*shrug* Pascal's Wager. Although you could always be agnostic

I'm a dad and ex-Catholic. I'm a bit obsessed with Iconography, so there are tons of Figurines of Jesus, Mary the Saints and the like around our house. I tell my kids the bible stories I know because most of them hold a good moral and knowing the history of the Church is knowing the history of Western Civilzation. But by no means am I raising them as "Christian."

I'm not exactly "of no religion" but I don't prescribe to any one...I prescribe to them all. I've been teaching my kids about the different world religions and about the commonalities of them all. The good & bad. I stress teaching and philosophy over dogma and that religion is above all, a personal choice.

I also point out to the kids that religion is and has been one of the primary causes of war, murder and persecution. The eldest has been exposed to many religions and has decided that he believes in Ra. :confused:

Like Miss O said, it's about allowing your children to make their own decision.

Hey, at least he isnt worshipping Set or Anubis....

Our daughter will probably get a mix of light christian (my wife) and scientific views on things. i am crazy darwin guy, but in the end, without time lapse photgraphy of evolution, it cant really be proven, so we plan on teaching everythign with the preface of "Keep an open mind"

Thats a good final point...
'keeping an open mind' :)

I'm not sure about evolution not being proven - there is a huge scientific consensus supporting it, and the time-lapse photography you mention could take the form of fossils as solid evidence. Scientists have fitted these together and formed a pattern.

And I think unless you close your mind around some things, you're in danger of not truly focusing like you should - in this case, if a man has an open mind about what might be after death, he might be more likely to give up living (and start hoping) than a man who knows irrefutably that death is the final, absolute end for you in any form of existence whatsoever.

I dont have any doubt that evolution is the way, BUT despite overwhelming evidence, you have to accpet that it is still circumstantial, in a way.

I get annoyed when they show a paleontologist saying "This dinosaur was active at night". Sure the evidence suggests that it was, but who knows, animals and the world were VERY different 65 million years ago...

i see a lot of evidence of that where people let themselves "lie in the hands of god" forgetting the failsafe rule 'god helps those who help themselves'

a lot of missed opportunity because 'god willed it this way' instead of working for what they need (most often - a relationship with the opposite sex)

reminds me of the joke about the flood....

I've always liked that one. Anyway the main reason I asked is that I know a lot of people who are Christians and if their children grew up anything but they would be dissapointed. In a way based on their beliefs I can understand because they believe their children will go to Hell and you know, that's not good. I was just curious if a parent would be dissapointed in their child for choosing to be a Christian or a Jew because they felt it was wrong but I suppose the parent would have to be anti-religion and not just unreligious.

i honestly would be dissapointed..
it would create a gap in how we understand each other ...

wouldnt love him any less though ..