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[quote=Anonymous]I am 20 weeks along, FTM. DH and I were both raised in separate variants of the same faith. While I respect some of the principles that my religious upbringing instilled, when it comes to faith in a savior/higher power, neither of us practices or believes. His parents are divorced. His dad (FIL) doesn't really raise religion with us, but his stepmom (SMIL) is very vocal about her beliefs, which extend into social and political opinions at polar opposite with ours. When we visit them, we go to services with them, follow their practices at home (no alcohol, prayer before meals), and do not engage in or religious or political comments when they arise.

I am happy to live and let live as far as religion goes, but now that we are expecting, we wonder whether we will have to address this issue head-on. Last week we received a package of gifts for us and the baby from the ILs (but solely prepared by SMIL, I think). Except for a pair of pacifiers, it all came from a religious store and was religion-themed (books, a stuffed animal that says a prayer, etc). They were all fairly innocuous; while we don't plan on actually using any of them with the baby, we're fine with keeping them around and on display when ILs visit.

Although ILs live a few states away, I expect we will see them 1-2x per year, and they are very excited about being grandparents. SMIL is going to involve religion in her discussions with the baby, there is no way around it because that's what she does with everyone. We don't want to rock the boat too much, nor denigrate someone else's beliefs. But at the same time, we don't want our child to be confused by the different practices in the family, or to be actively proselytized to. DH has never directly told his dad and stepmom "I don't believe the way that you do" or "Religion is not important to me" because it might be very painful for them and/or his stepmom might see it as her mission to convert him/us.

How have those of you whose religious beliefs and practices differ from your parents' or ILs' handled this, in cases where grandparent(s) impose/expect their beliefs on you and your children?[/quote]

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