Atheists taking their kids to church - Beliefnet.com

Atheists report they are taking their kids to church

In a surprising discovery, two researchers find that atheists at 21 different universities think it's important that their children be exposed to matters of faith

BY: Rob Kerby

Faith and family are so tightly linked in American society that "even some of society's least religious people find religion to be important in their private lives," says researcher Elaine Howard Ecklund from Rice University.

Ecklund

Despite their personal non-belief, reports the website Futurity, a surprising number of atheist scientist parents told Ecklund that they often participate in religious traditions for their kids' sake.

"Through in-depth interviews with scientists at elite academic institutions -- those particularly likely to have no firm belief in God," reads the abstract of Ecklund's report, published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, "we provide insight into the motives scientists who are not religious have for joining a religious group."

The study also examines "the struggle faced by these individuals in reconciling personal beliefs with what they consider the best interests of their families."

Continued on page 2: »

Related Topics:

Atheists

To comment on this content you must be a registered user:

Sign-Up or Log-In

About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement
DiggDeliciousNewsvineRedditStumbleTechnoratiFacebook