Comment by Joe O'Brien on August 31, 2009 at 9:33pm

Let him go. From my experience in Catholic schools, nearly everyone comes out atheist anyway. The teachers don't even pretend to be sane.

Comment by Doug Reardon on August 31, 2009 at 9:40pm

You will find an unusually high number of Catholics (including myself who survived Catholic school) on TA. You may also find that, that which is not usually an issue between you, is about to become an issue between you!

Comment by Jacob on August 31, 2009 at 11:01pm

Let him go to Catholic school. It won’t be long before he realizes that the bible doesn’t add up or make much sense. I went to a Catholic school from K-8 and I was always being yelled at for asking too many questions. Now Im an atheist.

Comment by Reggie on August 31, 2009 at 11:16pm

Let him go to Catholic school. But make sure he also goes somewhere to learn other religions and mythologies, too. This will do more to temper any belief in one religion than anything else.

Comment by Matthew on September 1, 2009 at 10:08am

I have to disagree with the sentiment in the comments so far. I went to a Lutheran school from pre-school through 6th and it was the source of much guilt, sadness, anger, and consternation for years on my path to atheism. Of course, now I'm an atheist science teacher, so I guess things did turn out in the end. I just wish I wouldn't have had to have gone through all the crap to get here.

If you do send him to catholic school, ask him every day what he learned in Bible class and teach him how to challenge it - not by telling him it's wrong but by showing him how to think critically about it (while pointing out flaws if he doesn't get it). You should also ask what he learned in science, double check the info, and point him to more accurate sources. If you do this from the beginning, he'll probably be fine. Probably.

Perhaps you should propose a compromise to your fiancee....your son goes to public school where he can get a decent education. He also goes to Sunday school where he learns how ridiculous religion is...er, I mean about the Bible. You may want to check what he learns each week here too. Of course this is a bit underhanded because what kid wants to wake up early to go to church? But that way both of you are getting your way and your son is better off for it.

Just my two cents.

Good luck.

Comment by Reggie on September 1, 2009 at 10:33am

I have to disagree with the sentiment in the comments so far.

A dissenter! What laughable reason could you have for going against the grain?

I went to a Lutheran school from pre-school through 6th and it was the source of much guilt, sadness, anger, and consternation for years on my path to atheism

Oh.

That is a great point. Consider me swayed.

Mathew's advice takes the lead.

Comment by Rev. James Thomas Hicks, D.D. on September 1, 2009 at 10:40am

I would have loved to have gone to Catholic School. Think of all those plaid skirts. Me likes this idea all so much.

Comment by Doug Reardon on September 1, 2009 at 10:49am

Plaid skirts? Our school uniform was black pants or skirt, white shirt, and a beanie with St. Anne's on it.

Comment by Reggie on September 1, 2009 at 10:52am

Of course Hicks has a good point, too. Catholic girls are fun.

Comment by Doug Reardon on September 1, 2009 at 10:53am

All girls can be fun!

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