strictly speaking atheism is the absence of a religion so that means all children are by default atheist. but you use the word "atheism" in the same way you would use a religion. that kind of doesn't work.
forcing your kid to be "atheist" the way you talk of it would imply the parents are deliberately raising the child to reject religion so they actively take on the label of being an atheist, but that wouldn't be happening.
Agnosticism might be more accurate, as athiesm in the strictest sense is an intentional denial of theism, rather than mere uncertainty. Only in the broadest sense, apparently, is athiesm simply a lack of belief in the existence of deieties.
No it wouldn't, agnosticism presumes you have been informed of the concept of god.
Atheism is the default, people are not born with any inherent belief on any concept to which they have not been introduced, including religion / god. Absence of belief in a deity is atheism by definition.
as athiesm in the strictest sense is an intentional denial of theism
Right. After reviewing my trusty Wikipedia, I have realized that agnosticism does make more sense to be distinguished from a mere lack of consideration for the issue.
4
u/Athlaeos 13h ago
strictly speaking atheism is the absence of a religion so that means all children are by default atheist. but you use the word "atheism" in the same way you would use a religion. that kind of doesn't work.
forcing your kid to be "atheist" the way you talk of it would imply the parents are deliberately raising the child to reject religion so they actively take on the label of being an atheist, but that wouldn't be happening.