- Paperback: 94 pages
- Publisher: Lulu.com (7 May 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1430314257
- ISBN-13: 978-1430314257
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 0.6 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,775,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Humanism for Parents - Parenting without Religion (1)
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
By some estimates, over 1 billion people in the world are non-religious (humanist/secular/atheist) yet we base some of our parenting techniques and traditions on religion. There are many books available on parenting around each of the major religions, but few around parenting in a Humanist household. This book is an attempt to outline how non-religious parents can have rites, rituals, and practices needed for a healthy, spiritually fulfilled family.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.co.uk.
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
12 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Good Start but Only a Start
11 Jun 2008
Format:Paperback
Sean P. Curley wants to offer parents who don't want to use religion as a tool for childrearing some other options. Given the scariness that can be seen in some religious doctrines and behaviors, it might be a worthy goal for some families. How good are Curley's suggestions in "Humanism for Parents: Parenting without Religion?"
The book is very short, only 87 pages long, and has 8 chapters with a conclusion and a list of resources. This is a general introduction to Humanism and parenting from a former minister, parent and grandfather.
The first three chapters explain Humanism, how morality should be defined from that perspective, and some basic guidelines and goals for parenting in the modern world. There is nothing really that new here, though if you are convinced that religion is necessary in order to be moral, you may be shocked, but then why would you be reaching for this book anyway?
Chapter four looks at how using traditions can help develop spirituality without the need for religion. Drawing from culture, biological and social development and even some religious practices, Curley offers several interesting ideas, never saying what you must do beyond feed your child's spiritual needs in some fashion.
The next three chapters explain why religious conflicts are problematic for the world and how to explain issues to different age groups. The questions and answers for younger children are good, but I found myself a bit offended by the set for older children when I tried to remember back to my teens and early twenties. I think wider reading and greater exposure to other choices would do just as much good, and this also encourages analytical thinking, which must be part of Humanism given Curley's repeated definition of it.
The final chapter looks at seven contemporary issues: Evolution; abortion; stem cell research; gay rights; global warming; neo-atheism; and theocracy and Christian nationalism. I really wanted more citations here and a deeper discussion of the conflicts between religions and Humanism and between Humanists themselves. This lends more realism to the problems and the possible solutions, plus it could be a great way to discuss these issues with older children and young adults who are open to Humanism or simply a more logical way of life.
I think that Curley touches upon several important considerations for all parents but in particular those who don't want to push religion on their children. Touching, though, is about all he does. Over and over I wanted more citations, more examples, more information. The book is a good start, but it is only a start.
The book is very short, only 87 pages long, and has 8 chapters with a conclusion and a list of resources. This is a general introduction to Humanism and parenting from a former minister, parent and grandfather.
The first three chapters explain Humanism, how morality should be defined from that perspective, and some basic guidelines and goals for parenting in the modern world. There is nothing really that new here, though if you are convinced that religion is necessary in order to be moral, you may be shocked, but then why would you be reaching for this book anyway?
Chapter four looks at how using traditions can help develop spirituality without the need for religion. Drawing from culture, biological and social development and even some religious practices, Curley offers several interesting ideas, never saying what you must do beyond feed your child's spiritual needs in some fashion.
The next three chapters explain why religious conflicts are problematic for the world and how to explain issues to different age groups. The questions and answers for younger children are good, but I found myself a bit offended by the set for older children when I tried to remember back to my teens and early twenties. I think wider reading and greater exposure to other choices would do just as much good, and this also encourages analytical thinking, which must be part of Humanism given Curley's repeated definition of it.
The final chapter looks at seven contemporary issues: Evolution; abortion; stem cell research; gay rights; global warming; neo-atheism; and theocracy and Christian nationalism. I really wanted more citations here and a deeper discussion of the conflicts between religions and Humanism and between Humanists themselves. This lends more realism to the problems and the possible solutions, plus it could be a great way to discuss these issues with older children and young adults who are open to Humanism or simply a more logical way of life.
I think that Curley touches upon several important considerations for all parents but in particular those who don't want to push religion on their children. Touching, though, is about all he does. Over and over I wanted more citations, more examples, more information. The book is a good start, but it is only a start.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Book lacking in specifics
11 Sep 2008
Format:Paperback
While I love the idea that there are more and more resources for parenting children without religion, this book didn't do a whole lot for me. It's a short book, with a lot of space devoted to simply explaining Humanism. The author went from there to giving his opinion on some parenting issues, but there wasn't much meat to it. It would have been a nice essay, but as a book it left a lot to be desired. I would highly recommend Parenting Beyond Belief by Dale McGowan if you are looking for more substance. This book is a good primer though. Buy them both!
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Straightforward and Easy to Read
28 Aug 2007
Format:Paperback
This is a straightforward guide that is well written and easy to read. The author has included a chapter for kids that helps to answer some of the questions children may have regarding Humanism, religion, science, etc., as well as another chapter for more inquisitive teens that answers many of the same questions in more detail. Also covered in this book are subjects dealing with Humanist philosophy, morality, traditions, and relevant social issues. The book is filled with helpful information, and includes many references for those who want to delve deeper into various subjects. Sean has written a book that should make it much easier for non-religious, Humanist parents to give their children a nurturing family life.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
