Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3127 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-25
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Library Journal
Engaging and down-to-earth,[this book is highly recommended for large public libraries and parenting collections.

Review

“Parents on both sides of the culture war will find this book a compelling read.”

-Newsweek, July 16, 2007

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.

Customer Reviews

Not just for parents
Not just for parents...
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of essays on nontheist education and lifestyle. While this book is geared toward parents, and certainly useful for them, I found it highly useful on an individual level as well to think about these issues. I really appreciated the additional resources provided at the end of each chapter, this allows you to take your own pursuit of these ideas much deeper than is allowed in individual essays. Most of the resources also include a note on appropriate age level which was very useful as well. The book touches on practical real world problems, and I found it truly eye opening to read of some of the discrimination that the authors and their children had faced. One topic I wish would have been addressed more is how to deal with extended family members of faith. Dealing with an overzealous teacher is one thing, but how do you strike balance with a loving and good intentioned grandparent who truly may believe that your child may be doomed to eternal damnation because of you. Some of the authors who are in mixed marriages touched on this briefly but I think it is an important enough issue for nontheist parents to be explored further.
I would definitely recommend this book to well just about anyone. Even religious parents would benefit from the critical perspective that is offered of what we teach our children and why.

Positive and thoughtful
I am an atheist with two small children exploring how to best raise them in a religious world. This book is so positive and thoughtful that it was a joy to read. The format was easy to follow and all the more helpful because it wasn't written by a single 'expert' on child rearing. It gives you different perspectives (all without god of course) and provides many resources for continued exploration both for the adult and the child. Some of these resources I have encountered online, but many were new to me. I know I will be returning to the book time and again as my children grow and are capable of understanding more complex issues. If you enjoy the book or are interesting in learning more about the author you might be interested in seeking out Dr. McGowan's blog as well.

Great book
I really like the way this book is written. Lots of personal stories. Great information on non religious holidays, explaining death to your child, peer pressure.