Synopses & Reviews
“Dale McGowan has assembled an invaluable sourcebook on an issue that must be of great concern to everyone but narrow dogmatists. How do we raise our children to think for themselves on religious and ethical questions? Can we avoid religious indoctrination without inoculating our children against religion? As a parent, as the pastor of a diverse congregation, as a freethinker, and as a counselor to mixed-faith couples, I have had occasion to think much on these questions. So have the contributors to this fine volume. Here you will find real help.” — Robert M. Price, Ph.D., Author of The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man, Jesus Seminar cofounder
Why am I here? What happens after we die? These are some of the hardest questions a child can ask, and they are even harder for parents to answer. Explaining the meaning of life to your children can be challenging enough when you have the support of a built-in community with a religious leader like a pastor or a rabbi. If you’ve chosen to raise your children without religion, it can be even more daunting.
Parenting Beyond Belief helps you celebrate the freedom that comes with raising kids without formal indoctrination and advises parents on the most effective way to raise freethinking, empathetic, and compassionate children. With contributions from some of the most celebrated secular educators, doctors, psychologists, and philosophers, as well as wisdom from everyday parents, the book offers tips and insights on a variety of topics, from interreligious marriages to coping with death and loss, and from religious holidays to morality.
Sensitive and timely, Parenting Beyond Belief features reflections from such freethinkers as Mark Twain; Richard Dawkins; Bertrand Russell; psychologist Dr. Jean Mercer; comedian Julia Sweeney; entertainer Penn Jillette; Norm R. Allen, Jr., the executive director of African Americans for Humanism (AAH); Dan Barker, the author of Losing Faith in Faith; and wellness guru Dr. Don Adel. From the humorous “Little Bessie Would Assist Providence” to the poignant “Dealing with Death in the Secular Family,” these contributions offer guidance on the common issues you find yourself facing every day.
At once delightful and enlightening, this is the first book of its kind to show secular parents that they are not alone in their quest to raise caring, independent, and open-minded children.
Dale McGowan, Ph.D., holds degrees in the arts and sciences from UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Minnesota. In addition to a 15-year teaching career, he was editor and featured essayist for the Family Issues section of the Atheist Alliance Web Center.
Review
“Parents on both sides of the culture war will find this book a compelling read.”
-Newsweek, July 16, 2007
Review
“Parenting Beyond Belief serves not only as a guide to families who choose not to make that identification, but it also made me feel that those of us who are struggling with these issues are not so alone.”
--PunditMom (blogspot.com)
Review
“The editor, Dale McGowan, a writer, educator, husband and parent of three, has pulled off the difficult task of weaving together diverse parts into a very cohesive whole. It sure helps that most of these parts (the individual essays) are simply terrific! … Parenting Beyond Belief is not only an interesting and enjoyable read, it is also stuffed full with good information and pointers to other sources.”
--John Logsdon, "Sex, Genes, & Evolution" and the Iowa Secularists Newsletter
Review
“…Parenting Beyond Belief provides engaging anecdotes about the challenges of raising children without religion.” Humanist
Synopsis
Foreword by Michael Shermer, Ph.D.
Contributors include Richard Dawkins, Penn Jillette, Julia Sweeney, and Dr. Donald B. Ardell
It’s hard enough to live a secular life in a religious world. And bringing up children without religious influence can be even more daunting. Despite the difficulties, a large and growing number of parents are choosing to raise their kids without religion.
In Parenting Beyond Belief, Dale McGowan celebrates the freedom that comes with raising kids without formal indoctrination and advises parents on the most effective way to raise freethinking children.
With advice from educators, doctors, psychologists, and philosophers as well as wisdom from everyday parents, the book offers tips and insights on a variety of topics, from "mixed marriages" to coping with death and loss, and from morality and ethics to dealing with holidays. Sensitive and timely, Parenting Beyond Belief features reflections from such freethinkers as Mark Twain, Richard Dawkins, Bertrand Russell, and wellness guru Dr. Don Ardell that will empower every parent to raise both caring and independent children without constraints.
Synopsis
Foreword by Michael Shermer, Ph.D.
Contributors include Richard Dawkins, Penn Jillette, Julia Sweeney, and Dr. Donald B. Ardell
It’s hard enough to live a secular life in a religious world. And bringing up children without religious influence can be even more daunting. Despite the difficulties, a large and growing number of parents are choosing to raise their kids without religion.
In Parenting Beyond Belief, Dale McGowan celebrates the freedom that comes with raising kids without formal indoctrination and advises parents on the most effective way to raise freethinking children.
With advice from educators, doctors, psychologists, and philosophers as well as wisdom from everyday parents, the book offers tips and insights on a variety of topics, from "mixed marriages" to coping with death and loss, and from morality and ethics to dealing with holidays. Sensitive and timely, Parenting Beyond Belief features reflections from such freethinkers as Mark Twain, Richard Dawkins, Bertrand Russell, and wellness guru Dr. Don Ardell that will empower every parent to raise both caring and independent children without constraints.
About the Author
Dale McGowan, Ph.D. (Minneapolis, MN) holds degrees in the arts and sciences from UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Minnesota. In addition to a 15-year teaching career, he was editor and featured essayist for the Family Issues section of the Atheist Alliance WebCenter.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Foreword by Michael Shermer
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter One Personal Reflections
Introduction
Navigating Around the Dinner Table Julia Sweeney
Thinking My Way to Adulthood Norm R. Allen, Jr.
Good and Bad Reasons for Believing Richard Dawkins
Growing Up Godless: How I Survived Amateur Secular Parenting Emily Rosa
I’d Rather Play Outside Anne Nicol Gaylor
My Father’s House Dan Barker
Passing Down the Joy of Not Collecting Stamps Penn Jillette
Additional Resources
Chapter Two Living with Religion
Introduction
Parenting in a Secular/Religious Marriage Pete Wernick, Ph.D.
On Being Religiously Literate Rev. Dr. Roberta Nelson
Choosing Your Battles Stu Tanquist
Teaching Children to Stand on Principle—Even When the Going Gets Tough Margaret Downey
Secular Schooling Ed Buckner, Ph.D.
Additional Resources
Chapter Three Holidays and Celebrations
Introduction
Humanist Ceremonies Jane Wynne Willson
Losing the “Holy” and Keeping the “Day” Dale McGowan, Ph.D.
To Easter Bunny or Not to Easter Bunny? Noell Hyman
Additional Resources
Chapter Four On Being and Doing Good
Introduction
Morality and Evil Gareth B.Matthews, Ph.D.
Behaving Yourself:Moral Development in the Secular Family Jean Mercer, Ph.D.
Take Two Tablets and Call Me in the Morning Edgar “Yip” Harburg
On Being Good for Good Reasons: Commandments vs. Principles David Koepsell, JD, Ph.D.
Additional Resources
Chapter Five Values and Virtues, Meaning and Purpose
Introduction
Double Vision: Teaching Our Twins Pride and Respect Shannon and Matthew Cherry
Seven Secular Virtues: Humility, Empathy, Courage, Honesty, Openness, Generosity, and Gratitude Dale McGowan, Ph.D.
Supporting Your Children in Their Quest for the Meaning of Life! Donald B. Ardell, Ph.D.
What Your Kids Won’t Learn in School Annie Laurie Gaylor
A Sixty-Second Reckoned Roll of Freethinkers Historical Dale McGowan, Ph.D.
Parenting and the Arts James Herrick
Additional Resources
Chapter Six Death and Consolation
Introduction
Before and After Yip Harburg
The End, As We Know It Noell Hyman
Dealing with Death in the Secular Family Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons
Small Comforts Yip Harburg
Additional Resources
Chapter Seven Wondering and Questioning
Introduction
Little Bessie Would Assist Providence Mark Twain
Thoughts on Raising a Curious, Creative, Freethinking Child Robert E. Kay, MD
The Family Road Trip: Discovering the Self Behind My Eyes Amy Hilden, Ph.D.
Does God Exist? Stephen Law, D. Phil.
Additional Resources
Chapter Eight Jaw-Dropping, Mind-Buzzing Science
Introduction
Teaching Kids to Yawn at Counterfeit Wonder Dale McGowan, Ph.D.
Natural Wonders Amanda Chesworth
We’ve Come a Long Way, Buddy Yip Harburg
The Idea That Changed the World Kristan Lawson
Additional Resources
Chapter Nine Seeking Community
Introduction
Building the Secular Community—However Slowly Pete Wernick, Ph.D.
Summer Camp Beyond Belief Amanda K.Metskas and August E. Brunsman IV
Let’s Get Organized Bobbie Kirkhart
Additional Resources
Glossary
Additional Resources—General
About the Authors
Index