I wasn’t sure what to expect when I clicked the link to read this blog entry, but I’m glad I like what I read! Far too many people stereotype and, let’s be honest, JUDGE Christians as being narrow-minded, stubborn, “old-fashioned,” judgmental (go figure) people, and don’t get to know them individually. We’re not all like that, I promise! ;-) As a Christian I’ve faced the criticisms personally, so I understand. What I believe matters most is just living life as God calls us to, by living out the fruits of the Spirit – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And that includes instilling these values in our children as well! Our children are our future!
(P.S. Please don’t jump on me for assuming the author of the article is referring to Christianity… it was an educated guess :D )

Casey – I love this. I have always believed kindness matters most. And have always believed people have the right to choose their religious/spiritual/non-spiritual views. I would rather have a kind, loving, non-religious person in my home than someone who uses their religion as the framework by which to judge and ostracize others. And truthfully, there are SO MANY religions that face judgement and/or persecution from other organized belief systems – Buddhists, Muslims, Mormons…. Christians judge other Christians for their denomination or level and faith, and Judaism as well. And yes, religion is going to be front and center this political season and it won’t be only Christianity under the microscope. You keep doing what you are doing….

Yes. Agreed. I didn’t know a lot about Mormons or Mormonism until I started reading your blog (there aren’t many (if any) around here), but what it all comes down to, is we believe in the same God, just in different ways.

I teach my kids kindness, understanding, and compassion by using Christ as an example. I try to be an example myself, but I fail often, what with the whole being-human thing.

I hope you’re enjoying your time in Canada right now, and that you are surrounded by Wunderbars.

Casey, one of the things I have most appreciated about you and your blogs and your conversations about religion is that you make them about God, not about denomination or specific rules and whatnot. I greatly admire your faith and general outlook on all things religious. We, like you, have really gone out of our way to teach our daughter that at the core of faith isn’t rules, but it’s how you treat people and how you can behave and live your life in such a way that will lead people to see that your faith is what makes you different… and that means being kind and tolerant, and friendly and in general a kind human being. I mean, sure, there is more to it then that, of course, but at the core, that’s where it starts. So anyway, all that to say: yes, agree, as usual, hooray. :-)

“Of course, if I had chosen any other “spiritual-type” of religion (read: a religion that doesn’t claim to be the ONLY way to God), they would be fine and liberal and all open-minded about it. Their beef now is that what I believe, by default, means I believe they are wrong and technically “unsaved.”” I’m going to honest. Much like your parents, I’d be completely mortified if one of my children chose this path.

We raise our children to compassion and caretaking of the world. Certainly one doesn’t require a religious structure to do that. And religion can be a pain in the @$$ for sure! But we are grateful for ours, it gives us the structure we need to encourage our kids to do the right thing, even when “no one is looking.”

Thanks for this thoughtful article. I think “no religion” is as much an identity for kids as any particular religion, and for the most part kids like structure.

I do not see myself as a religious person, but I do believe in Jesus Christ as being my Savior. I no longer attend church on a regular basis, as I did as a family when I was a child. There is a difference in having faith and having religion. To me, religion signifies rules written by people telling us how we have to worship God, things we can do and cannot do. I feel faith is more of a personal relationship with God, looking beyond what a rule says that we have to do.