I came to the decision that I can not believe in the LDS church anymore. I needed to make a decision on that, I have been in limbo for too long. I don't want to go into the reasons why, so let's just say I don't. But I do believe in God. Absolutely, no question. I believe in prayer and blessings. I believe in faith. Where does this leave me? I don't believe the bible is a literal truth. I don't have a religion. Agnostic. Such a strange word, it doesn't seem to fit.
How do I teach my children about God? How do I teach them it's okay to NOT believe what their Grandparents, Aunts, Cousins all believe. How do I teach them Grandma says one thing but we don't believe the same without offending someone or confusing the other? How do I teach my kids that they can respect their grandparents and family's beliefs while not being part of their religion?
My family has always been an anchor for me. My mom and sister and sister's-in-law are more than just family, they are some of my best friends. Once they know I will never be a part of their church will they still be? Or will it be polite and just a bit more distant? To them, this is a phase, to me it's a decision I have thought and prayed about for years. But you can't argue, explain or debate faith, can you? To them I will always look lost. To them I will always be the one that won't be with them 'After'.
Every family get together, every family trip will make out children feel just a little lost or left out. And It's not our family's fault, their religion is a lifestyle, I respect and appreciate that.
But what do I tell my child when their cousins criticize or make fun of them? What do I do when they are told they can't ever be with God or with family after death?
How do I teach my kids to respect other people's beliefs while we live in a state that won't respect theirs?
1 comment:
Don't sound so fatalistic! You're being awfully negative. These people are your family. They love you. Not for the person who has been deciding for the last however long which side of the fence to get down on, but for your sweet nature, your witty humor, and your generosity of spirit. They are not going to stop loving you just because you have stopped having faith in their religion. They are your family. Have a little faith in THEM.
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