Atheist and the nativity

pulliptears

*Louise* wrote: »

I don't know why you are surprised - there are a lot of non faith schools who still have an infants Nativity every year. I think it's a lovely tradition/christmas story for children and it doesn't have to mean that they all believe it.

In fact, my DS2 goes to a catholic school and last years nativity was totally unexpected - it was all about Aliens landing at Christmas and being told the story of baby jesus being born, it was hilarious.:rotfl:

I got some looks one year when DS was charged with making an Easter newspaper. For the sports section we had the Jerusalem TT Races with the headline "The Sound of Joshua's Triumph Heard Throughout The Land". His teacher thought it hysterical though I don't think the very straight laced head was amused.

Soubrette

The_One_Who wrote: »

Perhaps "anti-religion" would be a better term. It seems that the OP is actively trying to avoid any contact with religion for their child. As if it might contaminate them or something. It's not very open-minded, and I am only thinking that if the child chooses to be religious (or be interested in it) then they will be appalled.

Again, you are conflating anti religion with no religion. How can avoiding contact with religion be anti religious? And if that were the case, surely god (of the correct denomination) would step in to make the unreligious see the light

Or is the way we are brought up far more influential in our beliefs than any 'truth'?

carefullycautious

I have come to the conclusion there have been lots of people believing they are a jesus. We section them as being mentally ill.

What does that tell you.

Person_one

If nothing else, learning about religions can be really interesting. I loved it as a kid, still do, everything from the Greek myths to Jewish mysticism. You don't have to believe to enjoy learning about beliefs.

Some religious people are really surprised that I know just as much if not more about their faith than they do, as if believers have a monopoly on the knowledge.

Person_one

Soubrette wrote: »

Again, you are conflating anti religion with no religion. How can avoiding contact with religion be anti religious? And if that were the case, surely god (of the correct denomination) would step in to make the unreligious see the light

Or is the way we are brought up far more influential in our beliefs than any 'truth'?

It does a child a disservice to deny them knowledge of religion. It has been for millennia and continues to be a massive influence on the world.

BitterAndTwisted

jamesflood wrote: »

I believe there was a Jesus, and to be honest without offending anyone, I think he was, what we call today, a "nutter".

He was accepted as a prophet while he was still alive. In a time and at a place when prophets were littered about the place. In a religion and a culture where a Messiah was expected to arrive at any time.

Walking around the streets claiming to be the lords son and people should believe in him. 2000 years ago, we didnt know the truth about science, now we do, people are not believing in that crap anymore.

Actually, people do believe that crap. That's what faith means. Science and faith are not mutually exclusive. Still, if I remember my scripture-learning properly Jesus claimed we were all God's children, not just himself.

Tell her the truth. I will always tell my son whats right and wrong, whats the truth and whats not.

That's nice and I wish you well with raising your children to be decent people. Forcing your own beliefs on others is just as bad whichever viewpoint it comes from.

To the OP: you think it's perfectly OK for your little un to believe in Father Christmas but not be taught about other people's beliefs? Knowing about them or acknowledging them doesn't mean that they're being forced to accept them. From what I understand primary-school children learn about Diwali in multi-cultural schools, maybe even in faith schools but that doesn't mean that they are being brainwashed.

When are you planning to tell your child that Santa is a lie and you've been pretending all along?

Blackpool_Saver

PoorCharleyBear wrote: »

She has just started school and came home yesterday telling me about 'Mary, Joseph and their SPECIALIST (sic) baby, Jesus'.

can you explain this please? and I am not being contrary, I genuinely don't know what you mean............

The_One_Who

Soubrette wrote: »

Again, you are conflating anti religion with no religion. How can avoiding contact with religion be anti religious? And if that were the case, surely god (of the correct denomination) would step in to make the unreligious see the light

Or is the way we are brought up far more influential in our beliefs than any 'truth'?

The OP seems to be more on anti-religion side of things, since the act of a school teaching children about the Nativity has sparked this thread. And they say they only mention religion when necessary. Learning about religion will not necessarily make someone religious. What is so wrong with learning about religion anyway? And what would be so wrong if their child, shock horror, chose to follow a religion or have a faith of some kind?

Again, I am not religious, but I see no reason why others can't or shouldn't be if they want to. If you want to believe that a fairy lives in the garden that's up to you, if you want to believe that a god exists that is up to you, and if you want to believe that there is no divine being that is also up to you. Makes no difference to me.

Olokia

ilikewatch wrote: »

he feels he was misled by his parents and was never given a chance to find his faith as a child.

I felt I was misled by my primary and secondary schools. I was taught that Christianity was fact and being so young I believed them. When I was older and understood more, I realised that I shouldn't have believed them and that may have pushed me more to being very anti-religion.

People are saying what is written in the bible is fact. How do you know? Where you there? What happens in 2000 years if a copy of Harry Potter was found. Maybe they then will all have faith that there was a child called Harry and he stopped someone called Voldemort and they could all do magic.

Soubrette

Person_one wrote: »

If nothing else, learning about religions can be really interesting. I loved it as a kid, still do, everything from the Greek myths to Jewish mysticism. You don't have to believe to enjoy learning about beliefs.

Some religious people are really surprised that I know just as much if not more about their faith than they do, as if believers have a monopoly on the knowledge.

I would say the average believer/non believer has quite a shallow knowledge of what they do or don't believe in and it's mainly based on how they were brought up.

It is extremely interesting to see people well versed in their religion or atheism having a proper debate on the subject.

I like the Greek and Roman Gods - spoiled selfish superpeople is a reasonable conclusion if you look around at the conflict and injustice of the natural world. Much more emotionally satisfying than god works in mysterious way imo.