TLW - I wrote the following in a topic last night, I think. Anyway,
here is my opinion, just my opinion, for what it's worth.

My experience is that those children left to ponder, consider and attain
a spriituality of their own accord, seem to be the most prolific, the
most understanding and the most open minded. These are people who solve
problems, who think about and explore all manner of options in this
world.

This holds true for those who have cast off the more confined and
limiting state of organized religions, for something they find, puts
them in tune, in touch with this world as it is, with it's people as
they are. Though some,still harbor animosity toward the group that made
the journey to this path so difficult. They have grown and become
explorers too.

In no way am I saying that those of organized religions can not be
wonderful, intelligent poeple, it is just my personal experience that
the best development of one's spirituality is found through an
individual series of explorations. To hamper this growth, this feeling
of oneness, of belonging in this universe, with the dogma of an ancient
religion, that only serves to propagate segregation, is to limit the far
ranging adptabilty and inquisitive nature of a growing child.

This is my observation here and it upholds one of those beliefs I did
not list as an atheist. I chose to withhold as, by itself, it seems
confrontational. But here with this explanation I will post a further
belief.

As an atiest I believe:

That religion is not for us to teach.
What is ours to teach is that every individual has the right to find for
themselves, through their own explorations, how they fit into this world
and what they choose to believe.
What is ours to teach is that,

(everything in this world has some value), and (only through respect
of that which is valuable) do we learn and grow.

Once again, just my opinion ~~~ All people, children included, should be
educated & knowledgable of all religions/philosophies.
That is how we make an educated & wise choice. Not everyone chooses the
same path & all choices should be respected.

Red wrote:
“That religion is not for us to teach.
What is ours to teach is that every individual has the right to find for
themselves, through their own explorations, how they fit into this world
and what they choose to believe.”

I agree that religion is not for us to teach and I would never push a
religion onto my children. I will share with them my knowledge of god
though. I mean why wouldn’t I do that?

The god I know has absolutely nothing at all to do with any religion.
By that I simply mean that there is no church to attend, or any rituals
to follow. God genuinely doesn’t care what you believe. Religion just
isn’t important to god at all. God makes no demands or commandments.
God’s love is entirely unconditional in the purest sense. God doesn’t
even care if you’re an atheist. It doesn’t matter to god.

Once my children came to know the real living god they simply wouldn’t
have any interest in studying any religion. Why bother?

Hmmm, what will be interesting, I think, is when it comes down to
details. Why not raise the child with both religions, not saying either
is wrong. I think the kid may end up surprising you, pointing out
"differences" like, "this one's music is better", or "I don't like all
the kneeling, standing and sitting without Simon says in front of it."

In my experience, most of the "rules" of religion are the same. What is
the difference between a seventh day adventist and a baptist- besides
jewelry?

I agree with you Abra.


"The god I know has absolutely nothing at all to do with any religion."

Religion is just mans explaination of God that is understandable to us.
But with so many different religions, they all contradict each other,
thus setting in confussion.

For anyone else,
Why would God want to confuse us? (with religions)
I don't think that He would. (religion is man made not god made)

when the children begin to ask about religion take them to a different
church every week..and watch their response...