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Religion is so transparently stupid that even a preadolescent (BEFORE being taught all the rationalizations by the clerics) can pick it apart.
We are doing much the same thing with Zach, my stepson (age 8). On Sundays when we have him, we have Bible study, or "anti-church," as we call it. He was particularly impressed by the gruesome, impossible Noah story (two of EVERY insect?? And won't some animals eat the others?), the insane Binding of Isaac, and the harsh penalties (death by stoning) for just about every infraction.
I can't say it often enough: the sickening truth about the Bible is obvious to a child, until and unless it's whitewashed by clerics who are invested in propagating the lies.
I loved reading this. I've be an Atheist for less than a year and have an 8-year-old daughter who proclaimed her Atheism a couple of days ago because she found out that Carl Sagan was an Atheist. I tried to explain the Adam and Eve story to her and I got the most quizzical look I think she's ever given me. She said "That's crazy!" Fortunately, I've always been a natural history geek and we have tons of stuff by Sagan, Hawking, Roberts, Attenborough etc. She loves watching them and has learned so much. We also talk about science a great deal and she's never really learned anything about the bible other than what's in Veggie Tales. Thankfully, I didn't spend any time indoctrinating her. Raising kids as an Atheist feels different...
Thanks Ruth! I have to admit I was impressed with that part.
It's been a few days short two years since I posted the article above. Brance turned 8 about 2 weeks ago and I've been homeschooling him now for 3 months as his school here in Sacramento just flat out sucks. Our plan is to educate him here until 7th grade when he will be eligible to enter the science and engineering school here. He was so excited to turn 8 so that he would be able to go to Camp Quest West this year! At family or friendly functions he continues to leave raised eyebrows and confused looks on the faces of adults that don't know him and I bask in every minute of it. This community has been so helpful and supportive of us and we are truly grateful. Brance says, "Thank you all very much and I'm happy that you like my story!"
Thanks Kimberlee! It's not hard. Just let them ask as many questions as they want and answer them as best you can. Try to let them draw their own conclusions as often as possible and counter their findings with questions that will get them to think in a critical and logical manner.
It also helps if you quit your job so you can spend as much time as possible countering all the crap they are going to learn at school, especially from their friends. Take them to museums and on nature walks so they can see processes and evidence first hand. Watching documentaries with them helps as well. Be sure to read as many books on biology, paleontology, geology, astronomy, cosmology, physics, history, theology, skepticism, paleoanthropology, politics, economics, religion, ecology, linguistics, and neuroscience as you can so you can answer their questions yourself. They trust no one more than you. A little philosophy might help, too.
Make sure to take time to explain to your religious relatives, as kindly as possible so as not to offend, that your kid is not to be indoctrinated but rather to think for themselves. This may cause waves but you should be prepared to ride them out for the sake of your child's intellect.
The most important thing of all, in my humble opinion, is to have as much fun with them as is physically possible and love them as hard as you can.
I'm sure I missed a million things but do not be discouraged; it comes naturally and the fact that you're here means you already have an edge!
I love this and can only hope that I will be this good at it when I become a parent
Zavier; Wait.
Sorry, but that's about as good as it gets! Try reading "Raising Freethinkers". You can also check out this group; Parenting Little Heathens. Hope that helps!
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