Comments on: Raising Kids in an Atheist Household http://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/ Crossing Borders Crossing Cultures Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:20:00 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18581 Patrix Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:28:31 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18581 @<a href="#comment-18580" rel="nofollow">Asmita</a>: Thanks. That was really helpful and I can imagine the struggle with handling children's questions. I just hope I don't have to lie to them just so that it makes things easy. Lying about Santa Claus is fun but then kids grow up and realize he doesn't exist. Not so with god. @Asmita: Thanks. That was really helpful and I can imagine the struggle with handling children’s questions. I just hope I don’t have to lie to them just so that it makes things easy. Lying about Santa Claus is fun but then kids grow up and realize he doesn’t exist. Not so with god.

]]> By: Asmitahttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18580 Asmita Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:56:29 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18580 Patrix, I don't follow any religious customs in my house. But I will join the arti, or do a namaskar when I'm visiting friends or families. The fun starts when kids start asking why there is no ganapati in our house. My daughter (age 7) has wanted me to invite ladies for haldi kunku at our house for the past 2 years now. I generally let kids have an opinion about what we should do as a family and also take it seriously. So just for their fun I might host a haldi kunku or who knows even bring an idol home for Ganesh Chaturthi this year! At the same time, talks like some people believe so and so..but I don't think this is true are ongoing. So the kids definitely know that this does not figure in my daily life at all. My hope is that they will absorb the fun and leave religion out of it. I'm sorry if I'm responding late..but just thought I'd tell you that at least for me letting go of traditions was easy (since I don't believe in them) but practicing them for the sake of my kids is proving to be harder. Patrix,
I don’t follow any religious customs in my house. But I will join the arti, or do a namaskar when I’m visiting friends or families.
The fun starts when kids start asking why there is no ganapati in our house. My daughter (age 7) has wanted me to invite ladies for haldi kunku at our house for the past 2 years now.
I generally let kids have an opinion about what we should do as a family and also take it seriously. So just for their fun I might host a haldi kunku or who knows even bring an idol home for Ganesh Chaturthi this year!
At the same time, talks like some people believe so and so..but I don’t think this is true are ongoing. So the kids definitely know that this does not figure in my daily life at all.
My hope is that they will absorb the fun and leave religion out of it.
I’m sorry if I’m responding late..but just thought I’d tell you that at least for me letting go of traditions was easy (since I don’t believe in them) but practicing them for the sake of my kids is proving to be harder.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18532 Patrix Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:55:54 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18532 @<a href="#comment-18531" rel="nofollow">ms</a>: I grew up with religion and when I was "grown up", I was free to decide that I didn't want religion. People change religions all the time so believing or not is not the issue here. @ms: I grew up with religion and when I was “grown up”, I was free to decide that I didn’t want religion. People change religions all the time so believing or not is not the issue here.

]]> By: mshttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18531 ms Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:45:44 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18531 hey, i am laughing too! re atheism=religion, you mean to say that for x number of years you will answer "no" when your children ask if there is a god, and then miraculously when they are 'grown up', they will suddenly be free to decide if they want a religion? man, it's like never letting a child stand up and then telling them years later that they are free to run! you do have a sense of humour, then! never mind, i have an easier time understanding agnostics, their 'seeing is believing' philosophy is so parental in its nature. hey, i am laughing too! re atheism=religion, you mean to say that for x number of years you will answer “no” when your children ask if there is a god, and then miraculously when they are ‘grown up’, they will suddenly be free to decide if they want a religion? man, it’s like never letting a child stand up and then telling them years later that they are free to run! you do have a sense of humour, then! never mind, i have an easier time understanding agnostics, their ‘seeing is believing’ philosophy is so parental in its nature.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18528 Patrix Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:20:00 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18528 @<a href="#comment-18527" rel="nofollow">Aditya</a>: I'll wait until he wins the World Cup for India :) Even the T20 guys won it. @Aditya: I’ll wait until he wins the World Cup for India :) Even the T20 guys won it.

]]> By: Adityahttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18527 Aditya Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:15:06 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18527 How can you be an Atheist in an atheist in Sachin's era? How can you be an Atheist in an atheist in Sachin’s era?

]]> By: Ambuj Saxenahttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18525 Ambuj Saxena Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:34:40 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18525 Even I sometimes wonder about bringing up kids in atheistic household. How do I tackle their questions about God's existence (they will of course hear about it from school/friends/family). Do I just play along like we do for Tooth Fairy and let them realize the truth when they grow up, or do I lay bare my beliefs early on. I don't even know whether the girl I marry will be religious or not, so that's something I need to think about first. Even I sometimes wonder about bringing up kids in atheistic household. How do I tackle their questions about God’s existence (they will of course hear about it from school/friends/family). Do I just play along like we do for Tooth Fairy and let them realize the truth when they grow up, or do I lay bare my beliefs early on. I don’t even know whether the girl I marry will be religious or not, so that’s something I need to think about first.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18524 Patrix Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:23:33 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18524 @<a href="#comment-18523" rel="nofollow">ms</a>: So people teaching their children religion is alright but if I "hand down my religion of atheism" to my children, it is not right? BTW atheism is as much a religion as not collecting stamps is a hobby. Re: your joke, I have seen and met an atheist scientist but I have never seen god. And I'm sure it is the same with you. So I'm not sure who is laughing. @ms: So people teaching their children religion is alright but if I “hand down my religion of atheism” to my children, it is not right? BTW atheism is as much a religion as not collecting stamps is a hobby.

Re: your joke, I have seen and met an atheist scientist but I have never seen god. And I’m sure it is the same with you. So I’m not sure who is laughing.

]]> By: mshttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18523 ms Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:41:15 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18523 know what? let us not make the same mistakes our parents did: no one taught them the difference between "culture" and "religion", so one always means the other. i think lighting "diya" during diwali, playing with colours during holi, christmas tree with presents, costumes for halloween, biryani for eed, rice pudding for pongal, all these are cultural celebrations. i always celebrate these with my friends, doesn't matter whose house we go to for a feast, what religion they belong to or what ritual is associated with these events. i also think that your handing down the religion of atheism to your children is not fair to them. you have chosen to use deities as decorations, that is your personal choice, most western people also do that. but i am sure that if you see anyone using the statue of ganpati as a doorstopper, you will be offended. i would be too if hindus used the image of christ improperly. these are known religious icons. what you may like to teach your children is a very simple fact: deities and religious images are to be respected even though one may not worship them. hinduism is a progressive faith, which has undergone so many divisions and changes and is still not tied to the cultural identity. for another minority (why do we still refer to it as one is beyond me) you can't be a member unless you observe all the rituals and attend prayers. for years, traditions and culture have been the same as religion. they are not, all separate entities. the 100 year tradition of "ganeshchaturthi" that you have casually handed over to another sibling, the 3 generation practice of praying to the family deitiy that i have seen pass over to an uncle's children (due to my reluctance), is a part of family tradition, not religion. i feel the next generation have lost out since they will never experience the colourful ceremony, the melodious singing of hymns. it is like the americans not having thanksgiving lunch, boxing day barbeques in Oz, halloween (oh no!!) or st patricks day with green beer and green barbequed chicken and lamb chops (thanks to irish friends in wellington, NZ!!). but i digress. old joke i want to share with you, hope you enjoy it as much as i did: battle between god and atheist scientist, latter claims that he can also build universe with grain of sand. so god says, get your own grain of sand. hahaha. know what? let us not make the same mistakes our parents did: no one taught them the difference between “culture” and “religion”, so one always means the other. i think lighting “diya” during diwali, playing with colours during holi, christmas tree with presents, costumes for halloween, biryani for eed, rice pudding for pongal, all these are cultural celebrations. i always celebrate these with my friends, doesn’t matter whose house we go to for a feast, what religion they belong to or what ritual is associated with these events. i also think that your handing down the religion of atheism to your children is not fair to them. you have chosen to use deities as decorations, that is your personal choice, most western people also do that. but i am sure that if you see anyone using the statue of ganpati as a doorstopper, you will be offended. i would be too if hindus used the image of christ improperly. these are known religious icons. what you may like to teach your children is a very simple fact: deities and religious images are to be respected even though one may not worship them. hinduism is a progressive faith, which has undergone so many divisions and changes and is still not tied to the cultural identity. for another minority (why do we still refer to it as one is beyond me) you can’t be a member unless you observe all the rituals and attend prayers. for years, traditions and culture have been the same as religion. they are not, all separate entities. the 100 year tradition of “ganeshchaturthi” that you have casually handed over to another sibling, the 3 generation practice of praying to the family deitiy that i have seen pass over to an uncle’s children (due to my reluctance), is a part of family tradition, not religion. i feel the next generation have lost out since they will never experience the colourful ceremony, the melodious singing of hymns. it is like the americans not having thanksgiving lunch, boxing day barbeques in Oz, halloween (oh no!!) or st patricks day with green beer and green barbequed chicken and lamb chops (thanks to irish friends in wellington, NZ!!). but i digress. old joke i want to share with you, hope you enjoy it as much as i did: battle between god and atheist scientist, latter claims that he can also build universe with grain of sand. so god says, get your own grain of sand. hahaha.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18522 Patrix Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:45:58 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18522 @<a href="#comment-18521" rel="nofollow">Rhucha</a>: Glad to hear that and yeah, of all Sunday festivals, Superbowl Sunday has to be the best :) @Rhucha: Glad to hear that and yeah, of all Sunday festivals, Superbowl Sunday has to be the best :)

]]> By: Rhuchahttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18521 Rhucha Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:22:06 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18521 I think when we decide to grow our children up in US, they face a different cultural conflict itself. When most of their friends follow Christian beliefs and they don't celebrate any of those at home, it has to be confusing. What I think is let's celebrate festivals both American and Indian without visiting a church or a temple. My aunt has been following this for a long time. So children enjoy the colors, food and meeting friends and family and not feel left out. I also believe that we don't have to follow a particular religious belief to celebrate any of the festival. I am sure you know people from other faiths who participate in each others festivals just because they enjoy the social gathering. So, even though I am not an atheist I feel hey, let's celebrate without bringing the GOD in. Like I celebrate Superbowl Sunday :) I think when we decide to grow our children up in US, they face a different cultural conflict itself. When most of their friends follow Christian beliefs and they don’t celebrate any of those at home, it has to be confusing. What I think is let’s celebrate festivals both American and Indian without visiting a church or a temple. My aunt has been following this for a long time. So children enjoy the colors, food and meeting friends and family and not feel left out. I also believe that we don’t have to follow a particular religious belief to celebrate any of the festival. I am sure you know people from other faiths who participate in each others festivals just because they enjoy the social gathering. So, even though I am not an atheist I feel hey, let’s celebrate without bringing the GOD in. Like I celebrate Superbowl Sunday :)

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18520 Patrix Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:53:02 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18520 @<a href="#comment-18517" rel="nofollow">bongopondit</a>: And that may be the case in which case, perhaps I am overthinking. Recently my in-laws whom my wife told me were as non-religious as possible performed a gruh shanti puja for their new home. Even she was surprised that her parents wanted to perform this puja. Thankfully they know of my atheist leanings so they didn't mind me not participating in the religious part of the gathering. So what would I tell my kids to do if I had any? Should they join hands and pray during the aarti? @<a href="#comment-18518" rel="nofollow">Shreya</a>: I agree and at least in our case, we are not much different. @bongopondit: And that may be the case in which case, perhaps I am overthinking. Recently my in-laws whom my wife told me were as non-religious as possible performed a gruh shanti puja for their new home. Even she was surprised that her parents wanted to perform this puja. Thankfully they know of my atheist leanings so they didn’t mind me not participating in the religious part of the gathering. So what would I tell my kids to do if I had any? Should they join hands and pray during the aarti?

@Shreya: I agree and at least in our case, we are not much different.

]]> By: Shreyahttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18518 Shreya Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:06:50 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18518 I think with both partners being atheists/agnostics/ the issue is simpler, the really worry lies when one partner is deeply religious and the other is on the verge of atheism! I think with both partners being atheists/agnostics/ the issue is simpler, the really worry lies when one partner is deeply religious and the other is on the verge of atheism!

]]> By: bongopondithttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18517 bongopondit Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:02:15 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18517 I think you are overthinking this whole thing. Like T'giving (secular origin) and St Patty's Day (religious origin but secular looong time back), most Indian community gatherings in India hardly have a religious overtone. At least not the ones I have been to. Seems to be dominated mostly by gossiping, showing off (my son is going to MIT, oh your daughter is will be attending state college, sorry to hear), bad beer and boxed wine (the last two deal the heaviest blow to my sensibilities). But then I hear there are RSS gatherings and Sunday Hindu schools in the US - better keep away from those. Just buy the kids some Amar Chitra Kathas. I think you are overthinking this whole thing. Like T’giving (secular origin) and St Patty’s Day (religious origin but secular looong time back), most Indian community gatherings in India hardly have a religious overtone. At least not the ones I have been to. Seems to be dominated mostly by gossiping, showing off (my son is going to MIT, oh your daughter is will be attending state college, sorry to hear), bad beer and boxed wine (the last two deal the heaviest blow to my sensibilities).

But then I hear there are RSS gatherings and Sunday Hindu schools in the US – better keep away from those. Just buy the kids some Amar Chitra Kathas.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18516 Patrix Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:47:03 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18516 @<a href="#comment-18514" rel="nofollow">Santosh</a>: I am more or less have the similar attitude toward religion and thankfully, I don't have to do anything religious yet. My father has made it explicit in his will that no religious rites shall be performed for him. Likewise for me. @<a href="#comment-18515" rel="nofollow">Supremus</a>: I don't begrudge anyone for believing in god; after all it is a personal decision and should be respected by believers and non-believers alike. Re: the colors and the social gatherings, hey unless you make me bow down and pay my respects, I'm game for all the fun that festivals bring. @Santosh: I am more or less have the similar attitude toward religion and thankfully, I don’t have to do anything religious yet. My father has made it explicit in his will that no religious rites shall be performed for him. Likewise for me.

@Supremus: I don’t begrudge anyone for believing in god; after all it is a personal decision and should be respected by believers and non-believers alike. Re: the colors and the social gatherings, hey unless you make me bow down and pay my respects, I’m game for all the fun that festivals bring.

]]> By: Supremushttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18515 Supremus Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:57:31 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18515 Not sure what are u so concerned about. The only things you'll probably miss are colors, social gatherings, good food, a central non-speaking-sitting-quietly-in-corner-adorned-with-gregarious-clothes chief guest, and perhaps a chance to understand why such festivals were held in the first place ;) ;). Which as is, you don't right now, so there isn't much your kid will miss growing up. BTW, I do believe in God, though festivals are largely an excuse for me to have good food, meet friends, have fun, and ultimately remind myself that sometimes God needs some maska & pampering too :P if I intend to use him as my crying pillow for all my sorrow. Which I do. Not sure what are u so concerned about. The only things you’ll probably miss are colors, social gatherings, good food, a central non-speaking-sitting-quietly-in-corner-adorned-with-gregarious-clothes chief guest, and perhaps a chance to understand why such festivals were held in the first place ;) ;). Which as is, you don’t right now, so there isn’t much your kid will miss growing up.

BTW, I do believe in God, though festivals are largely an excuse for me to have good food, meet friends, have fun, and ultimately remind myself that sometimes God needs some maska & pampering too :P if I intend to use him as my crying pillow for all my sorrow. Which I do.

]]> By: Santoshhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18514 Santosh Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:15:48 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18514 The only reason I would consider myself Hindu in the religion category is because I've to perform my father's thevasam(shraad) yearly and will probably stay that way for life. My wife is a non-practicing Methodist and we celebrate a few Hindu (Diwali, Navratri) and Christian (Christmas, Easter) holidays mainly for the respective families and our participation is largely social. She believes in her version of "God" to some extent and I'm largely disinterested in anything to do with religion or God(s). I'm not sure what that qualifies me as, and don't care to find out either. We hope to be parents someday and instill a healthy respect for all religions, atheists, agnostics, unicorn worshipper, etc in our child(ren). Personally I'm hoping to instill my brand of cynicism towards religion and God also. As for my last rites, hopefully, whoever is in charge of that will cremate and scatter me and everyone who knows me will go out and have a drink for me, cutting chai for the teetotalers. The only reason I would consider myself Hindu in the religion category is because I’ve to perform my father’s thevasam(shraad) yearly and will probably stay that way for life. My wife is a non-practicing Methodist and we celebrate a few Hindu (Diwali, Navratri) and Christian (Christmas, Easter) holidays mainly for the respective families and our participation is largely social. She believes in her version of “God” to some extent and I’m largely disinterested in anything to do with religion or God(s). I’m not sure what that qualifies me as, and don’t care to find out either.

We hope to be parents someday and instill a healthy respect for all religions, atheists, agnostics, unicorn worshipper, etc in our child(ren). Personally I’m hoping to instill my brand of cynicism towards religion and God also.

As for my last rites, hopefully, whoever is in charge of that will cremate and scatter me and everyone who knows me will go out and have a drink for me, cutting chai for the teetotalers.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18513 Patrix Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:59:59 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18513 @<a href="#comment-18505" rel="nofollow">Piker</a>: Thankfully my parents aren't that religious. They are more of the god-fearing types who do rituals "just to be on the safer side" :) I don't think I will be disowned for not believing in god. I have done far more egregious things to disappoint them so this is the least of their worries. @<a href="#comment-18507" rel="nofollow">Nonie</a>: Your first two questions are rooted in religion debates so I will not comment on them. But an atheist wouldn't be bothered with them and if you still are, you probably are not one. Your last one however is something that only you can answer. @<a href="#comment-18508" rel="nofollow">Sherene</a>: I would like to think that I wouldn't mind. I wouldn't be teaching atheism to my kids so much that I wouldn't be teaching religion to them. They are bound to be exposed in school or with friends and if they ask questions, I will answer them as honestly as possible. Lying to them about an omnipresent god that keeps a balance sheet of your good and bad deeds, I think, make things worse. I was exposed to religion a lot growing up and I don't think my parents are disappointed that I'm no longer religious at least not as much as <a href="#comment-18505" rel="nofollow">Piker's</a> parents might be. @<a href="#comment-18509" rel="nofollow">Sunil Deepak</a>: That is exactly what I have in mind. Many Hindu festivals have a distinct religious and 'fun' aspects to them. It might make the believers mad that we choose to enjoy the 'fun' parts without bothering about the religious part. Sorry, no guilty feelings there :) Children are free to believe what they want when they grow up and as long as I don't have to do anything religious, I wouldn't mind anyone doing whatever rocks their boat. @Piker: Thankfully my parents aren’t that religious. They are more of the god-fearing types who do rituals “just to be on the safer side” :) I don’t think I will be disowned for not believing in god. I have done far more egregious things to disappoint them so this is the least of their worries.

@Nonie: Your first two questions are rooted in religion debates so I will not comment on them. But an atheist wouldn’t be bothered with them and if you still are, you probably are not one. Your last one however is something that only you can answer.

@Sherene: I would like to think that I wouldn’t mind. I wouldn’t be teaching atheism to my kids so much that I wouldn’t be teaching religion to them. They are bound to be exposed in school or with friends and if they ask questions, I will answer them as honestly as possible. Lying to them about an omnipresent god that keeps a balance sheet of your good and bad deeds, I think, make things worse.

I was exposed to religion a lot growing up and I don’t think my parents are disappointed that I’m no longer religious at least not as much as Piker’s parents might be.

@Sunil Deepak: That is exactly what I have in mind. Many Hindu festivals have a distinct religious and ‘fun’ aspects to them. It might make the believers mad that we choose to enjoy the ‘fun’ parts without bothering about the religious part. Sorry, no guilty feelings there :) Children are free to believe what they want when they grow up and as long as I don’t have to do anything religious, I wouldn’t mind anyone doing whatever rocks their boat.

]]> By: Patrixhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18512 Patrix Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:48:22 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18512 @<a href="#comment-18496" rel="nofollow">Anirban</a>: Thanks. I'm glad to know that we are not the only ones. But like my wife asked me, do I know of any atheist couples that have kids? Do they 'lapse into religion' for the sake of their kids? @<a href="#comment-18497" rel="nofollow">RK</a>: This post is not about my beliefs or rather the lack thereof in religion. Like I said, it is a personal decision so I don't have to explain it to anyone. Everyone else is free to believe in god and I won't bite. And there is nothing wrong in just looking at celebration. Most of us do. @<a href="#comment-18499" rel="nofollow">Tamanna Mishra</a>: Thanks for sharing. Things might be slightly complicated at your end and your kids might get conflicting signals from the both of us. But more often than not, in such case, I have seen one parent being more dominant in passing their beliefs and if the other partner doesn't mind too much, then that's how it plays out. But it is definitely worth discussing. @<a href="#comment-18498" rel="nofollow">A Cynic in Wonderland</a>: And that would be true of any non-Christian children but I'm specifically talking about atheism here. @<a href="#comment-18503" rel="nofollow">Amit</a>: No, to your second comment. And yeah sure, like I mentioned, I will join in the celebration for any festival as long as I am not expected to partake in the purely religious aspects of it. I don't want to stand, bow my head, and join hands during an aarti. I did so during my wedding but that was the last time and to maintain the peace :) And to your surprise, I know the significance of most festivals but I don't see how that could strenthen your belief in god. Most of the festivals or beliefs at least in Hinduism can be traced back to certain practical wisdom that were gradually obfuscated with religious dogma to ensure compliance. That is the aspect I disagree with. @Anirban: Thanks. I’m glad to know that we are not the only ones. But like my wife asked me, do I know of any atheist couples that have kids? Do they ‘lapse into religion’ for the sake of their kids?

@RK: This post is not about my beliefs or rather the lack thereof in religion. Like I said, it is a personal decision so I don’t have to explain it to anyone. Everyone else is free to believe in god and I won’t bite. And there is nothing wrong in just looking at celebration. Most of us do.

@Tamanna Mishra: Thanks for sharing. Things might be slightly complicated at your end and your kids might get conflicting signals from the both of us. But more often than not, in such case, I have seen one parent being more dominant in passing their beliefs and if the other partner doesn’t mind too much, then that’s how it plays out. But it is definitely worth discussing.

@A Cynic in Wonderland: And that would be true of any non-Christian children but I’m specifically talking about atheism here.

@Amit: No, to your second comment. And yeah sure, like I mentioned, I will join in the celebration for any festival as long as I am not expected to partake in the purely religious aspects of it. I don’t want to stand, bow my head, and join hands during an aarti. I did so during my wedding but that was the last time and to maintain the peace :)

And to your surprise, I know the significance of most festivals but I don’t see how that could strenthen your belief in god. Most of the festivals or beliefs at least in Hinduism can be traced back to certain practical wisdom that were gradually obfuscated with religious dogma to ensure compliance. That is the aspect I disagree with.

]]> By: Ashhttp://www.ipatrix.com/3386/raising-kids-in-an-atheist-household/#comment-18511 Ash Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:39:43 +0000 http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=3386#comment-18511 @<a href="#comment-18498" rel="nofollow">A Cynic in Wonderland</a>: That's probably more true of a convent school in India than a public school in the US :) @A Cynic in Wonderland: That’s probably more true of a convent school in India than a public school in the US :)

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