As Evelina and I look to start a family, the discussion of religion has come to my mind a lot. What tradition will we raise our kids? Is it important? Let me ask you a question…
How much importance do you place on the spiritual part of your life?
As Evelina and I look to start a family, the discussion of religion has come to my mind a lot. What tradition will we raise our kids? Is it important? Let me ask you a question…
How much importance do you place on the spiritual part of your life?
The spiritual part is very prominent in our house. My wife and I are both spiritual, and both have our own discussions with God. The “religious” part, however, is not. I was raised a Catholic, my wife was raised a Baptist. Neither of us are church goers any longer, for our own reasons. But, our kids have been educated on such matters. They’ve been to church, and we’re all baptized in my MIL’s church in Mississippi, an Episcopalian. But it’s not an every Sunday ritual. When at home, and we are invited to a service, it’s at a Unitarian. That’s a bit more our speed. So, yes, I think spiritual and, to a reasonable degree, ecumenical education and practical use is a good thing. We just don’t feel the need to do so in a church setting. I also think, as a side note, that both parents should either agree on the matter, or be willing to compromise. Religious or spiritual differences can be problematic.
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It is interesting to experience the change in focus when we begin to imagine life with a kid.
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It will change EVERYTHING! I promise you that. But, you will never regret it. I wish you great success in your quest. 🙂
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I prefer a spiritual family and hopefully , the same religious affiliation. I’m a practicing Catholic.
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I think it is important to have some structured belief system.
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First, I don’t see “religious” and “spiritual” as synonymous or interchangeable at all. I was raised without formal religious instruction (indoctrination). To the extent that I was exposed, mostly in reading, to the stories of the Bible, I also found the stories of the Greek/Roman gods, and the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, and others, and none was presented as more or less true than the others. It was all literature, history, and folklore. Truth, to the extent that it could be found was to be found in science. So, I don’t claim membership or adherence to any religion.
Spirituality, in a broad sense is another matter. I see the great teachings of religions, and philosophies, and practices such as Yoga, prayer, and meditation, as pointing at deep truths, most of which are difficult or impossible to encompass with dualistic language, of what it is to be a conscious human trying to live well. That is very important to me.
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Thanks for sharing Bob!
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A really good question to ask and very important to discuss when you are raising children.
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It is. What are your thoughts?
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Oh yes sorry, I didn’t really answer the question did I? I place quite a lot of importance on my spirituality. I wouldn’t consider myself religious. However, I meditate which could be considered a form of prayer.
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Do you believe in a God?
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It is everything! And congratulations!
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No need for congrats yet. 😁
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Religion to me is comprised of rituals. To me relationship with God is so important. Lord, what are you saying to me now? Listening and being in relationship with Jesus, Holy Spirit and Daddy God. It is personal and is woven into how my life is lived. It changes me for the better. It is important to raise children knowing there is a personal Father God who gave his son so we can be in relationship with him as his child. Jesus paid the price for this relationship and cheers us on, interceding with the Father for us. Holy Spirit, lives inside of us and teaches and leads us into all truth. My relationship with God has changed my life and contiues to change me. His incredible love for me, transforms me. For your future children, it is not the ritusls but the loving relationship with God that they will need.
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I personally place a lot of importance on it, but it boils down to what you and your spouse agree on, together. I think it is something that should be discussed before a wedding, so there are no disagreements when starting a family. ~Peace, Tina
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Danny – I have to concur with the advice you have already received. I place more emphasis on faith and a rich personal relationship with God. I’m not interested in attending church and man-made religiosity. I treat others with the love I desire to receive and I’m extremely grateful for all I’m blessed with. Teaching your children by modeling faith and showing love and kindness will go along way.
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Thank you Dee! I appreciate the advice!
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That’s a complicated issue, but it’s a very personal one. It’s very important that both partners agree on how they will raise children, but you don’t have to follow someone else’s guidelines. Ultimately, a person’s (your child’s) spiritual journey will be their own. My husband is Catholic, and I’m more non-denominational (my father is Presbyterian, my mother is Catholic), but we are both spiritual people. We’re not very devoted, not very church-going, but we believe and God and we have discussed faith and spiritual issues with our children. My husband and I believe it is our job as parents to start our kids on their own spiritual journey, but it’s up to them to see where it takes them.
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I agree Fabi. Truth has to be sought after by each individual and each must find it on their own. No one can hold your hand.
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As a Christian, it’s the FOUNDATION of everything in my own personal life.
I’m not married yet, but when I do get married, my husband & I will have to be on the same page, so we can jointly teach our children together. Which I believe, would be our responsibility as parents.
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Having parents with differing religious/spiritual views would cause some big problems, imho.
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Yes, I agree 🙂
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If I answered your interesting question in whole it would take you too long to read it. So, I will make it short and sweet. If I didn’t have faith I wouldn’t be posting this. My answer? Very. ☺☺
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What is your view of “God”?
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If you mean my God, the one I believe in, my view is he is always there listening and watching. Watching to see how we use the one gift that he has given every single person in this world, free will to choose in everything we say and do. I believe some do not use that gift wisely.
What do you think about that? ☺
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It is interesting that you focused solely on free will. Why is that a gift?
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Why do I think that free will is a gift? It allows us to choose.Everything we do and say is a choice that we make. If everyone in the world made good choices there would be no wars, hunger, murders, etc.. Those are choices and when you choose there is a consequence, choose right and the consequence will be a good one. Choose wrong and, well look at the state this world is in. “Mans inhumanity to man”.
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I used gift because that is what you said in your previous comment. lol “Watching to see how we use the one gift that he has given…”
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It’s very important. Faith gives you fellowship with a caring community and a sense of compassion. My wife teaches religious education, I play the piano with the choir and my daughter is going to be an altar server at our Catholic church. Even if the ‘supernatural’ aspects of faith are not 100% accurate, the lessons learned are valuable.
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Don, I hold a similar view as you do. Evelina is Catholic and I am protestant. I think to be well-rounded you must focus on mind, body and spirit.
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As someone else has already said, it is everything. To me, the most important thing is being on the same page as your spouse. Whatever that page is will be unique to you.
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I agree. Evelina and I approach everything as a team.
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A lot. My faith is my foundation.
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Do you practice whole-being focus: mind, body and spirit?
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Yep, I really try too.
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Smart! All 3 rely on each other.
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I am hindu by birth. But religion & it’s traditions are not important for me. Humanity is the most important thing than any religion
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Couldn’t one argue that there is a major difference between religion and spirituality? I believe having a awareness of humanity and participating in making other’s lives better is spiritual.
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