The Big Issues - # 1

08 July, 2011

"Is it wrong to tell your kids there is no God?"

Each week I pass a billboard advertising the new show "Can of Worms" which poses this controversial question.  I have no intention of watching the show; I'm fairly certain it will just make me cranky to hear people express ill-informed opinions about various things or trying to stir up more trouble by making jokes or outrageous statements about sensitive issues for entertainment value.  However, I wanted to think through some of these things for myself.  The result is blogs like this one.

Ok. IS it wrong to tell your kids "there is no God"?  YES. I think so - and here's why:

Now, I am a Christian and firmly believe in the existance of God - but let's put that aside for now.

My main problem with this question is the wording.  No one has ever been able to prove absolutely the existance of God.  On the other hand, no one has ever been able to prove absolutely that God does NOT exist.  We are not dealing with undisputed fact, like, for example: If humans do not take in food and water they will eventually die.  Therefore, we can not KNOW that there is/is no God, we can only BELIEVE that it is so.  (That's what faith is.)

Secondly, I think it's up to the child to investigate and come to their own conclusions about the existance of God as they grow-up and experience more of the world. 

I would say, if you must say something like this to your kids, simply say "We don't believe that there is a God" but then go on to explain that some people do.  I think at this point it would be important to also teach your kids not to ridicule, put-down or discriminate against others who do believe in God because it means a great deal to them.