I told my kid that people around the world believe many different things but I don’t think any of them are positive they’re right. I told them that many people are comforted by religion and it does generally help keep people moral and behaving.
I told my kid that although I would like to believe in one of the higher powers, I haven’t seen anything that makes me believe that religion isn’t just made up by humans. I told them that is just how I feel, I don’t begrudge anyone their religion but it’s not something I want or need.
Brief hijack- this isn’t about religion, but there is a connection.
My son saw a bogus documentary, and now believes there are mysterious forces in the Bermuda Triangle causing numerous boats and planes to disappear.
I have explained the facts to him, told him that there AREN’T all that many disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle, that millions of people go to beaches in resort islands in the Bermuda Triangle all the time, and that almost nothing ever happens.
It didn’t help- he still believes in something I (and presumably everybody who frequents these board) consider nonsensical woo.*
Am I going out of my way to refute the idea? No, not really. I’ve told him the facts, and will continue to do so when it’s called for. But for now, I’m content to regard this as a phase. AT least, I HOPE it’s a phase.
Yes, I’m only too well aware that I believe in something (Christianity) that many SDMB regulars also regard as nonsensical woo.