February 08, 2013

Confusing My Son?

My son is familiar with different types of Gods. Norse, Greek, Roman, and yes, the God of Hebrews. He was really impressed with the Norse Gods in particular and at one point in time he declared that he will base his "religion" on Norse mythology.

I just let him. I just let him explore "religion". And I find it amusing.


But one day someone scoffed at me: "What are you doing to him? That's really bad! You are confusing him, those are MYTHS"! This was coming from someone who sends his daughters to a school managed by nuns.

Okay, so to "avoid confusion", shall I subject my son to one particular religion? To "avoid confusion", shall I say there is only one God? To "avoid confusion" shall I tell him to stick to one bible? Ask yourselves, why is our religion based on our parents' religion? To be completely honest, at the end of the day I want my son to be spiritually grounded. I want him to see the enlightened path and to follow that path. He is already 13 and I haven't really given him a push towards that path. Because I want him to discover it on his own.

I grew up as a Roman Catholic. My bestfriend back then was a Muslim princess and I even thought she made that all up because I was in a box. A box that consisted of rigid rules, Heaven and Hell, demons and angels. Where Immaculate Conception and walking on water are not myths. I took the "bread" without fully understanding what it really meant. I sounded like a robot in church, repeating phrases that were empty to me. I was told I was going to "burn in hell" for doing "this and that".

I don't want my son, for the sake of "avoiding confusion", to go with the flow. I want him to swim as deep and as far as he could and I will let him be. I will let him hear all kinds of stories, know all kinds of beings. I will allow him to decide on his own. And I will support his decision.

I will let him be "confused" and I want him to figure it out on his own. Because ultimately, for me, the way one lives is more important than being "not confused".

11 comments:

  1. I Love this post !!!
    Im not a parent but have often spoken with my friends about things i plan on doing when I have my own children and letting them be free to chose their own ways and discover other religions etc is something I feel is important for each individual .. Nice to know Im not alone in my thinking

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    1. It is important! Glad to also stumble on people who are on the same page as I am! My family are not as happy but they understand :)

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  2. Your son will be a well-rounded, tolerant and understanding person because of the allowance you are giving him to learn! Don't let anyone tell you that giving him to opportunity to explore is causing confusion. I think you're doing a great job!

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    1. I really hope so! Thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement!

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  3. Good for you! We are planning to raise our kids the same way. We are atheist and want them to find their own way. Whatever makes them happy! :)

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  4. Fascinating post. Love your honesty and your stories. Sounds like you're teaching him well.

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    1. I can only hope that what I am doing is right. There are so many moments when I double guess my ways and decisions. I guess we can only judge when my son becomes fully-grown? And then it can be all too late? *shudder* Tee hee! Thank you for hoping with me and believing!!!

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  5. This is quite refreshing to read Pika!

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    1. ERROL! Oh no! Your little family is my inspiration! Such a pressure now that you guys are checking MY family out! Tee hee!!! THANKS FOR BOTHERING TO SUBSCRIBE! :)

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  6. This helps a lot! Although Rain is only a year and a half... at least I would have this refreshing insight when I finally cross that bridge :-)

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