Can Atheists Be Parents?

[Dye Tied (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Dymphna

Probably, but we aren't talking about religious institutions, we are talking about "God" or "gods" which is much, much different than the human beings who created churches and organized religion.

We are talking about the fact the atheists can have morals and ethics, like so called good christians do, without some religion telling them what to believe is the one truth.

[Dymphna]

Originally Posted by Dye Tied

We are talking about the fact the atheists can have morals and ethics, like so called good christians do, without some religion telling them what to believe is the one truth.

There are people who don't believe in religion, yet DO believe in a god.

I said nothing about morals or ethics. I never said recognizing the existence of a god had anything to do with having or not having morals and ethics.

Organized religion was created to teach a standardized set of morals and ethics. For example, Judeo-Christian religion teaches how big a stick a man can use to beat his wife. My statement that I don't believe in Atheism has nothing to do with morals, ethics or organized religion.

[smoothmarine187]

Originally Posted by Dymphna

There are people who don't believe in religion, yet DO believe in a god.

I said nothing about morals or ethics. I never said recognizing the existence of a god had anything to do with having or not having morals and ethics.

Organized religion was created to teach a standardized set of morals and ethics. For example, Judeo-Christian religion teaches how big a stick a man can use to beat his wife. My statement that I don't believe in Atheism has nothing to do with morals, ethics or organized religion.

So basically, you believe in god but not religion. If that is correct then how are you going to get into heaven? How do you know what you need to do in order to get there?

[Dymphna]

Originally Posted by smoothmarine187

So basically, you believe in god but not religion. If that is correct then how are you going to get into heaven? How do you know what you need to do in order to get there?

Actually, I do believe in organized religion. I just respect those who don't.

I also said nothing about heaven. You don't have to believe in heaven to believe in a god. What about religions that believe in reincarnation?

[smoothmarine187]

Originally Posted by Dymphna

Actually, I do believe in organized religion. I just respect those who don't.

I also said nothing about heaven. You don't have to believe in heaven to believe in a god. What about religions that believe in reincarnation?

You believe in your own variation of god that suits your lifestyle and makes you happy. I do the same thing by not believeing in one at all

[Dye Tied (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Dymphna

There are people who don't believe in religion, yet DO believe in a god.

I said nothing about morals or ethics. I never said recognizing the existence of a god had anything to do with having or not having morals and ethics.

Organized religion was created to teach a standardized set of morals and ethics. For example, Judeo-Christian religion teaches how big a stick a man can use to beat his wife. My statement that I don't believe in Atheism has nothing to do with morals, ethics or organized religion.

The question was "Can Atheists Be Parents." If the answer is NO, then why? If the answer is YES, then why??

[CRoyal]

Good find on pointing out the article is from 1970. I would like to think this would not be an issue in 2008.. Maybe in the DEEP south, but it wouldn't go far.

I am a self-proclaimed Agnostic.. I do, however, see religion as a valuable reinforcement tool for setting moral values that should be taught in the home. I by no means see every word in the 'good book(s)' as rules for life but would like to take the positive aspects and teachings out to use as well as my own set of morals and beliefs when raising a kid..

No WAY does a lack of a belief in a 'higher being' make a parent unfit to raise a child.

[Dymphna]

Originally Posted by smoothmarine187

You believe...

You missed the point. I haven't told you what I believe. AND given that you have made this whole argument about organized religion, rather than about God/a god/a higher power...I'm gonna guess that rather than "choosing" to not believe in a higher power is more about rejection how organized religion has defined it.

[Dymphna]

Originally Posted by Dye Tied

The question was "Can Atheists Be Parents." If the answer is NO, then why? If the answer is YES, then why??

That may be the original topic of the thread, but what does that have to do with anything? I answered that question...it's none of the state's business what religion someone has.

[mAlice (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Dymphna

You AND given that you have made this whole argument about organized religion,

So what? You were the first person to bring agnostics into it. Are you suggesting you're the only one who can go off topic? I don't even know why you're a part of this discussion, because you're not discussing the topic.