How do I raise agnostic children with knowledge of the bible and other religious texts?

We want the sense of community gained from a church without the literal teachings of the bible - we want it taught as we view it: a book of stories based on actual lives, but with mych liberty taken. WE are looking for a community center (we live in dunwoody and do not wish to move, only to teach our kids morals and giving withouth having fundamental christianity taught to our kids as fact. Asked by formykids 58 months ago Similar questions: raise agnostic children knowledge bible religious texts Society > Religion & Spirituality.

Similar questions: raise agnostic children knowledge bible religious texts.

I've got a similar philosophy and a 5 year old, and here's how I approach it.... Basically, I think we really don't know the big answers, and the more literally you take the bible, the more idiotic it sounds....I try to respect everyone's opinion, but when you start talking about the earth being 6,000 years old and science having an agenda, or strapping explosives to yourself and lighting the fuse on a crowded pedestrian mall so you'll get 72 virgins in heaven, I draw the line. That's not to disavow the possibility of a superior being, nor to ignore the good things about the church...sense of community, et al. , I just think everyone should have the chance to decide for themselves what is right for them.

I essentially decided pretty early on that I didn't know the answers to the big questions, and I was OK with that...I don't think I'm going to hell for not worshiping the right God...first of all, Christianity though the major religion in the US is just one of many religions of the world, why should geography dictate my beliefs? When I questioned it all, so much of it seemed like superstitious nonsense and there seemed to be things in different philosophies that made sense, but I didn't get the sense of one true religion or a one size fits all answer. But I realize I came to that decision by myself, and I'm assuming if you are asking this question, it wasn't as though your parents shared your views or you'd have a good answer to this question already.So, your kids are going to come to whatever conclusion they come to, and you have to be OK with that.

What you can do, is just what you suggest, and not force a closed minded viewpoint down their throats as immutable fact. Now the first thing that I found to be important when I decided to have a kid was that until at least age 7, kids don't understand the concept of "maybe". This should be a no brainer to any parent whose ever told their kid, that maybe they'd get that toy they wanted, and then the kid drove them out of their skulls until the kid acquired that particular toy.

Basically, that means you can't at too early an age talk about "some people believe," and "there are different ideas about. " The best you can do until they're probably at least 8 to be safe is to avoid exposing them to concrete ideas, which sometimes means changing the topic or downplaying a concept to which they may have been exposed. When the time comes, your kid should have a natural curiousity about where they come from, what happens when they die, why they are here, etc. You can then gradually introduce them to the concepts involved in various religions and in evolution.

Encourage them to learn about things, read, maybe even attend services if they want. The morality piece will come from your own values system. You need to live your values...if you believe in respect for other points of view, live it and show it.

Do simple things to keep the lines of communication open with your kids...make sure they eat meals with you, discuss what's going on in their lives, what they did in school, their friends, just keep a bead on it, and let them know they can trust you and when they're older, they'll continue to trust in your values, and they'll end up following the path you've laid out for them. Then when you start exposing your kids to bible stories, they can serve the same purpose as good fairy tales, each story with a moral that you believe in. As for community, look for chances to get to know your neighbors, see who has kids and set up play dates.

We got our child into ECFE, then preschool (it was done in a church, but their curriculum was non-secular...there was the occassional God reference, but not much beyond that), then transitioned to public school.My wife has joined mom's groups, you can find them on Craig's List or Yahoo or a number of places, and she's managed to build a good group of friends with kids about our son's age, and they try to keep active. The moms help each other out when needed, they swap things, go to local kid friendly attractions all the time, etc. Our on learns the value of helping others out, sharing, playing together, etc.You'll be surprised how one thing leads to another. And most importantly, instill your kids with not only a sense of responsibility, but a sense of curiousity.

You teach them what's right and wrong with your actions and your words, show them the way to live their beliefs, and introduce them to as many different concepts as you can, when they're ready to handle it, and they'll have the innate desire to learn about other ways of thinking, and eventually they'll find what works for them. Sources: My opinions & experience .

You could give the Unitarian church a go They're pretty liberal about what you believe and what you don't... although I'm not sure if the actual church services would be for you. The nice thing about the Unitarian church is all the good stuff they do on the side, like building houses for the homeless or cooking meals for them, stuff liek that. I think it can totally enrich your children's lives to participate in those activities, while teaching them morals like giving back to the community.

Outside that, I don't know if there are any groups that TEACH the bible as a book of stories which are just to guide you in what is right and what is wrong (let's be honest, there are some things in the bible that are considered right, like stoning your wife, that might not be so applicable anymore). I think that teaching is up to you - I am also raising my daughter in the same manner (only we do believe in God) and have just talked to her about it when she brought it up, or when the situation or conversation suited it. For example, all her friends seem to be Catholics, so they're always off to church or they might mention Jesus... perfect opportunity for me to explain to her who I believe Jesus really was.

I would have a fear of any group that did teach the bible outside of a religious sense - truthfully, I am wary of any group that has any connection to religion, denouncing it's tenets or not. It seems people in general always have an alterior motive... so yeah, I'd be worried. Sources: My opinion .

Guide and Trust your kids Allow your kids to ask questions and challenge their answers so that they understand the value of agnosticsm. Ultimately your kids will lead their own lives. Best you can do is expose them to various views.

For example you can attend the open houses of other places of worship.

1 THANK YOU! Its not htat we don't beleive in a god - agnostic means we are open to the possibility - we just don't claim as knowledege anything we cannot prove - but we can CHOOSE to believe. Its the idea of a white man with a beard living in a place called heaven that we aren't totally supportive of (since nowhere in the bible is he described taht way - probably invented by white men based on the image of Zeuss) - anyway, we certainly beleive in a higher power - an energy force that we all contribute to negatively (with bad acts and choices) or positively (with good acts, etc.) I like your approach - thank you for sharing.

My kids are 3.5 years nad 1.5 years, we want to find a spritual home before they get too much older....THANKS! SpamgirlItsSPRING, regarding your answer "You could give the Unitarian church a go": .

THANK YOU! Its not htat we don't beleive in a god - agnostic means we are open to the possibility - we just don't claim as knowledege anything we cannot prove - but we can CHOOSE to believe. Its the idea of a white man with a beard living in a place called heaven that we aren't totally supportive of (since nowhere in the bible is he described taht way - probably invented by white men based on the image of Zeuss) - anyway, we certainly beleive in a higher power - an energy force that we all contribute to negatively (with bad acts and choices) or positively (with good acts, etc.) I like your approach - thank you for sharing.

My kids are 3.5 years nad 1.5 years, we want to find a spritual home before they get too much older....THANKS! SpamgirlItsSPRING, regarding your answer "You could give the Unitarian church a go.

2 This is really great advice - thank you. Its where I usually am, but lately I have been worrying about not being a part of a church - even thoughw e live in a fantastic neighborhood that has playgroups, etc. Thanks for the reminder. I need to calm down - feeling that religious fundamentalism pressure.

I want to be true to self, but not make my kid feel like an outcast. Dalepetrie, regarding your answer "I've got a similar philosophy and a 5 year old, and here's how I approach it....": .

This is really great advice - thank you. Its where I usually am, but lately I have been worrying about not being a part of a church - even thoughw e live in a fantastic neighborhood that has playgroups, etc. Thanks for the reminder. I need to calm down - feeling that religious fundamentalism pressure.

I want to be true to self, but not make my kid feel like an outcast. Dalepetrie, regarding your answer "I've got a similar philosophy and a 5 year old, and here's how I approach it....

Just curious." (12 answers) "How does an atheist/agnostic explain to a 3yr old about death. Are there children's books? An atheist 'bible' for kids?" "Religion & Spirituality.

How does an atheist/agnostic explain to a 3yr old about death. Are there children's books? An atheist 'bible' for kids?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.