Comments on: When The Symphony Stops Playing http://www.agnosticmom.com/2007/03/14/when-the-symphony-stops-playing/ Raising a Healthy Family Without Religion. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:17:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: dara http://www.agnosticmom.com/2007/03/14/when-the-symphony-stops-playing/#comment-28098 dara Wed, 04 Apr 2007 03:52:10 +0000 http://www.agnosticmom.com/2007/03/14/when-the-symphony-stops-playing/#comment-28098 Hi Noelle, I've been reading your column for a few months now and love your perspective. I am a Jewish non-beliver and wasn't ever raised with concern or talk of an afterlife. I guess we were always raised with the idea that what's important is to be a good person today and after you die, you "live on" through the good that you do while alive...you live through memories. I love your idea of leaving pieces of yourself for your kids. Thanks! Hi Noelle,

I’ve been reading your column for a few months now and love your perspective. I am a Jewish non-beliver and wasn’t ever raised with concern or talk of an afterlife. I guess we were always raised with the idea that what’s important is to be a good person today and after you die, you “live on” through the good that you do while alive…you live through memories. I love your idea of leaving pieces of yourself for your kids.

Thanks!

]]> By: Terry S. http://www.agnosticmom.com/2007/03/14/when-the-symphony-stops-playing/#comment-19504 Terry S. Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:51:27 +0000 http://www.agnosticmom.com/2007/03/14/when-the-symphony-stops-playing/#comment-19504 Noell, Many of your comments regarding your thoughts and concerns regarding death and unlikely afterlife mirror many of my own. It is my belief that if the bulk of humanity rid itself of the burden of religion and the anticipation of afterlife, ultimately we would more effectively focus our efforts on the here and now. Our perception of the value of our earthly lives could rise exponentially. Instead of looking beyond this life, we could stop spending money on the building of mega-churches and supporting the extravagant life styles of rich and famous evangelists, and spend at least some of it on people in need. Again, as I've stated the absolute end of our existence being concomitant with our physical death is not a happy prospect. But it is, nevertheless one we must accept. Of course, your particular dilemma includes the problem of presenting this to your children. That job is rendered more difficult owing to the pervasive and ubiquitous presence of the millions of people, some of whom are part of your own family who maintain their belief in god and life beyond. It can obviously create conflict and confusion for children. That is largely the focus of your efforts. As you have shown, it takes a great deal of patience, long deliberation and careful communicating with your own and other children. Ultimately, I suppose as they mature, they will be left to make their own decisions in this regard. But in the interim, it is up to you and your husband to guide and inform them in what the facts and choices are. My kids, now in their 20s, were allowed for the most part to guide themselves through the maze of religion and non-belief with just gentle nudges along the way. Happily, it seems to have worked for the most part. TLS Noell,

Many of your comments regarding your thoughts and concerns regarding death and unlikely afterlife mirror many of my own.

It is my belief that if the bulk of humanity rid itself of the burden of religion and the anticipation of afterlife, ultimately we would more effectively focus our efforts on the here and now. Our perception of the value of our earthly lives could rise exponentially. Instead of looking beyond this life, we could stop spending money on the building of mega-churches and supporting the extravagant life styles of rich and famous evangelists, and spend at least some of it on people in need.

Again, as I’ve stated the absolute end of our existence being concomitant with our physical death is not a happy prospect. But it is, nevertheless one we must accept. Of course, your particular dilemma includes the problem of presenting this to your children. That job is rendered more difficult owing to the pervasive and ubiquitous presence of the millions of people, some of whom are part of your own family who maintain their belief in god and life beyond. It can obviously create conflict and confusion for children.

That is largely the focus of your efforts. As you have shown, it takes a great deal of patience, long deliberation and careful communicating with your own and other children. Ultimately, I suppose as they mature, they will be left to make their own decisions in this regard. But in the interim, it is up to you and your husband to guide and inform them in what the facts and choices are.

My kids, now in their 20s, were allowed for the most part to guide themselves through the maze of religion and non-belief with just gentle nudges along the way. Happily, it seems to have worked for the most part.

TLS

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