We don't attend church and aren't particularly religious. DH was raised Catholic and has not practiced since the day that he had the say so in the matter. I was raised without organized religion. Although my parents did encourage me to explore faith and I attended churches, bible studies and church camps with many friends over the years, they do not believe in organized religion in general and have never attended church themselves.
Recently DS has been asking about God - what is god? and even asking if God is a bad word and saying he wants to learn about God. He told me he knows god watches over us. I'm pretty sure he is getting this from a religious friend at school. I am happy he is curious about it all and want him to be able to learn about it if he wants to.
I consider myself a spiritual person and not an atheist, but DH an I both have a hard time really subscribing to an organized religion for a variety of reasons. I want my children to be able to lead spiritual lives in any way they choose. I do believe spirituality is an important part of being human. It is very hard for me to explain to them, considering that I feel my spiritual beliefs are ever-evoloving. I am wondering if there is anyone like me out there and if you have any advice on how to teach your child about the idea of god or spirituality without necessarily subscribing to a specific dogma?
I'm wondering if I should put him in a religious program like Sunday School or VBS so he can learn about Christianity and satisfy his curiosity and them talk to him about it? I would love for him to learn about other religions too, but we live in a small town so there aren't many options.
Re: Teaching about God without Church
Both my husband and I were raised in church and have been Christians our entire life. We would love for one of our son's friend to join him at church, Vacation Bible School, Youth Group, Sunday School, etc. if they wanted. We're constantly learning too. I don't think you're ever done. The story of creation may be able to help resolve many of his questions.
I remember once asking another spiritual / non-religous friend if he though he should be giving his child some form of religious foundation to build on. His response was that he would teach his child to believed in himself, which spiritually is the most important thing you can do.
~~QBF~~
Yes, this is exactly what I was thinking and I had a similar experience to yours.
I am on a G.I. Gurdjieff kick right now and I read Meetings with Remarkable men and Boyhood with Gurdjieff (by Fritz Peters) back to back (I read Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson two years ago and I plan to read Life is Real Only Then When I Am as soon as I can get a copy).