jayrock:
Putting them in the right frame of mind and allowing them to choose their path is what I will do.

akintom:
Atheists don't emerge, after the fashion of raising a child in a Christian home (indoctrination).

Atheists are not raised, they don't emerge by conversion or indoctrination. This is so, because atheists don't have rituals, books or dogma.

Atheistic disposition is a conclusion state.

When a child is trained in such a way that he can-

*intelligently analyse the concept of human beliefs system,

*make inference from the realistic test of religious claims,

Whatever conclusion such child is able to reach, is the responsibility of the child.

MZLady39:


Sir,
Does that include Islam or Indigenous religions? Or is this just targeted at Christianity...since you only mentioned it? Isn't the breakdown the following:
50/40/10= Islam/Christianity/Indigenous?

akintom:
Atheists don't emerge, after the fashion of raising a child in a Christian/Islam/traditional homes (indoctrination).

Atheists are not raised, they don't emerge by conversion or indoctrination. This is so, because atheists don't have rituals, books or dogma.

Atheistic disposition is a conclusion state.

When a child is trained in such a way that he can-

*intelligently analyse the concept of human beliefs system,

*make inference from the realistic test of religious claims,

Whatever conclusion such child is able to reach, is the responsibility of the child.

pressplay411:


Guess the more important question is, is it OK to raise children to be religious nonconformists? Exposing them to the risk of peer pressure and even possible hostility from society.

Is it not wiser to raise them as Christians/Muslims?

akintom:

You can as well ask me, if it's ok to raise my daughter, with the mentality of justice, equity and fairness, in a chronically chauvinistic and misogynistic society.

akintom:

You can as well ask me, if it's ok to raise my daughter, with the mentality of justice, equity and fairness, in a chronically chauvinistic and misogynistic society.

pressplay411:
Without mincing words, Nigeria is without a doubt one of the most religious countries in the world. The dominant religions being Christianity and Islam. Our daily living and societal engagements are hugely influenced by these two major religions.

It becomes a major backlash not to conform to the norm, not to belong, either as a Christian or a Muslim.

Hence my question.
Would you raise your children as Atheists?

AgentOfAllah:


The answer to this question depends as much on their mum, formal education and community, as it does on me. Seeing as I'll play just a fractional role in the information they'll be receiving from their environment, I'd be pretending if I told you I know what I'd raise them as.

However, I sure as hell know that the information they'll get from me would always engage their critical minds. What they are raised as would eventually come down to the combined outcome of mine and all the other influences in their lives. There's really no way of telling what that would be though...Nor do I presently harbour any expectations for how they would turn out.

I'm cautious about expectations because as a case in point: My parents saw in me, a good, god fearing Muslim, but look what a terrible disappointment I've turned out to be today.

pressplay411:


Your last paragraph is ridiculously hilarious!

But honestly our thoughts are in sync on this issue.

LePrezident:

I see, you finally became an atheist

pressplay411:


potayto, potahto. more apostate tho.

pressplay411:

potayto, potahto. more apostate tho.

hopefulLandlord:


kindly share your story bro