I won't bring in the god issue. That is not my place. I simply introduce things for them to think about in hopes that it will help them to be curious and open-minded. When they are old enough, I will be able to be open to them about my non-belief.

@SeaGreenEyez It is not my place to talk to them about god because my daughters are believers. At this point, I simply promote science and critical thinking. When they are older I can have the "god" talk with them.

Heck, I am not even fully out of the closet with my kids. They think I am an on-the-fence agnostic. They don't know I absolutely do not believe in any gods. After my elderly parents are no loner a concern, I will come clean with them about the extent of my non-belief.

And, about what you said: " all things are energy" stuff. That's indoctrination in it's own right. Unless they're exposed to multiple theories and allowed to choose for themselves, it's all just mind-shaping.)

Excuse me, but ALL THINGS ARE ENERGY--that is proven science. Energy becomes matter, matter becomes energy. Energy is never created nor does it die, it simply takes a different form.

What I said to them conveyed NOTHING about whether or not there is an eternal soul, a god, or heaven (none of which I believe in); nor do I believe this energy has any consciousness/will/volition.

I simply told them was has been scientifically proven.

@Joanne My late partner questioned why 2 of her kids turned to religion when she was a lifelong atheist and the family life non-religious. She then realized the most important thing is to plant seeds of always asking questions and challenging conventional wisdom's.

@Joanne "an on-the-fence agnostic. "
Whoops....

@twill It isn't that I think that way about those who identify as agnostic. That is how my daughter sees it. She thinks that I just have doubts that there actually is a god and that, deep down, I probably know there really is one. She does not know the full extent of my non-belief.

@Joanne Sorry to hear that. My daughter was kidnapped (at 8 yo) by her mother along with her alcoholic boyfriend. I lost track of her for 20 years but we finally reunited. Unfortunately, my daughter has the religion of her mother. She knows I am atheist and when there was an FFRF convention in LA (near where she lives) we spent time together and she even went into the hotel where the convention was held. We really didn't talk about religion. However, my late partner was upfront with her atheism and my daughter immediately took to her. She was around when my partner, Parvin, was dying and opted for the Death with Dignity program. She smiled all throughout the process and asked for lots of visitors only no prayers or tears. My daughter said she was upbeat and smiling during the day but cried at night. This kind of bravery in facing a death with no illusions of immortality must have left a big impression on my daughter. I think it is just the opposite of your daughter in that my daughter is now the one with doubts.

@JackPedigo I have held off any deep conversations with my daughters until after I no longer have to be concerned about my parents: they are worried enough already. Even my mother, who has dementia, has her moments of worrying about whether I believe in Jesus.

I hope what I say will stick with them; and, they will know when I die, that I died a non-believer. They will have to ask themselves if they truly think I deserve to spend an eternity in hell just because I didn't believe in their god.

@Joanne It's really a shame when religion cuts off communication. Atheists, for the most part don't care if some family members are religious so why should the religious care about others being non believers?? I think it might be because their faith is based on everyone agreeing. One 'doubting Thomas' throws a real monkey wrench in their ' shaky 'faith.'

@JackPedigo It' s especially hard to accept that someone who was a true believer can become an atheist. They typically start with the "you were never a true believer" crap; or think someone is just angry, or confused, or mislead, and will make their way back.

Well, I have never once felt a "god hole" or any type of angst since I became an atheist. And, during my journey, I prayed like crazy for this god to not let me get led astray. Given I am now an atheist, and happier for it, I can only say that either this god does not exist, or it does not care, or know , what I think or believe. I, of course, subscribe to it not existing.

@Joanne This story is common among us atheists. I was brought up Catholic but the church was never a problem. My parents were not overtly devout and, even though we went to parochial school there was never any issues with the nuns or priests. A period of learning (European History) and a single incident opened my eyes and, like you, never missed it. My late partner never believed and shoe helped my become radicalized (and I helped her become radicalized about vegetarianism).
I think the fact that more are leaving religion and they are becoming more the 'norm' is driving the surge away from religion. The religious are becoming desperate hence the fight to take back what they thought was their monopoly.
Out of 7 kids 6 are atheist and all the spouses (except one) are likewise atheist. My dad would not be happy be he is long gone.