Raise Critical Thinkers, Not Atheists
By Able_Reason
The ultimate gift that all non-theistic parents can and should give to their children is the skill of critical thinking. By critical thinking I'm referring to a combination of empiricism (just the facts), rationalism (the application of logic and reason), and skepticism (a humble balance between credulity and cynicism). Non-theistic parents should instill in their children a willingness to critically examine their own beliefs, so that they will know what they believe and why.
You will be doing your children a disservice by dogmatically coercing them into rejecting theism. Foster in your children a desire for getting at the truth and teach them to be comfortable with uncertainty. Show your children that science and the scientific method are the best tools we have to understand the universe and everything in it. Let your children know that you are not opposed to the existence of things beyond our universe, but that at this point, there are no convincing arguments or evidence to warrant such a belief. Help your children see the importance of viewing all of the data they’re presented with as objectively as possible and to not let their emotions guide the decision making process.
I'm convinced that this is the best we can do for our children.
Certainly let them know your stance on the god(s) issue. But encourage and work with them to investigate the 'arguments' and 'evidence' for and against belief in the existence of the supernatural.
If you encourage your children to accept your word as authority on issues of belief, then you will be setting them up to one day replace your authority with someone else's whose ideas you may not agree with. And that is certainly something I’m sure we'd all like to avoid. But most of all, love them no matter what they choose to believe.
"If a man begins with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties." – Sir Francis Bacon
Encourage your children to start with doubts -- try not to force your certainty on them; it may one day backfire on you.
By Able_Reason
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You will be doing your children a disservice by dogmatically coercing them into rejecting theism. Foster in your children a desire for getting at the truth and teach them to be comfortable with uncertainty. Show your children that science and the scientific method are the best tools we have to understand the universe and everything in it. Let your children know that you are not opposed to the existence of things beyond our universe, but that at this point, there are no convincing arguments or evidence to warrant such a belief. Help your children see the importance of viewing all of the data they’re presented with as objectively as possible and to not let their emotions guide the decision making process.
I'm convinced that this is the best we can do for our children.
Certainly let them know your stance on the god(s) issue. But encourage and work with them to investigate the 'arguments' and 'evidence' for and against belief in the existence of the supernatural.
If you encourage your children to accept your word as authority on issues of belief, then you will be setting them up to one day replace your authority with someone else's whose ideas you may not agree with. And that is certainly something I’m sure we'd all like to avoid. But most of all, love them no matter what they choose to believe.
"If a man begins with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties." – Sir Francis Bacon
Encourage your children to start with doubts -- try not to force your certainty on them; it may one day backfire on you.
May 26, 2002