
Our approach to religion is similar to raising Toddler in Chief as a vegetarian. For now, he eats what we eat because he isn't big enough to make informed culinary decisions. When TIC's older and understands where meat comes from, he's free to eat meat, if he wants to. Same goes for religion. If TIC wants to explore religion when he's older, then he's free to do that.
21stCenturyMom gave her kids the freedom to make their own choices about religion. Now she feels guilty because she didn't provide a bigger foundation to build their beliefs on. But you can't expose your kids to everything.
Just because I don't take TIC to music class doesn't mean he won't be musical or love music. Same goes for art, gymnastics, swimming, and religion. The list goes on and on. I can't expose him to everything. Even so, TIC will be interested in things that I'm not. And I will be interested in things that he rejects. That's sort of how it goes. But he will have the freedom to explore life, the world, and his beliefs, which will ultimately shape his opinions. Isn't that what we're aiming for as parents?
Permalink | Should you raise your child religious? | Comments (4)
Funny that you would equate an entire belief system to music classes. In your disdain for those of us who live our lives by "blind acceptance", you fail to realize you come across just as badly as the far right judgementalists. In my personal experience, it is far better to have a faith that allows me to see the good, even when things don't go the way I want or think they should. The fact is, sometimes bad things happen - even to good people. Not because we did something to deserve it or because we are strong enough to handle it - simply because these are the things that happen in life. And life just isn't fair all the time. Had I been exposed to a strong belief system as a child, I might have had a different experience when terrible things happened in my young life - I might have had a place to turn or a support system to catch me.
Part of the reason I feel it is imperative that I pass along my faith to my children (or at least regularly expose them to it, as they will certainly make up their own minds when they are mature enough to decide for themselves), is because I know that my parents' laissez faire attitude did not HELP me or teach me anything other than what NOT to do.
I pray, for your child's sake, that you find acceptance for those who believe differently than you do. It is attitudes like yours that have created such a divide in this country. Isn't it better to teach acceptance and tolerance for people of all faiths?
May your Christmas be filled with joy and light and understanding.
Posted by: Holly | Dec 6, 2005 8:38:52 AM