by Richard Collins

Created on: October 11, 2007   Last Updated: July 23, 2008

Atheist parents should approach the subject of teaching children about atheism in the same way they teach their children about other issues such as correct social behavior, sexual responsibility (at an age appropriate level), minding their personal habits of cleanliness, and dress. In all these aspects of a child's life, parents should stress the necessity of self awareness and how to think logically about making choices. Your goal should not be to impart your knowledge so much as to lead your child through the steps for making good decisions in life. Atheists place a high value on personal freedom meaning they do not have to answer to a church or other authority when it comes to making decisions about their lives. As long as they are responsible and live according to the law and respect other people, then they are free to enjoy the maximum number of choices in live.

Non-conformity has a downside. Taking responsibility for your life takes courage, because atheists are systematically derided by intolerant believers. Indeed, believers are given license for this behavior in their holy books. Children should understand this fact of life and be mentally prepared for insults they will surely suffer for their non-conforming stance should they opt for the life of a non-believer.

Parents can guide their children by being open to questioning from their children, tolerant of others, and always willing to discuss ideas, no matter how fanciful the child's imagination. Teaching children about myths and ancient beliefs allows them to naturally reach their own decisions about how wise it is to follow dogma that stretches credulity. Children understand make believe quite well.

The crucial message children must grasp is to think for themselves and not just blindly follow the lead of others. This entails skills that any child can learn and apply, but the topic of teaching children how to think is beyond the scope of this article. There are many good books that treat this critical subject. Here are two excellent examples that are freely available on the Internet complements of Google Books.

Teaching Children to Think by Robert Fisher

How Children Think and Learn: The Social Contexts of Cognitive Development by David J. Wood

Sooner or later, your child is going to be asked what religion they belong to (that's a strange expression is it not?). One way children can deflect rude questioning is to simply reply that they are open minded on the subject, but are not actively seeking a faith,

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