Expert: Bob - 1/4/2005

Question
hello.  my fiance and i are both athiest, but we still dont completely agree when it comes to how we will raise our kids.  he thinks we should celebrate christmas, just so the kids dont feel left out.  i think that would make us hipocrits.  he has asked me questions like "what will we tell our kids when their puppy dies, since we can't console them by saying the puppy will go to heaven".  i dont know what to say to that and i cant make him understand my views about being an athiest completely and not just some of the time.  do you know of any literature on athiesm or can you think of anything i can say to convince him?  do you know of any discussion boards online?  thanks a lot :)
-nina.

Answer
Hello Nina,
 First let me start off with a few references.

An informative website with many different resources is:
http://www.positiveatheism.org/index.shtml

The Atheist web, which is an Atheist weblog, discussion area and multiple resources:
http://www.infidels.org/news/atheism/

Also, here is an interesting article about living life as an Atheist:
http://www.irregulartimes.com/further18.html

Now, as to my own comment. I choose to be an Atheist over 25 years ago because after much soul searching and almost two years of research I came to know that it was the truth...Praise be, I have seen the light! Throughout these 25 years I have never wavered in my beliefs, and with time they have only grown stronger. I live my life as a true Atheist, without apologizes to anyone. That said, I also recognize that being an Atheist is a choice that I have made, one that has been right for me but I don't feel that I have a right to make that choice for my child. My own son has been exposed to religion as well as the principles of free thought. In our home we celebrate Christmas like all those around us. I of course do not believe in god so you'll find no nativity scenes in my yard, but Christmas is so very much more than just the standard time to dwell on religious fairy tails. Christmas is about family, togetherness, friendship, charity and above all else giving. If you take my advice I would not get too carried away with attempting to achieve an Atheist nirvana within my household. Be a good honest parent, do not lie to your child, and above all else stress the importance of integrity. Most religious people that I have seen will lie and cheat you at the drop of a hat, it will not take your child long to see through them.
                                   Bob