Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion | 
| Author: Dale Mcgowan
Publisher: AMACOM
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
Buy New: $8.20
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Avg. Customer Rating:  38 reviews
Sales Rank: 6677
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 0814474268
Dewey Decimal Number: 649.7
EAN: 9780814474266
ASIN: 0814474268
Publication Date: April 25, 2007
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships immediately! Perfect and New! 2007 Paperback.
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Book Description
Foreword by Michael Shermer, Ph.D. Contributors include Richard Dawkins, Penn Jillette, Julia Sweeney, and Dr. Donald B. Ardell It's hard enough to live a secular life in a religious world. And bringing up children without religious influence can be even more daunting. Despite the difficulties, a large and growing number of parents are choosing to raise their kids without religion. In Parenting Beyond Belief, Dale McGowan celebrates the freedom that comes with raising kids without formal indoctrination and advises parents on the most effective way to raise freethinking children. With advice from educators, doctors, psychologists, and philosophers as well as wisdom from everyday parents, the book offers tips and insights on a variety of topics, from "mixed marriages" to coping with death and loss, and from morality and ethics to dealing with holidays. Sensitive and timely, Parenting Beyond Belief features reflections from such freethinkers as Mark Twain, Richard Dawkins, Bertrand Russell, and wellness guru Dr. Don Ardell that will empower every parent to raise both caring and independent children without constraints.
Book Description
Foreword by Michael Shermer, Ph.D. Contributors include Richard Dawkins, Penn Jillette, Julia Sweeney, and Dr. Donald B. Ardell It’s hard enough to live a secular life in a religious world. And bringing up children without religious influence can be even more daunting. Despite the difficulties, a large and growing number of parents are choosing to raise their kids without religion. In Parenting Beyond Belief, Dale McGowan celebrates the freedom that comes with raising kids without formal indoctrination and advises parents on the most effective way to raise freethinking children. With advice from educators, doctors, psychologists, and philosophers as well as wisdom from everyday parents, the book offers tips and insights on a variety of topics, from "mixed marriages" to coping with death and loss, and from morality and ethics to dealing with holidays. Sensitive and timely, Parenting Beyond Belief features reflections from such freethinkers as Mark Twain, Richard Dawkins, Bertrand Russell, and wellness guru Dr. Don Ardell that will empower every parent to raise both caring and independent children without constraints.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 33 more reviews...
Encouragement and resource referral guide for freethinking parents July 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I found this collection of short chapters by various humanist writers on how to instill morality and ethics in children without religion to be a real joy. The authors (including the editor) are clever, humorous, and kind-hearted. Despite their obvious intelligence, they do not talk down to the reader, and many chapters could be understood even by pre-adolescents. I am a ex-Christian who now embraces science and humanism, and often feel alone in a country saturated by mainstream religions and their seemingly endless resources. That kind of isolation is bearable for an adult (though not pleasant), but I was really worried about raising a child without the communities that religions offer. Yet, I don't want to hide my beliefs just so my child will be accepted in a group that has the finances to provide a nice building to go to, with fun activities that include large numbers of kids her age. I found encouragement that I am not alone, and that there are at least a few secular organizations who are trying to provide activities for children that are based on the wonders of science, naturalism, and philosophy instead of indoctrination into the intolerant attitudes of religious dogma. Once my child passes the infant stage, I will try to volunteer at some of them to help perpetuate their growth. Thank you Mr. McGowan!
 Just what is needed June 18, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'd say this is the best book out there for knowing it's ok, even good, to raise your child to make her own decisions about religion. It's good to have many different views from intelligent, good people who are doing it with love and care, and that you are not alone. I also like the fact that a few even come right out and say what I have thought but didn't dare express, that brain-washing kids to believe they are being watched every second and will burn in hell for snitching a cookie from the cookie jar is "mental terrorism". This concept terrified me my entire childhood and I promise I won't do it to my child!
I also liked the reference guides to finding good books for children about religions without teaching them that one is right and the rest are wrong. Also helped with the "Santa" issue. Definitely recommended.
Not just for the a-religious May 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This isn't just a good book for raising your kids secularly, it's a good book about parenting period. It discusses issues like how to deal with death, how to deal with people who don't necessarily believe the same as you and your family does and how to raise your children to be ethical human beings. There are definitely some essays that are more aimed at the atheists among us, but this is a good read for all parents.
outstanding May 23, 2008
This is an eye-opening book rife with mind expanding ideas. Yet it is warm and an easy and pleasant read.
Not just for parents May 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Not just for parents...
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of essays on nontheist education and lifestyle. While this book is geared toward parents, and certainly useful for them, I found it highly useful on an individual level as well to think about these issues. I really appreciated the additional resources provided at the end of each chapter, this allows you to take your own pursuit of these ideas much deeper than is allowed in individual essays. Most of the resources also include a note on appropriate age level which was very useful as well. The book touches on practical real world problems, and I found it truly eye opening to read of some of the discrimination that the authors and their children had faced. One topic I wish would have been addressed more is how to deal with extended family members of faith. Dealing with an overzealous teacher is one thing, but how do you strike balance with a loving and good intentioned grandparent who truly may believe that your child may be doomed to eternal damnation because of you. Some of the authors who are in mixed marriages touched on this briefly but I think it is an important enough issue for nontheist parents to be explored further.
I would definitely recommend this book to well just about anyone. Even religious parents would benefit from the critical perspective that is offered of what we teach our children and why.
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