Originally posted by Vulcan
My children will get a religious education, but it will be abstract enough that they can make their own decisions.
wmlute, a question, which sect of christianity do you recommend - and how do you know its the right one?
excellent question.
I don't advocate any certain denomination over another. It mostly boils down to finding one that you are comfortable with/in, and what "feels" right to you.
I feel that I didn't really explain myself enough in that last post.
As parents, we are here to teach, and guide our children. Not "force" our ideas/opinions upon them. I am a firm believer of leading by example. If I want my two sons to grow into honorable men, I have to show them what an honorable man acts like. It is not easy. I have to make numerous sacrifces, but hey, that's what a Dad does. It's no longer about what is best for me. I lost that option when I became a Dad. It's what's best for THEM. I try to keep that in the forefront of my decisions in life.
In my opinion, a Church is the best place to teach moral values that we have in our society. Thinking that, I felt that it was important to find a church that I was comfortable with, and was full of people I respected. I was lucky and found a Baptist church that was extrememly Biblically based, and practiced what they preach. I have posted here before that it is one of the only churches that you will find in this world, that offers 100% free medical, mental health, and dental services to anyone at all. They pay for a clinic that is staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses (and dentists) that will not accept money for their services. It's called Ministries of Jesus. Here's a quote from their webpage.
The Ministries of Jesus is open to everyone seeking help...young, old, rich, poor, insured, uninsured, Christian, non-Christian. The ministry consists of volunteer practitioners dedicated to healing of the body, soul and spirit who donate their time and use their God-given talents to help those in need.
LINKBUT my point is, I found a church that I could get behind, that wasn't just mouthing the words, but backed them up, and that is important to me. My boys are cub scouts (we've won their pine wood derby 3yrs running heh) and that is another place I feel that will instill positive moral values. Just like my church pick, I shopped around a couple scout groups before I found one that fit my needs.
Mostly, it is surrounding your children with positive role models, and morals.
If you can find a better place than a church, GREAT! I have never found anything that comes close, but again, what works for me, isn't going to work for everybody.
I was most encouraged by the original post. It showed me a parent who cares, and is wanting what is best for their child. I only hope they have the will, and intestinal fortitude to make what ever sacrifice they have to make to keep their two children walking down a morally righteous path, and can guide them so they can grow into wonderful adults.
