Should You Raise Your Child With Religion, Even If You Don’t Believe?

I’m not a huge believer of labeling ones religion, because people can believe in one, many or parts of each faith they practice. That being said if someone forced me to choose with a gun against my head, I would probably say agnostic, I don’t deny that there could be a god, but im more of a seeing is believing type of person. That being said I was raised Christian for the first 10 or so years of my life. My family was never hardcore, but we did go to a more relaxed church every Sunday, but with 4 kids, 3 of whom that played sports, we eventually stopped going.

I actually talked to my father recently about this and he actually is in the same line of belief with me and always has been, but he was always the one that wanted to bring us to church. I asked him why and his response was actually understandable. He told me that he wanted to introduce us to religion and ultimately make the choice for ourselves if we wanted to stay in it and also that he believed many of the basic simple teachings of religion would aid us in being a better person. I know question what I will do for my own children if the time comes.

I think ultimately I agree with my father’s decision and will most likely do the same. The key was that the church we went to was progressive, about loving and accepting everyone no matter what. There was never any exclusion and our pastor was a jolly man that often thought preaching was best done while eating food in the basement of the church. I can honestly say that in terms of bible stories or how in depth Christianity was for me, there was little knowledge, but I do remember the basics of treating everyone else equally.

Its funny how at the time I wanted to do nothing more than walk out of sitting for a couple of hours with my family listening to the pastor, but now I find I would be willing to do anything to go back. Church for me is one of those fond memories I had as a child in times that weren’t better, but filled with nostalgia and I think that is their legacy. It seems like religion amongst many families is disappearing in some countries just because of not having enough time, or replacing Sundays with family day, which is equally as good.

When the time comes to have my own child I think I will do the same as my father did, despite myself not totally believing everything. If my children like it or take to it, I shall support them, if not and they want to pursue other things in life, I shall equally support them as well. I hope that perhaps long after im gone they too will look back at nostalgia with the times we spent together at church on a lazy Sunday, with joy. What is your opinion on this matter?