Religion, Atheism, Family Values: Are Religion & God Needed for Family Values?:
America's Christian Right invests a lot of effort arguing for a connection between family values and their religion, but what basic family values require their religion or belief in their god? Godless families exist because values like love, respect, and sacrifice don't depend upon theism. You don't even have to be a theist to oppose abortion or support sexual abstinence until marriage. None of the positive family values necessary for raising healthy children are undermined by being godless. Religion, Atheism, Family Values
America's Christian Right invests a lot of effort arguing for a connection between family values and their religion, but what basic family values require their religion or belief in their god? Godless families exist because values like love, respect, and sacrifice don't depend upon theism. You don't even have to be a theist to oppose abortion or support sexual abstinence until marriage. None of the positive family values necessary for raising healthy children are undermined by being godless. Religion, Atheism, Family Values
Atheism & Divorce: Divorce Rates for Atheists are Among the Lowest in America:
Conservative Christians of all types, evangelical as well as Catholic, tend to link their conservative brand of their religion with proper moral behavior. By far the most popular context is marriage: they claim that a good, solid marriage is only possible when people acknowledge conservative Christianity's claims about the nature of marriage and gender roles. So why is it that Christian marriages, and especially conservative Christian marriages, end in divorce more often than atheist marriages? Atheism & Divorce
Conservative Christians of all types, evangelical as well as Catholic, tend to link their conservative brand of their religion with proper moral behavior. By far the most popular context is marriage: they claim that a good, solid marriage is only possible when people acknowledge conservative Christianity's claims about the nature of marriage and gender roles. So why is it that Christian marriages, and especially conservative Christian marriages, end in divorce more often than atheist marriages? Atheism & Divorce
Atheists and Weddings: Questions, Conflicts, Advice:
Atheists are human too, and so of course atheists are just as likely as anyone else to participate in many of the common social experiences which mark a society. One of them is, of course, weddings - both their own and the weddings of friends and relatives. Unfortunately, wedding ceremonies are commonly religious in nature - what is an irreligious atheist to do? Atheists and Weddings
Atheists are human too, and so of course atheists are just as likely as anyone else to participate in many of the common social experiences which mark a society. One of them is, of course, weddings - both their own and the weddings of friends and relatives. Unfortunately, wedding ceremonies are commonly religious in nature - what is an irreligious atheist to do? Atheists and Weddings
Godless Marriage in America:
For many in modern American, religion and theism are central features not just in their lives as individuals, but also in their relationships with other people — and this is especially true with their most intimate relationships, such as marriage. It's common for people to regard their religion as a binding force in their marriage, something without which marriage wouldn't be possible. Just because marriage is a religious rite for some, though, doesn't mean it is necessary to all marriages. Godless Marriage in America
For many in modern American, religion and theism are central features not just in their lives as individuals, but also in their relationships with other people — and this is especially true with their most intimate relationships, such as marriage. It's common for people to regard their religion as a binding force in their marriage, something without which marriage wouldn't be possible. Just because marriage is a religious rite for some, though, doesn't mean it is necessary to all marriages. Godless Marriage in America
Atheists and Marriage: Questions, Problems, Conflicts:
Marriage is a very important and intimate relationship - but can marriages between atheists and theists work? What problems face atheists when married to religious spouses? How about when your in-laws are devoutly religious as well? What happens when your spouse grows more religious over time, or you more atheistic? Atheists and Marriage
Marriage is a very important and intimate relationship - but can marriages between atheists and theists work? What problems face atheists when married to religious spouses? How about when your in-laws are devoutly religious as well? What happens when your spouse grows more religious over time, or you more atheistic? Atheists and Marriage
Atheism and Family: Questions about Atheism and Atheists:
All sorts of difficult situations can arise which can make relations between atheist and theist family members very difficult. If you find yourself in such situations, you have to proceed carefully because a wrong move can damage your relationship with your family for years, if not decades. There is probably no one 'best' way to act, in particular because each situation is as different as each family; nevertheless, below are some common problems and some possible responses. Atheism and Family
All sorts of difficult situations can arise which can make relations between atheist and theist family members very difficult. If you find yourself in such situations, you have to proceed carefully because a wrong move can damage your relationship with your family for years, if not decades. There is probably no one 'best' way to act, in particular because each situation is as different as each family; nevertheless, below are some common problems and some possible responses. Atheism and Family
Do Children Need Religion? Are Religious Beliefs Necessary for Children?:
Religion and gods play an important role in how many parents raise their children. Even parents who aren't very ardent in their faith and don't go to religious worship services very often seem to believe that religion is a vital component in any upbringing. This is not justified, however. A child can be raised without religion and without gods and not be any worse off for it, though. In fact, a godless upbringing has advantages because if avoids so many of the dangers that accompany religion. Do Children Need Religion?
Religion and gods play an important role in how many parents raise their children. Even parents who aren't very ardent in their faith and don't go to religious worship services very often seem to believe that religion is a vital component in any upbringing. This is not justified, however. A child can be raised without religion and without gods and not be any worse off for it, though. In fact, a godless upbringing has advantages because if avoids so many of the dangers that accompany religion. Do Children Need Religion?
Raising Godless Children: What Should Atheist Parents Do for their Children?:
Christians raise their children as Christians, Jews raise their children as Jews, and Muslims raise their children as Muslims, so doesn't it make sense that atheists raise their children as atheists? That might seem to be the case, but it doesn't make much sense after all. Children are already born as atheists, so if you don't tell them that they should believe those things, then you are simply maintaining the status quo. There are, however, many things which they should be taught to maintain a skeptical, critical, and scholarly attitude towards religion, religious beliefs, and theism. Raising Godless Children
Christians raise their children as Christians, Jews raise their children as Jews, and Muslims raise their children as Muslims, so doesn't it make sense that atheists raise their children as atheists? That might seem to be the case, but it doesn't make much sense after all. Children are already born as atheists, so if you don't tell them that they should believe those things, then you are simply maintaining the status quo. There are, however, many things which they should be taught to maintain a skeptical, critical, and scholarly attitude towards religion, religious beliefs, and theism. Raising Godless Children
Godless Children vs. Religious Families: How Can Atheist Parents Balance Them?:
Of all of the problems that atheists might experience with their families, those involving their own children are perhaps among the most emotional and difficult to resolve. Many people honestly believe that children require religion and God in order to be raised morally and properly - if atheist parents don't offer that, they will feel compelled to intervene and replace what they believe the parents are failing provide. Atheist parents, though, should do what they think is best for their kids. Godless Children vs. Religious Families
Of all of the problems that atheists might experience with their families, those involving their own children are perhaps among the most emotional and difficult to resolve. Many people honestly believe that children require religion and God in order to be raised morally and properly - if atheist parents don't offer that, they will feel compelled to intervene and replace what they believe the parents are failing provide. Atheist parents, though, should do what they think is best for their kids. Godless Children vs. Religious Families
