Our beliefs guide us in our life. They point us in the right direction as far as what is morally right and wrong. Although we may not share the beliefs of others, we should all try to tolerate them as long as it does not put us in harms way. Think about all the different beliefs and religion we have in the world today. It is unreal how many there are. How can someone who is a Christian dare say that anyone else in the world who is not a Christian will spend an eternity burning in the pits of Hell?
I bring this up because of a lesson I had with my 12 year old son this past week during our home school session. We were discussing Judaism and Christianity. Though I am pagan, I feel that my son should learn about all religions and understand their origins. Besides, he has been to church before, so he should understand the origination of what he was being taught. As we continued our lesson, I could see questions stream across his face. Then our lesson turned into a full blown discussion about the comparison of Christianity and Paganism. I told him before we even got started into the deeper discussions that he has the choice to choose what his heart believes.
I give him this choice because I was raised as a Christian, to an extent anyway. I also had my children in a Christian daycare. Not that I had to have them there because of our faith but at the time, that was the daycare that had an opening when I needed one, but none the less, they were exposed to Christianity. Though I have never been vocal about my beliefs to my children, I have done that on purpose. I refuse to tell them they have to follow my beliefs. I feel that when they are old enough to discover and question their spiritual understanding, they will be able to make their own decision. I would not deny them to further study what feels right to them.
During our conversation about religion, he asked the same question I can remember asking when I was a child. But believe me, my answer to him was different than what I was told. He asked me how do you know what is the right religion? Then I explained to him what I mentioned earlier in this writing. I explained that all religions want you to be a better person. They want you to not harm people and to morally live right. I do realize there are some exceptions to this and we did discuss those beliefs as well. As we talked, I explained to him that he will one day make his own decision about his religious views and when he does, I will try to provide him what he needs to fully explore that decision.
If you read about the origination of many of the religions today, it is all questionable. No wonder they are all called “beliefs”. I have made the decision in my life that if I am going to believe any of these stories, I should believe what I feel most comfortable with and believe one that fits into how I naturally feel. That is why I fall under the umbrella of Paganism. My son has expressed his interest in Paganism as well. As for my younger son, well, in time, that answer will be revealed.
I guess my final thought is this, before a Christian bashes someone for their beliefs, maybe they should look more into their own story and history. Don't ask someone how they can “believe” what they do spiritually unless you can explain your beliefs.
Blessed Be
