Reply #58: I personally favor giving a child some tradition as they grow up -- [View All]

[DeepModem Mom]

making it clear that they can reject it for some other tradition, or none at all, at any time. Again, it's been only my PERSONAL experience, but kids who've been brought up without any traditional rites of passage, holidays, etc., sometimes seem to feel they've missed something. When most kids are going through these things, they are not.

My kids were taught about all of the great religions in school, with none favored, and are proud of their knowledge. I wouldn't want to be completely ignorant, or raise a child who was completely ignorant, of religious stories and traditions.

Many people find comfort in religion, for all its faults -- if a child grows up with nothing, they miss a chance to have grown up with something they might have wanted. They can reject it as they grow up, and throw it in your face if they want to -- but you will have given them the choice.

A church like the Unitarian Church offers a tradition and social group of seekers, who don't claim to have the answers.