school uniforms - school meals - school curriculum - is all about teaching them to fit in. So please do teach your children to use critical independent thought.
and what is the golden rule?

@ShadowAmicus Golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you...treat others like you want to be treated...our schools do not require uniforms and kids bring or buy their own lunches...after the fundamentals, they choose courses they would like to take...critical thought is of course, the best way to teach them to make wise and decent decisions...

@thinktwice over here every school has their own uniform and most kids eat the meal provided by the school for lunch - very similar to the army training to knock out unwanted traces of individualism

@ShadowAmicus there is something to be said about being homogenous...the connection to country and ideals is stronger...look at countries like Japan...being part of society means you agree to certain aspects that might mean losing some individualism...

@thinktwice Sheep may safely graze

@thinktwice It is always an individual free thinker that brings about change - may be good or bad, but change prevents stagnation, which is always bad

@ShadowAmicus which explains why so many good progressive and good ideas came from Japan and China... ...

I took the same path. At 7yo (now I'm bragging) the boy said "I don't like religion. It's silly".

Thank you. I think I will do this.

I also think this is important. I was still a believer when we started our family, and they went to Sunday school when we were in church. When we quit going, so did they, and I have seen times when they weren't aware of things that seemed like common knowledge to me. I don't think it's necessary to send a kid to church in order to have that knowledge, but you have to put some real effort into it if you don't.

just like water, we just have to seek our own level.

I remember a line, one of my favorite lines from a movie, from Demi Moore's "G.I. Jane when she was told by her senior officer, "lieutenant, seek life elsewhere!"

we must be honest and do not care what others will think or say about us.

would Edmund Burke's quote fit in to what you said about people with brains? or maybe the one by Albert Einstein?

All the religious people are victims themselves. They have believe all the lies that have been planted in their brain very early. now they became stupid. no matter what they can not hear or see logic. I feel sorry for them.

That's pretty cool, I wish I could say the same. Congratulations

That's very cool. I too, have 4 that are all non religious. I simply introduced them to as many cultures as I could, encouraged the study of history and human nature. I'm proud of them.

How would you address the fact that every other week his mother is dragging him to a rather involved judgemental Christian church?

@RobInRealLife Show him a George Carlin video about god.

What do you think made the difference between those who remained in the church and those who got a clue?

@MarqG That's a great question. Part of it, I believe, is not having confidence in themselves and fear of the finality of death. There may have been a certain comfort in old traditions and beliefs. My father, let it be known at every family gathering that religion was the cause of violence and hatred, now and historically and had the facts to back it up. He was a great student of all the religions of the world both current and ancient. There was no arguing the factual basis of his arguments. Some people just need to believe in something more than facts.

Teaching a child the NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP prEyer IF I SHOULD DIE B4 I WAKE lies is equal to 72 virgin promises to suicide bombers. ....terrorist faiths in action

that would be just like walking on a thin line

I say same thing as you, you are a smart young man.

that's great!

pardon Mr.MartinKen, religion also happen to teach values and ethics, just take the good or what you believe to be good for the kids. But I don't agree in teaching them to be religious just "to fit in"

I agree with you my mother did not make me religious just to fit in she left it up to me

Is God the truth?? don't think so.

So often we find out that kids are smarter than we think.

I tend to agree. When my mother tried to force me to go to Sunday school, I was so lucky my father was able to talk her down. She went ballistic when I asked her why I should go & listen to a bunch of crazy nonsense that was obviously not true. At age 9 I already knew that I was an atheist.

Love how you said,” dead beat father.” Lol

Very much like my own approach. I absolutely let go of hoping she would grow up to be an atheist. I let her go to church when she wanted to, I didn't really push atheism, although I owned up to it. I told her from an early age to observe and think and figure out what she believed. That it would be wrong for me to decide for her. Well, she went through her Mormon phase. Her high school was thick with them, so go figure. And then one day she just went, Nope, and has identified as an atheist ever since. Now she's raising kids with the same philosophy. that she has to let their brains and consciences lead them to their own truth.

Please don't. Your kids are way too young to even EXPOSE them to any religion let alone you GUIDING them to one. Think about it. They'll choose when it's time.