Mine ensured I had a big stack of books available from the moment I could flip pages by myself. And they had me reading by the time I was 4.
I had norse and greco-roman legends on the shelf when I was 6, and it started a love for mythology that had me read every book of legends the school and public libraries had to offer in later years.
But while I was still 6 some door-knockers came bothering at the door. And my mom told them to take a hike, and they asked her to at least give me a bible. (A kid's one, looked like it was aimed at the 10 to 12 year old range)
So being a good atheist parent that's exactly what she did. She gave me the bible and to read.
It had cool artwork, and was all about this horrible villain that made life hell for his subjects. For some reason everyone thought he was the good guy. In the end nobody killed him, but he let his son be murdered to get more subjects.
It was a pretty stupid book.
All an atheist/rationalist parent has to do is teach their kids that you don't take some asshole at his word just because he says you should, and establish their ability to think critically.
The rest works itself out.
Well, there you have it Morgan....."the rest works itself out." And how it does, depends on the individual.
Maybe I really am guilty of not bringing my child up correctly (as I KNOW is the opinion of "some" fellow family members.
My son is definitely at an accountable age. NEVER have I indoctrinated him with SHIT.
You know where he learns of what to value in life? BY EXPERIENCE.
Without going on a personal tangent, my son, solely for the purpose of my illness, has witnessed faith fullforce.....not with words, but via LIFE.
My child is young and impressionable and my SOLE wish is for him to encounter God entirely on his OWN. Only recently did he express an interest in reading the Bible to me. Bear in mind, he is YOUNG.......and he's a smart little boy too I might add. His inquiries tire me to death, LOL. As much as I hate to admit it, he TEACHES me in abundance!
He decided recently to share with me that after having only read Genesis, he realized that Noah was a drunk.....and all the adlib he hounded me with tired me more than some of you here do, LOL.
I don't feed my child garbage. I don't hopelessly feed his mind with psychological crap that will instill upon his psyche mental torment.
I, through my life, my emotions, my actions and sometimes in depth conversations, alot for my child a very REAL accordance with life events..
BTW, that "means" simply that I am encouraging his development to come "au naturel."
Just as God would have this little boys impressionable mind "bud".....so would I.
I put FAITH in God's hands to guide my son by His OWN instruction....gently (and sometimes harshly) with my own "guidance."
I sometimes feel guilty that he is not being raised in a church. He HAS expressed an interest.
My reasons for not doing so are personal and beside the point.
I TRULY do NOT wish for my son to be indoctrinated by acts and enforced "semi-false instruction"..........BUT, I ask this: What is this ABUSE you refer to when speaking of children being brought up in a church environment??? Unless they are in an atmosphere involving outlandish behavior, I will not be able to logically follow your stance...