[siageah]

How do parents handle their children in school, social settings, etc when most of the children belong to one of the "big three" (Judaism, Christianity, or Islam)? Do your children ever feel out of place? Do other children make fun of them for a different value system?

Do you allow your children to attend church or another religious gathering with their friends?

Just starting a discussion. I was raised in a non-religious household so I am curious how times have changed, if they have, and what to expect with raising my own daughter.

[QueenAngie]

DS#1's Christian school had a family of Jewish children that also attended. Their oldest was in DS#1's class.

I think one of the differences was that he took extra singing classes for his bar mitzvah. This young man had a huge voice and could sing. Everyone in the class was invited to attend his ceremony and the party afterwards.

This young man was definitely a mover and shaker. He was great at planning events and parties. He organized the '4th grade prom.' Parents attended with each child. It was a lot of fun.

I do not think he was treated any differently.

[mcmama]

I'm in a part of the world where going to church is considered strange by many. I used to have to really stick to my guns about birthday parties that were scheduled for sunday morning because that was the only time the kiddee party pizza clown place had available.

I have a young friend who was raised wiccan, and often was teased in NYC. Made her feel very strange and shy.

I don't think too many of her classmates really got where she was coming from, and they weren't part of religious upbringing, at least not in a predominate group in her school - they just thought this was something to make fun of.

has anyone experienced being bullied because you are NOT religious?

[MissyChrissy]

We're not religious here, but my kids are allowed to go to Church with family or friends if they choose. We talk about different religions, and research much of what I don't know (which is a lot!). I think for the most part they're non-believers, but they do attend Church with their grandfather mostly because they've made deep attachments with the congregation there. Jessica, my 2nd daughter, is most definitely Atheist right now. I'd like her to leave the possibility open-but she scoffs at the whole concept, while at the same time respectfully attending with her friends and being supportive for them. She asks questions of them, but not in a way to demean them-but rather to better gain an understanding of where they're coming from. We've talked enough about people's beliefs and acceptance of people for who and what they are, and not what we want them to be. In this, I think I've succeeded with the girls. They're friends with all kids-and it doesn't bother me if they're exposed to alternative religions (except devil worshiping-I'd put my foot down to that!) I want my kids to decide their religion on their own.

[MiaCamille]

We arent religious also and it all works out fine, the kids don't seem to mind that they go a special class instead of the catholic class and they are learning other stuff in the meantime so it's great...My in-laws are catholic and go to church on sundays but we don't let them take the kids nor do we want them to talk to them about it.. we respect them in their beliefs and wish that they do the same for us..

[mcmama]

And that is something I always wanted to know about Canada - to what extent does religion play a part in the whole french/english/language/culture thing in public schools?

[MiaCamille]

Originally Posted by mcmama

And that is something I always wanted to know about Canada - to what extent does religion play a part in the whole french/english/language/culture thing in public schools?

They give you a choice between a catholic class and another one which i have no clue what it's called in english in that class they call about all things of life and i remembre i use to take those and i found them very interesting..I live out in the country so those are the only choices we have i don't know for the big cities though..

[MiracleBaby06]

i was raised in a non religous family, my parents decided to make it my choice. i did go to church with friends as well as youth group. my dad made a great point years ago that has always stuck with me, "u shouldnt have to go to a building to prove u believe in god" i did think about joining a unity church though. my neighbor keeps telling me i should teach aiyana religous songs, poems and prayers just incase she would go to someones house, i never was taught and i did fine and no one was offended that i didnt know them

[LeanyBean]

I was raised in a non-religious household. Both of my parents attended church as a children and both believe in God but they never forced us girls to go. If we wanted to go to church or a church function or whatnot we were allowed to go. I thank them for raising us in such a manner. It allowed us to make our decisions and form our own beliefs. I want my kids to be raised the same way even though my in-laws wish we would take the boys to church every Sunday. My MIL doesn't attend church and hasn't in years but she still tries to get us to take the boys. My FIL rarely misses a Sunday in a pew regardless where he is. (He's a truck driver.) (Luckily they aren't a couple any longer. Great friends, terrible mates.) Both sets of grandparents forced my hubby to attend church regularly as a child and he still has his own set of beliefs which differ from mine and from any religious sect he was affliated with as a youngster.
When our boys ask questions about things such as an afterlife and such we ask them what they think and help them to understand what we believe and what other major religions believe. I do research when I can and when I need to to help the kids out but I think they are already starting to believe what they want to. Occasionally they argue about who is right. We are very adamant about the fact there is no right or wrong belief and that they need to respect each other's thoughts and beliefs. That's the best we can do as parents.

I believe that every experience is a learning opportunity. So if my kids end up in a situation where someone practices any religion in their presence they can learn from it.

[mommy2067]

I just looked up what "Samhain" meant Arlene b/c I have been curious about it and it is also known in Christianity as "All Saints' Day (the day after All Hallows Eve or Halloween)...very interesting..the following day Nov. 2 is know as All Souls Day...interesting..!!