Religious literacy done right...and wrong (Parenting Beyond Belief #3)

The third in a series on nonreligious parenting. Hosted by Dale McGowan, editor/co-author of "Parenting Beyond Belief" and "Raising Freethinkers." http://parentingbeyondbelief.com
(Next video: Indoctrination vs. Influence.)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• nonreligious
• Parenting
• Beyond
• Belief
• Dale
• McGowan
• Raising
• Freethinkers
• atheist
• agnostic
• humanist

[lingwitt]

Your teaching your children to respect religions. You need to teach your children to ridicule religion.

[PBBChannel]

In fact, I don't need to lead my kids by the nose to either conclusion. I teach them ABOUT religion so they can decide, on their own, what deserves respect and what deserves ridicule, and even change their minds 1000 times as they grow, learn, and reconsider. They know my opinions, and they know that I respect them enough to let them develop their own.

[Shavarnarak]

@PBBChannel

I don't think kids should be taught to COMPLETELY decide for themselves. Their only kids after all.

Besides some things should be respected, like the scientific method. That has to be understood and respected.

And some things, like religious fundamentalism should be despised, because that is the only thing they deserve.

They also need to be warned of some of the crazies out there. If you'd be okay with your kid joining Scientology, you clearly don't care about your kids.

[PBBChannel]

@Shavarnarak: I suggest listening to the video (and the others) more carefully. I advocate allowing children to learn about the full range of religious expression -- good, bad, and ugly -- to hear my opinions and the opinions of others, then to decide for themselves *in the long run.* There is no need for them to come to settled conclusions while they are children. "Caring about my kids" includes respecting their abilities to develop minds and informed opinions of their own.

[cutes22]

Did any of your children ask why they were not members of any church or religion, or feel like they were missing something?

[PBBChannel]

It comes up once in a while. We talk about the other ways we are connected to people, groups that give us a sense of belonging -- and we've been to church (and Sunday School) enough times for them to decide that it isn't what they want to be doing on a Sunday morning. That may ebb and flow as they grow.

As for belonging to a religion, same thing -- it comes up, and leads to terrific discussions. They know that they are free to make their own choices when they are older. That's what counts.

[americanmuslimgirl]

Good movie: Nature of Existence. They interview all kinds of people about all kinds of issues. I did not like the Muslims they interviewed very much, but I still recommend it.

[skwerl23]

raising free thinkers chapter 3 = religious literacy....

religious literacy video #3.. coincidence? maybe...

[DreamsofMajesty]

scribd (dot) com/nb812

[OrderoftheWhiteHand]

Raising Freethinkers is an amazing book.

[334adamt]

thanks so much!

[AlwaysReadTheLabel]

Great stuff, Dale!

[myintellectualjourny]

Thanks for the great series and for reaching out to the popular audience w/ new media! Too many great ideas and communicators have not done as you are and taken that extra step to reach the youtube generation. Thank you!

[teacherninja1]

Great work! Thanks.