^[1]

Christians renouncing God as non-Christians are recruiting converts.

Children need to be taught to think out of the box, think for themselves and be tolerant of other people/beliefs. The only way to do it is to expose them to different ideas and say well maybe you can decide later on, for now:these are your options: look over them and ask questions; maybe conduct research in the library or on Bing/Google.

However, even when given the choice young ones will/should tend to follow their parents' beliefs because they enamor/idolize them considerably before the teenage rebellion phase.

1. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism#Trend_in_the_UK

These adverts are misleading/offensive/confusing to children and parents alike:^[1]

Our children lead increasingly stressful lives as a result of technology/competition/our-crazy-times, to add choosing a religion/belief to the pile is inhuman: The very last straw on the camel's back.

With anxiety/depression and other stress-caused/related psychological/physical medical conditions on the rise, the atheist community by advertising big choices at a young impressionable age is only aggravating matters.

1. ^ http://katygorman.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/humanist-adverts-go-up-in-cardiff/

I agree with this view because, in the media especially, religion, particularly Christianity in the UK, is scoffed at and ridiculed, deemed out of date and nothing more than a fairytale! Somebody mentioned scepticism in one of the "No" arguments. But scepticism has morphed into an ugly form of cynicism where no religious testament will be heard in this secular society.

The government has happily abandoned the Christian tradition to encourage "the celebration of all religions" but has just ignored its Christian roots.

For fear of offence, local councils make an extra effort to celebrate Diwali, Eid and other festivals, but assume that Easter and Christmas will take care of themselves. In fact, these Christian celebrations have become a time of gluttony and consumerism. To observe Christianity, councils put up, lights that appeal to all faiths, so as not to offend. How pathetic.

If the festivals are not celebrated properly, the UK is not encouraged to observe the religion they come from; Christianity. Which results in widespread atheism.

In response to "The point of religious holiday gatherings is mainly to hang out and have fun so it shouldn't matter if it's Hanukkah/Eid/Diwali/Christmas that people are celebrating just as long as they're/we're coming together to have fun"

The point of religious festivals is not just having fun! It is a celebration of an important event in the religion's calendar. This is PRECISELY my point. Trivialising faith as just some funny folk tale!

I'm not saying Britons are born Christian. No one is born Christian, how ridiculous! The debate is whether atheism is on the rise, I'm saying it is and giving my reason why. Also, my point is that Christianity is being discouraged, which is not the same as not accepting other faiths.

My point is that FAITH in anything is not encouraged in this country, which gives rise to atheism.

Problem is;

The claim that all Brits are born Christian is inherently false.

Accepting/tolerating/being-civil-with-people-of- other beliefs, is not the same as giving up your own. Realistically we all have our own interpretation of our religion, which maybe mildly or starkly different from those around us. That does not mean we should banish ourselves from society and interact with no one.

this calls for the Voltaire quote "I wholly disagree with what you are saying but will defend to the death your right to say it."

The point of religious holiday gatherings is mainly to hang out and have fun so it shouldn't matter if it's Hanukkah/Eid/Diwali/Christmas that people are celebrating just as long as they're/we're coming together to have fun.

This is not even worth to be an argument... Let the kids believe in what they want to believe in. How do u expect someone to believe in something they don't even believe in?

I believe that earth is flat, can you? No, right?

Actually, the earth is flat at the poles and bulging at the sides; therefore the common depiction of the Earth as spherical is just as erroneous as the primitive notion that it is completely flat and if one keeps going then s/he will fall off the 'edge' at some point.

and there is presently an entire group of people that believes that the Earth is flat. It's called 'The flat Earth Society'^[1]

The physics behind the modern flat Earth theory^[2]

and yes the idea is get children to think and not just take everything at face value.

1. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth_Society
2. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth_Society#Physics_of_a_Flat_Earth

One might say that rearing your child by enforcing your beliefs onto them, sometimes making them feel pressured and unable to take a different path, is being equally irresponsible and insensitive. Not all children of atheists or agnostics are raised in the same mould - since parents are not the only influence that exists in society.

As infants we are born into a world of which we have no knowledge or education. These we develop throughout our lives. Surely atheism is the most suitable condition of childhood, as religion, if one chooses to adopt it, is one of the learned habits or beliefs that we acquire as we learn.

Atheist writers by appealing to the mentally immature/impressionable youth are being horribly irresponsible and insensitive to their parents.

Children of Atheist/Agnostic parents are reared agnostic, why shouldn't children of Christians/Muslims/Jews/Hindus/Eks/Buddhists et cetera inherit their parents' religions 'until' they can choose for themselves?

Agreed but being forced to be atheist means not feeling at home with Christians/Muslims/Jews/Hindus.

And social development is key at an early age. One should not be plagued with unnecessary confusion when all a child wants is to play and be loved rather than indulge in religious debate.

religion is a personal matter not something that can be rationally discussed in pre-school or at home; when building blocks is one`s prime activity.

Being introduced to interesting, inspiring questions, expected to actively think about what you believe rather than just obey your parents, learning to be sceptical and analytical at an early age, is different to being forced to be atheist. You can train yourself to think rationally about important issues, if done sensitively by someone who understands the issues themselves, there is no reason why children can't be taught to do so like they start learning any other academic skills at an early age. I was fascinated by such issues even at early primary school and had I been taken to one side and properly taught, I would have developed very quickly.

there is no doubt that parents can but whether they `should`.

Should children be given the liberty to make their own choices early on an not be pressured into believing the religion they are born into?

Children are too young to perform any important religious rituals all on their own and if they are let be then maybe it would be easier for them to develop and interact with another , not worrying about ideological differences,racial politics and other heavy issues that require a maturer mind-set.

We agree that choice/innocence/ignorance is a fundamental human right, then how can/do we suggest that our children do not deserve it?

If a child is born into a christian household , and is brought up in that faith thats perfectly fine. Whats not to say when they turn 18 they decide to fall away from that religion. This argument is pathetic and is a simple way for athestists (who have no respect for others beliefs) to attack and attempt to get religion completly taken out of sociaty, parents can raise their child in any religion or none religion they choose. And thats that.