atheist/agnostic tribe - Page 9

[Tangled Hill]

Originally Posted by expat-mama

YES! Yay "NON-BELIEVERS"- DH and I cheered and were so surprised to hear that! Great great great.

I was watching the live stream on MSNBC's site, and as soon as I heard those words, I clapped and squeaked and smiled a huge, goofy grin. I'm sure I was quite the picture. Luckily, no one was around.

[jaidymama]

I felt it was OK for Obama to have a ceremony that included the beliefs he has. HOWEVER, I did not agree for the clergymen to have referenced the entire nation as if we are all the same... there was a statement like we are all here establishing your kingdom on earth... Um, well I'm not.

Historically speaking (and I think it can be forgotten by Christians, they just think they were in on it from the beginning), the did not used to swear in the president with a bible (according to my husband). And the whole prayer was a recent addition as well.

I wish there were another label besides NON believer. As far as I'm concerned, there are things I believe in... it's just not what they believe. So it's like I'm being described by what they are not... Just think if he had prayed for the white non colored people. But I suppose I should just be happy that he acknowledges there are more people than the Christians in this country.

THanks for the book links. I don't suppose I would find those in my local library!

[Tangled Hill]

Originally Posted by jaidymama

I wish there were another label besides NON believer. As far as I'm concerned, there are things I believe in... it's just not what they believe. So it's like I'm being described by what they are not... Just think if he had prayed for the white non colored people. But I suppose I should just be happy that he acknowledges there are more people than the Christians in this country.

My brother and I discussed this at length. We're not happy with the term either, for the same reasons you mentioned, but we decided he (or the speech writers?) probably labored over what term to use, trying to offend as few people as possible (and trying to continue to appear just as xian as everyone wants him to be). I think it was almost certainly a compromise.

I didn't hear the prayers, as I just muted the computer when they were on.

[jspring0308]

As my own little protest against all the prayers and God Bless America broohaahaa I actually turned the t.v. off while the prayers were being said.

I don't like non-believer either (even though it pretty much fits me to a T)b/c I think it sounds negative but I truly do appreciate that Obama and his writers bothered to include us! I was sitting there as he was going through the different religions saying to my nursling "and non-religious people" and then he included me and I whooped, totally startling baby!

[christifav]

Originally Posted by expat-mama

Hello Atheists and Agnostics!

A while ago we were talking about books either to guide us in raising our children as free-thinkers and compassionate, moral and respectful atheists/agnostics or for the kids themselves. I found a few books for kids recently while browsing some humanist websites. Here they are and they look awesome, can't wait to get them. I think they are for older kids (pre-teen or teen), but I think reading them to younger kids could introduce some concepts and ideas that would be beneficial if you guide them along.

What About Gods?

Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids

Maybe Right, Maybe Wrong: A Guide for Young Thinkers

Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young Skeptics


If anyone has read these books let me know how you liked them. Reading the descriptions and reviews on Amazons has made me really excited to read them. They're on my wish list for now.

Add to that list: Dale McGowan’s new book, Raising Freethinkers: A Practical Guide for Parenting Beyond Belief, has finally been released!

[Theoretica]

Originally Posted by expat-mama

Hello Atheists and Agnostics!

A while ago we were talking about books either to guide us in raising our children as free-thinkers and compassionate, moral and respectful atheists/agnostics or for the kids themselves. I found a few books for kids recently while browsing some humanist websites. Here they are and they look awesome, can't wait to get them. I think they are for older kids (pre-teen or teen), but I think reading them to younger kids could introduce some concepts and ideas that would be beneficial if you guide them along.

What About Gods?

Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids

Maybe Right, Maybe Wrong: A Guide for Young Thinkers

Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young Skeptics


If anyone has read these books let me know how you liked them. Reading the descriptions and reviews on Amazons has made me really excited to read them. They're on my wish list for now.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

I'm heading to the bookstore tomorrow to get these...DD has been asking lots of questions lately and this helps tremendously!

[Tangled Hill]

Oh, wow - I just found ten issues of Free Inquiry magazine from when I was a kid! They range from the winter 1986 issue to the fall 1990 issue. How cool! They've been sitting out in my garage for years, I guess. Wish I'd known they were out there sooner. Oh, well. I'm certainly gonna have a fun weekend!

:

[Karamom]

subbing

[Susana]

I'm here.
after several years of trying my darndest to trade catholicism for wicca, I've just decided to go with my gut.

I'm an atheist who really digs and honors the planet. Well hell, the whole universe for that matter.

both of my parents died in 2008 and for the life of me, I want so badly to cling to a belief system that promises me that they are still somehow around me and that I will see them again someday. Try as I may, I really don't believe it.

I feel relief in acknowledging my atheism. Just because I don't believe in god, or gods, or goddesses doesn't mean I'm not connected with all life here on Earth, and I can celebrate that.

nice to meet everyone here.

[Tangled Hill]

Originally Posted by Susana

Just because I don't believe in god, or gods, or goddesses doesn't mean I'm not connected with all life here on Earth, and I can celebrate that.

Welcome to the tribe!! And to you for all you've gone through this past year.

[jaidymama]

So what do you do or ask your child to do while everyone else is praying or saying grace before a meal? We have family who we eat with about once a month, and they say their prayers. I respect their choices, and their rituals. Yet obviously my son knows nothing about prayer. I'm not someone who is looking to be controversial. However, I don't think I'm going to ask my son to pretend to pray. We did ask him to sit quietly, however, it's usually that the food is in front of him while they pray so he eats while they pray...

What do you do, or what do you think is the best way to handle this with ease and tact?

[Karamom]

I've heard of atheist families who will sit for a minute and just think about how thankful they are for the food. Is he old enough to do this?

[jaidymama]

ha! we are at the super picky stage, so being thankful might be a practical challenge since getting him to eat seems to be a challenge at times. However, I like the idea of practicing it so that he will at least get there someday.

[Tangled Hill]

How old is your little one? Mine is nearly eleven, so I'm sure it's quite a bit different for us. Anyway, when we get together with extended family on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, son sits quietly with his eyes down or closed while they say their prayer. I do the same thing. I don't remember teaching him this. When he was little, I think I just tried to keep him quiet while they prayed, but at some point, he started doing it on his own. Of course, I think he's known about Christianity and prayer since he was four, or so. I just really don't remember. Big lot of help I am, huh?

Recently (like within the past few years), he's prided himself on respecting other people's beliefs, so he listens quietly as his great grandmother tells him how wonderful Heaven is. He realizes it would break her heart to know we don't subscribe to her beliefs, so he pretends. He doesn't do this with everyone - just her. She's 95, and I think it's probably a good idea not to get her worried or stressed about our eternal souls, so I'm cool with it. I guess I sort of do the same thing by nodding and agreeing with her.

But with the praying, I think maybe just telling him that they're being thankful for the food they're about to eat and that everyone sits quietly for a minute might be enough to do the trick.

[hollyvangogh]

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sD0B-X9LJjs

I enjoyed this, wanted to share.

[Theoretica]

Ok so the local bookstores don't have the books listed above. I knew I was in fundieville but this is a bit much. I did find them on Amazon and will order them. I just ordered Parenting Beyond Belief and the workbook to go with it so I'm at my Amazonian Limit for this pay period LOLOL

BUT...I went to our library and they don't have anything either??

A LIBRARY?? With nothing on atheism and parenting?? Not even Secular Parenting.

Now, put in RELIGIOUS parenting and there's 90 titles. Seriously.

I asked if I could donate some and they said all donated books go to the book sale, NOT to the shelves.



Infuriating.

[Contrariety]

Originally Posted by jaidymama

So what do you do or ask your child to do while everyone else is praying or saying grace before a meal? We have family who we eat with about once a month, and they say their prayers. I respect their choices, and their rituals. Yet obviously my son knows nothing about prayer. I'm not someone who is looking to be controversial. However, I don't think I'm going to ask my son to pretend to pray. We did ask him to sit quietly, however, it's usually that the food is in front of him while they pray so he eats while they pray...

What do you do, or what do you think is the best way to handle this with ease and tact?

DS is still too young to understand "Sit still. Please be respectful and quiet."

So for now, I mostly just try and keep him distracted enough by eating something that he doesn't whoop and holler during the prayer. As he gets older, I will teach him to do as I do. I sit still. I am respectful. I am quiet.

I do not bow my head. I do not fold my arms or clasp my hands. If possible, I steer clear of the kitchen or dining area before the prayer is said to avoid the awkwardness.

[Contrariety]

Originally Posted by Theoretica

A LIBRARY?? With nothing on atheism and parenting?? Not even Secular Parenting.

Now, put in RELIGIOUS parenting and there's 90 titles. Seriously.

I asked if I could donate some and they said all donated books go to the book sale, NOT to the shelves.



Infuriating.

My library has an overwhelming amount of LDS (I live in Utah) religious books as well as fiction books... and next to nothing for anyone else... not even Catholic books, even though there is a pretty decent latino population in my area.

I can get most books I want through the state's inter-library loan program, though.

[MrsRefney]

Originally Posted by Theoretica

Ok so the local bookstores don't have the books listed above. I knew I was in fundieville but this is a bit much. I did find them on Amazon and will order them. I just ordered Parenting Beyond Belief and the workbook to go with it so I'm at my Amazonian Limit for this pay period LOLOL

BUT...I went to our library and they don't have anything either??

A LIBRARY?? With nothing on atheism and parenting?? Not even Secular Parenting.

Now, put in RELIGIOUS parenting and there's 90 titles. Seriously.

I asked if I could donate some and they said all donated books go to the book sale, NOT to the shelves.



Infuriating.

It's like that here, as well. I can't even find current events books written by "liberal" authors. All teh Rush and Ann you can devour, but that's it.

[*CM*]

Hi! I'm just joinging this thread and so excited to see that there is a group of agnostic moms out there to chat with!

I enjoy reading Dale McGowan's blog and can't wait to get out and get his new book.

Theoretica, is it possible to request that your library purchase the book you are looking for? The library I went to before we moved had a process through which patrons could request certain materials. I don't know if they needed a certain number of requests for th same item before they'd get it, but you could always call and ask your library if they have a system set up for requests.