Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion

This book fills a definite void in parenting literature. It contains a collection of perspectives from people who are dealing with raising children in mixed or nonreligious households. It covers topics like dealing with mixed beliefs, death and consolation, values, holidays, community, and critical thinking. It is not prescriptive in that you won't find a set answer for any topic but rather a variety of viewpoints and shared experiences from those who are dealing with them now or have dealt with them as they were raising their own children. It provides the background and resources to adopt those strategies that you feel are right for you or adapt your own. It has been great for me in thinking about issues and developing ideas with my husband as we are planning to start our family.

In my thirty-six years of counseling teens and families, it soon became apparent that whether consciously or not, the parenting styles of young couples are typically adopted from the styles employed by their own parents, as either a model to emulate or intentionally avoid. The lack of exposure to a variety of alternative, and arguably more effective approaches to parenting, leaves a void in this vital area of essential life skills. A parent's most important task could be described as leaving a positive legacy in the form of intelligent, compassionate, creative children who are able to rationally problem-solve and make well-thought out decisions for themselves. In the absence of required parent education programs, either in the school programs or community offerings, couples and single parents are left to their own resources, which too often turn out to be the old trial-and-error method, frequently to the detriment of the children and society. Although there is no shortage of "how- to" books on traditional parenting, most of them seem to have a fairly strong religious bent. Resource options specifically written for non-believers are essentially non-existent. The contributing writers in Parenting Beyond Belief (2007) offer hope in the form of alternative perspectives from the other side of the playground. As editor, McGowan has somehow managed to compile an outstanding cadre of knowledgeable, free-thinking authors in this highly readable volume. I am particularly pleased that he approached the topic from an open, respectful and inclusive stance, rather than joining the growing list of those who choose to smugly attack all religious beliefs and believers. This is not a book on "rearing atheists" and/or polarizing parent groups. The inclusive and balanced approach taken in selecting manuscripts models the principles that should be desired for all children. It is an informative and insightful volume which contains the keys to teaching children (and adults) the values of respect, openness, tolerance, acceptance, compassion, and the vital importance of questioning and critical thinking in everyday life. Parenting Beyond Belief is perhaps more of a "why to" rather than a "how to." Whether a believer or nonbeliever, you don't want to miss this engaging, first-of-its-kind offering. Of interest to me was the fact that, in the chapters he authored, McGowan more than holds his own with the notable, and sometimes notorious, better-known contributors to this resource. The volume includes an excellent list of organizations, web sites and other resources and would be a valuable addition to any parent's library --- grandparents too. Doc. Atlanta, Georgia

As a freethinking mother of a two and six year old, I am so excited and grateful to see a book like this! Not only are the essays thoughtful, well written and informative, it is reassuring to know I'm not the only parent trying to raise my kids to be critical thinkers. My heartfelt thanks goes to Dale McGowan, and to all who contributed to this project. I would highly recommend this book to all parents.

Finally, SOMETHING! My wife and I are about to bring our first child into the world and were happy when we found a book that discusses ways to deal with the issue of holidays, belief in Santa/Easter Bunny, moral development in children without the threat of eternal punishment, how to tackle the questions kids are bound to ask about life/death, and so much more. Overall, it is a great resource for humanist or atheist parents (or wannabe parents) who wish to raise rational, freethinking children with the skills to make up their own minds as adults. The essays are from a wide variety of people with viewpoints, backgrounds, and ideas not always similar. It was the contrast of ideas that helped my wife and I form a game plan on how we can raise children who will never stop asking "why?" for the right reasons. Our favorite sections are Does God Exist, which is written in a wonderfully and easy to understand conversational style by Stephen Law, and Dealing with Death in a Secular family by Kendyl Gibbons. Although the piece that I'm sure we'll go back to over and over is the list famous freethinkers. Ahhh resources, magnificent, beautiful resources... My only complaint, and it is to be unavoidable, is that this book didn't come sooner. It was my hope to find a solid community to immediately fall into, but it was not meant to be. And even though there are over 20 million of us in the US, it IS hard to rally secular people around that single ideal. So I send my heartfelt thanks to Dale McGowan for helping to foster our community. Read the book, raise intelligent, freethinking children, and the next generation will not have to work so hard to find a common identity. Edit: I also wish that more of the books suggested were still in print.

I had been waiting for this book for a long time. As a secular parent, it is always nice to read about other parents in the same situation and the various stumbling blocks we may run into. The collection of essays in this book outline most of those-religion and education, fostering a respect for religious people, the Santa question, teaching children to stand up for their beliefs, etc. The group of writers in the book focus on the many different viewpoints of secular parents. It isn't preachy in any way, and offers valuable insight into the big tent of secular belief. I highly recommend this for all secular parents, or anyone who follows a philosophy outside the mainstream.