Phil Zuckerman Raising Children Without Religion Summary

Raising children without religion is not a mistake. Phil Zuckerman, the author of “How secular family values stack up,” argues that the difference between raising a child without religion is less significant than it is made out to be. Though this article was published in 2015, the argument of how important religion is in a child's life remains an ongoing societal debate. Zuckerman affirms, “Children raised without religion have no shortage of positive traits and virtues, and they ought to be warmly welcomed as a growing American demographic.” Religion is often tied to ideals of morality, principles, and direction. Hence the spark of the argument is what consequences derive from raising children in secular households without the integration

Because The Los Angeles Times is a well-respected newspaper with a large following, Zuckerman’s feature in the publication becomes that much more credible. It creates authority and legitimacy in his argument, which inclines the reader to be accepting of opinions and factual evidence. Another way Zuckerman establishes credibility is by mentioning his direct relationship with a USC professor. He says, “Many nonreligious parents were more coherent and passionate about their ethical principles than some of the ‘religious' parents in our study,” Bengston told me.” Zuckerman creates ethos by introducing the rapport between him and USC professor Vern Bengston. By demonstrating his ties with professors who are knowledgeable in gerontology and sociology, Zuckerman is able to induce a more persuasive and informed tonality within his own arguments. Finally, Zuckerman forms a pathos by implementing common ground between himself and the audience. He establishes a connection with the reader by implementing personal anecdotes and observations from his own research and

how other people feel.’” Creating pathos involves acknowledging the potential reader's values and beliefs. By quoting this atheist mother, he is able to effectively demonstrate that both secular and religious families still value morality and principles. He acknowledges the concerns that religious parents might have regarding raising children without religious beliefs. By providing evidence and direct personal experiences on how secular families instill positive values in their children, without religious practices. Zuckerman effectively gets rid of any animosity surrounding the effectiveness of secular families. He ultimately forms the consensual agreement that families value ethical living and well-being despite religion. That commonly shared value of ethics, morality, and well-being forms pathos because it appeals to the emotions of his audience. Secular parenting does not lead to the inability to foster well-mannered and morally inclined children. Implementing these fundamental societal values has nothing to do with religion, which is why I believe is causing the drastic rise in secular