Debate - Raising your kids with religion

[boobaloo]

i have just reread all of my posts on this topic, and other than my swimwear comment, i don't believe i have made a comment that is in any way insulting. as i have stated, many times, my intent has never been to offend. as i said in my first post in this thread, i want my children to learn and appreciate all types of religions, and make an educated choice on what suits them in their own hearts. i am not going to intentionally offend a religion if i want my child to be able to experience what it has to offer if they choose to partake.

and sunflower, other than my swimsuit comment, i haven't attacked any rituals, beliefs etc of any particular religion. yes, i did comment that in my experience catholics are the first to judge, once again, i grew up catholic, i went to catholic primary and secondary schools, i did all the communions etc, and yes, i believe i am entitled to the opinion that i came across alot of biggoted catholics. this was not a generalisation on catholics as a whole, it was of people that i encountered.

on the body topic, i am not a body flaunter either, and no i don't want to have my daughter flaunting her nude self around when she's older, i just think that i bodies aren't something that we should feel we have to keep hidden for fear of retribution. and no, you're right, i haven't researched muslim religion in great detail, and as i stated earlier, more power to adults who make the decision, i applaud your decision, especially in a western society, i just like to think that kids have a bit more choice.

once again, i have not meant to intentionally cause offense, and if you can point out to me exactly where i have then i'm happy to hear your opinion. however i have probably copped more personal atttacks than i have dished.

[paradise lost]

There is no retribution in Islam for dressing immodestly. As i understood it women are not expected to be eye candy fo men, or to compete amongst themselves for status based on their beauty or the appearance of their clothes. Freedom From and Freedom To can both have wonderful benefits. Would you rather be free to flaunt your body or free from being judged on your physical appearance? Free to dress in a way that advertises your personal wealth, or free from being judged based on your financial situation? Does that make sense?

From the perspective of the Muslim women i know Islam doesn't demand modesty of them, it offers it as sanctuary. I would guess it's probably the same amongst many groups who dress modestly - it's not about forbidding anything, but rather about allowing a person to exist beyond their physical appearance.

boobaloo i think people react personally when they feel personally offended. I understand you have met many catholics as you have descibed, but those people are not these people. It's like if i said i'd met a lot of black people who were bigots or asian people who were theives. The fact that you know bigots who are catholic doesn't mean catholicism causes bigotry, it's just that bigotry knows no boundaries and exists in all groups, all walks of life. I think people are just reacting strongly because they feel you are selecting their faith, such a personal thing, to attack them through. FWIW i was not offended by the swimsuit thing either particularly. I know why i dress DD the way i do, misconceptions of those looking at her aren't really on my radar.

Bx

[Ballerina]

1. Let me apologise - not all fallen Catho's are 'bitter' and 'obscure'.

2. Lols about the 'as a whole' wording. But we all know what I'm driving at.

4. I'm sorry Boobaloo, but trying to prove that you used to have lots of Roman Catholic brownie points does not justify your offensive comments. I was offended for my husband, my in-laws, and my extended family. They do not fit into the mould of your observation, or 'experience' as you put it.

5. The ladies with no religion are probably looking at all this thinking thank goodness they have nothing to do with it! Totally! I suppose it's a lesson in how quickly things turn sour when you're talking religion!

Moving right along.....!

[Maruschke]

There is no need to respond to perceived offense with offense.

[Rouge]

I agree. Whilst I tried to point out that I thought some comments were offensive, name calling is not necessary. I can see why topics like this rile people up, but really we don't need to be nasty to each other. State your claim fine but leave it there.

Just my 2c.

Boobaloo, I really don't think this thread should be turned into a thread about arguing over opinion (and I'm not one for quoting and pulling apart posts), but if you feel the need I'm happy to discuss it further with you privately

Maybe we should try to get back on topic.

And if anyone feels that something specifically in this thread is offensive or a personal attack please remember the little red and white icon to the top right of every post is the report function and everyone is entitled to use it. And if a moderator feels it is inappropriate it shall be edited.

[boobaloo]

niliac, i stated my opinion in my first post, and i complied within what the thread was about. i have recieved comments made about my opinions and have since defended them, as is my right to do so - i have not tried to make this thread a battle of opinions, i've simply defended my own.

[Ballerina]

Okay - modified to accommodate all audiences.

I'm off to make some milk

[Maruschke]

Just wondering if there are any of us, who as a CHILD, practiced a different religion to their parents? Or while living with their parent, practiced a different religion to their parent, and whether any issued arised???

[LimeSlice]

oscar - I practiced a different religion to my parents...but as I said earlier, neither of them were overly religious to begin with, dad certainly wasn't.
Mum was quite Catholic, and had very little understanding of/for or interest in learning about anything else...so I chose not to talk about it too much. I didnt need her understanding or approval, and I actually quite liked the thought that nobody knew much about what I believed


Will be back alter to address other things

[AnnaChas]

Just wondering if there are any of us, who as a CHILD, practiced a different religion to their parents? Or while living with their parent, practiced a different religion to their parent, and whether any issued arised???

I can't say that I knew anyone who had a different religion to their parents. I have to say, this was never an option for me. I actually didn't even think about other religions/belief systems until I left home. One of my parents was (and still is) quite anti-Islam/Muslim. It irks me so much how intolerant she can be and still preach to be a good Catholic.

[AngelPunks]

Just wondering if there are any of us, who as a CHILD, practiced a different religion to their parents? Or while living with their parent, practiced a different religion to their parent, and whether any issued arised???

I did, my mother (and grandmother) had turned their backs on their pagan heritage (even though my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew and had some amazing power), so I grew up with Mum & Granny being CoE, dragging me along to church (youth group was the *bomb* - the best time, hot boys, drinking, smoking, great friends), heck I was even an altar girl - it gave me an understanding of the christian path, my SIL was also catholic so I used to get dragged to church with her family when I used to visit on holidays - I love the totally pagan rituals in the catholic church (also in the high anglican churches) - which has probably lead to my current pull towards ceremonial/high magic. I've always followed my path, it has seemed totally "right" to me, as I've gotten older more things have been opened to me, more of my power becoming available, teachers arriving when I need them (like my GD group and I'm also about to start doing some sex magic)

[Nelle]

Ladies, particularly in areas as potentially emotive as this, we need to post respectfully, without aggression. Let's lift the tone, and continue to move on with a productive discussion. xo

[Eugenia]

Suse, my personal take on this question would be that I would not want to drive my child or grandchild away from me and if discussing religion would do that then I would leave the topic alone. That does not mean that I would be happy with their choice, I would probably be devastated that they have chosen to reject what I believe to be the only way to salvation and have therefore chosen eternal death (OK people, just stating what I believe, no judgement intended). Nevertheless I would continue to love them. Oh yeah, and also pray very hard that their eyes might open and they would return to the faith they were brought up in.