Coming from a world where the word itself is not even widely know, the idea of being raised as child without any explanations about the world or comforts to be held, scares me. I always heard on the internet of people leaving their religion as teenagers when they were raised by their parents religiously. Lots of people fall into existentialism, which makes sense to me
But what of a child. I am a very anxious person(as i have come to accept). Being told that there is nothing after death or that no one really knows, would have send me spiraling. That said, logically, people have done it(even if i can't picture it) so i am also wondering how people/parents grappled with this and struggles they faced, what solutions they come up with
Also, on the opposite of the spectrum, what happens when your child converts(?) to a religion. Yes its there choice and all, but i cant imagine there being no resentment or conflicted feeling
21 Jun 2026 19:38
are you saying “god” is a good explanation for the world?
why not tell them the truth? we dont know everything. when we die, unexplainable. thats literally just fact. _you_ might have spiralled but it sounds like youre religious. so that isnt surprising.
But telling them about a god and eternal hellfire if you sin? thats the worst lie you could say
21 Jun 2026 19:40
The joy of not knowing is discovery. I'd rather be told the truth that we don't know, rather than being lied to in certainty.
21 Jun 2026 19:42
without any explanations about the world or comforts to be held
Neither of these require religion.
21 Jun 2026 19:43
I’m a devout atheist and my wife is Christian though she doesn’t ever practice it or go to church. When our son was born we came to the agreement that I would not steer him away from religion and she wouldn’t push it upon him until he was of a decent age to let him decide for himself. He’s 21 now and I still don’t know what he believes nor is it my business but I can tell you it worked for our family.
21 Jun 2026 19:45
Sounds like you have difficulties of your own that you may want work on before concerning yourself with others.
You can't help another sailboat if your own boat isn't stable.
I highly recommend some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - recognizing your own anxiety shows you at least have that awareness. Learning to reframe it will go a long way.
Going through life "as an anxious person" as if that's unchangeable, is no way to live.
21 Jun 2026 19:45
They raise them like anyone else does, by making decisions based on their own ethical, moral, practical frameworks.
21 Jun 2026 19:47
One of the criticisms of being raised in a specific faith is that the children do not choose their faith, they are already in it.
So being raised by an atheist and then choosing a religion would carry more weight and meaning because it was a conscious decision made deliberately by that person.
21 Jun 2026 19:47
A lot of the perceived challenges comes from atheism being a battleground of culture war bullshit in the US. War on Christmas and such vomit.
In reality, kids being raised without indoctrination are fine. They tend to form some beliefs. Some get really deeply christian, and it's not even something to argue about in countries where we aren't constantly being told we should be in conflict about it or reminded how stupid and/or evil the "others" are.
Speaking from experience of christian parents, atheist self, one christian child. We are just... fine about it.
21 Jun 2026 19:47
My experience was the same as it is now: of course I knew I'm gonna die or something but I barely ever thought about it let alone stressed over it ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯
21 Jun 2026 19:50
I find more comfort in the real and tangible human experience. Most of us are caring and social creatures if we let ourselves be.
I think that framework encourages people to become compassionate and kind because they know it's all we have.
At its best, religion adds a layer of coping which is not based in any reality. At its worst, it sets people on a path for alienation and seeing themselves and/or others as less than human (depending on the neuroses and likely trauma).
Dealing with no easy answers throughout your life can bring you to many existential questions and even depression at times but, as long as you have the strength/support/self care to keep and adapt your sense of self, you will be stronger for that introspection.
I choose growth.
21 Jun 2026 19:55
You could also just knowingly lie to them. Christians do that all the time with e.g. Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. IDK if I'd do that, but if you're fine with lying about Santa Claus (which often ends up being scary to children, too, especially when you have people pretend to be Santa), lying about an afterlife seems like a smaller issue.
I grew up in a nonreligious (nominally christian) household, this kind of thing was never an issue for me.
21 Jun 2026 19:55
"the idea of being raised as child without any explanations about the world or comforts to be held, scares me."
What a strange thing to say. What makes you think atheists do this? I tell my children what we know about the world, and what we don't yet know. No need to make up anything short of Santa and the Tooth Fairy, but they grow out of this fast.
"Also, on the opposite of the spectrum, what happens when your child converts(?)"
I can only speak for myself, not atheists, but my kids are encouraged to make up their own minds. I take every opportunity to discuss religion and my kids even go to a catholic school. I consider it essential to understand history art and culture.
That said, they are very comfotable with Atheism and they don't find any of religion comforting, quite the opposite. It's disturbing to them.
21 Jun 2026 19:58
I gave my kids Darkmatter2525 when they were about 8 years old. Cured any Bible BS given to them by religious relatives.
21 Jun 2026 19:58
I still don’t know what he believes nor is it my business
Knowing their child's worldview sounds like it absolutely would be a parent's business. It's pretty central to who someone is as a person. Of course you don't want to force them to tell you, but most people aren't cagey about this if they trust their parents.
21 Jun 2026 19:59
Lemmy
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