Telling a child about atheism?

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Paul Baker's picture
Telling a child about atheism?

I was agnostic for many years and have come to the point where I have "awaken" and have become atheist during the past few months.

I have a 6 year old daughter with my ex-wife, who she lives with most of the time. When she comes to my place for her weekly visits and she stays the night, she asks me to do the same nightly routine that she does with her mom; prayer, Jesus songs. I do these just to keep her happy but I feel she is going to start asking me why I don't go to church and why I do bless my meals.

My question is, how do I tell my daughter, who has gone to church every Sunday since the day she was born, that I don't believe in Jesus or God? I have been thinking about comparing him to Santa Claus, when she finds out he is made up as well.

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Travis Hedglin's picture
It depends, if you are that

It depends, if you are that worried about it, you might talk to your ex-wife about it, if you can.

ThePragmatic's picture
This is a tough spot.

This is a tough spot.

Keep being very respectful of your daughter's and her mother beliefs. There is so many ways this could backfire.

You should at the very least be able to tell her that you don't share the same beliefs. But perhaps you should stay away from the word "Atheist", as it's such a stigmatized world.

You could invent your own nightly routines, a secular version. Some children's songs, a prayer-like mantra inspired by secular humanism.

There is also the option to not mention religious belief, but instead over the years teach children to think critically. Then they are likely to start questioning religion all by themselves.

Paul Baker's picture
I encourage my daughter to

I encourage my daughter to think about everything and have gotten her into scientific topics. She lives learning about the universe and the history of the Earth.

C.G._Cruttenden's picture
I agree with The Pragmatic.

I agree with The Pragmatic. Make your nightly routine about educating but, in a fun way. Give her the framework that will make her ask questions, be curious and that will allow her to feel the joy of discovery. Kids love space, dinosaurs and animals. Explain the science of nature, the universe and how they came to be. It's unfair that she has been indoctrinated. She will soon reach the age where she can reason. Just keep giving her the tools and open mindedness to be a critical thinker. Best of lucky my friend.

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