I was raised by Catholic parents/grandparents, they weren't super strict about it. We went to church on the holidays, I was enrolled in Catholic schools, but it certainly wasn't Live by the word or burn for eternity...
I haven't stepped foot in a church since graduation, aside from a couple weddings, and would consider myself Agnostic at best.
I now have a son approaching 14, he's never been to church, and goes to public school.
I felt it was important that he was aware of religion, so he could be open minded and accepting of his peers who may be more devout. So we openly discuss religion in the home, and share our thoughts and ideas regarding it. I've always encouraged him to learn as much about religions as he can, simply because it is an interesting piece of history.
Honestly though, talking with him, religion really isn't a hot topic with his peers, he's got friends of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds, and they don't treat it any differently than who their favorite hockey team is.
There have been times he's come home and mentioned a friend of certain belief told him something really interesting, and then he'll read about it online, think it's cool and carry on with his day.
It does seem the younger generations are far more accepting, and open with one another, and that religion causes far less segregation than it did in the past, not to mention the "non-believer" population is far less of a minority than it has been for centuries.
I guess my advice would be, be open, be honest. Share your beliefs, but don't diminish others. Let them learn and be accepting. If they choose to adopt a religion be accepting of them.
|