Thoughts on Religion

Okay, so I read a lot of blogs. I mean, a LOT of them. One of the ones I frequent, Atheist in a Minivan, talks about how she raises her four wonderful (from what I've read) children in a secular household. Recently, she's been targeted by these people who use their blog to talk about how Possummomma is raising her children wrong. It's all very disturbing, if you take the time to read it.

Anyway, this has me thinking about religion, raising my daughter, and how we deal with it all as a family. As Unitarian-Universalists, we don't tell A what she should or should not believe. Most answers to her questions about religion start with, "Well, some people believe...". As an agnostic pagan (that's about as accurate a label as I can come up with), the UU principles really strike a chord with me. I love that our church values a responsible search for truth and meaning, and has absolutely no dogma requirements. I love that it is a place I can go for 'soul food', if you will, as well as making me think about things in ways that challenge me. It makes me feel good when A goes to 'religious education' while we're in the service, and comes upstairs after with brand new knowledge about world religions and cultures. However, on the other hand, I encourage her to read, learn, and critically think for herself. I've always taught her to not accept everything at face value, and if something doesn't seem right, to find out the truth for herself.

It also has me thinking about how NoPossumZone's family is similar to mine while I was growing up. My mother was a born-again, non-denominational Christian in the Boston Church of Christ, and I was raised in that 'church'. I think that kind of upbringing is detrimental to a child's well-being. As a mother, I have found that fear is NOT an effective disciplinary tool. But these types of 'churches' teach hellfire and damnation if you're not 'righteous' - Whatever the hell that means. In my opinion, threatening your child with spending enternity in hell is emotional abuse. But, again, that's just my opinion.

So, while I'm not exactly raising my daughter without any religion, I'd like to think that I'm still giving her the tools to decide what she wants to believe, and even IF she wants to believe at all. I'm not an atheist, but I can see why someone would be. I've been very clear with A that no matter what she believes/doesn't believe, I'll support her - So far, so good. :)

I think I'm going to consider answering those same questions just for fun.