Atheist struggling with Santa

[Silly_Girl]

I agree with the OP, in that purposefully creating a lie doesn't seem quite right. But if I go along with that, I better maintain that attitude across the board (Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, pets going to heaven when they die, etc...it gets a bit sticky ).

 

I don't understand the OP's need to equate Santa to Jesus, though. If you really think that Jesus is a complete fabrication, you're buying into a very misguided belief system. Jesus existed.

 

You're right! I do indeed need to consider the tooth fairy and easter bunny, and none of our pets will be going to heaven either

 

And I didn't equate Santa to Jesus, my comparison was with God. And that's my belief system.

[nittygritty]

You're right! I do indeed need to consider the tooth fairy and easter bunny, and none of our pets will be going to heaven either

 

And I didn't equate Santa to Jesus, my comparison was with God. And that's my belief system.

 

You could teach your child the history of Santa Claus when their old enough to understand stories and different traditions. Kindergarten or First Grade maybe? You can also teach your child how Christmas is celebrated in different countries.

 

Santa Claus ? History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts

 

When my kids were growing up, I made a clear distinction between the belief in God and the fun family traditions of Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. Around the age of approx. 8 years old my kids new that I or their Dad was the Santa that filled the stockings on Christmas Eve and brought the unopened big presents from "Santa", the Tooth Fairy that put money under their pillow for a tooth and the Easter Bunny that brought them an easter basket and hid the easter eggs. I also gave my kids (still do) a box of chocolates on Valentines Day. We also carved pumpkins for Halloween and dyed the easter eggs together the day before Easter.

 

My religious beliefs as a Christian is that God and Christ are loving and forgiving. Are your concerns as an Atheist that your kids will believe in God if they believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny? In other words, I'm not clearly understanding what your concerns are?

[Silly_Girl]

My religious beliefs as a Christian is that God and Christ are loving and forgiving. Are your concerns as an Atheist that your kids will believe in God if they believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny? In other words, I'm not clearly understanding what your concerns are?

 

My issue is that old cliché 'God is Santa Claus for grown ups'.

 

I have no time for religion, and don't like how kids are duped by the adults they trust and love in to believing in God and all that entails.

 

If I can be so vehemently anti that stuff then I don't really see how I can be cool with a similar pretence, only a different character.

 

I hope that sorts it - I do want to be understood, so let me know if it still makes no sense

[KathyM]

Because it's now a commercial holiday that everyone participates in.

Not everyone participates in celebrating Christmas. Jewish people don't usually celebrate Christmas. They celebrate Hanukkah, where gifts are exchanged among family members. People of other faiths usually celebrate the traditions of their faith. I don't like how Christmas has become so commercialized, and the true meaning of the holiday becomes lost in the commercial shuffle.

I've grown up celebrating Christmas not because of what is considered "traditional" but because it's a time when all of my family get together, to give gifts, and eat food, and be merry. It's fun.

 

I'm not celebrating the birth of Jesus (which wasn't even thought to be 25th December anyway) but I'm celebrating my family, and my friends, those that I love. That's why I celebrate it.

 

Plus, Christmas doesn't belong to Christians. It was originally a pagan holiday, named The Winter Solstice (I think). So I'm a pagan for a season.

Then why not celebrate the Winter Solstice and call it that? And celebrate the traditions of the Winter Solstice? Why call it Christmas if you don't believe in Christ? I think the commercialization of Christmas has become too much, and the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Christ, becomes diluted in all the commercialization. I kind of feel sorry for kids who are told Santa is real but Jesus is not, and then they get older and find out Santa is not real, but Jesus is (whether or not you believe He is the Christ, the birth and death of Jesus is well documented in history, and people of many faiths believe that He existed in actuality, even if they don't believe He was the Messiah.) I wonder how parents explain to their kids when they see the religious side of Christmas that that side is not real, but then promote the Santa belief. I would think children of Atheist parents would be very confused by it all.

[HokeyReligions]

I have never heard "God is Santa for grownups" if imagination and pretend are so against your beliefs I don't understand the issue. Tell your kids only empirical facts. If you feel pressured to participate in any holiday traditions like gift giving just be honest and tell whoever is asking that its nothing you believe in and you don't wish to participate.

 

For example: "is evolution real?"

 

"Some think so but many don't. Thats why its called the 'theory' of evolution" or if you believe evolution is the end-all be-all answer you might say "yes".

 

"Is santa real?"

"No. Its made up. Christmas is based on a lie. That's why we don't decorate or give presents. Its not real."

 

Maybe do something big for birthdays. Celebrate days or weeks in advance.

[maiden of rohan]

Not everyone participates in celebrating Christmas. Jewish people don't usually celebrate Christmas. They celebrate Hanukkah, where gifts are exchanged among family members. People of other faiths usually celebrate the traditions of their faith. I don't like how Christmas has become so commercialized, and the true meaning of the holiday becomes lost in the commercial shuffle.

 

Then why not celebrate the Winter Solstice and call it that? And celebrate the traditions of the Winter Solstice? Why call it Christmas if you don't believe in Christ? I think the commercialization of Christmas has become too much, and the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Christ, becomes diluted in all the commercialization. I kind of feel sorry for kids who are told Santa is real but Jesus is not, and then they get older and find out Santa is not real, but Jesus is (whether or not you believe He is the Christ, the birth and death of Jesus is well documented in history, and people of many faiths believe that He existed in actuality, even if they don't believe He was the Messiah.) I wonder how parents explain to their kids when they see the religious side of Christmas that that side is not real, but then promote the Santa belief. I would think children of Atheist parents would be very confused by it all.

 

A lot of the traditions of the Winter Solstice are still the traditions today...within Christmas.

 

Christmas tree-pagan

Singing carols-pagan

Gift giving-pagan

Eating a feast-pagan

Being merry-pagan

 

That's what my Christmas consists of. So, I am, technically, following the traditions of the pagans. And so are many people around the world, they just falsely dress it up as "Christianity." I call it Christmas because it's what it is known as now-calling it the Winter Solstice is longer, and would probably confuse a number of people. Honestly, I can call it what I want, regardless of my religious beliefs or lack thereof. Why? Because Christians don't own Christmas. It's a commercial holiday, and it's origins and traditions are rooted in paganism. If anything, it should be the pagans moaning at Christians stealing their traditions.

 

I grew up in a non-religious household. I never had any confusion over anything. I'd, honestly, be far more baffled and annoyed to learn that when I was capable of critical thought that Jesus was not the "Messiah" than that Santa Claus wasn't real. By the time I was capable of thinking for myself, I'd already caught on to that reality.

[maiden of rohan]

I have never heard "God is Santa for grownups" if imagination and pretend are so against your beliefs I don't understand the issue. Tell your kids only empirical facts. If you feel pressured to participate in any holiday traditions like gift giving just be honest and tell whoever is asking that its nothing you believe in and you don't wish to participate.

 

For example: "is evolution real?"

 

"Some think so but many don't. Thats why its called the 'theory' of evolution" or if you believe evolution is the end-all be-all answer you might say "yes".

 

"Is santa real?"

"No. Its made up. Christmas is based on a lie. That's why we don't decorate or give presents. Its not real."

 

Maybe do something big for birthdays. Celebrate days or weeks in advance.

 

I don't think theory means in this context what you think it means.

[Mr Scorpio]

I see no harm in exposing children to the idea of Santa, regardless of what one believes regarding religion.

[KathyM]

A lot of the traditions of the Winter Solstice are still the traditions today...within Christmas.

 

Christmas tree-pagan

True.

Singing carols-pagan

Most Christmas carols are about the birth of Christ.

Gift giving-pagan

Christians exchange gifts to commemorate the gifts given to the Christ child.

Eating a feast-pagan

Being merry-pagan

Feasting and being merry are not pagan-only traditions. Christians feast in celebration of the birth of Christ. And they are merry because of the birth of Christ. That is what the holiday is about for Christians.

That's what my Christmas consists of. So, I am, technically, following the traditions of the pagans.

And so are many people around the world, they just falsely dress it up as "Christianity."

Actually, most people in the world do classify themselves as Christians. It is the most widely-held belief system in the world. Most people who celebrate Christmas do actually believe in the true meaning of the holiday, although many get too caught up in the commercialization of it.

I call it Christmas because it's what it is known as now-calling it the Winter Solstice is longer, and would probably confuse a number of people. Honestly, I can call it what I want, regardless of my religious beliefs or lack thereof. Why? Because Christians don't own Christmas.

Actually, Christmas is a Christian holiday, with meaning specifically related to Christ. It is the celebration of the birth of Christ. That is what it means to most who celebrate it. But if you want to celebrate pagan traditions and take every religious aspect out of it, and still call it Christmas, so be it. Still seems hypocritical to call it that if you don't believe in Christ.

It's a commercial holiday,

While I would agree that Christmas has become too commercialized, the vast majority of those who celebrate Christmas also believe in it's true meaning--the birth of Christ.

it's origins and traditions are rooted in paganism.

A couple of it's traditions are rooted in paganism, such as the evergreen tree being brought into the house.

If anything, it should be the pagans moaning at Christians stealing their traditions.

I'll grant you that evergreens at Christmas was originally from the pagan Winter Solstice.

I grew up in a non-religious household. I never had any confusion over anything. I'd, honestly, be far more baffled and annoyed to learn that when I was capable of critical thought that Jesus was not the "Messiah" than that Santa Claus wasn't real. By the time I was capable of thinking for myself, I'd already caught on to that reality.

So your parents were not Christians, and you were never one either. You and your family just celebrated the non-religious aspects of the holiday, but called it Christmas. So be it.

[Tiger Lily]

You're right! I do indeed need to consider the tooth fairy and easter bunny, and none of our pets will be going to heaven either

 

And I didn't equate Santa to Jesus, my comparison was with God. And that's my belief system.

 

Do you have children? Are you thinking you'll be able to be 100% truthful at all times?

[Robert Z]

Here you go. This solves both Santa problems at once.

Santa's Tombstone | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[nittygritty]

My issue is that old cliché 'God is Santa Claus for grown ups'.

 

I have no time for religion, and don't like how kids are duped by the adults they trust and love in to believing in God and all that entails.

 

If I can be so vehemently anti that stuff then I don't really see how I can be cool with a similar pretence, only a different character.

 

I hope that sorts it - I do want to be understood, so let me know if it still makes no sense

 

"God is Santa Claus for grown ups" is an Atheist cliché. Does that help?

 

Could it be that you are "so vehemently anti that stuff" that you are going to dupe your kids out of having a decent childhood? Do you feel like your parents duped you when you were growing up? If so, that can't be a good feeling. If not, why would you want your kids to have worse childhood experiences than you did?

[Silly_Girl]

Do you have children? Are you thinking you'll be able to be 100% truthful at all times?

 

I have a 17 yr old so I've done the whole thing through once already. But back then I was indifferent to religion so the concept of being a hypocrite didn't come up.

[Silly_Girl]

"God is Santa Claus for grown ups" is an Atheist cliché. Does that help?

 

Ha ha! This is true

 

Could it be that you are "so vehemently anti that stuff" that you are going to dupe your kids out of having a decent childhood? Do you feel like your parents duped you when you were growing up? If so, that can't be a good feeling. If not, why would you want your kids to have worse childhood experiences than you did?

 

Who's to say life is 'worse' without Santa? In recent years I've come across several people who were never visited by Santa and they don't seem to be suing their parents or resenting their childhood.

 

As for 'worse'... Would not many people of faith consider my life to be 'worse' than theirs? Because I don't share/benefit from their beliefs?

[maiden of rohan]

True.

 

Most Christmas carols are about the birth of Christ.

 

Christians exchange gifts to commemorate the gifts given to the Christ child.

 

Feasting and being merry are not pagan-only traditions. Christians feast in celebration of the birth of Christ. And they are merry because of the birth of Christ. That is what the holiday is about for Christians.

Actually, most people in the world do classify themselves as Christians. It is the most widely-held belief system in the world. Most people who celebrate Christmas do actually believe in the true meaning of the holiday, although many get too caught up in the commercialization of it.

 

Actually, Christmas is a Christian holiday, with meaning specifically related to Christ. It is the celebration of the birth of Christ. That is what it means to most who celebrate it. But if you want to celebrate pagan traditions and take every religious aspect out of it, and still call it Christmas, so be it. Still seems hypocritical to call it that if you don't believe in Christ.

 

While I would agree that Christmas has become too commercialized, the vast majority of those who celebrate Christmas also believe in it's true meaning--the birth of Christ.

 

A couple of it's traditions are rooted in paganism, such as the evergreen tree being brought into the house.

 

I'll grant you that evergreens at Christmas was originally from the pagan Winter Solstice.

 

So your parents were not Christians, and you were never one either. You and your family just celebrated the non-religious aspects of the holiday, but called it Christmas. So be it.

 

Actually, wrong. It was started by the Pagans to celebrate Saturnalia-and yes, they did begin the tradition of singing carols (regardless of the content of the songs sung today) the gift-giving was a Pagan tradition, as was enjoying a feast and being merry. Those things may well be thought to be for different reasons at this present time, but that does not change where the tradition originated from.

 

Why does it bother Christians that non-Christians would elect to celebrate the holiday? Why does it bother you that I call it Christmas? It's not hypocritical to call a holiday season what it is. It's known as Christmas in the public domain, and alas, that is what I shall call it.

 

Do you realise that Christ probably wasn't born 25th December, and yet, there you are, celebrating the birth of Christ on the wrong day?

 

And wrong, not most people in the world classify themselves as Christian. There's what, something like 6-7 billion people in the world, and only 2 billion of them practice Christianity. Yes, it is the most popular religion, but that does not mean that most people in the world practice it. So that would leave 4 billion approx. people that do not practice it. Explain to me how that is "most."

[KathyM]

Actually, wrong. It was started by the Pagans to celebrate Saturnalia-and yes, they did begin the tradition of singing carols (regardless of the content of the songs sung today)

Singing is not the sole domain of the pagans. Not a tradition solely associated with the Winter Solstice. Most Christmas carols have a religious theme.

the gift-giving was a Pagan tradition, as was enjoying a feast and being merry. Those things may well be thought to be for different reasons at this present time, but that does not change where the tradition originated from.

The Winter Solstice may have those traditions also, but so does Christmas for the reasons I mentioned.

Why does it bother Christians that non-Christians would elect to celebrate the holiday?

I don't think it bothers people, really.

Why does it bother you that I call it Christmas?

It doesn't bother me, but if you don't believe in Christ, it seems celebrating Christmas is kind of strange. Celebrating the Winter Solstice would make more sense if you are an unbeliever, but call it what you want. It really doesn't bother me.

It's not hypocritical to call a holiday season what it is. It's known as Christmas in the public domain, and alas, that is what I shall call it.

As you wish.

Do you realise that Christ probably wasn't born 25th December, and yet, there you are, celebrating the birth of Christ on the wrong day?

I don't think it is known the exact day of the year that Christ was born, so the 25th of December is just as good a date as any.

And wrong, not most people in the world classify themselves as Christian.

I should have phrased it that Christianity is the largest religious faith in the world (1/3 of the world's population are Christians. 84% of the world's population believe in God.)

84 percent of the world population has faith; a third are Christian - Washington Times

[AShogunNamedMarcus]

Hmm.

 

The only things Christianity has to do with Christmas was inserting their messiah story and changing the name to Christmas.

 

A day that was used to pay tribute to a sun god is now used to pay tribute to God's son.

 

Everything else is pretty much a pagan tradition that is now being paraded as Christian.

 

Seriously, look into it.

 

But why pick December 25th when the birth was actually months apart from that. Why pick a day that is pagan? Because Christians like to suppress Paganism. The only way to do that and get people who always celebrate that time of year to stop was by changing the meaning of the day.

 

http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/Christmas_TheRealStory.htm

 

"Because of its known pagan origin, Christmas was banned by the Puritans and its observance was illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681."

Edited November 30, 2013 by AShogunNamedMarcus

[nittygritty]

Ha ha! This is true

 

Who's to say life is 'worse' without Santa? In recent years I've come across several people who were never visited by Santa and they don't seem to be suing their parents or resenting their childhood.

 

As for 'worse'... Would not many people of faith consider my life to be 'worse' than theirs? Because I don't share/benefit from their beliefs?

 

I'm not the one that is "struggling with Santa", you are. There are all different types of people. Some people have faith in something and some people have faith in nothing. It is when someone's views become so radical and extreme that it can become detrimental to their kids.

 

People of Christian faith and other faiths would consider your eternal life to be worse than theirs but not your life. Do Atheists ever consider the possibility that their wrong? It's one thing to make that decision for yourself but no matter what you plan to teach your kids they will eventually grow up and decide for themselves what they believe or don't believe.

 

Babies and toddlers don't usually like Santa, so you won't have any problems with that. Kids do like giving and receiving presents so that might be an issue that they will struggle with if you don't plan on doing anything that you could perceive as trying to pretend to be a God to your kids.

[Robert Z]

I've never seen the Grand Canyon. If I die tomorrow I will not have suffered for having never seen the GC. I wouldn't be angry that my parents never took me there. But that doesn't mean the GC isn't worth seeing. It is said that the GC is one of the few things that doesn't disappoint when you see it in person.

 

 

I think childhood magic is like this. We live in a wonderland called the universe that is full of mysteries and magic [if you don't believe in magic, try studying quantum mechanics!]. But we tend to get buried in the cold harsh realities of life and forget that magic exists. The real magic of life, like the beauty of the GC, can awe and inspire. It takes us to a place where our minds reach out beyond the comfortable and familiar. But we have to be willing to let the magic in.

 

 

Is a child fundamentally deprived without Santa? Of course not. But the idea of Santa opens the mind to greater possibilities than what we see and touch. It allows the child to imagine what might be possible when unconstrained by mechanical thinking. It allows the child to imagine the impossible. And that is the foundation of progress. It is how we make the world a better place for everyone.

[Silly_Girl]

I'm not the one that is "struggling with Santa", you are. There are all different types of people. Some people have faith in something and some people have faith in nothing. It is when someone's views become so radical and extreme that it can become detrimental to their kids.

 

People of Christian faith and other faiths would consider your eternal life to be worse than theirs but not your life. Do Atheists ever consider the possibility that their wrong? It's one thing to make that decision for yourself but no matter what you plan to teach your kids they will eventually grow up and decide for themselves what they believe or don't believe.

 

Babies and toddlers don't usually like Santa, so you won't have any problems with that. Kids do like giving and receiving presents so that might be an issue that they will struggle with if you don't plan on doing anything that you could perceive as trying to pretend to be a God to your kids.

 

Regarding faith, I have no plans to teach my kids anything other than that I choose not to believe and others disagree. I was very happy with my son's primary school which invested a lot of time in to showing the kids other faiths. They celebrated all major festivals that affected the majority of their students. I don't believe I have the right to dictate to them any faith so am aware I won't be at leisure to have such open conversations as I have now at home. Which will be hard!

 

As I've said in the thread a couple of times, my issue is not with Christmas. And I'm happy to read and talk about Santa, the elves, reindeer etc. But not sure whether I'm comfortable stating he exists now, and that he comes to our house. I am not relaxed with the collective pretence (strangers in the street, shop assistants, neighbours all subscribing to it), purely because I perceive it as a similar situation to children growing up being told by adults of things that never existed/happened and the kids just aren't in a position to do anything but believe it.

 

I love myths and fairy tales, we have lots of books in the house, but there is no suggestion any of it is real or current.

 

It's clear there's not many people who feel as I do about it! But I'm glad to have the chance to properly think about it.

[Mr Scorpio]

I am not relaxed with the collective pretence (strangers in the street, shop assistants, neighbours all subscribing to it), purely because I perceive it as a similar situation to children growing up being told by adults of things that never existed/happened and the kids just aren't in a position to do anything but believe it.

 

Perhaps consider the difference in effect from the respective "lies".

 

On the one hand, as an atheist, you could interpret bringing your young children to church as brainwashing: a large building full of adults singing and chanting about how if the child doesn't believe as the adults do that the child will spend all of eternity burning in a lake of fire. You might believe that doing so will prejudice the child's cognitive ability in regard to a whole host of issues (morality, science, etc).

 

On the other hand, what is the likely effect of exposing your children to the "lie" of Santa? What is the worst case scenario? That they will ardently join a cult and disavow logic for the sake of clinging to the cherished fantasy of a fat guy in a red suit?

 

I believe that the impact of lying to your children about fictitious-idols is vastly outweighed by the few years of fun and memories that will result. Let them have a few years of ignorant bliss. Then after that they can grow up and have flame-wars on the internets about the merits of organized religion.

[happydate]

My personal view is that religion is a conspiracy forced upon children who are too young to exercise their freedom of choice. Even many non-believers perpetuate the myths, knowingly or not.

 

I'm not comfortable with promoting Santa: a fictitious man who does magical things, has supernatural helpers and judges you on your behaviour (be good or he won't come...).

 

To me, I'd be a hypocrite to embrace Father Christmas.

 

Is it worse because people who raise their children within a faith mostly whole-heartedly believe it's real, whereas I would be barefaced lying to my kids by saying 'Santa will visit with presents'.

 

My husband (a more committed atheist than myself) says I'm being daft. Christmas is about harnessing imagination and it's 'for good' and 'fun'. (He escaped religion when he left home for uni) I say that those who embrace a religion may well say the very same things about their chosen beliefs.

 

I'd be very interested in different views on this please!

 

The purpose of religion is to provide a road map, a blue print to embarking in a spiritual path. A religion is an outer teaching, using scriptures, books, bible, etc.. to awaken you that the Kingdom of God is within all of us. And then from there, esoteric teachings from communion with the Lord will take over and provide you with progressive revelations much the same way as with many people who had embarked this same path for centuries.

 

The problem with religion lies with human beings that have desires to exert control and power over other people. Power and control can not be exerted by a human being for long, because eventually the people under his or her control will start to rebel. There is no iron clad authority that can back that human being. He or she can be overthrown or be killed, because they themselves believe that there is always a higher entity than that human being in power, and that entity is God. So these humans learned that if you can't shut them up, you might as well roll with them! So religion is used as sort of a control power mechanism and these human beings then fashion themselves as the mediator (medium) between God and you. They are the scholars or bible experts that love to be the medium between you and God and they tell you that, you can not communicate with God. Only through them you will be able to be saved because you don't know any better. In fact, the Church authorities in the past had sold "Salvation Notes" when these barons confess their sins. Pay your sins with your land, and thou shall set you free and go into heaven. It's no wonder why so much people these days hate religion and don't go to church, even though they believe in a God of some sort.

 

All religion are designed to lead the person into an eventual spiritual path that leads the seeker into oneness with God and non-attachment to the materialistic world.

 

Unfortunately these days, countries engage in the modern version of the Crusades pitting against my Christian God is better than your Muslim God even though as far as I am aware there is only one. Of course, they fight under the banner of getting rid of "Weapons of Mass Destruction" and they are the evildoers. Really, the US of A had made its citizens believe that all Muslims are bad people. Even my Muslim American friends born in America are hated because they believe in the Koran. Such ignorance is why wars and killings are fueled today as well as during the middle ages and the first Crusades.

 

Christmas is a Pagan holiday and while it is believed by most people as a Christian holiday, it is ONLY a Christian holiday because the oppressed Christians, the conqueror of many lands of the past (Christians kill millions of people because they are labelled barbarians and not Christians) want to exert control and power over the conquered people. Again, if you can't beat them, you roll with them. And so they did. They made their conquered world's ritual and celebration and twist it and made it into their own, so there is no denying that no conquered people is above God. Brilliant. Power and control was then exerted among these people.

 

In a way, Christmas today is celebrated commercially. It's funny that most Christians have no problems with the commerce of Christmas. It's also funny how US of A is an efficient engine in commercializing any of their national holidays. But didn't Jesus Christ once said that I do not want my father's house as a house of trade.

Haven't Christians today made Christmas a gigantic version of our father's house as a super house of trade?

 

Use your judgement whether you want to celebrate Christmas or not and whether telling the Child that Santa Claus is a lie or not. Children aren't as dumb as you think these days. They will catch wind if you are espousing fable. If not, have fun and a laugh!

 

Blessings..

Edited December 1, 2013 by happydate

[Silly_Girl]

I see no harm in exposing children to the idea of Santa, regardless of what one believes regarding religion.

 

I don't see harm, I want to avoid being a hypocrite, which I would be because of how I feel about God and Santa.

[Robert Z]

I don't see harm, I want to avoid being a hypocrite, which I would be because of how I feel about God and Santa.

 

 

Just out of curiosity, will you teach them that there is no God?

[Silly_Girl]

Just out of curiosity, will you teach them that there is no God?

 

I don't think I could. But I'd be honest about how I feel about God and why.