Religion and spirituality

One of the things that Alex and I have talked about (and are completely on the same page about, luckily) is our stance on religion, spirituality, God and how a child learns about all these things. Both of us come from Catholic families who sort of tried to raise us as Catholics but weren't entirely enthusiastic about the follow through. We were both baptized, both of us had first communion, both of us went to Catechism ("Sunday School"). That was about as far as it went. I went to a private school that was Protestant in foundation but more secular and "spiritual" than religious. "Chapel" was a weekly event at my school, where scripture was read and the Lord's Prayer sang together, but where the Catholic equivalent of the homily - where the scripture is interpreted and applied to our relevant life - was the main focus.

The result of the half-finished religious educations for both of us was at least a frame of reference from which to view other religions and from which to experience other forms of spirituality - and a decided resolve that while we believe in God, we do not believe the Catholic Church is the only way nor the best way to experience closeness with God. (For me, the label "God" is simply comfortable and convenient - I do not imagine a necessarily fatherly figure, or a Christian person with flowing robes, nor do I imagine, really, anyone in particular. It is just easier to pick a name of some sort for now, rather than coming up with some all-encompassing, descriptive and "accurate" name - especially since God cannot be described so easily.)

I feel lucky that I stumbled into a Philosophy minor in college; the classes exposed me in an objective way to Eastern religions, faiths, and philosophies which I personally find more useful and relevant in any pursuit of closeness with God and application to making life more meaningful.

So my point is that we're in agreement that we don't want Isabella to be raised within any particular religion. We both feel that we are able to have a personal relationship with God and Spirit because of our rather fragmented religious experiences, but that we are very determined that Isabella should choose her own path in this matter. If she grows up and wants to be a very devout Catholic, and that brings her peace and helps her be close with God and guides her morally, then that's great. If she grows up and decides that Buddhism is the way she feels most comfortable pursuing spirituality, then that's great too. As it goes with really any religion she might discover suits her, or if she, like us, decides she doesn't need a specific doctrine to feel spiritually healthy.

But how does a child choose if they don't have a starting point? We both started with Catholicism and decided what we liked and didn't like about it and went from there. A child can't choose their path to spirituality if they are never placed at the beginning of the journey.

And does choosing bits and pieces from different faiths and practices really just turn out to be a cop out? I, personally, think the Lord's Prayer is absolutely touching and true and so I take that from the Christian world. But I also feel that the practice of meditation found in many Eastern religions and sects is much more effective in spiritual growth as well as in moral guidance than going to church could ever be. Am I just picking and choosing what is convenient or easier for me?

I digress. Our hope for Isabella is that she will find "God" in her own way - whatever is most comfortable and most successful for her. I am impressed by the Amish practice to let their youth go out and experience the non-Amish "outside" world for as long as they feel they need to - the majority of these young adults do choose to return to the austere Amish experience and faith, even after experiencing all the pleasures and temptations of the contemporary world. Likewise, we want to find a way that both gives her a starting point like we had, and also gives her the freedom to question it.