One thing that really bothers me, though, is how children get religion drilled into their minds. From birth, they are taught to follow whoever it is they're worshipping without question. They are taught that the best form of faith is to not ask questions, which I see as an absolute abomination. It's interesting, though, that even as an atheist, I think that children should be left out of atheism. Children should not be brought into religion at all. We don't bring them into political activity- religion is another thing that they should choose alone. Things such as Kids on Fire (albeit a bit of an extreme example) that scare and guilt kids into upholding certain beliefs disgust me to my core. (I recommend watching the Jesus Camp documentary on YouTube. A couple of people have put it up there in its entirety.)
I'm glad to see that most young atheists seem to be self-made, but I have to admit that it scares me that atheism is growing into an organization. "Organized freethinking" is supposed to be an oxymoron! I've got nothing against humanist and atheist organizations, such as American Atheists and the other atheist/secular organizations around the world, and I'll root for their cause (not oppressing religion, but increasing tolerance for atheists and keeping America both secular and religiously free, who are, as is so well documented, considered less trusted than homosexuals and Muslims)- but honestly, I wouldn't want to be a part of that. I suppose that it's a good thing that some of the people who hold similar views to mine are making themselves heard, but there's a reason why I hold myself as an independent thinker.
Not to say that children shouldn't be taught some of the morals found in religion, however. All people should be taught, from a young age, the basic values that make up our society, such as respect, citizenship, etc.
I can't stop people from teaching their children about things that no one really knows, and I shouldn't, either, but I know that if I breathe a word about religion to my future children, it will be in response to questions that they have. I will encourage them to think on their own, inviting them to learn about as many religious positions as they like, the more the better. Because whether any child of mine is atheist, Christian, pagan, Muslim, Hindu, or agnostic, one major thing is important to me- that my children be free thinkers.
Ylerecnis,
N
