What would you do if your child turned out atheist?

1. 82

   John Colarussoposted 9 years ago

   What would you do if your child turned out atheist?
   
   Particularly christian parents or soon to be parents, how would you feel and what woulf you do if your child/children came out to you as atheists. How would this affect your relationship, and how would you treat him or her?
   
   

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2. 71

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   It would be no big deal. Most households aren't centered around religion other than going to church on Sunday. It wouldn't change my love for my child. The primary goal of a parent is to produce a self-reliant law abiding contributing member of society.
   Just because someone is an atheist doesn't mean they don't follow the basic "do unto others as would have the do until you."
   There should not be a religious litmus test for a child to be loved by their parents. Religion shouldn't be (forced) on anyone.

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   1. 82

      John Colarussoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for being rational, I have seen many many times christian families abandon family members simply for their atheism.

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3. 74

   aguasilverposted 9 years ago

   I would look at my relationship with Yeshua, ask God to tell me where my relationship was in default, because if someone cannot see Yeshua from my actions, words and deeds, then why should they look to Yeshua for their salvation?
   
   Point is that although my child's decision would distress me, it would hurt God even more, not just MY child, but ANY child (of Gods) who rejects God is a pain to be borne until such time as my prayers and my witness brought Yeshua into their lives.
   
   However, there is no pain or tears in Heaven, which must mean that when we reach 'home' we will either agree with Gods judgement of those who are not there, or have no recollection of the unsaved and lost.
   
   Take heart (if your child has declared no faith) for my son was devoid of faith until one day Yeshua reached him through the Holy Spirit, and he came to faith.
   
   God desires that none should be lost, but ultimately the decision is made by each one of us alone, all we can do is try our best to introduce people to Yeshua, by words, deeds and actions.

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   1. 82

      John Colarussoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      So you'd try to show him, but you would except he or she's decision?

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   2. 74

      aguasilverposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Of course I would accept their decision, God does, He never forces anyone to believe, that's the basis of free choice.

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   3. 60

      whomtheSonsetFreeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree wholeheartedly with what you have stated and the way in which you stated the most important of truths and that is that Jesus is the Way, the truth and the life and there exists salvation in no other name but His.
      Without Him we will die lost.

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   4. 82

      John Colarussoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is your opinion, but as long as anyone is civil about it that is good. Only because I actually know parents that would dissown their children if they became atheists

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4. 76

   Rabadiposted 9 years ago

   Just show him the truth and how God is universal and just because God is mysterious and doesn't answer right away doesn't mean he doesn't exist. There is more proof of God than proof of no God.

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   1. 82

      John Colarussoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Number 1: what if he didnt agree what if your proof didnt consititute proof to him? What if nothing you said changed that.
      Number 2: no there isnt

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5. 76

   jlparkposted 9 years ago

   Given her parents are also atheists or agnostic atheists, I would make sure my daughter (and any other siblings she may have in the future) was happy with her decision on spirituality and religion, and that she wasn't to bully or make fun of anyone who differed in their beliefs (or lack of).
   
   It would not change my relationship with her, nor that of her other parent, or her grandparents. Nor would it change the way I treated her.
   
   But because I'm already an atheist (or an agnostic atheist to be precise) - I should answer this from the other way - if she was to come to me as a Christian or other religion.
   
   Would it change anything? Nope. I would make sure she was happy, not hurt or forced into the decision. I would instill in her (and will do anyway!) not to make fun of or bully others who do not share her belief, nor force or continuously harass anyone until they believe. That she is happy, and others are too and she needs to respect that.
   
   As her mother, I would love her just the same, and help her with any struggles she has combine certain things in her life with her new found religion's beliefs on those things, and any other struggle.
   
   You chose to have children, you chose to take on ALL that that means  , and that means not walking away from them if they do something that you may disagree with.

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   1. 60

      whomtheSonsetFreeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      True. Although as a Christian I would hope to have instilled in her or him, by my actions and my life, what it truly means to be a believer in Christ Jesus.
      
      If they chose not to believe you can be assured that I would not stop praying for them.

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   2. 76

      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      And that's fine, I would hope that you didn't - because that is one way you show them you care. Like I would support my child in her struggles between faith and her life - i don't need to agree with her to support and respect her and her decisions.

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   3. 82

      John Colarussoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      As any parent should

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6. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Wouldn't matter to me in the least.  I am not a Christian but a New Ager. If h/she is sincere in his/her  belief, applause.  It is better to be a sincere Atheist than to be a hypocritical religionist who adheres to the faith because of fear of losing familial, especially parental approval.  Atheists are wonderful people.  A child has the RIGHT to choose what h/she WILL BE.

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   1. 82

      John Colarussoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You're absolutely right

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