Raising Without Religion
I’m raising my kids without religion. There, I said it.
We don’t attend church. We don’t read the Bible. Not that I’m against those things, it’s just not my style. It may be an unpopular opinion, especially in the South, but my children get to choose whether or not they want to follow an organized religion. I do not force it, but if they decide to go that route, I try my best to encourage it. Our children will grow into adults before our eyes and I believe they’re entitled to the right to choose their own spiritual path.
I was raised as what I could only describe as a lax Catholic. My parents chose to bring me to church a handful of times throughout the year usually and I vividly remember absolutely hating it. As a teenager, I tried my hand at attending a youth group regularly and as much as I wanted to like it, there was no denying that it just wasn’t right for me. So as an adult finally able to make my own decisions, I opted out of church and organized religion completely.
Instead, I found myself being pulled towards a more earth appreciating, spiritual path.
The rest is history; I feel more comfortable in the path I’ve chosen as an adult than I ever did as a child.
I don’t want my children to feel that. If their chosen path is organized religion, I want them to approach it with love. Not disdain like I did.
I’m aware that some may not agree with this, and that’s perfectly all right. No two people parent the same and what works for us may not work for you. I support you anyway. I’ve had many friends and acquaintances who are devout Christians. I don’t love them any less. That’s the beauty of free will.
But for those interested in raising without religion, you may face backlash. You will hear opinions. Plenty of them. Just keep doing what’s right for you and your family. Raise them to be kind, independent, and to make good, honest choices and to have integrity. If religion speaks to them as they grow, acknowledge it. Let them ask questions and answer them with honesty. Don’t feel pressured to follow the status quo if it doesn’t feel right in your soul.
