In yet another example of Christian conservatives telling on themselves, Matt Kennedy, rector of Church of the Good Shepherd (an Anglican church) in New York and father of six, recently revealed his best child-rearing advice in a Twitter thread. Kennedy measures his success by the fact that “none of them are in jail.” If that’s […]
Parenting & Family
Exploring the world of family and parenting from a secular, nonreligious perspective.
Posted inArt, Parenting & Family, Sexuality
We all have butts: Uncoupling shame from nudity and sex
I am the youngest of six kids. My parents were both raised in strict Catholic homes. After my youngest brother was born, God apparently stopped having a problem with birth control. Then nine years later, while my parents were splitting up, my mom went off her birth control. And before they broke up permanently, Mom […]
Posted inParenting & Family
Support for corporal punishment varies by religious identity
When asked if it is sometimes necessary to give a child a good hard spanking when disciplining them, 48% of nonbelievers agreed. This is more than Jewish respondents at 38%, but nonbelievers are the 2nd lowest group. 81% of Baptists believe spanking is necessary for discipline, followed by 74% of Non-denominational Christians.
Posted inEducation, Evolution, Parenting & Family
When science goes south
I’m sometimes asked by religious friends why I make such a big deal over evolution in particular. Some have suggested that secular types beat the drum for evolution only because it’s a sharp stick in the religious eyeball. The question itself is a good one. Fortunately the answer is even better. And it’s not just […]
Posted inParenting & Family, Politics, Religion
Under parent pressure, a Missouri school district brings back spanking
Despite the clarity of research condemning the practice, a school district in southwestern Missouri is bringing back corporal punishment. Beginning this year, children in the Cassville School District could face spanking as a disciplinary measure. The district removed spanking as a form of punishment in 2001, but Cassville School District superintendent Merlyn Johnson says he […]
Posted inCritical thinking, Parenting & Family
My son’s Ben Shapiro phase: How critical thinking saved his life
I have been a fan of the First Amendment for my entire adult life. When I became a stripper at 18, I learned very quickly how important freedom of speech and expression was to my job and independence. As I got older, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment became even more important as I […]
Posted inEvolution, Parenting & Family
Children of the evolution
OnlySky · Children of the evolution | Dale McGowan When we lived in Minneapolis, our family used to take walks through an area called the Quaking Bog. On one fall walk, I spotted a fawn and waved the kids over. “Look, look. See the deer?” I said. “You can just barely see it against the […]
Posted inParenting & Family, True Story
For the love of my son and his dog—an autism story
My heart pounded as I drove slowly around bumps in the road to keep his body from shifting in the little bed on the floor next to me. At every stop, at every slow moment, I lowered a hand to his soft belly to make sure he was breathing. Tears hung in my eyes. I […]
Posted inParenting & Family
The curious root of everything
Could I identify a single value at the root of my nonreligious parenting? I was curious.
Posted inDeath & Dying, Parenting & Family, Spirituality & Ritual
Why thanking those who offer their prayers isn’t always the best idea
Earlier this week, OnlySky contributor Kristen Chase offered her take on how we should respond when well-meaning religious people offer their blessings and prayers to atheists. She suggested nonbelievers such as myself respond with one simple phrase: Thank you. I partially agree, while pointing out Kristen’s essential qualifier: well-meaning. Yes, when well-meaning, not passive-aggressive, people […]