This post is dedicated to my friend Jessica over at My Time as Mom. Thank you for putting this topic out there for me and helping me to see that it’s ok to have my own opinions.
I am not a religious person. I wasn’t raised that way. My parents aren’t very religious and didn’t raise us to follow any specific beliefs. My dad came from a pretty religious family which includes several pastors, ministers and family run churches. He told me once that he was forced to go to church all his life and would never do that to us. That is about that only thing I respect him for, but that’s a story for another time.
The rub lies in the fact that we live in the Bible Belt. We have a church on every corner (and a strip club and a liquor store, too). Recently, I have been subtly criticized for not taking Ava to church. Really? Where’s the tolerance in that, people?
I’m spiritual. I believe in some kind of life after death. I’ve seen spirits and I know firsthand that there is something beyond the present. However, I’m not too keen on the idea that a deity made all of existence possible. I believe that organized religion was created as the opiate of the masses. My beliefs are based on my education and extensive learning in anthropology, sociology and ancient religious texts. The fact that I feel that I have to defend myself is maddening, but I digress…
Anyway, at preschool, Ava is exposed to religion frequently. I find it a little disturbing, but it’s my job as a parent to educate her on what all of this means and give her avenues to her chart her own course.
During the car ride home from school one day, she asked me, “Momma, what is church?” I had never mentioned church to her before and was a little startled that my 4 year old even broached the subject. My quick and on-the-spot answer was, “Well, some people believe that someone named God made the entire universe and all of the humans and they go to church to tell him thank you.” However, we all know that God is really a woman and she looks like Alanis Morissette…
My answer may have simplified it a bit too much, but I was pretty comfortable with what I said. Until one day around Christmas she came home talking about baby Jesus. That is where I stumbled. I really couldn’t explain this concept in any simple terms for her to understand, but I promised to teach her about it soon. She’s a very curious child and quite impressionable, but I know that as her mom it’s my job (and her dad’s) to expose her growing mind to different ways of life, and tolerance, and diversity in beliefs. I want her to be educated enough to derive her own beliefs, whether she travels down the path or religion or science. And I will be tolerant of whatever road she chooses.
I struggle with the religion thing too. I’m more agnostic than anything but had a religious upbringing, got confirmed in my church and married in a church. I feel that my kids need a religious education – they need something. I just have problems with the church now and have no desire to spend my Sunday mornings waking up early to spend an hour and half listening to stuff I don’t believe in anymore.
Hi Cathy,
I feel that Ava needs to learn what religion is and its role in society, but I’m not interested in indoctrinating her in to any specific religion. My approach is more from a literary and sociology standpoint. It serves its purpose, but blind faith isn’t for everyone.
I’m glad I inspired you to write this post and open up about how you are feeling. I wouldn’t be happy if my preschool was teaching my child about religion which is why we never enrolled at any schools that taught that. But I live in Nevada which is much different than the Bible belt. What I have quickly realized with my situation is that as a parent I need to teach my child about religion before someone else does and to be open with her and give her information so that she can make an informed decision. When I was younger we weren’t religious but my dad said that I had to follow one faith and when I questioned him I got in trouble. I don’t want to do that to my children. I want them to know and respect the different religions and to make informed decisions.
Hi Jessica,
Ava’s school isn’t supposed to teach religion, but here in Texas, they do it everywhere regardless. All we can do is teach our kids as best we can, I guess. I only wish other people would teach their kids not to push it on others, though.
Hey this is Kassandra from Coffee and their Kisses I’m a Houston momma from Bloggy Moms. I’m your newest follower!
I guess I’m going to have to teach my son about this soon too. I’m more of a spiritual person myself. I’ve been to church, but I don’t go and I don’t like organized religion. I have my own concept of a Higher Power. I’m so glad you shared!
Hi Kassandra! Thanks for stopping by. It’s always nice to meet a fellow Houstonian.