So Jayden said "oh my god" and immediately after said "oops I'm sorry, Ms.
Jessica (his preschool teacher) said that it is bad to say that. Why is is
bad to say that mommy?" How the hell does a atheist mother answer that one? I
don't think it is wrong to say, but I know social culture finds it wrong. The
best answer I could come up with is "well Jayden we don't say that because it
would hurt some peoples feelings." But I am still left with a feeling that I
misguided my child and should have told him it was fine.Is it right to teach him
to blend and respect others beliefs? Should I teach him that there is other
ways of thinking and that it is ok, even preferred, to think
differently than others? What should I do when he comes to me and asks me about
god? This has already happened and I don't know if I handled it right.
Jayden asked me if he needs to do the right thing because god wants him to.
I told him that we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. I
don't want to push him away from a faith system but at the same time I want him
to grow up and be a free thinker and not have to deal with the religious
guilt I had to. I also don't want him to grow up and think it is right to
judge others and most faith systems advocate hate and judgement. On the
other hand I remember how comforting is was to have a faith system during
the really hard times of my life. I feel I am doing the right thing raising him
without any belief in any god but then I am a caring mother which means I
always second guess myself. I just hope he grows up understanding
that morals are very important. I am doing my best to raise him to be a
moral person without a faith system. I wish I had someone to look to for
advice but I am the only I know raising their child like this. This
line I am walking on is really thin and confusing sometimes.
Jessica (his preschool teacher) said that it is bad to say that. Why is is
bad to say that mommy?" How the hell does a atheist mother answer that one? I
don't think it is wrong to say, but I know social culture finds it wrong. The
best answer I could come up with is "well Jayden we don't say that because it
would hurt some peoples feelings." But I am still left with a feeling that I
misguided my child and should have told him it was fine.Is it right to teach him
to blend and respect others beliefs? Should I teach him that there is other
ways of thinking and that it is ok, even preferred, to think
differently than others? What should I do when he comes to me and asks me about
god? This has already happened and I don't know if I handled it right.
Jayden asked me if he needs to do the right thing because god wants him to.
I told him that we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. I
don't want to push him away from a faith system but at the same time I want him
to grow up and be a free thinker and not have to deal with the religious
guilt I had to. I also don't want him to grow up and think it is right to
judge others and most faith systems advocate hate and judgement. On the
other hand I remember how comforting is was to have a faith system during
the really hard times of my life. I feel I am doing the right thing raising him
without any belief in any god but then I am a caring mother which means I
always second guess myself. I just hope he grows up understanding
that morals are very important. I am doing my best to raise him to be a
moral person without a faith system. I wish I had someone to look to for
advice but I am the only I know raising their child like this. This
line I am walking on is really thin and confusing sometimes.