Growing up in an irreligious household.

[Odin]

Sorry Shi, I think you somehow pulled a string in me some how, I think it was that "It's your duty" thing.

Anyway, I wouldent introduce her to religion at a young age. When she is old enough to understand things philosophically she will check out religions if she wants to.

[devilmunchkin]

i think sophie will be fine and perhaps better off in an irreligious household. she'll learn to think on her own and not be dependent on some big old man in the sky. SHe'll learn to take responsibility for her mistakes and successes rather than lean on something else. ANd perhaps, if you let her know at some point that other people believe in christianity, she'll look at things with an open yet skeptical mind...but yet be strong enough to not fall prey to it.

[Ramo]

My mom is Moslem, but she had never forced me to go to a Mosque, etc. I think that's definitely the right approach. Although, I wish I had a little more exposure to religion when I was younger - not as "the truth," but as another academic subject (which I've been getting a lot more acquinted to, ironically, after 9/11).

John, IMO it's perfectly cool to teach Sophie all you want about Catholicism, as long as you let her form, and keep, her own opinions.

[Shi Huangdi]

Sorry Shi, I think you somehow pulled a string in me some how, I think it was that "It's your duty" thing. "

No Problem.

[Panag]

hi ,

yes

have a nice day

[Soul Survivor]

I think its very important to raise children religiously.

1. It helps them deal with tragedy.

2. It helps them be good people.

3. Its an easy way to explain things in a way children can understand, especially if they aren't ready for the real explanation.

That being said, I don't think it should be shoved down a child's throat, and I think evolution should be taught too. As they get older they should be exposed to more ideas so they can make their own choices, but Christianity provides a very good starting point. It's a nice thing for them to believe like Santa or the Tooth Fairy.

(how ironic, as I'm writing this post "God ~ John Lennon" started playing on my random 2401 song playlist)

There might be more in this religion thing than I thought

[Straybow]

I'm sure darling Sophie had more to say than just "Anana!! I anananana!"

JohnT, I'm sure you and Laura realized that the RC culture is only one facet of many possible religious backgrounds. Being in K-town means you are fairly deep in the Bible belt. Southern church culture is really the flip-side of same coin: different rules but the same oppressive spirit. As you said, people go to see and be seen; the supposed effects of conversion (or whatever the denomination calls it) are too sparsely demonstrated. Not a good atmosphere for immersion.

As others have said, many parents go to church only because they feel it is good for the kids. I know few who went to a non-oppressive church as a child who did not benefit from it enough to want to do so for their kids. I was raised by parents who fit that general description. We went to a Presbyterian church in Pittsburg, and then to a Methodist church in Oak Ridge TN (because there weren't any decent-sized Pres churches around and FUMC had an active youth program).

Between myself and my two brothers we have turned out very different in terms of religion. I don't even know if my younger brother goes to a church. My older brother does, but makes no claim to specific religious conversion. He and I shared in one experience (a youth retreat) which was particularly formative for me but I have no idea how it effected him.

The greatest influence has to be my Aunt. She loved us boys in a wonderful way, and one weekend a month each of us got to spend with Grandma and Aunt Gennie (who never married and cared for my aging Gma). She's what I call a "real Presbyterian." I was left with the clear picture of someone who seemed content to know God, without the need to show it off or anything like that.

That was something I saw in a few other people. Even after I rejected religion with its all-too-obvious warts I still wanted what I saw in those few. If there was a God (and I felt sure there was) He must be worth knowing. I found out it was so, but that's another story…

I suspect the soul-searching is anything but over; it is apparently a requirement for parenthood. My advice is more to you and Laura for yourselves rather than for Sophie: find people you want to be around, not a church that you go to because of your parents' or grandparents' expectations.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Soul Survivor
I think its very important to raise children religiously.

1. It helps them deal with tragedy.

If you mean by "deal with", pretend rather than face up to it, then yes.

2. It helps them be good people.

In my experience religious people tend to suffer the same rate of ******* occurrence as the rest of us. Despite the claims of religion I have never seen evidence to the opposite.

3. Its an easy way to explain things in a way children can understand, especially if they aren't ready for the real explanation.

It's irrational and should not be taught to children at all. It's hopeless trying to tell your children the value of honesty and integrity and then inflict such wild and flagrantly self contradictory hypotheses on them. In answer to religious questions and questions about death and destinty it's best to say "nobody really knows" since that is pretty much the truth.

[Kuciwalker]

I agree with Agathon

[Agathon]

Originally posted by skywalker
I agree with Agathon

You would even more if you'd seen the fundy kid at my school who was constantly afraid that Satan was going to get him and would call out to God in the middle of the playground.

[Japher]

JohnT
You and you wife should not compromise your own belief system or moral code for the sake of your kid. Thus, if neither of you see no use for religion then you should not do the whole church thing as it shows your kid it is alright to be a blashpamere wasting time..

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Agathon
You would even more if you'd seen the fundy kid at my school who was constantly afraid that Satan was going to get him and would call out to God in the middle of the playground.

[monolith94]

"she'll learn to think on her own and not be dependent on some big old man in the sky. SHe'll learn to take responsibility for her mistakes and successes rather than lean on something else."

So did I, and I went to church every sunday. Believing in God doesn't mean believing in an absence of self...

"she'll look at things with an open yet skeptical mind...but yet be strong enough to not fall prey to it."

OH MY GOD!!! Our plan to lure young Sophie into a den of religion has failed! Oh well, plenty of third worlders who'll join up for wonderbread! Muahahahah!

[Alexander's Horse]

A lot of this discussion misses the point.

Raising your child catholic or any established church community, has a lot of social and economic benefits - better education, a moral reference point or framework, a community of parents like yourself to back you up and socialise with, freebies like access to holiday houses

You don't have to be a fanatic about the relgious part of it. But the ties you make are very handy all through your life, in business, politics, sports, whatever. You'll never walk alone. It certainly helps make me. And if something happened to me I know my family would be looked after.

I do like going to church with my kids, its fun. I feel proud.

My own views on aspects of the faith I keep to myself, like most Dads.

[st_swithin]

Buy her a few sharks with frikkin lasers on their heads - that'll teach her about life. Or death. I guess that's two of the same thing, huh Zed?