Atheists in the church pews

[Ecurb Noselrub]

Interesting study:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/07/study-some-atheists-with-children-attend-with-religious-services/?iref=allsearch&hpt=hp_t2

[Whitney]

It makes sense, I plan to do the same with my future children...the going to various places of worship approach; not the going to the same one every sunday approach.  But I also don't have a religious spouse to compel me to take the kids to a single church as did some of the scientists in the study; if my spouse were religious and I had kids I'd probably tag along to church with them (I'm also assuming that if my spouse were religious that it would be a very liberal church that wouldn't annoy me).

[The Magic Pudding]

Sounds cruel and unnatural.

[Sweetdeath]

What the hell is the point? Unless you want to show your kids how assinine church really is.  *eyeroll*

[Whitney]

They can't actually make their own mind up about religion unless they are exposed to it in some way.

As for why some of the scientists would go for reasons unrelated to educating their children; don't have a clue why there unless they are just seeking out community and have no better local option.

[Sandra Craft]

"This was so surprising to us just because of all of the public discussion about the ways in which scientists are very against religions people," said Elaine Howard Ecklund, a sociologist at Rice. "When in fact, those we might most expect to be against religious people are sitting alongside them."

Makes me wonder just where all this "public discussion" has been.  I think the religious are fanning their own flames again and not realizing it.

[Buddy]

I've been to church a few times. Mostly because I had never been to one and I was curious. Obviously it was not my cup of tea.

[Sweetdeath]

They can't actually make their own mind up about religion unless they are exposed to it in some way.

As for why some of the scientists would go for reasons unrelated to educating their children; don't have a clue why there unless they are just seeking out community and have no better local option.

I suppose it is better to show them the insanity, but that's what youtube is for. Just look up Jesus camp, and it says it all.

[xSilverPhinx]

They can't actually make their own mind up about religion unless they are exposed to it in some way.

As for why some of the scientists would go for reasons unrelated to educating their children; don't have a clue why there unless they are just seeking out community and have no better local option.

I suppose it is better to show them the insanity, but that's what youtube is for. Just look up Jesus camp, and it says it all.

I think the approach the scientists are taking is that of opening horizons, not closing them by taking their children to church.

Though I am slightly surprised at the article. I didn't think that people could sit through regular services if unless they were apatheists (I sat through a few).

[Whitney]

They can't actually make their own mind up about religion unless they are exposed to it in some way.

As for why some of the scientists would go for reasons unrelated to educating their children; don't have a clue why there unless they are just seeking out community and have no better local option.

I suppose it is better to show them the insanity, but that's what youtube is for. Just look up Jesus camp, and it says it all.

Well, most churches aren't that crazy....I'd rather give kids a well rounded view of religion then just show them all the crazy stuff as if that is all there is to it.

[DeterminedJuliet]

I don't think it's a horrible thing to expose children to different beliefs, but I can't say that I'll really want to take our little Fella to church unless he specifically asks, or shows some curiosity. 

I hated going to church when I was a kid and was dragged there every Sunday against my will. I really don't want to do the same thing to my little guy unless he shows an interest himself. Discuss religion - yes. Attend religious services - avoid if at all possible.

[AnimatedDirt]

I don't think it's a horrible thing to expose children to different beliefs, but I can't say that I'll really want to take our little Fella to church unless he specifically asks, or shows some curiosity. 

I hated going to church when I was a kid and was dragged there every Sunday against my will. I really don't want to do the same thing to my little guy unless he shows an interest himself. Discuss religion - yes. Attend religious services - avoid if at all possible.

Just wondering...lets say your child, for who knows what reason, decides he has an interest in church/religion.  How much of this are you REALLY willing to support.  Is there a point at which you would cut his interest to keep him from becoming an delusioned, brain-washed idiot?

[OldGit]

I would indeed try to dissuade my child from becoming "a delusioned, brain-washed idiot".  Much would depend on what church they wanted to associate with.

[Sweetdeath]

I would give my child a history lesson about the horrors of religion and all tje innocent victims of it.
It's not like it's over. Look at Syria... All of the middle east.

[Sandra Craft]

...lets say your child, for who knows what reason, decides he has an interest in church/religion.  How much of this are you REALLY willing to support.  Is there a point at which you would cut his interest to keep him from becoming an delusioned, brain-washed idiot?

Adding my own 2 cents, I agree with those who said it would depend on the church and the kid expressing an interest.  With some churches, it would be like the kid wanting to join the American Nazi Party -- not on my watch.  Past 18 it's an individual decision but before that I wouldn't collude with it and I'd make it very clear why. 

On the other hand, if the church was merely delusional but not insane or dangerous I'd make my opinion of the supernatural clear but wouldn't stand in the way of attending services or other church activities.  I enjoyed going to church myself as a kid and don't see that much harm in it as long as the church itself isn't poisonous. 

It's simple reality that most people have religious urges and needs (however difficult that is for the few of us who don't suffer from it to understand) and I'd figure that even with my influence a kid of mine would still be more likely to be religious than not.  A little flexibility from me would not be too much to ask.