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Religious Book Store > Religious books beginning with H
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Humanism for Parents - Parenting without Religion |
Author: Sean Curley
Published: 2007-05-07 |
List price: $12.95
Our price: $11.65
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As of: January 07th, 2009 07:21:38 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Book lacking in specifics
While I love the idea that there are more and more resources for parenting children without religion, this book didn't do a whole lot for me. It's a short book, with a lot of space devoted to simply explaining Humanism. The author went from there to giving his opinion on some parenting issues, but there wasn't much meat to it. It would have been a nice essay, but as a book it left a lot to be desired. I would highly recommend Parenting Beyond Belief by Dale McGowan if you are looking for more substance. This book is a good primer though. Buy them both!
Good Start but Only a Start
Sean P. Curley wants to offer parents who don't want to use religion as a tool for childrearing some other options. Given the scariness that can be seen in some religious doctrines and behaviors, it might be a worthy goal for some families. How good are Curley's suggestions in "Humanism for Parents: Parenting without Religion?"
The book is very short, only 87 pages long, and has 8 chapters with a conclusion and a list of resources. This is a general introduction to Humanism and parenting from a former minister, parent and grandfather.
The first three chapters explain Humanism, how morality should be defined from that perspective, and some basic guidelines and goals for parenting in the modern world. There is nothing really that new here, though if you are convinced that religion is necessary in order to be moral, you may be shocked, but then why would you be reaching for this book anyway?
Chapter four looks at how using traditions can help develop spirituality without the need for religion. Drawing from culture, biological and social development and even some religious practices, Curley offers several interesting ideas, never saying what you must do beyond feed your child's spiritual needs in some fashion.
The next three chapters explain why religious conflicts are problematic for the world and how to explain issues to different age groups. The questions and answers for younger children are good, but I found myself a bit offended by the set for older children when I tried to remember back to my teens and early twenties. I think wider reading and greater exposure to other choices would do just as much good, and this also encourages analytical thinking, which must be part of Humanism given Curley's repeated definition of it.
The final chapter looks at seven contemporary issues: Evolution; abortion; stem cell research; gay rights; global warming; neo-atheism; and theocracy and Christian nationalism. I really wanted more citations here and a deeper discussion of the conflicts between religions and Humanism and between Humanists themselves. This lends more realism to the problems and the possible solutions, plus it could be a great way to discuss these issues with older children and young adults who are open to Humanism or simply a more logical way of life.
I think that Curley touches upon several important considerations for all parents but in particular those who don't want to push religion on their children. Touching, though, is about all he does. Over and over I wanted more citations, more examples, more information. The book is a good start, but it is only a start.
 Gives parents advice for teaching their children morality and ethics their own way
It's wrong to assume that a child brought up without religion is doomed to be immoral and evil, yet many assume it as such. "Humanism for Parents: Parenting without Religion" is a complete and comprehensive guide for parents of agnostic and atheist faiths(or lack of) and want to raise their child without religion. Focusing on the philosophy of humanism as a replacement for religion, it seeks to give parents advice for teaching their children morality and ethics their own way. "Humanism for Parents: Parenting Without Religion" is a highly recommended book for any non-religious parent who wants to stay that way.
 A great resource for conscientious parents
HUMANISM FOR PARENTS is a great little book for introducing concerned parents to what it means to raise great kids without religion. It's a great little book, but it's far too brief to be comprehensive. It reads more like an introduction than like a last word.
The book is well-written, and flows by quickly, and it ultimately does more toward justifying and explaining how to raise kids without religion than it does to serve as a handbook on actually doing so. Which is cool. Not every book can do everything, but for what this one does, it does it well.
The book's first three chapters give an overview of what humanism is, discuss the idea of morality without an omnipotent deity to dictate it, and review the basic concepts of good parenting--and only upon reaching Chapter 4 does it really take the time to give suggestions about how to raise good, nonreligious children--by observing rituals, connecting with the past, teaching true morality, and so forth. The author is kind of a hippie--he's an ordained Humanist Reverend of the Church of Spiritual Humanism, whatever that means, and he likes to make up holidays for his kids to observe. He likes a lot more of the things that drove me away from religion....
Anyway, moving on, the chapters that follow that one answer some basic questions about humanism for kids and teenagers, and examine certain contemporary issues that may be of importance to families.
HUMANISM FOR PARENTS is really a good read--despite its tendency to quote Wikipedia; c'mon find the original sources--but I really wanted more at the end of it. I mean: a whole book about parenting, with no mention of discipline? Seriously.
Ultimately, however, I'm really glad I read this, and I now plan to seek out other titles on the same topic. I can't think of any responsibility that should weigh heavier on parents than seizing the chance to teach our children to think for themselves--and the ideas suggested in this book will only help with that.
I'm grateful for it, and I recommend it.
Good parenting for the nonreligious
I found this book to be very helpful with ideas and advice on how to parent when you are not a Christian. The author explains how Easter and Christmas predate Christianity and were really harvest and farming festivals celebrating the spring equinox and winter solstice. An atheist, agnostic,or humanist should have no trouble celebrating these in there original tradition and spirit of thanks. The author discusses how to achieve some of the same experiences that the religious experience with out going to a Christian Church,(Singing, fellowsip, and learning etc.). I really found the chapters that are written for youngsters and teenagers very helpful in explaining to them my belief system. The book shows how to derive morals from society and what benefits yourself and others. He teaches the highest moral code, do good because it is the right thing to do, not from the threat of Hell or the reward of Heaven. The author also examines some of the most controversial issues of our time, abortion, global warming, homosexual marriage, and evolutionary science. I completely agree with the authors stances on all these issues, he is very knowledgeable and has really thought the issues completely through. The author Sean Curley has written a truly logical,rational, and compassionate book that shows the true beauty of Humanism and how to share it with your children.
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