(www.sass-pants.com) — Summer from Wired for Noise has an awesome post up today about why she chooses to raise her children without religion. An excerpt:
Even though I’m not an atheist myself I’m drawn in by atheist parenting blogs. In a way I almost respect them more than those of parents actively teaching their kids their religion. There is something braver, more sure, and far more logical in letting your kids find their own answers than to hand them a book and tell them all the answers are in there.
…It’s hard for the logical part of my brain to wrap around my own faith, or anyone else’s faith for that matter. I have my reasons for my beliefs, and while they often make no sense to even myself, they are mine and mine alone. And because they are mine, I won’t be passing them on to my kids. I share what my belief is, the basics of it, but the deeper stuff is left out. It’s their’s to find, if they want to. And if they choose to walk away, well so be it.
To summarize it would be to do a disservice, so I really encourage you to read it in its entirety, along with the comment trail (where you’ll find my response, #10, to Summer’s post).
Do you believe children need to be taught religious beliefs and values, or should learn them on their own, as they go? Leave a comment.
Contents Copyright © 2008 Kristen King
Like this post?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it is irresponsible not to teach your kids about your faith, because it is such a significant part of who you are as a human being and influences so many facets of life. However, it always must be taught as “this is why *I* believe this” instead of “this is why *you* believe this.” Faith is extremely personal.
megan’s last blog post..The End Times
Thanks, Megan! I think there’s a difference, though, between teaching your kids about your faith and teaching them religion. What do you think about that?
You’re right–it could be, but that’s not the case in my life. Religion is an outward expression of my inward faith so the two go hand-in-hand. Sadly, for many people, religion is just something they “do” in the absence of faith.
megan’s last blog post..The End Times
Like Megan, I think that if you have faith, you should teach your children about it and about your particular religion’s stances on things, explaining where and why you might differ on those. And you have to be open to your children having beliefs that differ from yours. My 14-year-old son, the budding science geek, says that he’s an atheist, and I respect that while requiring that he respect my faith and others’ spiritual beliefs. My 7-year-old son lectures his older brother that “of course” God exists, and I talk about his own beliefs with him and am trying to teach him to respect his brother’s beliefs. It’s a juggling act. I teach them about about various religions’ beliefs so that they have some context for their own beliefs.
Katharine’s last blog post..On Top of the World
there’s always faith.
the world IS perfect. You just gotta keep your eyes open and Be a part of what makes the world a good place.
Hooray for all the parents wanting to teach their kids to THINK!
I believe, however, there IS a difference between teaching them to respect other’s beliefs and being able to teach them what you belive. If there is sound reasoning for believing in God, then that reasoning should be shared with your children! If the reasoning cannot stand up to the questions of science – or pure and simple LOGIC and true “reasoning” – maybe you’re kids know something that you don’t? It should never be ‘wrong’ to question whether what you belive is correct!
Personally, I believe it is the responsibility of the parents to instill in their children ‘right and wrong’. If they are allowed to merely ‘pick it up’, you’re in for some real disaster and you as a parent have pointed them in a dangerous direction. Children look to their parents for direction and guidance! Are parents so insecure with their own beliefs that they are afraid of providing that for their children? Is clothes, food, shelter and Wii the end of parental responsibilty?
Yo, Perfect: PLEASE explain what part of the world is perfect. Looking at the news (or just a trip to the grocery store) – and not JUST in this country – and seeing the incredible suffering of HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of people and the lack of viable solutions mankind and governments are providing, I would really like to know your thoughts on this – or the same perscription! lol
There are good things in the world
) There is also a lot of ‘faith’. It is very important to know that that which the faith is invested in is not going to disappoint. Since the start of human governing, people have had ‘faith’ in their government – each of which has eventually fallen to another nation that someone else put their ‘faith’ in, which, in turn, fell to another. Looking at the ‘good’ parts can never fill in the gaping holes that have been since the beginning. (Jerrimiah 10:23)
Thanks for stopping by and linking to my post. It’s been quiet a conversation going on.
Summer’s last blog post..Getting My Green Groove On
@Megan, thanks for clarifying that!
@Katherine, your kiddos sound so interesting. Thanks for sharing that with us.
@Perfect, forgive my bluntness, but are you on crack? If this is a perfect world, I’m a potato. Perfect moments, okay. But perfect world? No way.
@MIKCTR, LOL at “Is clothes, food, shelter and Wii the end of parental responsibilty?”
@Summer, don’t you just love lively conversation?