Would you allow your child to marry and Atheist?

[EverChanging]

I don't like the phrasing of the question because it would not be my choice who my child marries, but I chose of course. However, I'm an atheist, so if I had children, it probably wouldn't be a big deal to them to marry an atheist, if they weren't atheists themselves (I don't know if my hypothetical children would ever pick up supernatural god beliefs or not -- it wouldn't be from me.)

For some couples, religious differences are a big issue. For other couples, they aren't big issues at all, even if the couple never agrees on the differences. It's definitely something to take into account early on, especially when thinking about children, how they will be raised, whether they wil be baptized or have some other ceremony, first communion or a rite of passage, etc.

 

[andys]

Monta,
A difference in skin colour is hardly the same thing as a difference in personal convictions and beliefs. Really now.

 

[monta]

Monta,
A difference in skin colour is hardly the same thing as a difference in personal convictions and beliefs. Really now.

Bigotry is equivalent to bigotry no matter where you draw the lines.

 

[andys]

Monts,
How is a Jew not wanting to marry a Nazi, "bigotry"?

 

[monta]

Monts,
How is a Jew not wanting to marry a Nazi, "bigotry"?

How does this even come up, why are the Jew and the Nazi socialising in the first place, what kind of half hearted Nazi is this ?

I am refering to the fact that you equate an atheist marrying a theist to a Jew marrying a Nazi, as though being an atheist means you hate theist or being a theist means you hate atheists.

 

[andys]

Monta,
Ok, I now understand your confusion.
I am using the Jew-Nazi mismatch as an (admittedly extreme) analogy to emphasize the disparity of two extreme conflicting ideologies: theist-atheist. There's no "bigotry" involved, just strongly opposing viewpoints.

 

[Kerr]

I am an atheist, so it would be really, really weird if I wouldn´t allow my kid to marry an atheist .

 

[Storm]

Monta,
Ok, I now understand your confusion.
I am using the Jew-Nazi mismatch as an (admittedly extreme) analogy to emphasize the disparity of two extreme conflicting ideologies: theist-atheist. There's no "bigotry" involved, just strongly opposing viewpoints.

They don't have to be strongly opposed, though. My last s.o. was an atheist. We did fine, neither pushing our beliefs on the other. It's all about mutual respect.

 

[sandandfoam]

It's all about mutual respect.

That's the point.
My wife is an at times strident atheist. Her strong opinions are one of many things I love about her.
You can love someone, respect them and also disagree with them.

 

[andys]

Storm,
"It's all about mutual respect".

I COMPLETELY agree. That is precisely my point.
The problem is that I do not respect the views of a theist, only their right to express such (preposterous) views.

 

[Storm]

Storm,
"It's all about mutual respect".

I COMPLETELY agree. That is precisely my point.
The problem is that I do not respect the views of a theist, only their right to express such (preposterous) views.

Well, that's your problem, then. Hopefully any children you have will be more enlightened.

 

[sandandfoam]

Storm,

I COMPLETELY agree. That is precisely my point.
The problem is that I do not respect the views of a theist, only their right to express such (preposterous) views.

Does it get lonely up there on high?

 

[monta]

Monta,
Ok, I now understand your confusion.
I am using the Jew-Nazi mismatch as an (admittedly extreme) analogy to emphasize the disparity of two extreme conflicting ideologies: theist-atheist. There's no "bigotry" involved, just strongly opposing viewpoints.

I don't see it as much of a conflict of ideologies if one person thinks the universe was created by a god and another person doesn't. It that is the greatest problem a couple has they are lucky.

Millitant fundemental atheists would obviously not be a good match for a theist, but as with the Nazi and Jew example it should surely be a moot point. But this has little to do with the bizzare notion that a parent has some right to interfere in their adult offsprings life partner.

 

[Circle_One]

I find it very interesting that, considering we live in a modern, Western society, people seem to think they have any control over who their grown children fall in love with and marry.

"I forbid you to marry that Atheist! I don't care if you ARE 30 years old!"

"Ok, mommy."

BS.

 

[Smoke]

If I were in a position to forbid it -- if I had a child who was underaged and needed parental consent to marry -- I wouldn't allow him to marry an atheist or anybody else.

After the child reached adulthood, I would expect him to choose his own spouse. All else being equal, I'd probably prefer an atheist.

 

[andys]

You must understand that it is much easier for a theist to be "tolerant" of an atheist's viewpoint because atheism HAS no viewpont. The "a" in "atheism" simply represents the negation of theist beliefs; there is no alternative set of (conflicting) beliefs attached to atheism. On the other hand, for an atheist to be tolerant of a theist's wildly crazy ideas IS expecting considerable tolerance. It would be like asking if you, as a parent, would have any objection to your son or daughter marrying a person who firmly believed in the Tooth fairy or Easter bunny. It is a red light flashing, to say the least.

 

[Storm]

And you honestly can't see what's bigoted about that?

 

[Zephyr]

Better an atheist than most.

 

[andys]

What is bigoted about not respecting someone who thinks 1+1=3, or that the world is flat, and choosing not to share your life with them, morning, noon and night? Better look up the word "bigot" then get back to me. (I have to mow my lawn now so that will give you time to do your homework.)

 

[Storm]

What is bigoted about not respecting someone who thinks 1+1=3, or that the world is flat, and choosing not to share your life with them, morning, noon and night? Better look up the word "bigot" then get back to me. (I have to mow my lawn now so that will give you time to do your homework.)

I know what bigot means, thank you very much. Why don't you look up "stereotype?"