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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm in my 40s with kids (elementary school).  My Mother keeps pushing us to go to church, saying the kids need to learn about God.  She buys books for my kids but they are not interested.  She makes us all say grace when they(mom and dad) visit.  Now she's telling me that my nieces went to church this past weekend, and that we had better start going.  She guilts us by saying stuff like we will not have the lords blessing, etc.

I personally have no interest.  I found bible study boring.  What's the appropriate thing to do w.r.t. the kids?  Let them grow older and decide for themselves?  Any thoughts on how to deal with mom?[/quote]

OP, I could have written this except my parents tag-team the effort. They soft pedal it for sure, but find a way to work it into every visit. "Have you found a church yet?" "The kids are getting older and it's really important that they have a strong church foundation..." "We just keep praying that you'll could find a church home for your family"
I know they mean well, and I was raised in the church so I get it. But I just don't know that I believe what I was taught, and I'm not prepared to back it up the way that they do anymore. Once upon a time, I was pretty convicted, but I'm not there anymore.

I sort of do worry though that without giving my children any sort of foundation, they will be sucked in to some other religion by a boyfriend or eventual spouse and then we won't have that in common.  Is that a strange concern? My biggest "fear" in this is that they will find some nice LDS boy and end up marrying in a temple wedding that I can't attend. LOL (yes yes, I know Mormons are nice. It's not that. They are very very nice. I just have a bazillion other issues with the faith and beliefs that I'd rather my family not be apart of.) Do I need to give them something else so they don't grasp at a religion I am not familiar with?[b] I just don't know.[/b]..

[/quote]

Correct -- you don't know and you can't predict, I don't think, given that people go in all sorts of different directions as adults based on the things you mention. I'd say give them a foundation in being good people.  You don't need organized religion for that.  A good church could help, but a bad church could hurt.  Kids seem to go their own way when they grow up -- with you as an example.

Also, consider taking a look at a Unitarian congregation or Ethical Society.  They provide a "foundation" in humanism and teach about religions without teaching a particular religious belief.[/quote]

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