Organized religon? Advice to spiritual dads

Hi Stacey! My husband and I are very spiritual people. A bit on the Pagan/solstice side of like if you know what I mean. That has always worked for us. My in laws however, just hate this! They pretty much steered clear of talking religion for years, but when our son Gabriel was born 3 years ago they began pushing. He needs "organized religion", "he needs a clear moral structure" Blah blah blah... It's always worse at holiday time. They offer to bring him to church and buy him biblical things. Do you feel a kid needs to have "organized religion"? What can we say to them? Karl.

Hi Karl, Religion is a touchy subject for many parents.

As gay and lesbian families

we, more often then not

have not felt comfortable in "organized religion"

Lets be real here

most religious are full of rules condemning us!

Not really great lessons for our kids...

That's not the moral compass my kids need.

Most religions

have wonderful lessons and values and teachings

unfortunately the judgements woven into the threads

the rigidity

the guilt

are often more confusing than having none at all

My view

all kids need to believe

in something

miraculous

something bigger then them

something magical

and loving

and amazing

call it the goddess

call it the universe

call it god

call it magic

just believe

Find those like you

build community

celebrate

and teach your values

to your son

Explain to your mother in law

how some religions feel to you and why

why your practice fits

invite her

if you wish

to learn

about what matters to YOUR family

All kids need to learn

karmic lessons

lessons of action and reaction

kindness

love

commitment

death and life

internal strength

When I was a child

I went to Temple

and my rabbi took all of the 6th graders

every year

to visit

5 other religious institutions

so that we could see

what exists

and what was right for us

how cool is that

allowing people to decide for themselves!

That is what truly matters

Our family celebrates Yule at home

Hanukkah with grandma

and also gets santa

Enjoy the holidays

and just believe

Its a magical time for all!