superstring01
Moderator
Atheists don't claim to "know" what happens when you die (unless they are pompous beyond imagination). Admitting ignorance doesn't make one an agnostic. Even Dawkins admits that it is possible that an afterlife and a deity exists, but barring any proof, it is immoral and deceptive to teach that one does.
Simply put, all one need do is explain to children, "Look, all we have is the facts, and the known facts point in the direction of no deity or afterlife. While it's possible, based on what we know it's unlikely especially since no deity or supernatural force has ever shown itself or left any evidence."
I would never lie to my kids about a tooth fairy, santa clause or easter bunny. They are lies and thankfully even my religious parents left most of that crap out of our lives.
Wait. Who are you talking about?
First off, everybody lies. Religious people most of all.
Second off, a child need not be lied to about an afterlife to give her comfort at the time of death. My mother died when I was eleven. I remember no such comfort at the thought of an afterlife, my comfort came from the hugs and kisses of a loving family.
Third off, I don't really have a problem with a well placed lie if it sincerely assuages the pain a person feels. We all tell lies. We all live--somewhat--with false perceptions of the world around us. That's jsut life. Recently we (my younger aunt and I) found out that my deceased grandfather's will left the same percentage to a non-relative that he did to his only surviving daughters. My eldest aunt always lamented her father's distant, cold feelings would have been devastated by this fact. We lied to her and told her that her 16.5% of the estate was the largest. Why not? She's 65 years old. Has suffered for the past seven years since my grandfather died.
To quote my grandmother: "What do you hope to get by the actions you are taking?"
Be honest about what?
You're an idiot.
And, yes. I recently told my niece that I do not believe in any god or heaven or hell. It's one thing to say, "Sorry little girl, there is no god." It's another to say, "While I respect your opinions and beliefs; I, personally, do not believe in such things. Life leads us to many conclusions; that's the best part of life."
What "boldness" does it take to spew utter nonsense and lies about god?
It takes no more or no less boldness to tell them the truth: "Everybody has a right to an opinion. That's the most basic human right. I have concluded that there is no god or afterlife. Make the best of this life. Be the best person you can be. It's all you're likely to get."
~String
