[Christianlady]

Hello,

Tomorrow in the USA, it's Father's Day.

I know for some people, this day is difficult, because some dads are not wonderful dads.

There are Dads who are Atheists and who are Theists who are wonderful fathers.
There are Dads who are Atheists and who are Theists who are not good fathers.

It would be cool, if your father believes in God or does not believe in God, to write about him, especially if there are good things you learned from him?

My Dad is a wonderful father. He does believe in God. He was raised in a Christian family with a Baptist pastor. (My Grandpa, my Dad's Dad is a pastor.) My Grandpa is very jovial and funny. Most people who hear his sermons enjoy them because he tells lots of jokes, and emphasizes God's love.

My Dad is not a pastor or involved in a ministry, though he does sing at church sometimes. My Dad and his family LOVE southern gospel music and bluegrass. My Dad plays the harmonica. My Grandpa plays the guitar and piano. My Dad's brother plays the guitar as well. Basically, my Dad grew up in a musical, jovial family.

They do not drink alcohol. My Dad was raised by parents who think alcohol is evil because of a tragic accident that happened when my Dad's Dad was a boy... My Grandpa grew up on a farm in the Midwest USA. One day, his 2 older brothers were hit in a car accident, caused by a drunk driver. They both died. This was basically the most tragic time in the family, and my Grandpa's Dad never recovered from losing his 2 eldest boys. (They were both farmers and would eventually take over the farm.) Grandpa, the youngest, had no desire to farm and wanted to go to seminary. Anyways, especially because of his brothers' deaths, alcohol has been banned in the family for a long time.

As a pastor's son, my Dad was expected to be responsible and a role model. He is genius (yeah I'm biased) and often would ask difficult questions in Sunday School, as well as in his school and later in the university. He almost became Atheist in different times of his life, but now his belief in God is stronger than ever before, which has been a fascinating experience for me, his eldest daughter, to observe.

My Dad and Mom got married when they were 18 years old. They were both virgins when they got married, possibly influenced on the facts that my Dad was a nerd/geek in high school/college, and that my Mom was known for being a "good girl"... her parents were very strict Christians.

My Dad used to read the Bible to my sisters and me (I have 3 little sisters, no brothers) every evening. He and Mom and all of us would pray. As a teenager, that was so boring to me, but I am thankful now that he did this, because it gave me the desire eventually to read the Bible for myself and study it for myself, instead of just depending on Sunday School teachers and preachers/pastors.

He doesn't do this anymore, but all his daughters have grown up and are out of the house. He and my Mom have had a roller coaster life of marriage, but I am so thankful that they work on it, and have wonderful times together. They have been married for around 35 years now (I forget exactly how many lol) and it is awesome to see them enjoying moments together!!! I know that my Dad loves my Mom, and I know my Mom loves my Dad.

I am so thankful for my Dad! He is a wonderful man, who is not perfect, but does his best. He has always worked hard to provide for his family and to do the right thing. He cares for others, helping those in need when/how he can.

If you would like to write about your Dad, whether he believes in God or not, it would be cool to learn about him.

I don't think that believing in God is the only factor that makes a Dad a wonderful father. I understand there are wonderful fathers who don't believe in God too. However, I am glad that my Dad does believe in God, taught me about God, and strives to live a moral life based on the commands Jesus quoted, to love God and to love one's neighbor (others). (Matthew 22:37-40).

I miss him. He is still alive and I hope to call him tomorrow! but I live far away from my parents and my little sisters right now.

Anyways, I am going to copy this and send it to him, cause I want him to know how much I love and respect and am grateful for him.

[Add!ction]

[Norton1]

American Christianity is so weird.

I much prefer Anglicanism, where God is a slightly embarrassing distraction from tea parties.

[CJKay]

I really don't understand why God is even remotely part of this conversation.

[silverbolt]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Hello,

My dad was a good dad, he enjoyed a beer and a laugh. He taught his children self suffcinecy and able to stand on thier own two feet, yet was there if he needed it. He was an athiest but that didnt take away at anything from him. Unlike some christian families he didnt teach homophobia, sexism, racisim, or discrimination. He wasnt a virgin when he married my mother (that i know anyway) but that didnt hurt him.

He had his flaws but he was a strong indavidual.

He lost his life to cancer in August so frankly you can take what you just said (in an extreemly condescending "my dads better than your dad cos hes all holy and ****" tone of voice) about your dad and shove it.

[aljolson]

(Original post by Add!ction)

This is a nice tribute to your Dad, I am glad that you have a Dad that you can be proud of. I am athiest as you probably know, but like you, I loved my Dad. It is so sad when you hear/read stories of abusive parents, whatever their beliefs. It's a shame mankind could not show more empathy toward each other. Give my best wishes to your Dad.

[PinkMobilePhone]

My dad used to be Catholic - at one point when he was a young teen he actually wanted to be a priest. Now though, he is agnostic (bordering on atheist), thrice married, etc. etc. - definitely not Catholic. And so what? He's still my dad, it doesn't matter what he does or doesn't believe.

For many years I didn't have him in my life, but now I do, and we're pretty close. I see him about once a month, he helps me out if I'm in trouble, he comes to me if he needs advice himself. He told me once that because I didn't really grow up with him around, he sees me more in the same way that he does his two sisters, rather than as a daughter. That being said, he does lecture me about things now and again if he sees fit.

I love my dad, and I'm sure that he loves me back, though we've had our ups and downs over the years.

Now, what does this whole dad thing have to do with religion again....?

[chickenonsteroids]

Who cares if your dad believes in god?

[Moiraclaire]

My grandfather was a vicar, my dad is secretly an atheist, I wasn't really aware until I got older.
My dad is the best dad in the world (everyone says this) because he is a good role model: constantly active, very hard working (studied engineering at Bristol), very moral, goes for runs, very loving, caring, charitable, helpful, thoughtful, dedicated. My dad is a perfect person.
He is also, neither stupidly strict, nor would he let me get away with murder, it is clear what he thinks is reasonable as he is reasonable, so I would never want to get into any kind of argument with him, because I would be doing something unreasonable and would know that.
I have never been told off by my dad in fact.
Religion has no effect on parenting, the ridiculously strict parents whose children become unreasonable as a result of their unreasonableness, are usually either ridiculously religious or stupidly angry(~stupid) people, from what I've seen.

[sammy-lou]

My Dad is an atheist, and he is the only person in my family who actually supported me when I decided I didn't believe in God any more. I love him and respect him more and more the older that I get.

[02ncotterill]

My dads an agnostic and he is a great dad as he has supported me throughout my life especially when i was commiting my life to christ.

[aljolson]

I take this post as a tribute to good parenting, I have no problem with CL's beliefs, and at a time when Dad's are remembered, I think it's a great tribute. My dad died when I was 18 years old, and 2000 miles away in australia, we all have different memories of our parents, but CL's post brought back memories long forgotten, and I thank her for that. I am an athiest but I would never let that cloud my judgment or my altruism.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by aljolson)
I take this post as a tribute to good parenting, I have no problem with CL's beliefs, and at a time when Dad's are remembered, I think it's a great tribute. My dad died when I was 18 years old, and 2000 miles away in australia, we all have different memories of our parents, but CL's post brought back memories long forgotten, and I thank her for that. I am an athiest but I would never let that cloud my judgment or my altruism.

Hello Aljolson,

Thanks for understanding this thread. I don't consider belief in God to be the only factor at all in wonderful fathers or mothers. People are diverse. Atheists and Theists can both be wonderful parents. Factors that make wonderful parents aren't set in stone, except for love!

I really miss my Dad... wish I could see him right now, so writing about him was fun. i am sorry to hear about your Dad, but I am so glad that this thread brought back cool memories for you. Thanks so much for acknowledging this as what it is: a tribute to Dads.

Peace