Off-topic but if you don't mind me asking, how did you parents answer big questions like on the origins of the universe? Did they tell you religious people were wrong? (my religious parents go out of their way to differentiate us from 'them' so I'm curious.)

[–] Firipu@startrek.website 11 points 1 year ago

Just explain the big bang. I mean, not as if anything else is true. As for the "meaning" of life, my parents were quite blunt. And I'm also blunt to my kids: "there is no meaning. Life is what you make off it. Be excellent to each other and enjoy the ride"

[–] 768@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Some don't have an answer or don't care. Some parents show all the religious answers to disillusion the uniqueness and originality of major religions' answers. Many children don't ask or care. Many children are perfectly fine with documentaries about the Big Bang, seeing the complexity involved.

I asked, my parents didn't know and cared little to find out, I found documentaries and audiobooks made for children. It took a long time for me to understand that the boring religious stories they subtly taught in school were seeking to at least partially replace the scientific narratives.

[–] Firipu@startrek.website 6 points 1 year ago

This so much. The average kid doesn't give a flying fuck about the meaning of life. They're too busy enjoying it. It's only parents that insist on saddling their kids with that existential dread baggage.

[–] alongwaysgone@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

We were/are always just honest with our kids. No, we don't think there's a god/goddess/whatever. When we/grandma/grandpa/whoever dies, they're just gone. Nobody knows where the universe/world comes from. As far as anyone knows it's several billion years old. Explain the big bang as best as we know it. Etc.

There's no 'right' way for so many things when it comes to kids. Ours know that many people believe in a god. We don't. That's ok.