Comments on: Failure http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/ by Hemant Mehta Sun, 27 May 2012 18:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Roe http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-156320 Roe Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:30:13 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-156320 My mother was/is disappointed in me and my atheism, however we still have a good relationship. <strong>Drew</strong>, Guilt? Really? The only people that should feel guilty are your parents. Having children is a wholly selfish act and then to berate them for not following in your footsteps is just mean. Stop breeding there are too many of us, Adopt: "I don't want to bring another kid into this world. But how do you argue against loving one that's already here?" My mother was/is disappointed in me and my atheism, however we still have a good relationship.

Drew, Guilt? Really? The only people that should feel guilty are your parents. Having children is a wholly selfish act and then to berate them for not following in your footsteps is just mean.

Stop breeding there are too many of us, Adopt:

“I don’t want to bring another kid into this world. But how do you argue against loving one that’s already here?”

]]> By: bullet http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155892 bullet Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:22:25 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155892 I've tried to explain to my parents for years that it was by listening to them that I learned how to ask questions and think for myself. Even the Catholics who taught me helped me discover and develop the tools that I would ultimately use to deny their most deeply held belief. I finally understood that my parents (especially my mother) cannot think of herself as having any value except as child of God. She cannot separate her innate goodness, compassion and empathy from God and Jesus. It makes me sad and angry. But at least I understand. I’ve tried to explain to my parents for years that it was by listening to them that I learned how to ask questions and think for myself. Even the Catholics who taught me helped me discover and develop the tools that I would ultimately use to deny their most deeply held belief. I finally understood that my parents (especially my mother) cannot think of herself as having any value except as child of God. She cannot separate her innate goodness, compassion and empathy from God and Jesus. It makes me sad and angry. But at least I understand.

]]> By: Drew http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155615 Drew Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:48:51 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155615 Does anyone else feel horribly guilty thinking about how hard their parents take this? I agree with some earlier commenters, on one hand, I wish they understood how much I respect them for teaching us to think for ourselves, which is much more important to me than what religion they tried to teach me growing up. Does anyone else feel horribly guilty thinking about how hard their parents take this? I agree with some earlier commenters, on one hand, I wish they understood how much I respect them for teaching us to think for ourselves, which is much more important to me than what religion they tried to teach me growing up.

]]> By: Polly http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155475 Polly Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:51:14 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155475 In America, I'd say that's a great accomplishment! In America, I’d say that’s a great accomplishment!

]]> By: hoverFrog http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155243 hoverFrog Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:10:12 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155243 I wonder what the four children gave up Christianity for. I wonder what the four children gave up Christianity for.

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155110 Mriana Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:29:53 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155110 I'm not sure how that's a failure. It's sad when parents think it is. I’m not sure how that’s a failure. It’s sad when parents think it is.

]]> By: JimboB http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155078 JimboB Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:05:18 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-155078 My mom tried to raise 4 good little catholic boys. She didn't do very well. I'm an atheist, my first brother is an agnostic, my second brother has Down Syndrome so his religiousity is questionable (but let's say he's catholic by proxy), and my third brother is non-religious, possibly a deist. She claims she must have done something wrong, but I think she did something right. We learned to think for ourselves. That is not a luxury all parents give their children. My mom tried to raise 4 good little catholic boys. She didn’t do very well. I’m an atheist, my first brother is an agnostic, my second brother has Down Syndrome so his religiousity is questionable (but let’s say he’s catholic by proxy), and my third brother is non-religious, possibly a deist.

She claims she must have done something wrong, but I think she did something right. We learned to think for ourselves. That is not a luxury all parents give their children.

]]> By: Amber http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-154955 Amber Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:10:06 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-154955 I applaud whoever can raise 4 kids and have them <em>all</em> turn out atheists. My mom did a pretty good job, I mean, she raised a rampaging blasphemer in the close proximity of around 10 or Southern Baptist churches. I applaud whoever can raise 4 kids and have them all turn out atheists.
My mom did a pretty good job, I mean, she raised a rampaging blasphemer in the close proximity of around 10 or Southern Baptist churches.

]]> By: Phillip http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-154886 Phillip Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:48:19 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-154886 My mom accidentally raised two atheists, one who turned out homosexual. She still tries to get us to go to church . . . My mom accidentally raised two atheists, one who turned out homosexual. She still tries to get us to go to church . . .

]]> By: Linda http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-154872 Linda Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:37:54 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/20/failure/#comment-154872 The problem with much of Christianity is in thinking that somehow it is up to us to influence what others believe. If they (the children) had to give up the "laws" of Christian teachings in order to be true to who they really are, and if that meant having to reject the "religion" altogether, then I would say it could be viewed as success in God's eyes. The problem with much of Christianity is in thinking that somehow it is up to us to influence what others believe. If they (the children) had to give up the “laws” of Christian teachings in order to be true to who they really are, and if that meant having to reject the “religion” altogether, then I would say it could be viewed as success in God’s eyes.

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