DD anounced this morning that God didn't exist...

[LilRedWG]

... as she has never seen him. How do I answer that one. She attends Sunday School and I church, but I've always struggled with the whole, "bloke on a cloud" issue as my Sunday School taught me that the bible was literal and it's left me somewhat confused as an adult - I do not want DD to feel like this, but I also don't want her to dismiss faith out of hand!

I tried the whole God is everywhere and a tiny bit of him is very deep down in us all - she looked out of the window, couldn't see him and announced that he wasn't and that she'd know if he was inside her - arghhh! I've not handled well.

Any advice gratefully received please.

I wouldn't have mentioned religion at all if it hadn't been something she was starting to hear about. Certainly it's a very recent thing, she didn't have any idea until the last 6 months maybe a little more.

Doesn't the 6 year old hear any mention at school? Don't they have bible stories and hymns etc?

I don't live in the UK. DD doesn't have any religion in school yet. She will next year (Catholic country). I will just write a letter to school saying I want her to be exempt from Catechism class as I am (technically) Muslim. I'm sure she will hear about it from others at that point and we will have to have this conversation then, but I still would prefer her not to be indoctrinated about baby Jesus being God and all that.

I think the trick is to be prepared to debunk her when she does come home from school with these notions, as she will. I feel strongly about firing their questions back, it improves their critical thinking skills and lets them know that the grown ups don't always have the answers. That sometimes if they 'reason' they can come up with the answer themselves. With help of course, I don't just let her get on with it.

We really aren't lying, though. If I told my son that I believe there is not a god or that part of us does not continue after physical death, that would be a lie.

Though actually I do correct him when he says "God made the trees", etc. I tell him that Mama believes that God created the laws of the universe and nature which allows trees to grow and life to be on our planet.