Almost ready to take the plunge, but have held back for years because of topic. Husband and I have not been active for many years and no longer consider ourselves jw's. We also have no desire to be part of an organized religion. Most of our families though are very active. How did you all handle this situation? I would greatly appreciate any advice or experiences.
Raising children without a religion - thoughts, advice?
by atpeace 26 Replies latest jw experiences
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5go
Great Idea they don't need the thought control, conflicting/mutually exclusive ideas, and hypocrisy anyway. Let them find their own religion if they think they need one.
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Brother Apostate
No need to be part of an organized religion, however, some "need" the structure such provide to lead them to the Christ (Phillipians 1).
Ideally, let the Holy Spirit teach you, by praying in faith for it to fill you, so that as you read the Holy Scriptures, you will be taught by God's Holy Spirit. If you don't have the faith to do so, then perhaps one of the organized sects of Christianity will suffice until your faith is stronger.
BA
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atpeace
for any who are struggling with this as well - i just ordered this book - it's gotten great reviews. can't wait to read it.
Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion"
Dale McGowan; Paperback -
noontide
Raise them to be good individuals. Instill in them the moral values you and your husband value. You don’t need religion to be a good person. As they grow older explain to them the concept of God, religion and faith; but tell them it’s their choice to choose what they want to do. Being active in a religion doesn’t always make things right. I say be active in your community, be active in school, be active in a sport, be active with your family, be active in whatever makes you a happy and complete individual.
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compound complex
Greetings and welcome, atpeace!
Please read the story of Nils and Sherry Jansma, my friends at Bethel circa 1970:
http://www.exjws.net/pioneers/jansma.htm
Scroll midway down - around para. 20 - and read their comments on not wanting to raise their daughter as a JW. It's not actual advice but their determination re: religious training.
CoCo
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funkyderek
atpeace:
I was going to tell you about that book. I haven't read it either but have seen it recommended on other sites. Let us know if it's useful. I may need something similar in a couple of years time!
Brother Apostate:
Worst advice ever! How stupid of you to imagine that someone who doesn't want a religion will want yours.
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Brother Apostate
Worst advice ever! How stupid of you to imagine that someone who doesn't want a religion will want yours.
Lol! Pot, meet kettle!
Or yours, either! Let each one make up their own mind, in the end each will answer for the decisions they've made. Everyone, including you, has a religion, some of us are simply honest about it. You can continue to delude yourself, living in denial of what is obvious to others. Your sneering bravado at all who don't see things the way you do is an indictment of just how miserable your "religion" makes you and your ilk.
BA- Have a lovely day!
PS- Go have a pint or sumpin!
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funkyderek
Brother Apostate:
Everyone, including you, has a religion, some of us are simply honest about it.
You could define religion in such a way as to include all philosophies or worldviews including atheism, agnosticism, or apathy but why would anyone wish to do that? In any case, if you really thought that, you would have written it in your initial post. You certainly wouldn't have suggested your religion as an option for someone who didn't want any religion. Implying that your particular flavour of Christianity is not a religion doesn't seem very honest at all.
You can continue to delude yourself, living in denial of what is obvious to others.
Do you mean denial of the idea that my lack of belief in gods is a religion, or do you mean my denial that your religion is true?
Your sneering bravado at all who don't see things the way you do is an indictment of just how miserable your "religion" makes you and your ilk.
My "religion" - by which you really mean my lack of religion - doesn't make me miserable at all. What you call my "sneering bravado" probably has more to do with my personality than my beliefs about the nature of the universe, although I accept that perhaps I am contemptuous of people who believe nonsense without evidence because I am unable and unwilling to do so.
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lonelysheep
It's peaceful to raise my children without ANY religion. I don't know what advice to give you as mine are not missing anything. My daughter does remember when we went to the KH but sees it as a social function where other kids were, as well as something Mommy and her did together. Now, I try to do things with them and take them to places that don't tell us how to live or what to think.
They live life with a lack of religion and hell, a lack of diety beliefs as well. They're fine. They are being taught to think.