Verified answer

When a child begins to 'hope' for something and they are told there is no God. They will wonder where hope comes from. Hope springs eternal. How can you tell an innocent child that what is springing up through them does not exist? (IMO) I believe this happened to me. I was not brought up in a Christian home but I trusted Christ as an adult. The 'eternal' concepts refused to be squelched by non-believers in my case. Sadly, though, this may not be the case for all children and is probably why we see so many of the situations we see in schools across our country. With the absence of hope; nothing matters, does it?

Socialisation or the lack of has a negative effect on a childs developing brain - what they are taught, however does not. There is evidence that individuals who practice some form of religiosity or mindfulness meditation (prayer) are more resilient when it comes to adaptation to stress and recovery from illness. As well in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) one of the elements to treatment is that the client has hope. By teaching a child there is no god is no different than teaching a child there is one. At some point all children rebel against their parents and try to decide for themselves. They may hate their parents either way for the things they were made to believe. There is no hidden agenda, parents want the best for their children (most of the time) and so will teach them accordingly. Their brain will develop best in an atmosphere of love and acceptance with or without an Almighty Creator.

Like what?

I fail to see what positive benefits theistic beliefs have on children that could not be replicated in an atheist household. Morality, respect for other people, love, imagination, wonder about the universe, etc., all these things are not foreign to an atheist. We just don't attribute it to some higher power, but rather find value in the world for it's own sake. Our lives have just as much meaning as anyone else's; atheism isn't a dark, lifeless, hopeless belief system (as some make it out to be, not accusing the asker of anything). In addition, being raised in such a household can instill in children the importance of analysis and investigation; rather than taking things at face value, finding out the mechanics and meaning behind what they experience can be a positive.

It's the same as in any other house; the child will develop within a framework set by the parents. As long as it's a positive framework based on love, respect, and firm moral principles, I don't see why theism or atheism would have any developmental effects.

... No, why would there be?

Keep in mind that atheism is the default setting for any human being. There is nothing to suggest that the human brain NEEDS religion to develop properly. Atheism is a neutral belief, so it has no real effect. The only way it would have an effect is if a child was asking about God after hearing it somewhere and atheist parents told the child that God doesn't exist.

Theistic beliefs are more likely to have negative effects. At such a young age when children are so impressionable, presenting theistic beliefs to them as fact can lead them to grow up to believe them as fact rather than belief.

No belief should be presented as fact. Ever.

Are you really asking a legitimate question, or are you insinuating that atheism is damaging to children?

EDIT: Not trying to be rude, just trying to understand what you are getting at. I must say, the way you phrased your question sounds a bit insulting. Is it because you are insulting atheists? Is it because your question was not phrased ideally? Or is it because I am overly sensitive? I don't know, which is why I'm trying to dig a little deeper here. thnx

If I were to ask you, "Is Christianity bad for children?" would you not feel insulted? Or at least wonder if you were being insulted?

EDIT 2: Lol, I guess we could quibble over the exact phrasing all day, or I could just answer your question: No, I do not think atheism is bad for children. Nor do I think believing in a diety is bad for children.

Maybe the only bad thing is they will lose the "security blanket" of having an off-the-shelf belief system, and will have to deal with the concept that dead-means-dead and that grandpa isn't watching you from heaven.

On the plus side though, the child will benefit from lack of brain washing and will be allowed to develop their own questions and answers to the wonderful world they live in. If they adopt the scientific method then they will realise that the world is an even more wonderful place *because* there is no god, and at how lucky we all are to live here. They will also realise that humans do a lot of bad things to other humans, animals and the world, in the name of religion.

Realising that responsibility comes from within, and not because of some watcher-on-high who will send you to eternal damnation is also a good thing. The world needs more people that take responsibility for their actions, and don't rely on imaginary friends to win the argument.

Well, if you consider not believing in deities negative, then that would be it.

Other than that... I don't think so. I teach both atheist and religious kids, and the only difference I see is that some atheist kids just can't shut up about how there are no gods, while religious kids generally know when to shut up about their gods.

Ideology is less important than how it is taught, and how children are given possibilities to explore for themselves. In these dimensions religious and non-religious parents make mistakes or excel similarly, as do teachers.

If you wanted honest and constructive debate, you would have also asked 'what are the positive effects of atheist beliefs...?' or 'what are the negative effects of religious beliefs...?'

As it is, it sounds like you're just trying to stir up trouble.

Edit*- You ask it all together if you're truly after debate. 'What are the negatives of THIS and the positives of THIS?' or 'What are the negatives of THIS and the negatives of THAT?' You singled out the negative efftects in regards to atheism. The implication in such a phrasing is that there are inherent negatives to atheist beliefs and/or no negatives to theist beliefs.

Obviously if atheist parents say horrible things about other people around their kid, that kid is going to be messed up in the head, but that's unlikely to have anything to do with their atheism. Parents who demonise other ways of life are crappy parents whatever they believe.

I was brought up without religious beliefs and it doesn't seem to have done me any harm. I'm a massive nerd, and I think perhaps the fact that I never experienced hardcore religious beliefs helped me express that, so maybe my family's lack of religion is indirectly responsible for my geekery :P But I don't think a lack of religious belief is in itself harmful to children.

Edit (at Kat17): "Many athiests have switched over to being christians. If athiesm is SO totally true then why are so many of you becoming christians after being introduced to God???"

Really? Name some. Anyway, who are the ones insisting that they're right? Douchebags, that's who. Atheists don't have a monopoly on douchebaggery.

God made the Bible to help us. All athiests think they're fine, but they don't really know.

Haven't you noticed that christians live more healthy, stable lives than others who don't believe in God...? We are stable in our socail lives, grades, work, and family life. We also have stronger values for ourselves. It's b/c there is a special place in a person's heart that only The Lord can fill. Many people who do not follow God try to fill his place w/ many different things (such as money, alcohol, sexual obsesion, even little things such as video games). God's Book is more than a book w/ a bunch of rules...it's love and devotion and peace and MUCH more.

so, yes, I think athiesm DOES ruin a child b/c (even though they may not think it--they may beleive they're perfectly fine) they do not grow w/ the same love and understanding that christian children do.

P.S. christianity is not a "RELIGION"....it's a path.

P.S.S. Many athiests have switched over to being christians. If athiesm is SO totally true then why are so many of you becoming christians after being introduced to God???

P.S.S.S. Do you really think this place we live on is just a coincidence? That a bunch of molecules gathered together in the galaxy and blew apart?

How could there BE anything at all without a God?