What to tell a child…

It’s just that to me religion is a direct result of the society you grew up in.  If you are Chinese you are Buddhist if are American you are Christian.  The fact that there are so many religions means that we have no way of knowing that there is one ‘true’ religion.  You simply have no way of knowing you picked the right one. 

I saw in you the struggle I have had about what to tell a child when you are not a believer.  I think telling them exactly what you think is the best thing to do.  Don’t make up some story.  Don’t tell them everything is fine.  Tell them you don’t know and that you wish you did.  Tell them you are afraid of death.  But don’t tell them that means nothing happens when you die.  There are SO many possibilities when you die.  That is what is so cool about life and science.  Reality is a strange and wonderful thing.  Study it!  Every day you should wake up and think, “Holy crap! I am alive! I can laugh and joke and make the world a better place for the future!”  That is the cool reality we live in!  Rejoice in the excitement of not knowing what is ahead over the horizon!  Inspire in your child the excitement about what it is all about.  Maybe he can figure it out?!!  It is an excitement like a child has when they are about to open a present.  Nervous, spectacular surprise and enjoyment when the packaging comes off!  Ask them what they think.  Learn from them!  You will do your child a world of good if you give them this sense of wonderment about it all.

~ by kermittheagnostic on October 15, 2007.