Proselytizing and The Golden Rule - Page 3

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Yes, Smokering, I get it and I think that was a good analogy. For the record, I wasn't really suggesting that people only believed what they did because of how they were raised.

Though I admit that that is an interesting question when it comes to religions who believe that those who don't believe will suffer. I know (or I heard) some religions give some sort of pass to those who just didn't hear about it.

[Tradd]

This is kind of a side note, but I'd like to point out that there can be really extreme views on what non-religious (or other religion) people consider to be proselytizing.

I've had at least one coworker who considered ANY mention of either religion or even mention of a church-related activity to be proselytizing! For example, if I was asked what I was doing that evening after work, and I mentioned choir practice (without thinking), the coworker would go off that I was trying to push my religion on him!

[Thao]

I think it's an easier conversation (especially with a 4 year old) if I can just say I'm a member of another religion.

I think this is really true. My dh and I don't believe everything that Buddhism teaches, but have chosen to identify as Buddhist in part because we think it is important for our dd to have a religious identity. We agree with all of the core ideas so we figure that's close enough . We attend Buddhist ceremonies/meditation groups when we can (unfortunately there isn't much where we live) and talk about what Buddhists believe and why we agree. We also talk about the bits we are not sure we agree with and why. Like you, I wouldn't mind if our dd chose another religion when she grows up, as long as it follows the same values of compassion, kindness and tolerance. But I do think that it makes life a lot easier - especially as she approaches middle and high school - for her to be able to point to a set of beliefs and say, this is my community, this is where I belong. I dearly wish we had a group we could attend every week too, but unfortunately its not possible right now.