I Am Praying For You

What is atheism? Why would someone be an atheist? Why do people fear and dislike atheism? Simply stated, atheism is the lack of belief in a god or gods. Granted, atheists are each individuals and undoubtedly each of them prescribe [to] many different philosophies on life, politics and morality as do Christians. However, though atheists may choose to gather collectively for whatever purpose, unlike Christianity, atheism is not a belief system. An individual who identifies himself as an atheist is merely stating that he does not believe in [the existence of] god or gods. Atheism, as indicated by its name, is the opposite of theism which is belief in at least one god; to include polytheism (belief in many or more than one god) and monotheism

“‘It is the Lord’s will,’ I agreed, but the words sounded hollow to my ear” (Alvarez, 1994, p. 53). Patria begins to doubt the religion she had been raised upon, and basically lived off of subsequent to the passing away of her baby. Before losing her baby, Patria had never felt personally affected by Trujillo since he had been from a prosperous family. On the other hand, after experiencing a loss, she begins to feel compassion. Alvarez uses this excerpt to inform educators that although one is taught moral behavior as an adolescent, it is up to the individual to steadily exemplify good behavior throughout their future

Developmental psychologists have provided evidence that children are naturally tuned to believe from figures of authority.A child’s brain is set-up to believe what is told by elders, even if what is told is nonsense. Children usually acquire the religious views of their parents.

Around 18 months, it’s clear that Stella had started to become self aware, by talking to herself when looking in the mirror and smiling. I try to let her become more independent while still staying in control because she still needs guidance at this age. By the time Stella begins preschool, she is potty trained with a few accidents here or there, and seems to be advancing well socially, physically, and mentally. She had a bit of trouble when she started, becoming scared that I would not come back to get her, but after I reassured her, she seemed to calm down as soon as I left, demonstrating a bit of object permanence, that just because I am not there does not mean I have disappeared forever. She is a bit shy to start, but warmed up making it evident that she is a slow-to-warm up child according to Thomas and Chess (Thomas and Chess, 1977.) She is not a very active child, preferring to play by herself with her toys. When she gets stuck on something, I try and scaffold to support her, rather that doing it for her (H Snyder, lecture notes, September 20th, 2017.) By age two, Stella continues to explore the world around her, and my partner has been spending more quality time with her when possible. We are saving up to buy a home, so in order to save money we try and do inexpensive adventures with her (Manis, 2008.) Stella’s emotions have expanded, and by age 3 she is able to express these emotions with ease. When Stella is 3, I give

In some occasions, like Tearsa and John’s case, the child sees this as constraint. Tearsa and John were afraid to exhibit any of their doubts to their parents due to their parent’s authoritative ways. This was common to see that highly religious parents’ children would develop a belief that the religion was the most important thing, (Flor & Knapp, 2001). So the fears of rejection from their own parents were higher. When none of their doubts were confirmed or denied, this resulted in a rejection of the religion. This case especially occurs if the child blamed the religion for the perceived negative methods of childcare from their

"My mother was the first to open my eyes to God when I was nine. We knew our family would be separated at auction, so my mother told my siblings and I '...there is a God, who hears and sees you, … he lives in the sky... and when you are beaten, or cruelly treated, or fall into any trouble, you must ask help of him and he will always hear and help you ' (Monges). 'If you ask him to make your masters and mistresses good, he will ' ("Sojourner Truth

Atheism is a topic covered extensively by many theologists and philosophers throughout history. Western culture assumes atheists are neither religious nor spiritual, but atheism is practiced in many forms. For example, atheism is considered a component of several other belief systems. Buddhism in India is often considered nontheistic because of its absence of a creator god. In addition, several branches of Hinduism are also considered nontheistic due to rejecting the notion of God, or the rejection of a personal creator. Jainism is another religion that does not believe in a God as creator or maintainer of life. Atheists can hold any number of moral and spiritual beliefs, and their belief system regarding God or deities can be varied (Wikipedia 2011).

Deysi is a 2-year-old girl who lives with her parents in a one-bedroom apartment. Her mother and father work outside of the home, approximately 10 hours/day. Child care is provided by a network of women who include licensed home-based providers and a variety of friends and extended family members. On most evenings, Deysi's father picks her up from the child care site and gives her a fresh bottle of chocolate-flavored milk for the 45- minute trip home. She usually falls asleep while drinking it; Deysi's parents see this routine as a comfort for their daughter that usually results in a most welcomed, quiet car ride home at the end of a busy day.

Growing up, my life was somewhat sheltered compared to the lives of other people my age. I was raised by both my mom and dad in a Christian household, in which I was taught morals based upon our faith. As a result of this upbringing, my parents and I made the decision to enroll me in a private Christian school in sixth grade. In this setting I was protected from the influences of the outside world. All of the language, violence, and temptations were around me, which I began to recognize as I entered my freshman year of high school. Even the walls of the highly respected establishment could not keep the real world out.

Dean has written a disturbing yet thought-provoking book on the current religious state of America’s teenagers. The background research for this book was the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR). This was one of the largest studies ever of the religious views of teenagers. Dean says more American teenagers are embracing what she calls “moralistic therapeutic deism.” In other words, it’s a watered-down faith that depicts God as a “divine therapist” whose primary objective is to boost people’s self-esteem.

When it comes to religion a theist should be an individual who after being presented with all the facts for and against the existence of a God,subtracts these opposing groups of evidence and comes to the conclusion that their is a God. An atheist should be an individual whom after conducting the same process comes to the conclusion that their is not a

Most children have witnessed so much injustices that they can only turn to religion as a source of comfort and strength to live on. Even racial segregation is present in the churches where people pray for better times. The children pray for the safety of their loved ones and hope that they will live in heaven after death. They believe that God is out there to hear their prayers. “God hears. He sit up high and look low, even here.” (Kozol, 203) This statement reveals that even though the rest of society may not hear the desperate cries of the people living in the Bronx, but God does. Therefore the people still have hope and struggle to survive. Adolescents think about heaven because death occurs frequently in the Bronx. Everyday the children pray for their protection and well-being. “God bless Mommy. God bless Nanny. God, don’t

My mom was always loyal to her faith. But she would always pray and ask, “Why did this happen to me? I have four little children and a husband always at work, I can’t leave now. I have too much to do here.”

Harold S. Kushner was groundbreaking in a topic many authors shy away from, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” The author takes a critical look at human suffering and without prejudice or bias provides a valid argument on the topic of suffering and why afflictions to good people persist. The book takes a critical look at religion and extensively clears prejudgments adherents have about God. The author develops the storyline of the book on a personal experience where he lost his son, Aaron, from an incurable genetic disease. The fact that the book is autographical makes it very influential to its readers.

The short story “The Broken Globe” written by Henry Kreisler reveals many complex issues that arise when a parent and child have different opinions on sensitive issues or beliefs. This story also shows how violence and mutiny caused by a difference in belief can overshadow eternal love. Henry Kreisler implies that people who are ideologically indoctrinated into believing or following in a deity or higher spiritual power can directly or indirectly affect themselves and others they influence. Nick Solchuk was raised by his fundamentalist Christian father. His education came primarily from a medieval church which significantly affected him and his son.