So I got a 7 year old, Easter is coming up soon and he wants to know is Jesus really real and will he visit. I'm not sure how to give him an answere. They have been learning about Jesus and Easter at school :/
"Jesus visiting"??? It sounds like he is confusing jesus with santa claus, lol!
You can encourage independent thought by asking him questions that spur the thought process. I.e. What do you think? What evidence do you see about a god? Why do you think others believe in a god?
I think it's key to let him know it's his choice to believe what he wants.
Also very tough for him to avoid criticism or ridicule from other children, if he expresses a non-belief at a young age. Difficult situation for sure.
I would personally just tell him/her what you believe and why and leave him with the choice. if he/she is old enough to ask an honest question I think its only right you give him your honest answer. remember a lie has to last forever. this is not advice and obviously, your choice to make. the truth will come out in the end. its what I did with the 2 boys I brought up and they are both none believers but I never told them what to be.
I would first be concerned about what type of school my child is attending that is teaching theological classes to 7 year olds. Then I would tell them that Jesus and the bible are myths from stone age racists and is a dangerous and objectively "evil" book.