is what they do.

I think a better aproach is to teach them to think for themselves and even if they go a different path, as long as you have instilled individuality on them, they wont be a sheep.

You cant fight intollerance with intollarance. You cant fight bigotry with bigotry. You can fight by loving your child and teaching them that they dont have to be like everyone else. But you also cant expect them to be a clone of you either.

Is there an easy solution? No, but always let them know that you love them and that you wont dissown them. 

My mother still believes in God. But to her credit she has not cut me off because I dont. In fact, she has become a great listener.

You dont have to agree with your children. You dont even have to like everything they do. But you should not project yourself on them as if "You have to beleieve what I do or else".

Isn't that what the God of the bible preaches? "My way or the highway?"

Do you want to mimic a tyrant? Or do you want want to be a good parent? 

You dont have to teach them fiction as fact. I dont think I am suggesting that. But you should also not treat them, anymore than you would your neighbor, as a carbon copy of you.

I'm not a parent, but I've heard well-respected atheists say it is important to teach kids not what to think, but how to think.  This makes a lot of sense to me.  That way you're not indoctrinating your kids; you're teaching them how to think logically.

Children's Books:

http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/kidsbooks.html

I hope that helps.  

Did you try this website?  http://www.atheistparents.org/

It wasnt a rant, just a warning that if you shelter you kids from reality it could boomerange on you. I wasnt accusing you of doing anything. I was warning you not to give your children tunnel vision.

And others here have posted possible resources.

I agree that feeding a spounge when they dont have the capability of making a choice themselves is a bad thing. But you also cant shelter them forever. Thats all I was saying. 

I absolutely disagree that we should let our children hear "all sides" and decide for themselves. This has nothing to do with sheltering them from reality or not allowing them to make their own choices. I know, from unfortunate personal experience, what can be done to children who are not protected from fundamentalist thinking. I was raised by loving and thoughtful parents who wanted me to think for myself. What they did not do, was to protect me from my whacko fundamentalist neighbors. Without the knowledge of my parents I was taken to a movie night at their church. The movie was all about the rapture and the punishment that the nonbelivers would suffer soon after. I was 6 years old at the time. For the next year I was mortally afraid of the Bible. I literally thought that the book was the home of an angry God who was constantly preparing to kill/torture/mutilate me and my family. I actually BOWED to this book when my parents weren't looking in hopes that this God would spare us. True story.

Even as the child of non-religious thinking people... I was entirely susceptible to that garbage because, like all children, I was wired to fear punishment. Children want to please their "elders". This one movie influenced my life for many years. Even into my teens I was trying to save souls while signing away my oh so blessed virginity in a "true love waits" promise at the mature ago of 12.

Yes, it is the job of a responsible parent to protect their children from this kind of fear. Just as you wouldn't allow your kids to watch a bloody R rated movie at 5... you (hopefully) wouldn't scare them into dreading the punishment of a God they are certainly too young to understand.

Sorry... rant over. It just really pisses me off. (Obviously)

I will not tolerate my daughter who lives under my roof suggesting homosexuals need to die. I will not tolerate for one moment her thinking she is a flawed human born imperfect in sin. Sorry jackass you do not know my kid she is as perfect as 9 year olds come. I will not tolerate for one moment my daughter fearing eternal punishment because she argued with dad - the guilt, stress, pain and suffering this could cause for a child must be unreal. I will not tolerate for one moment someone telling my daughter that the only purpose of this life is to serve and love some invisible dude in the sky. My daughter is simply not allowed to think she is entitled to special treatment or privilege because she reads some book. My daughter is never allowed to think for a moment a genie in the sky grants wishes or allows shortcuts - she will know she gets out what she puts in. This is the short list of bullshit she has learned outside of my home.

I think most religions I have come in contact with need to be smashed; recognized for what they are sick & delusional bullshit that thrives on fear, confusion, guilt and paranoia of its weak followers. This concept separates people by adding unneeded titles that we never ask for yet carry the burden of on our back from birth to death, "Jew, Christian & Hindu". Often it ushers in, promotes and justifies violence. Just as extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence... Extreme claims must be met by extreme measures. I say rather than brutally removing flesh from a male babies penis and other 2000 year old rituals let the child decide for itself when they are 18 and have had ability to study as many religions as possible. That is my demand I would gladly fight for in a decent society.

I will gladly teach my daughter to shoot a street sweeper when she is 18, we already work on physical and ‘mental defense’. However, I will not teach her to be anti-christinity or against religion, it is too extreme. As her father I hope she will adopt an intelligent point of view like me. The purpose of this paragraph is to let you know I know boundaries. However, theism is being smashed down her throat every day and she is not out looking for it(She wants to play). I am going to mind my manners and remember courtesy counts but I will be blunt, truthful and very vocal with her. Every 10 minute conversation she has with me about atheism is frequently overshadowed with several hours of reasons to believe in Jesus – fuck Jesus. However, I am Daddy if I put up a good fight I should trump all. Within reason I will do whatever it takes.

Let me type slow here…. My 9 year old is one of the smartest kids I know. However, if I had my way I would wait until she could bake a cake, ride a skate board, throw a ball over hand or care for a puppy until she was taught about theism. Very honestly I think all discussion of religion should be off limits until 18-23(college bound). However, this is simply not realistic. Religion is marketed to her every day. In Indiana the new license plate glares, "In God We Trust." It is on our money... Her friends talk about it, one of her teachers had the balls to talk about it(that was quickly addressed), they surely talk about it at the church her unconcerned mother allows her to goto, her grandparents, the tv, the radio and her sister rams it down her throat every day. I am not suggesting she live in a bubble. However, I am within my rights to be truthful, blunt and vocal. Remember I am Daddy eventually I will trump all.

Theists do not respect her boundaries as a child. Because of this I must step in. I am willing and receptive to fight. I do not care if theism respects me - I have no respect for it. However, disrespecting my kid ignoring her innocence, instilling fear, hate, guilt into her - Fuck that. Theism knowingly and directly molests the minds of children at a young age. Although I come with complaint not solution I do know without hesitation allowing people to molest our kids in public forum is a serious problem. You let your kids be fucked in the ass, leave mine alone - sicko.

In closing my rant,... As I mentioned I would much rather not discuss religion, period. However, to not combat theists with fists or words who think their rights include instilling their incorrect opinions into my daughter at 9 would be irresponsible.

I am going to start a BLOG or add my face to face & phone discussions with my daughter to this forum for your input, it will be valued and is requested. Unlike this response I will be requesting your input (should ___ be discussed with a child in that manner). I will be very receptive to corrective criticism to help me. Eventually if I get enough content and feedback I would like to publish it on a webpage.

I am Tonys317 in chat if you ever wish to discuss this further. I am in Indianapolis most of the year with 1-2 months in Phila/NJ and am also always open to meeting with others.