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Family #1: (Ignorant lazy father) Little boy: Daddy, why are there rainbows? Father: I don't know. Go play in your room. Little boy: Okay, daddy. ---- Family #2: (Slightly inquisitive father) Little boy: Daddy, why are there rainbows? Father: I don't know, but whenever it rains and the sun shines we see rainbows. Little boy: What makes it rain, daddy? Father: I don't know. Go play in your room. Little boy: Okay, daddy. ---- Family #3: (Mysticism enters the picture) Little boy: Daddy, why are there rainbows? Father: There's a magical god who paints 'em in the sky. Little boy: What makes it rain, daddy? Father: There's a magical god who makes it rain, son. Little boy: Okay, daddy. I'm gonna go play in my room now and think about these god thingies. Little boy lets his imagination run wild and breeds a new family of god believers. ---- Family #4: (Mysticism takes a wrong turn) Little boy: Daddy, why are there rainbows? Father: Well son, God, the creator of the entire universe, gave us rainbows after he flooded our world to get rid of all the bad people. Little boy: God killed people by drowning them? Father: Yes, son. God loves people. That's why he did it. Little boy: He killed millions of animals and people? Father: That's right, son. He saved some of 'em, but killed millions of 'em. Little boy: Is this god like the rain god in those other stories? Father: No son, this god has complete control over the rain and wind and lightening and the entire universe. He created it all and does what he wants to with it. Little boy: Does this god create tornadoes and hurricanes to kill people like he did when he drown people? Why didn't this god just make the bad people disappear without having to drown innocent animals? Father: Go play in your room, son. And remember to say your prayers to God. Little boy: But you didn't answer my questions, daddy. Father: I said to go play in your room, didn't I? Little boy: But...but.... Father: You don't wanna get whipped again, do you? Little boy: No! I'll go say my prayers to God and ask him to not send any tornadoes or hurricanes our way. Father: That's a good boy. ---- Family #5: (Rationality enters the picture) Little boy: Daddy, why are there rainbows? Father: It's the effect of light shining through the water droplets in the sky. Little boy: I don't understand, daddy. Father: Here, son, let me show you. [Father takes his son out in the backyard and turns on the hose and sprays a mist into the air, pointing at the little rainbows in the mist] Little boy: That's neat, daddy. Father: Yes, son, it is. Little boy: Is there really a god who paints all those little rainbows, daddy? Father: No, son, gods are for those people who are too lazy or ignorant to understand the world around them. Little boy: You mean that people made up those other gods because they didn't understand how nature works? Father: Yes, son, that's what I mean. Little boy: So those people who believe in gods are all stupid? Father: Not entirely, son. Most of 'em these days are just afraid of dying and believe that some god will enable 'em to live forever if they believe the stories and myths. Little boy: You mean like the story about the god who sent his son to die on a cross so that we could all live forever? Father: Yes, son. That's just one of many different beliefs that people have made up about gods. Little boy: I see, daddy. Are you afraid of dying, daddy? Father: It makes me a little uncomfortable at times, son. Little boy: Why, daddy? Father: Because I wouldn't get to see you grow up and I'd miss you when I'm gone and I worry that you'll miss me when I die. Little boy: I think I understand, daddy. I know I'd miss you if you were to go away forever. Father: Dying is the end of our life, son. When we die, the stuff that makes up our bodies helps to feed other animals and living things. We also can remember the dead people in our minds and memories. Little boy: So dying helps other things to live after us? Father: Yes, son, that's right. Little boy: I don't feel so bad now, daddy. Father: Good for you, son. Death is just a part of life, there's nothing to fear. Little boy: Will you buy me a telescope for my birthday, daddy? Father: Of course, son, if that's what you want. Little boy: I really like exploring nature, daddy. Thanks! I'm gonna go play with the microscope you gave me for my last birthday now. Father: Have fun, son. Let me know if you find anything interesting. Little boy: Okay daddy.
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