to ask if anyone has or would send their child to an atheist camp?

[Ihavewelliesbuttheyrenotgreen]

I am a Christian and have attended/volunteered on lots of Christian summner camps over the years. Mumsnet has opened my eyes a bit more to atheism and the choices that people face about religion etc when bringing up kids. Would anyone send their kids on one of these atheist camps and what would be your reasons?

[hiddenhome]

I really don't see the point. The vast majority of childrens' camps don't push religion anyway.

[Succubi]

Thanks for the link. Sounds like a really good option for my boys.

[pointydog]

God no

[Ihavewelliesbuttheyrenotgreen]

I'm only really aware of camps run by Christian groups or intense sports style camps but not much inbetween but maybe I've just not heard of others. I think these Quest Camps were set up because the organisers felt there was a gap in the market so to speak

[CrapolaDeVille]

Possibly, although I'd be more inclined to send them to science camp...where they learn about the beginning of the world, evolution, etc.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

What's the point? Why would an atheist camp be any different to any other camp that is not religion based? Weird idea.

[Empusa]

No, wouldn't send them to any camp with an agenda to push.

[hiddenhome]

I wonder if it involves brainwashing children into believing that there is no God

What about children who are perhaps experiencing a spiritual 'pull' in their lives? I wonder if their parents send them to a camp like this in order to rid them of their 'unreasonable leanings'. Sounds like pushing your beliefs on a child to me

[meditrina]

No

I select camps by the activities they offer. I might consider one of my own faith, or an agnostic one which explored faith and philosophy generally.

[catgirl1976]

no.......i don't believe in them..............

[CrapolaDeVille]

How can one brainwash a child who believes in something that isn't actually real into believing it's not? (factually has no basis) Isn't that just giving them the truth?

[Ihavewelliesbuttheyrenotgreen]

Cropola they did seem to learn about science, evolution, star, plant and animals apparently.

It seems to be a critical-thinking camp essentially. With a little bit of anti-religion involved. But they also seem to do a lot of traditional camp style activities, camp fires (presumably with Kum by ya removed), games and outings.

I think that they have slightly missed the point though they seem to think that religious people are not allowed to think which is untrue. Certainly from a Christian perspective Jesus had discussions with people and although he criticised their actions and sometimes attitudes he didn't criticise them for thinking. Also to me learning about the world (plants, stars, animals etc) just glorifies God and make me even more convinced of his existence.

[CrapolaDeVille]

I would certainly consider it then!!

[fatlazymummy]

No. Religion is not a factor in my life and doesn't figure in my children's upbringing so I don't need anything to be defined as atheist.

[MrsKravitz]

Id wipe my arse on a 10 pound note signed by dawkins

[MrsKravitz]

fatlazymummy I totally agree, well said!

[mouseanon]

I think it sounds really interesting and fun. Looking at the website it doesn't sound like they are pushing atheism at all, more critical thinking and questioning rather than accepting.

Are you anti-Christian/Muslim/religion?
Not at all.

Camp Quest is often labelled anti-religious for the affirmation that it is "OK not to believe in god(s)". The camp is based on humanist principles and seeks to promote tolerance through the understanding that there are many ideas in the world.

Camp Quest?s aim is to get campers thinking and asking themselves questions, while equipping them with the tools to go off and come to their own conclusions about a wide range of topics.
There is no "atheist dogma" or agenda, but an atmosphere of inquiry is created and the campers are encouraged to discuss ideas of interest to them.

But perhaps in answer to your question I should say no, I wouldn't send my children to an atheist camp, because it wouldn't occur to me to seek out an atheist camp for them. I don't really think about being an atheist until it crops up on threads on here, or someone starts pushing religion at me. It just doesn't occupy my thoughts, so it wouldn't occur to me to think to send my kids somewhere to study and think about atheism.

[MrsKravitz]

have you read the activities, the unicorn part?

[hiddenhome]

How do you know God doesn't exist crapola?

[hiddenhome]

I bet the campers aren't encouraged to discuss religion in positive terms

[EggyAllenPoe]

it describes itself as a 'secular' camp, and i note it lists most camps in the US - where religion is more of a big thing.

[hiddenhome]

My mother tried very hard to turn me into a hardened atheist. She used to take the piss out of me and physically prevent me from attending Christian meetings

She failed.....miserably

It's not just religious parents who damage their kids by foisting their beliefs on them.

[CrapolaDeVille]

Because the Bible tells us things that we know are not true, there are no universal truths and I think an omnipresent God would have turned up in many places to reveal himself not just the few places he did. If God did exists then why have so few civilisations heard of him?

[hiddenhome]

But most camps are secular

ds1 went on a camp and it was just a camp. Religion, or lack of it, didn't come into it. It wasn't mentioned or brought up, it was just a camp.

I think it's really lame having an atheist camp, but will undoubtedly please the militant atheists who would rather have their heads cut off than end up with a child who believes in God/gods/whatever.

Seems a bit cynical to me.