How To Keep Your Child From Becoming An Atheist

This image below?has been making the rounds on?social media?lately, and it really hit home with me. Not because I’m an atheist, but because I’m not.

godstop
Source

My readers know that I’m unapologetically Christian Left. I don’t use the platform available to me for proselytizing of any kind. I’m told (and I like to believe) that Christians like me make non-believers a little less disgusted with Christianity. I think that’s making more of an impact than the door-knockers are making, but that’s just my opinion.

I write a lot of articles criticizing fundamentalists and evangelicals. When asked why I do this, my explanation is that it’s because they embarrass me. I feel it’s my responsibility to call out my brothers and sisters in Christ for their lunacy. They make us all ?look stupid. I think those of us who are educated and sane Christians are obligated to hold the kooks accountable. Most certainly, we are obligated to debunk their lies and nonsense.

And here is something else: as a Christian, I’m concerned about them. I think they’re going to have a lot of explaining to do someday…

So when I see things like this image, yes, it hits home. Because this is what so so so so many Christians do to their children. And their women. Keep them stupid. Education is dangerous…dangerous, I tell you! Teach them to fear people who think differently — or look different. Teach them to be ashamed of the bodies and its wondrous functions — the very bodies that God made for them, according to our Holy Book.

I’m a Christian. I’ve always been a Christian. I love my faith, my Holy Book, and my God.?I can’t do “blind faith.” Asking questions strengthens my faith. Science strengthens my faith. The Bible actually tells us to ask questions.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (KJB)

More modern translations of the Bible use the word “test” or “examine” instead of “prove.”

And how about this:

1 Corinthians 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. (NIV)

Unlike some of the kooks in the media, the Lord has never spoken in my ear. I’m no prophet. However, he gave me a brain and the tenacity to break through barriers to understanding, and he never said — anywhere in that book — to keep myself and my children stupid. By my way of thinking, to not use the mind that God gave me is unthinkable. If Christians are going to “cherry-pick” the Bible, then I’m going to cling tightly to those two verses and keep being an informed human being — and Christian — and I’m going to continue to teach my children to do the same.


Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.

 

I had a successful career actively working with at-risk youth, people struggling with poverty and unemployment, and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. In 2011, I made the decision to pursue my dreams and become a full-time writer. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.