Religion, or not?

[Danielle]

I agree with Aimee, this is a very touchy subject... I believe in treating people and loving people in how you want to be treated and loved. I am a Christian, and I am raising my children under the lessons and writings from the Bible.  God loves us all and that's what matters!! No matter what religion! I do go to church regularly.....

[emsplace]

I treat everyone nicely too - regardless of race, religion, sexual preference... but the point I am making is I reserve the right to call them my friend or NOT. And I don't have to LIKE what they do to treat them nicely. God doesn't LIKE what a lot of people do but he loves us. I think there is a big difference though who I will let into my son's life. I want my son to have a good foundation and understand tolerance... but also understand right from wrong in terms of what we believe. That said, I wouldn't want to have folks in his life that might influence him differently - for now - until he is old enough to say "well, you are entitled... but this is what I know to be right/good."

[Danielle]

I totally agree.. My children have had a very strong foundation.. my husband sang in a gospel singing group for many many years.. my children know know the diffrenence between wrong and right.. what I am teaching them is this.. God loves the sinner NOT the sin, we must love those who do wrong, but not thier sin, God's Grace allows us to look beyond the sin, and see thier potential to be what God desires in all of us.. God loves us uncondtionally...

[emsplace]

That is true and a great thing to teach.
I teach my son the same thing...

This has been a great discussion.
emily

[Happy Momma]

Discussions like this make me nervous!!

But I love how respectful everyone is being of each other.  It's great that these kinds of topics can be discussed without getting ugly.

[Nancy]

You are so right Melanie,

I was recently on another forum where this topic was brought up, and it got very ugly!

It was good to get a discussion where everyone respected each others views.

[emsplace]

I have been a part of forums in the past where if your opinion was different you were attacked... and if you posted back sternly or not so nicely... you were the one chastized as usually the moderators all got in on it. Bad experience...
Anyway... I loved how we all play so nice here....
Love a good suggestion...
em

[michellesamom]

People can respectfully disagree without being rude, and people can have different beliefs and still be friends. All things are possible in a free and democratic society.
I'm not out to change anyone's belief or to challenge them, I think that each person is entitled to believe (or not) as s/he chooses. I'd still love to meet another mom who is raising a family without religion. I think it would be interesting.
But thanks for the chat ladies! The discussion certainly went to places I did not expect 

[Aimee]

Discussions like this make me nervous!!

But I love how respectful everyone is being of each other.  It's great that these kinds of topics can be discussed without getting ugly.

I love how its been pretty nice on this one!!!

Way to go everybody, for keepign the boards friendly!!!!!!!

[marcyella]

I'd say that I'm in the non-religious crowd.  It's a weird thing though because I grew up Lutheran, went to church every Sunday, and participated in youth group through high school.  My brother is a pastor and I really feel that's his calling.  He's quite good at it.  My husband is currently getting his PhD in Theology, so religion (or what we like to say -- God-talk) is in our lives every day.  I don't consider myself Christian anymore because I just don't believe what the Bible says.  While I think the actual teachings of Christ are relevant, I have a problem with a lot of the other things written and taught in church.

I'd say that we are spiritual. Our kids are welcome to attend church with their friends.  We are raising them to be tolerant of everyone and have independent minds. 

[michellesamom]

Thanks Marcyella!
I'm glad you posted. I went to a very religious school (though it was Jewish) and kept kosher growing up, the whole deal...
So I understand where you're coming from.
It will be interesting to see the kinds of challenges that one faces raising a child without religion. I haven't had to deal with it yet, but she's not at school yet so... we'll see.

[Danielle]

It is great that we can express our feelings and opinions without judgement.. we are all mothers trying to raise our children in the best way we know how... rather we choose to follow certain relgions is up to us individually, rather we agree or not, it is not up to us.. Our interests lie in what is best for our family.. that is what we must respect and realize!

[MichelleB]

I'm strong in my religious beliefs too.