Episode 59 -- Parenting

Post your thoughts on our special Parenting episode here.

This episode is absolutely adorable but I have to admit I'm a little jealous of the kids. I was never given a choice about religion growing up as a kid. I was always expected to go to church three times a week with my parents and no explanation was ever given as to why. In fact, my parents never gave any explanations for anything they did. You just had to do it because they said so. Not once has my parents ever told me they would still love me no matter what I did or believed, so I still haven't come out as gay and an atheist to them yet and I have no idea which would anger them more. I'm not a parent and I'm still single, but the Prince Of Egpyt is a movie that I have mixed feelings about with showing to kids. On the one hand, I really liked that movie when I was still a Christian and I still think it's a pretty good adaptation of the book of Exodus. It still has some of the best animation of any non-Disney animated film and I can see it as a good way to introduce the subject of religion to kids, but I also worry about the scenes where God murders the first born babies being too disturbing for little kids. And it's this double standard some Christian parents have towards children's entertainment that annoys me. They have no problems making a kid's movie that promotes mass infanticide as just and good and telling kids this story is all true, but if Harry Potter uses magic and make-believe to teach kids good moral values, then that's just pure evil. When have we ever heard a single Christian complain that the Prince Of Egypt is too offensive of a movie for little kids to watch?

I'm not a parent, and so naturally I don't truly understand most parental fears. But one of the comment during the Parenting doubtcast was how the parents would deal with their children choosing "religion" when they grow... but my question is does this really happen? I mean I know sometimes kids who grow up in unsafe or dysfunctional families can be drawn to faith/religion because it provides them with a sense of comfort. However, other than a few famous people (Lee Strobel and others) I have not yet heard of the person who says well I carefully considered multiple belief options and then decided that Jesus suited me best. I mean I think at best this person would be a fairly liberal Christian. What are your thoughts?

If there was such a thing as too cute, this podcast would have been pushing the line towards it.

I'm not a parent, and so naturally I don't truly understand most parental fears. But one of the comment during the Parenting doubtcast was how the parents would deal with their children choosing "religion" when they grow... but my question is does this really happen? I mean I know sometimes kids who grow up in unsafe or dysfunctional families can be drawn to faith/religion because it provides them with a sense of comfort. However, other than a few famous people (Lee Strobel and others) I have not yet heard of the person who says well I carefully considered multiple belief options and then decided that Jesus suited me best. I mean I think at best this person would be a fairly liberal Christian. What are your thoughts?

Hmm....

I've actually met quite a few people who claim they have "looked at all the other faiths and decided that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior (tm)". Though they tend to phrase it with words like "discovered, realized, accepted" (as in, having a revelation of truth) as opposed to saying "decided" (as if they were choosing from positions
of equal theological footing). But that leads me to my point...

I question the "rational" thought processes of these people. I find it humorous and simultaneously frustrating when religious people will often denigrate rational thought and science in general while making claims to using said tools in defense of their religion or superstition of choice. So no, I do not think there can be a truly "rational" religion because the subject itself is in direct defiance of rational thought.

MisterChristopher wrote:If there was such a thing as too cute, this podcast would have been pushing the line towards it.

Awww shucks. Thanks!

"I've actually met quite a few people who claim they have "looked at all the other faiths and decided that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior (tm)". Though they tend to phrase it with words like "discovered, realized, accepted" (as in, having a revelation of truth) as opposed to saying "decided" (as if they were choosing from positions
of equal theological footing). But that leads me to my point..."

I think this comes up most frequently because as far as our culture is concerned, they simply have the most exposure to Christianity. If we were elsewhere, I would like to think that they would have "discovered, realized, accepted" something else completely. Alas, there is no way to do an empirical experiment on one individual to show them that it would happen as such (though I would suspect if we were to do a full-scale analysis, it is unlikely that an American would discover Shiva, nor would an Indian discover Jesus, even if they both know about the respective Gods. Exposure, I would theorize, should have the highest effect in determining the "discovery").

Great episode, btw Something I might have to look back at later when I start worrying about a family with kids lol

Great Show! with a very interesting topic, to me at least. I am totally guilty of using the Santa Clause bribe to get my 3 yo girl to "act right". But in my defense I am setting the stage for rational thought in her when on occasions she complains of "monsters in the dark" and I tell her that "monsters are not real".

I also have 2 boys that I raised "irreligious". They are now 14 and 15 yo. I have not preached any "ethereal-type" lessons to them. They have gone to church with certain friends of theirs from time to time. They also have access to my book collection of science and skeptical topics. I want them to understand the society they are growing up in and I want them to discover things for themselves, which I hope leads to a rational worldview.

But it is a scary thing for a parent deciding how to raise a child. Because parents exert the greatest influence on the childs life and most parents don't want to f@*k up. So it's hard deciding how to steer your child in the proper direction. And how much do you "force" your own particular views on them?

This episode was cute and kind of inspirational in that you are installing a sense of realism in the children at a young age. Sounds like they are in good hands.

Hi everyone,

I'd love to get your advice: I'm an Agnostic married to a Christian. While my wife respects my beliefs (or rather, lack thereof), she doesn't agree with me. She also doesn't enjoy having theological or philosophical discussions, and I'm content to let her believe what she chooses because to do otherwise would cause some major marital strife. We love each other and get along great--so long as I don't try to talk about religion. But now, we're pregnant. While I'm overjoyed at what's in store for us having a child, I'm worried about the implications of her faith versus my unbelief. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm the only non-believer in my and my wife's extended family, so I'm going to be the only one trying to raise this child rationally... Do you have any advice?

ben_gac wrote:Hi everyone,

I'd love to get your advice: I'm an Agnostic married to a Christian. While my wife respects my beliefs (or rather, lack thereof), she doesn't agree with me. She also doesn't enjoy having theological or philosophical discussions, and I'm content to let her believe what she chooses because to do otherwise would cause some major marital strife. We love each other and get along great--so long as I don't try to talk about religion. But now, we're pregnant. While I'm overjoyed at what's in store for us having a child, I'm worried about the implications of her faith versus my unbelief. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm the only non-believer in my and my wife's extended family, so I'm going to be the only one trying to raise this child rationally... Do you have any advice?

My wife is also Christian, I'm atheist. She doesn't like to have those types of discussions either. We both respect each others belief (or lack of). It was hard for me to come out as I am the only non believer in her and my family. We did decide that we were going to raise them in a secular household though. Even though her in-laws are pretty cool I know there is going to be some friction because they are going to want to teach my kids bible stories and such, and they are fundies. Hopefully by that time we will be living far from them though

ben_gac wrote: Hopefully by that time we will be living far from them though

The rapture should happen by then.