General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Morals are based on empathy not religion [View all]maddiemom
(5,106 posts)My parents took me to (Protestant) church on and off when I was pre-school and early elementary. They sent me to "Bible School" for a summer or two. Then they turned me loose. I occasionally went to various churches on and off with friends, just out of curiosity. I never did take up a religion, but was raised with very humanistic moral and sane values. My daughter has been raised the same way, but is technically Catholic. When she started school, she felt left out, not having a religion. When she expressed an interest, her father, a very lapsed Catholic, expressed an interest in putting her through the Catholic process. I had no objection. Now in her thirties, she loves Catholic ceremony on holidays, but her very good instincts about others aren't due to the Church. In retrospect, I think many kids in more agnostic homes are influenced by the fact that classmates in early school have more definite religion. Very understandable. Too many religions, however, do promote various harmful smugness against others who disagree with their particular prejudices. The open minds of Atheists and Agnostics are more beneficial to society, although some "Christians" complain that they are being persecuted by the former. I often think that such "Christians"equate disagreement with persecution.