I'm not sure were this best fits (Comedy, coming out atheist, etc.)so I'll drop it here..
Recently my 11 year old son has been forced to consider a lot of life changing issues. Over the last few months he's discovered that I'm not his biological father and that I don't believe in the existence of a god. Since he is extremely close to my wife's parents he was deeply influenced by their Christianity.
He has chosen not to tell his brothers about the "father" situation in fear that they would use it against him. We respect that for now.
He's come outside with me when I have my marathon discussions with the Witnesses and Mormons. Of course, this has led to private discussions with me about religion. He's learned to think for himself. My wife, since she's met me has gone from a theist to agnostic. (though she says she don't believe, I'm not so sure.)
Recently I overheard a conversation Joshua was having with his brothers...
"He's not MY father! In fact, he's a bastard."
Of course, this got my attention and I listened intently to see where this was going.
"Josh, he is too your father, he's everyone's father.....the bible says so!" said Wes.
"How can He be my father? I know who my father is."
"Yeah, Daddy" said Alex.
Josh hesitated but agreed. Then he said, "Think about it. Why would you call someone your father when they don't know what a father is? He's a bastard! And he'd be crazy to think that I'd accept him as my dad just because he said too. Daddy is the only father that I'll accept."
God is a bastard. Joshua has earned more respect from me than he'll know. Not only did he use the term correctly, he used his own mind to make a sound decision.
