Personally, I wouldn't raise my kids atheist. I'd raise them to be open-minded and curious. Atheism isn't a dogma, but rather the natural result of such things. Even if they didn't turn out atheist, they'd still not be dogmatics as a result.

The curiosity and open-mindedness is what'd teach them to endure the barrage of information, venom, and spite they'd surely encounter growing up (as far as religion or lackthereof goes).

Teach them to take criticism well as well. No matter what road they take they'll be sure to encounter a lot of it, and teaching them to take it also allows you to prod their convictions and question their ideals without feeling like you're pressuring them. That's how you bring out the little non-theist in them without making them feel like you just verbally smacked them around.

That's pretty much how my mother raised me and my siblings.

-=Grim=-

Become a Pastor or Minister. That seems to work wonders...

J/K. I was raised in an Agnostic family. I turned out Fundie years after leaving home. Go figure.

But does it really matter if your kid turns into a religious nut? After all, who cares? Long as they aren't hurting anybody with their 'delusions'. 100% of the population has weird personality quirks anyways; might be kinda nice to have a kid that feels compelled to help out in soup kitchens and stuff. That's certainly one of the less harmful delusions.

But if they start hurting folks in the name of their 'God', that's when you draw the line.

Cuz if God really wants them to hurt somebody, it's reasonable to assert you're not going to be able to stop them anyways. And in the more likely instance He isn't, then they're criminally deluded.

Be more worried they don't grow up and become a poltician or something equally vile.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has some good freethought books for children out.

I think GrimJesta is right on with this one.

I raise my daughter to be open-minded...and rational. Like GJ said, atheism is not a religion. There are no set standards or dogma to live by. I think what is more important is to teach your children to think and find things out on their own, not to just accept what others tell them.

I remember when my daughter figured out that god is in the pledge. I didn't tell her that because so, she shouldn't ever recite the pledge. I asked her how it made her feel and told her that if she didn't feel comfortable reciting it, that it isn't a requirement. One of her best friends is JW and does not recite the pledge. I told her that she can just stand like he does and does not have to recite. She decided that she still wants to say the pledge. (She's 7, btw.)

I think a lot of her questions are centered around what she hears me talking about and sees me reading. Which is understandable. Ever heard that saying "Children learn by what they see"...or however it goes?

She also pointed out the god bless America signs that you see everywhere. So, that was a nice segue into the "freedom of speech talk". And that where we live (in the US) we have certain freedoms and personal choices that we can make.

Sometimes I just wait for her questions. Like, "Why are we here?" (She was asking why people exist.) I think I got that question when she was about 4, which I wasn't ready for, considering her age at the time.

Recently she asked "Is there anything that exists outside of the universe?" *sigh*

I am 15, and I guess that I would have been alot happier if my parents didn't shove anything on me. If I were you I would just inform them, once they hit an age they can understand, and let them choose. They may not choose to be an atheist. But at least they wont grow up saying their parents forced them into something. If someone does confront them on their religion or thoughts, then you could simply stand up for them, which they would be deeply appreciative for.

I agree with Dan Halen.

I want my kids to know that there is no god, and I'd hate it if they became Christian or muslim, but what can I do? I'm not gonna force them to become an atheist

but when you grow up not believing in god, what's gonna suddenly make you think there is one?

My advice is to do what I do. I don't tell my kids what to think. I teach them how to think.

Here i thought that this was a site of individuals mostly commited to dispensing of the harmful and ridiculous religion of christianity, but then it seems like the people responding in this thread would let, their most valuable commodity, their children fall prey to such a loathsome philosophy.

If you really care at all about your children you'll tell them THE TRUTH that god is a logical impossibility and that christianity is nonsense. Now what they choose to do after that is up to them, you cannot force atheism down their throat. But i completely agree with one of the other responders who's father was an atheist. My parents never forced religion on me, they decided to let me choose what i wanted, they didn't even baptize me, because that would have already been a commitment to one way. I am terribly grateful to them for that. However they did not give me the tools and knowlege, that i would have liked and had not the courage to face the discrimination, so i made pretend to believe in front of them and in public, but deep down, i never believed. I also was taught to respect my parents and i knew i would have embarrased them in front of their peers and family if i were to say the things i say as an adult.

I will absolutely tell my children the truth, and let them no that it's ok not to believe in myths. I would more than likely role-play with him and ask him the typical questions that theist will ask him, and i'd tell him the proper answer. The answer being is to place the burden squarely on the theist and tell him to tell them he doesn't have to answer questions like "so what created the universe?" "what about souls?" "where do you think love comes from?" and the whole lot of these can be responded to the same. I'd be quite proud to see my son or daughter have to stay after school because they refused to participate in something religious.

So my advice is don't drop the ball on the most valuable thing in the world, your future children!

I would urge caution as well as informing them about the TRUTH. Too much 'programming' might cause it to be recognized as such.

You may wind up with a little William J. Murray
Wouldn't that make your heart swell with pride?

Google the name yourself. I'm referring to Madalyn Murray O'Hair's son. He was raised atheist.

I haven't figured out if he is crazy, ignorant, or lying though. lol.

My daughter (age 8, 3rd grade) outted herself to some kids at school today. (She said they were talking about God. And making fun of her JW friend.)

She said they yelled at her: "You HAVE to believe in God because he made everything, including you."

She responded: "No! I don't HAVE to!"

Yay her.

Your daughter rocks.