Do you care what religion (or not) your children will choose? - Page 3

[barbara]

How do others feel about their children's exposure to different belief systems?

I want my children to be exposed to all kinds of belief systems, while they are young, so that they know what is out there and how it fits into the world view and belief system we hold as a family. I have seen too many sheltered children grow up only to be swayed by the first new idea to come their way, simply because they had never thought about it before. Intelligent, thinking children, that are raised with a loving belief system that makes sense to them, are not so easily inticed by cult logic.

And I hold to Yammer's definition of a cult!

peace,
b

[barbara]

Yes UmmNuh, that makes perfect sense!!

[Envision]

I agree with Barbara,
I was raised in a christian home and went to a catholic school. I still practice the belief that I grew up with but am able to look at other religions and beliefs and find value in all of them and realize that some are more advanced in some areas of thinking then my own and so I work at incorporating that into my own beliefs.

I think it was great of my parents to know that we were able to think enough for ourselves to decide what we felt was right for us spiritually, even at that young age. And allow us to experience a completely different way of practicing on a daily basis. I am greatful for their openess.

Envision

[galadriel]

To me, religion has to do with community and culture, whereas spirituality has to do with a personal relationship to the world-- to nature, or the divine, or evolution, or whatever it is that rings true to a person. Spirituality is deeply, deeply personal, and I would never presume to impose my personal truth on my children.

If I had a religion, I would encourage my children to participate, for the sake of being a part of a community. But what anyone carries in their heart is nobody's business.

[MysticHealerMom]

Those are good thoughts, Ubertulip. very thought provoking. thanks for sharing.



Lori

[barbara]

Ubertulip, that is a beautiful discription of the difference between religion and spirituality. Thank you,

Namaste,
-b