To church? or not to church? That is the question!
@jodylee_04530 (1097)
United States
September 10, 2009 10:09pm CST
My husband and I have very similar religious views... We both don't know if there is a God and we both don't want to be a member of a church. We feel this way for two separate reasons. My husband feels that religion breeds a lot of anger, as seen by every war ever fought by man.
Personally, I have witnessed first hand people being brainwashed into some very bizarre areas of religion.
Both of us feel that we live a good solid life. We do good for people around us, and treat people as we would like to be treated. We both work in non-profit jobs, for the people in our community. And, we both feel that if there is a pearly gate to walk through at the end of this life we will be allowed in based on our genuine goodness.
We have a dilemma though. We have two young boys and I want to expose them to religion and he does not. I would like to pick a religion, study it over for the week before we go to a service at there respective spiritual place. I think it is a good way to show tolerance, respect and also to learn a little something about what others believe. I think it would only help my children become whole human beings. I don't really want to close them off to something just because I had a bad experience. My husband, on the other hand, does not want them exposed to religion at all. He feels we can teach them everything they need to know right here at home. He states that he does not want the influence put on them.
So, myLot community. Any thoughts on this. Religious or not. I want to hear your thoughts. No hard feelings will be harbored for any comments given! I love to hear others insight.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@marguicha (215481)
• Chile
11 Sep 09
Have you thought of getting books about different religions, reading them with them and commenting them? I don´t even mean religious books such as the Bible. There are books about the story of religion, spirituality in man and how religions have evolved through time. Check the wonderful books written by Mircea Eliade. He was an historian of religion.
I, too, think that a religious service at any church would be exposing then to the outer core of religion and they would not get what it means anyway.
A good anthropology book could be another way of getting near to what you want them to know.
You don´t tell the age of your children. If they are very little, they probably only need to have parents who love them and who can show to them in acts that all people in the world deserve the same respect.
Take care!
@jodylee_04530 (1097)
• United States
11 Sep 09
Thanks Marguicha! That is a good suggestion and more along the lines of what my husband would like for our children. My boys are 3 and 5 months. I would not start taking them until around 4 and 1.5 or so. However, I may lean more towards the home eduation as my husband feels very strongly about his position and I obviously have to respect him. Thanks for the suggestions, I will further look into the books!
@marguicha (215481)
• Chile
30 Oct 09
Thanks for giving me best response. And I´m glad I helped. You have some time to think it over.
@jodylee_04530 (1097)
• United States
30 Oct 09
No problem Marguicha! You wre very helpful. It is fun to make decisions that are of such importance. I like your suggestions on books and will be doing just that over the next couple of years. Reading and educating myself so I can better inform my children :)
@ds6413 (2070)
• United States
11 Sep 09
Hello, I have not been to church for years. My b/f is a different religion. My feelings are I don't need a church to go into, to remember what I was taught when I did go to church.My b/f did 2 year mission just before we met.I still ask him him questions on religion though I am of a different faith.
1 person likes this
@jodylee_04530 (1097)
• United States
11 Sep 09
That is so true. I understand not needing a temple to praise the lord in. I am more interested in showing the boys what is out there. The basic foundations of religion all seem to be the same in a lot of ways and I think we can learn so much from each others beliefs.
@pillusch (1147)
• Mexico
25 Sep 09
Most religions are experienced in their true form ONLY in community. That's what they are in the end there for, to try and form a genuine community where the 'I' is left behind and the member blossoms within a common spirit (or holy spirit, depending on your views) without the person losing his or her individuality.
It's basically what the early Christian communities tried to implement, and this is one of the reasons why Christianity expanded so incredibly fast, they were in Rome after only 20 years or so, in historical terms a concorde flight.
In my humble opinion you cannot teach religion. You can teach dogma, religious practices like prayer, etc. But for your boys to experience religion, you as role models would have to be a part of it. And that's not gonna happen the way I interpret your post.
A suggestion: try to approach a religion by assuming beforehand that God has left the stage for a break - or just take hin/her totally out of the equation. You'd be surprised what's there to find.
@jodylee_04530 (1097)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I like the interpretation of this post. You are so right and I have not looked at my idea in this way. How can I teach the experience of religion without being a part of it. I like your suggestion. Good idea, I look forward to seeing all there is to find. I think you are right, the community is the premise of it all!
@brothertuck (1257)
• United States
11 Sep 09
I think that the ideas behind most religious beliefs are good, it is the extreme practice that isn't.
I have alternative beliefs but I send my kids to church so they are exposed to it and they can decide for themselves their own beliefs. I also let them see that even though religion is a major influence, we live a good life.
I would find a church that teaches the bible but not a strong fundamentalist church. Better yet find a friend or classmate or cousin of theirs and find about their church. If they know someone it is more comfortable and they can go to a Sunday school and not be thrown in to the lions so to speak.
@jodylee_04530 (1097)
• United States
11 Sep 09
That is much more how I feel about things. I just what them to be exposed to make there own minds up. I actually planned on reaching out to friends and family to start off with. I just want them to see all they can and make educated decisions. thanks for that!
