Athée Canadien
Personal Story
Of Sports and Superstition
Apr 24th
As an Atheist, as a human being I suppose, I pride myself on being rational and level headed. I have dismissed religion, political conspiracy theories, and aliens because there is simply no (or not enough) proof that they are real. I believe in science; I believe in what I can see, feel, and prove and nothing else.
That is until sports are involved. Especially when it comes to my beloved Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins.
When the Stanley Cup playoffs begin it’s like a go from being an Atheist to an Evangelical. I lose my ability to think logically and I become a slave to superstition. I suddenly find myself repeating or adjusting routines to ensure that my team has the best chance of winning. How can I possibly justify this with myself?
I don’t know and I don’t care.
What’s that you say? What I do in my home does not affect how my Bruins play on the ice in an arena hundreds of kilometres away? Blasphemy!
On Being a Canadian Atheist
Apr 13th
I actually wrote this a while ago but some recent Canadian news – led by Elizabeth May – made me go back and find it.
What does it mean to be a Canadian?
What does it mean to be an Atheist?
What does it mean to be a Canadian Atheist?
I can answer the first two questions with ease but the third question…well, it baffles me.
If I were an American, an Iranian, an Israelite, an Iraqi, an Indian, or even if I were Irish then I wouldn’t have trouble defining what it would mean to me to be an Atheist from my home country. But I’m none of those nationalities – I’m Canadian.
A Personal Story…
Mar 25th
It seems to be the quickest way to polarize a relationship, bring something like personal beliefs into the conversation. To be honest, I thought I was the kind of person that could be fine with others believing whatever they wanted. That is partly still true – but if I’m being honest with myself, it bothers me when I think about some of my friends subscribing to such ridiculous beliefs – even if they don’t see them as ridiculous. So, I’m forced to put it aside and forget it exists when we are together. I choose to do this because, religious differences aside, I truly value my friends and the time we spend together.
One such friend is someone I have been close to for a long time. We went to university together, met within the first week of school, and graduated 4 years later with the same degree. In third and fourth year we were roommates. Honestly, the guy is a brother to me. More than that, whenever I needed help with any subject, I could ask him. Before knowing me for four months, he spent a total of about 20 hours helping me study for a final exam that I had no chance of passing. He did this even though he also had this exam (as well as five others) to study for. What I’m saying is, he’s a great guy and he’s very smart. More >
Parents Say The Darndest Things
Mar 19th
I was at my parents place this weekend for dinner and I told them about my new pastime of blogging here at Canadian Atheist. My folks have known for years that I am an Atheist but we had never really talked much about it – until this weekend.
The conversation was positive, open minded, and non-judgemental. But my mother said one thing to me that I found very interesting. She said that she felt like it was her fault; like she did something wrong and that is why I ended up an Atheist.
Of course I found this to be an odd statement and I quickly clarified that, if anything, my being an Atheist shows that I was raised to think for myself and to have an eternally open mind. We talked more and I explained many of my positions and thoughts and my parents shared theirs. It was a good conversation and one that I am glad we had.
But the idea that my mother felt like she did something wrong and that’s how I became an Atheist stuck with me and got me thinking – I can’t be the only Atheist with a story like this.
So I’m curious to hear from you, my fellow Atheists, about the kinds of things your family and/or friends have said to you regarding your stance on religion and lack of belief.
My Journey from Faith
Mar 5th
What better time to tell your family you’re an atheist than Christmas Eve?
Honestly, I didn’t even realize that’s what I was doing when I told my family I wasn’t going to Christmas Eve service because “I don’t believe in what the church believes.” But I had said it. And despite the obvious unease they felt, my family didn’t give me much flack over the issue. Looking back, I figure that my parents most likely thought I was just being the moody fifteen-year-old that I was and that I was purely trying to get out of going to church. But since that fateful evening many Christmas’ ago I have only ever set foot in churches for funerals, weddings, and one baptism.
More >
Growing up godless
Feb 10th
Next week I’ve been invited by the Unitarian Fellowship of Regina to give a talk on secular parenting. Here’s the little blurb I wrote for it:
Growing up godless: Strategies for the 21st century secular family
A 2008 survey found that 1 in 4 Canadians don’t believe in God. Another study found that religion could potentially go ‘extinct’ in Canada. With faith becoming less of an influencing factor in our society, what does it mean to raise children without the anchoring of religious tenets? My talk will discuss strategies for secular families facing life situations where traditionally religion has influenced a family’s decision-making and comfort in challenging times. I’ll also talk about the role religion can play in a nonreligious household.
I’m finishing my plans for the talk over this weekend, and I thought I’d ask you all for some input. What sorts of topics should I touch on in my 20 minutes? First I think I need define what I mean by ‘secular’ parenting, and then maybe I’ll talk a few minutes about some of the bigger issues families have to deal with (interactions with religious extended family, holidays, death, etc). I’m also hoping to open the floor to discussion, in case there’s anyone there who disagrees with some of what I’m saying.
I think I also would like to pass on some ideas for the Regina group on different activities they can host for secular families, looking back to events like Darwin Day, summer camping trips, and other topical celebrations our secular parenting group has done over the years.
Secular parenting groups are still hard to find here in Canada — here’s hoping that more groups will pop up as resources for freethinking families.
re·ject
Jan 25th
As it’s Oscar season, I’m busy catching all the nominees for the best picture — which means I caught the critically acclaimed ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin‘ (which I was sure was going to be nominated in some way, but wasn’t .. and that’s a subject for another post).
Anyway, I enjoyed the film so much that I started to read the 2003 novel it was based on, of the same name by the author Lionel Shriver. As I read, there was a quote that caught my eye and caused me to pause — it’s a quote spoken by the mother/protagonist of the novel, reflecting back on her flaws as a parent. One shortcoming she muses about is the lack of a religious environment she exposed her son, Kevin, to:
Both of us were lapsed, so it made sense to raise our kids as neither Armenian Orthodox or Presbyterian. Although I’m reluctant to inveigh that youth today need to crack the Old Testament, it sobers me that, thanks to us, Kevin may have never seen the inside of a church.
The fact that you and I were brought up with something to walk away from may have advantaged us, for we knew what lay behind us, and what we were not.
So I wonder if Kevin, too, would have been better off had we spewed a lot of incense-waving hooey that he could have coughed back in our faces — those extravagant fancies about virgin births and commandments on mountaintops that really stick in a kid’s throat. [my emphasis]
As soon as I read this passage, I had to stop — if only because it resonated a little too much. Is my little girl — being raised in a happily godless home — at a disadvantage?
More >
A Personal Story (or Ramble)
Dec 21st
Even before I begin, I feel this one will not be easy to write. There seems to be a lot at stake, and I may not want to face the conclusions I draw. The short of it is this: there is someone I am extremely close to – we see each other and speak daily – who has strong opposing views. It pains me because I honestly do care what she thinks of me; and this is aside from any desire I may have to be correct or to win an argument. More >
Secular family resources
Nov 2nd
One of the bigger shortcomings in the Canadian atheist community (in my humble opinion, of course) is the lack of resources/groups for secular families. As far as I know, there’s only one secular parenting group in Canada (though I would LOVE to be corrected in the comments!). That said, I realize that the secular parenting movement is still fairly new, so I’m hoping in the next few years we can build some momentum and get some more groups going up here in the Great White North.
Until that time, here are some great resources I’ve been coming across over the last few weeks that I’d thought I’d share:
- SocraticMama: a new website/community started by Anne Crumpacker, the mom of 9-year-old Mason (who infamously asked Christopher Hitchens “What should I read?” last month at the Texas Freethought Convention). The SocraticMama site is meant to be a “a place where ideas are judged on merit alone, where questions are explored, and where adults and kids can come together to puzzle about life’s wonders.” It’s still new, so go check it out!
- Speaking of Mason, here’s an inspiring interview with her in this past Sunday’s Dallas Morning News. My favorite bit:
Why did you decide it was important to ask a question of Hitchens? Because I had just found out that he was dying, and he’s a brilliant man. And I felt that his knowledge of the world shouldn’t be wasted, and that someone should continue what he started.
Where will he go when he dies?
Nowhere.
Did he answer you the way you expected to be answered?
Yes. He was very honest to me and very, very nice. I think all adults should be honest to kids with their answers and take them seriously. They’re living people, too. I especially hate when adults dumb it down for me.
- Like Mason, I’m also always on the hunt for good books to add to my secular parenting shelf. Recently I’ve come across some good resources that will help me add more book titles to my wish list. Check out Children’s Books for Secular and Progressive Families: Part One (more parts to come this week!) and the two episodes of Atheist Talk on Children’s books on science and Children’s books on religion.
- Another site to check out for musings on secular parenting is the Parents Beyond Belief blog. This is a resource for secular parenting groups and religion-free parenting approaches — the blog features posts by a variety of contributors, with topics ranging from the perils of secular homeschooling to Camp Quest experiences to reflections on teaching your child critical thinking skills. [disclosure: I help edit the blog -- so if there are any Canadian secular parents who would like to contribute, contact me!]
- Here’s another good blog on secular parenting: Relax, It’s Just God by Wendy Thomas Russell. I really like her writing style, and it’s a place where “you’ll find suggestions and encouragement for modern, secular
parents ready to talk to their kids about God.” Check it out.
- Finally, there’s a newly-formed Facebook group that’s targeted to secular mamas: Mothers Beyond Belief. It’s only been around for about 5 days, in in that time, we’ve gotten over 500 members! It’s a private group, meant to be a resource/support for secular moms. I help to admin the group, and I can attest to it being a great group of women to interact with!
So, there you have it. If you have any resources/links you’d like to share, feel free to pass ‘em along.
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