Good Without A God Campaign Analysis

In the article, “Atheist Activists Targeting Children With ‘Good Without God’ Campaign” author Heather Clark reports on the American Humanist Association’s attempt to teach kids good morals and values without using traditional religion. They are promoting humanistic ideas toward kids that identify as atheist or non-traditionally religious. The American Humanist Association is offering support and is providing a website that is available for kids who question the existence of God. Correspondingly, Siddhartha, like many kids today, questioned reality and sought the meaning of life. Siddhartha, desperately in search for enlightenment, was not satisfied with being a Brahmin. He believed that perfect fulfillment will come when one gains unity with
During his encounter with the Buddha, Siddhartha explains that “nobody finds salvation through teachings...they do not contain the secret of what the Illustrious One himself experienced…” (Hesse 34). The “Good Without God” campaign is advertising a website that promotes seven promises that instills morals in children that do not follow a specific religion. Although the website serves as a foundation of morals to children who proclaim atheist, it contradicts Siddhartha’s belief in following your own path. The website encourages children to follow a certain way of life, prohibiting them from searching for their own answers. Siddhartha believed that an individual cannot teach enlightenment because wisdom must be taught from experience. In addition to Siddhartha’s belief of following one’s individual path to reach enlightenment, he would also disagree with the “Good without a God” campaign because of their disrespect towards other religions. Darwin the dog promotes that religion “are just stories...and they aren’t real.” (Kids Without God 6). The American Humanist Association’s website contradicts Siddhartha’s beliefs, because of their pessimistic view of traditional religion. Siddhartha respected all the different cultures and teachings he encountered on his journey, including that of Gotama’s. Although Siddhartha did not agree with learning from Gotama’s to reach enlightenment, he still respected and admired him for his discovery of enlightenment. Teaching children that traditional religion is false and encouraging them to follow rules created by a certain association constrains them from having their own freedom to search for their own