In a world where most people don’t seem to think you can raise moral kids without religion being a key factor, (or at least that’s how it seems in MY little corner of the world) the PBB book was really a wonderful and welcome parenting tool.

I know many of my friends and family think I’m doing a great in-justice bringing my kids up without church every Sunday. Being that I WAS brought up going to church 2-4 times a week, it is sometimes a bit difficult to head into uncharted territories of bringing up my kids without so much religion – and I wonder sometimes if I am handling things the “right” way. Of course, I want what is best for my children. This seems hard for any of my Christian friends/family to conceive that I don’t think raising them religiously is best – but, I don’t.

When I searched for advice or help, I usually came across parenting/family value type books or feedback from Christians – including the usual advice to “pray” or “believe” or “hand it over to God”.

Parenting Beyond Belief was the first book I saw that seemed like it was specifically for people like me. I appreciated the advice on how to handle certain situations as a non-believer. I also liked the many different perspectives and ideas on ways to raise good, moral, intelligent, free-thinking children that this book offered. Last but not least, it was also nice to hear some personal stories, realize I’m not alone… and that my kids aren’t the only ones not being dragged off to church most Sundays.

~smj

For my money, I love a reasoned thought out approach and know great books by Christians that you wouldn’t know are Christians by their book, great books by non-Christians… never mind… labels don’t help. It sounds like a great book, and as I have a daughter I will definitely pick it up. Being a Theist just changes the way my wife and I would use it – but always critically. Thanks for a great post the chaplain!

Speaking generally, academics are in the habit of writing for themselves, not for the public. In research universities, tenure is acquired by publishing in peer-reviewed, scholarly journals rather than pedestrian publications like Ladies Home Journal or GQ. Book publication is okay, but it lacks the status of peer-reviewed, ground-breaking primary research. And editing or writing a textbook for public school use is laughable – not considered a serious endeavor at all. Writing or editing college texts is somewhat more dignified and respectable. Consequently, non-sectarian academic material typically takes a long time to be distilled and translated from academic-speak into common-sense language that can be embraced by the public. By the time that happens, the original ideas have been transformed and enhanced.

In contrast, the faculty at Christian institutions often write books, as well as articles for Christian journals like Christianity Today or Leadership. By doing this, they flood the popular market with their materials. Christians have an advantage in product placement, too, as their goods are sold in both secular venues, such as Barnes & Noble or Safeway, as well as Christian bookstores. You won’t find Richard Dawkins or Sam Harris, or any other critics of Christianity, in the latter locales.

You also asked Do you think that Christians have in some sense “hijacked” this research and made it their own? That’s exactly what they’ve done. Again, they have an advantage regarding source material. They can use either their own home-grown stuff, or they can adapt what they like from the secular world, run it through their filters and package it as Christian product.

McGowan’s book is a straight-forward attempt to bring balance to the discussion by unapologetically putting his atheistic background right out front and challenging the Religious Right’s self-anointed status as arbiter of Family Values. The USA, in particular, needs more authors like McGowan to stand up and speak out boldly from an atheistic position.

I really like this article and the attention it brings to the book in what seems to be a fair light. I am curious why you think a book like this would be necessary since almost every child developmentalist of note is a humanist. Is it that the more academic research being done isnt making it into the public consciousness? Do you think that Christians have in some sense “hijacked” this research and made it their own? I guess my question is, “Why do you think such a response is needed?”