Raising Freethinkers: A Practical Guide for Parenting Beyond Belief

Excellent, thought-provoking book that is for everyone. Contains terrific activities for kids and has a great attitude about how to raise a child not to just accept what you as a parent say, but to think for her or himself. That's what parenting really should be about -- whether it be in political belief, religious, racial, etc. I really respect these writers for their courage and thoughtfulness, because they are not just talking about religion (though that is what most people focus on). The true lesson of this book is in teaching children to BE -- on their own, to be full people, to have fully freestanding and active, enquiring, and interested, engaged minds.

I suggested this book to the Boston Public Library. A useful collection of resources and ideas, good for skimming & occasionally reading more closely.

Quick read, some good advice, most of the suggested activities are for kids 8 and above.

Skimmed through quite a bit of this book, only reading in depth when something caught my interest.

About the authors, from the back cover of the book: "Dale McGowan is a writer, editor, and parenting educator. He edited and coauthored 'Parenting Beyond Belief.' Molleen Matsumura has been a humanist activist and writer for more than 20 years and has contributed to 'Free Inquiry' and 'The New Humanist.' Amanda Metskas is the President of Camp Quest. Jan Devor is Director of Religious Education for the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.

Susan K. Perry, Ph.D., social psychologist and author of "Playing Smart and Loving in Flow,' creativity blogger for PsychologyToday.com, and advice columnist for Netscape.com and TheCradle.com, said of this work: "I raised my own freethinking sons not that long ago, and had little choice but to do it show more without much practical support. This book is the best, most comprehensive compendium of secular parenting strategies and tips I can imagine. It shows how, without the aid of any supernatural overseer, you can raise kids who are moral, compassionate, curious, and fully aware of a truly civilized human society." show less