You’re right there are always exceptions. It wasn’t my intention to blanket all atheists or all theists, but rather the majority. Most theist parents teach their children to follow the same religion. I don’t think most atheist parents do that. I think most simply teach their children to think logically and critically and hope they apply those lessons to every aspect of their lives.

But yes there are exceptions, and even atheist parents who don’t intentionally raise their children to be atheists, there’s still the likelihood of the parent’s beliefs rubbing off unintentionally. Same goes for theist parents who don’t intend to indoctrinate their children with their own beliefs.

I haven’t run across the kid yet who hasn’t said, “Oh, okay,” even when they were very religious. Some have added, “Oh, that’s bad. You’ll go to hell.” I just smile and say, “Well, that’s up to God to decide, isn’t it?” They always laugh or grin and say yeah and then aren’t particularly worried that I’m not particularly worried.

Of course, I admit that while I have religious friends, they’re liberals. If I said this to some fundy nut’s kid, there could be hell (on earth, pun intended) to pay.

One thing I would like to point out is that kids of a very young age often like the safety and security that religion offers. The world is a frightening place and things happen for reasons they don’t understand. They are just not ready for the truth that we live in an uncaring, dangerous world. They feel safer knowing that there is a father figure up there in the sky that is watching over them and who loves them. If something bad happens to them, they go on living in a safe and wonderful place.

Even out side of the parent’s objections, it may not be the best idea to shatter this safe world view at this age. Be the fun uncle and don’t turn just everything into a teaching opportunity. But sneak it in when you can make it fun. Teach him a few magic tricks. Because magic teaches that not everything is really the way it looks. Plant the seeds, but don’t try and force them to grow too fast.

I would not try and shatter his world at this age. Build up trust and love and later, like the age of rebellion at 13 or so, you can have the god talk.

You get bonus points from his parents for encouraging Bible study, and the kid gets an opportunity for critical thought.

Eventually if he is in regular contact with the child and the child is being strongly indoctrinated, he will be cornered in such a way as to have to give a response of some kind.

Some ideas to consider:

Obliqueness: “God loves me, doesn’t he?” “You certainly have a lot to be grateful for. Be sure to thank your parents when you see them tonight. They’ll love it!”

Subtlety: “Good thing God held the rain back until we got here.” “I wonder what the people out there getting wet are thinking.”

Gentle humor: “Isn’t Jesus great?” “What did he do this time?”

He is accepted despite his open atheism…

Presumably, this means he won’t be expected to lie about or hide his beliefs, if directly asked. Thus, we have one more:

Agnosticism: “Do you think God is real?” “I don’t think so, but nobody really knows for sure.”

I do wonder however how a supportive atheist relative should handle god-talk from a child not directly under their care. What is the appropriate response when the child inevitably parrots to you “Isn’t Jesus great uncle ct?” or “God loves kids doesn’t he?”. Eventually if he is in regular contact with the child and the child is being strongly indoctrinated, he will be cornered in such a way as to have to give a response of some kind. I hope “ct” is good at thinking on his feet.

Still, even though the family may be “all about church” now, it doesn’t sound like it’s a deeply fundie family. He is accepted despite his open atheism, and apparently this new zeal is due to the birth of the child. Not altogether uncommon that people who drift away from a church feel a sudden desire to reconnect out of a feeling that the child have a solid moral education (and an ignorance that leads them to believe this can only be obtained in a church).

Seems the difference between atheists and theists is that atheists don’t raise their children to be atheists, we don’t shove our nonbelief down their throat and force them to read atheistic materials…etc.

Not true – there are atheists who brainwash their children into accepting the same worldview, politics, etc. as them, and there are plenty of liberal theists who don’t feel it necessary to indoctrinate their children. There are also various levels of “indoctrination” and someone who makes their kids go to church is a far cry from someone who constantly tells them that they’re a sinner and only God can save them from Hell.

Anyway, good answer, Richard, and it’s one that could equally apply to a concerned liberal theist family member in the same situation.

You could do the same with your nephew. Just let him know where you stand on religious matters. Let him know that your thought process is “out there” and an option in life. You might plant the seeds for him for later in life even though he is now wrapped up in church with his mother…