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gezzam
SFN Regular
Australia
751 Posts |
 Posted - 08/15/2002 : 23:47:46
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Last night I got asked by my 9 year old neice "Do you believe in God?"
I didn't really know what to say here as I didn't want to force my belief's on her and thus be as bad as those over reigious parents.
I just told her that I couldn't answer that question easily and that she would have to look at these things for herself.
What do you think one should do in a situation like this?
I would rather be the offspring of two apes than be a man and afraid to face the truth.
-- Thomas Huxley
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2002 : 02:51:16 [Permalink]
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Why if you say no is that forcing something on someone? It's just saying no.
If she had asked if you have a three-headed pig what would you say? If you said no, would that be forcing something on her?
"Not one human life should be expended in this reckless violence called a war against terrorism." - Howard Zinn |
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Boron10
Religion Moderator
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2002 : 03:00:01 [Permalink]
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I agree with Gorgo. Answering a direct question about your beliefs is hardly "forcing," even if you are aware that she may be impressionable.
Now, if you had begun a "religion is evil" tirade, that would have been forcing, eh?
-me. |
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2002 : 10:27:33 [Permalink]
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In the few times I've been ask that by kids I've answered "No, of course I don't."
The "..of course I don't" part can get them thinking.
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My business is to teach my aspirations to conform themselves to fact, not to try and make facts harmonize with my aspirations. ---Thomas Henry Huxley, 1860 |
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DVF
Skeptic Friend
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2002 : 08:27:41 [Permalink]
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Theres nothing wrong with a direct answer to a direct question. Telling someone what you believe isn't the same as telling them what they should believe.
"Know what, if you were in a building, and it was on fire, I'd rescue you."
- My Son 3/5/2002 |
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gezzam
SFN Regular
Australia
751 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2002 : 11:58:07 [Permalink]
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Sorry, I did not really word that very well.
What I was trying to get across was that she kinda looks up to me, and my sister-in-law is a fairly devout Catholic so I did not want to go against what she might be getting told at home and cause unnecessary family friction. Being an Atheist sometimes rubs people up the wrong way.....
She asked me the question while we were watching the "Walking with Beasts" documentary together and the topic was primate evolution. http://www.bbc.co.uk/beasts/
I would rather be the offspring of two apes than be a man and afraid to face the truth.
-- Thomas Huxley |
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2002 : 20:38:11 [Permalink]
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I think part of the problem you're facing is what to say after you say no. Will there be a thousand more questions that you'd rather not answer? I think the answer is still to just say no. No need to get into it farther than that. If more questions ensue, then answer them briefly without trying to "force" anything on him.
"Not one human life should be expended in this reckless violence called a war against terrorism." - Howard Zinn |
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chainsaw
Skeptic Friend
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2002 : 08:55:47 [Permalink]
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I would tell her that God is really just "Truth." No one knows the ultimate truth of the universe, so be wary of those claiming otherwise. Everyone searches for Truth in different ways and she one day will search and hopefully find at least part of her own Truth.
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2002 : 04:59:27 [Permalink]
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Your answer may have been best.
quote:
I just told her that I couldn't answer that question easily and that she would have to look at these things for herself.
"Not one human life should be expended in this reckless violence called a war against terrorism." - Howard Zinn |
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Strychnos
New Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2002 : 23:24:45 [Permalink]
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How about "No I don't, but a lot of people do, and I try to be polite and respectful about their belief"?
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2002 : 09:32:28 [Permalink]
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quote:
What I was trying to get across was that she kinda looks up to me, and my sister-in-law is a fairly devout Catholic ....
When you have kids do you think that this devout Catholic Aunt will return the compliment and not tell them that she believes?
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My business is to teach my aspirations to conform themselves to fact, not to try and make facts harmonize with my aspirations. ---Thomas Henry Huxley, 1860 |
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2002 : 07:06:46 [Permalink]
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Surely you aren't suggesting we measure our behavior by that of Catholics?
Only you can measure what you're comfortable with. It's not wrong to defer the question by saying you can't explain the whole idea in a short time. If you simply said no, it might be that that would mean to him that you eat babies and cavort with demons.
Having said all that, I think I'd just tell him, no I'm an atheist and let him ask the questions. But, there's no way for me to know what's best for your situation.
quote:
When you have kids do you think that this devout Catholic Aunt will return the compliment and not tell them that she believes?
"Not one human life should be expended in this reckless violence called a war against terrorism." - Howard Zinn |
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