A lecture on The God Delusion
By sororravn
@sororravn (448)
United States
March 7, 2008 11:24pm CST
So, I finally got to go see my hero, Richard Dawkins. He did a lecture for ASU's Beyond Center on The God Delusion at Gammage Auditorium. It was really a once in a lifetime experience. One thing that he talked about that really struck a chord with me was why children are automatically assumed to be of the same religion that their parents belong to. I never realized how many times a day that this is done. Think about it yourself. How many times a day do you assume that a child believes the same way that his or her parents believe? I have been guilty of doing this with my own children. I am an atheist and raising my children the same way. I personally think that reason far outweighs any belief in a ghostly daddy sitting in the clouds making sure that we mind our manners. However, my children should not be labeled as atheist children anymore than I should label my neighbors' children as catholic or hindu children. What are your thoughts on this subject?
1 response
@anna728 (1499)
• United States
29 Jun 09
Oh I'm so jealous that you got to see him in person! Well, in any case... I do remember that bit about children and parents in the book. I am almost always assumed to be a Christian just because I'm a blonde, white American. The same is assumed of my family. but I am an atheist, as are both of my parents and both of my grandfathers and some other relatives (the rest are Lutheran). I am more irritated at that sort of assumption than the assumption that children believe the same thing as their parents. There is a good reason why many people do have the same beliefs as their parents.
