Religion is a Part of Parenting

I recently read a blog that said, "My children do not have a religion. We do not believe that it is our place to give them one." Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I find that statement anti-parenting. We're allowed to teach our children not to hit or bit. That they must share their toys with their sibling and pick them up when they're done . We require them to try every food on their plate. But we're not allowed to decide what church to take them to when they're not even old enough to write their own name? That makes about as much sense as an unschooling family I recently met who don't believe in forcing their child to brush their teeth if they don't want to.

Parents have certain responsibilities. Our responsibility to society is to raise our children to obey rules ( no hitting or stealing toys) and be good citizens (share your snack with your friend who just dropped theirs). But we also have a responsibility to our families and to our cultures. Our religious views are a part of family heritage. I'm not saying we should force our religious views on older children who decide to explore other faiths and beliefs, but young children should be given a religious education (if the family believes in God). That instruction doesn't even have to come from a church if you're not the church going type. Teaching your kids God loves them and wants them to be nice to EVERYONE isn't forcing an identity on them.

More and more often people I meet (who don't go to church) immediately stereotype me when they hear I'm a member of a church. I suddenly transform into a close-minded bigot who believes their faith and culture are superior to everyone else. Unfortunately, the stereotype often extends to my children. Apparently, because I take them to church they will grow up to wage holy war against Muslims and not believe in evolution. Really people? Is that we've come to?

I teach my children about God. And I teach it from the Christian perspective. But when we're with my parents, they take my girls to temple and we sing in Hebrew (my step-father is Jewish and my mother converted). When, my youngest child's Godmother (who is Hindi) is around we end up celebrating what to me seem like random Indian holidays. Yes, I see the irony in having a non-Christian Godmother but she's a good person who is a great role model for daughters.

I'm not blind or stupid. I understand there are some Christians out there who for lack of eloquence are f*cking nuts. Every religion has them. But that doesn't mean having a religion or imparting it on your children until they're old enough to decide is wrong. The Amish don't baptize their children until they're adults because they want them to chose their religion, but they still take them to church with them when they're children. Religion is simply a part of parenting. It's not the only part of parenting, but it is a part.