Mom2mom poll: Is it important your kids share your faith?

[kckady]

How important to you is it that your children share your faith? Or is it not an issue for your family? Do you hope they believe as you do, but are open to them exploring other ideas? This week it's about faith here at mom2mom.
Answer the weekly poll question, post your comments and read The Star's FYI section on Tuesday, Nov.13 to see what other moms say. Also check back often on mom2momkc.com to see how the mom2mom panel answered.
The question: How important is it to you that your kids share your faith?
A. Very important
B. Not important at all
C. I would like it, but I want them to make up their own minds

[Qcaller]

I definitely want my kids to share my faith. I seek out opportunities for them to learn about Jesus. However, I also want them to understand other faiths. They need to be respectful of all people and relate to others in a loving manner.

Pam West

[sahmiam43]

I know what the question means, but even when I translate it in my head this is the answer that comes to mind: I don't want them to share my faith. I don't want them to mimic what they see me do, and I don't want them to blindly follow me on my faith walk. I want them to have their OWN faith, their own actions within that faith and their own walk.

It's just like when they learned to physically walk: I will hold their hand, model behaviors- teach them what I know. I will encourage them and put them in a safe place to learn and get strength- but they have to do it themselves. It's all on them.

[mygr8crew]

While my kids live at home, they attend church with me and receive the same Sacraments as I have. I hope that they learn to love them as I do and that they continue to practice them when they leave home, but that really is up to them. Sure, I might be a little sad, but I had to find my way, I expect they will have to as well.

[vengholm]

I just want them to be good people. Whatever faith they choose, or no faith at all, is really up to them. If they grow to be good, kind, compassionate people, I'd be satisfied with just that.

[ithaca2kc]

Yes, it's important to me.
As an interfaith couple, my husband and I discussed this topic in great depth well before we had children.
We agreed that it was important to pick one faith in which to raise our kids, while exposing them to the other half of their heritage, certainly, but keeping one in the home.
I'm not sure if by "faith" you mean "religion" or "beliefs." It's a lot easier as a parent to determine what religion my kids practice than what they believe. I think it's my responsibility to educate them so that they can make an informed decision about whether to embrace or reject their religion later in life.

[fibromom]

I am with Val. It doesn't matter to me as long as he grows up to be a good, kind person.