Osler's Razor

Happy Easter (Sunday), Osler!!!
 

We are wondering when to begin Spencer's religious education. The problem is this: I am Unitarian, and Bill is Presbyterian. He will not even enter a Unitarian Church. He refuses to go and if I want Spencer to be Unitarian, I have to take him there alone. Unitarianism was good and I am proud of it but it offered me no solace or comfort or just much of anything growing up. I would like him to live a different way.

I would like him to one day read Osler's blog and KNOW what the pictures of the telephone poles mean.

We were thinking we could go to a Christian church, and I would be willing to go with he and Bill there, for his sake.. But I would feel like I am faking it you know? Like I would be just sitting there going through the motions. I would probably sing in the choir, as I spent like 15 years in choir in grade school and college.

Is that wrong? I am not sure what to do here. Should we as a family join this one Methodist Church (I went to Methodist summer camp, at least I know all the songs) we like that Bill could live with? OR should I go to a separate church and let Bill take him to the Methodist Church? I would LOVE for us as a family to attend the Unitarian Church, where I would feel most comfortable.

However, Spencer is a child, and it is about his life now, not mine. Bill thinks NO Church is better than the Unitarian church. For me, another church makes me feel that they are speaking Swahili or something. I guess Bill would feel that way too, at my church.

I am so confused. SO on this Easter, we are trying to make plans for our religious future.
 

Tyd,

Have you knelt with your husband and asked God what you should do? I'm sure between the three of you you can sort it out.

Best wishes,
Craig
 

Church Shop. Look for places that let you pray and think and that are friendly. Especially for Spencer, you'll want a place that welcomes kids and teaches that God is Love.

I found an Episcopal Parish like that. There are plenty or Episcopal Parishes that are NOT like that, but pretend you're doing that thing you did in high school.

Heck, a good friend of mine has been UCC, Quaker and now Baptist. He can explain his faith journey for himself, but I always got the impression like me, he was looking for the right "community" as opposed to the right doctrine.

Faith will grow in the right soil.
 

We are going to go church shopping I think. GREAAAT First Job hunting, then home improvement, then tales of toddlerhood and now church shopping....


I have no problem with most churches, I guess, but I would prefer one that is a little more - I don't know... inclusive... I know that sounds weird but the UUs sort of do not frown on things like like gay couples or whatever. I feel funny about excluding people for things like this. I don't really get it, but I mean I DO get the argument... because in at least the case of Bill's parents, they believe gay is a CHOICE and not like just how a person is born.
Personally I do not have a thing against gay parents or whatever. I had a pretty crappy childhood at times, and I would have LOVED to have two Dads or two Moms who actually LIKED ME instead of the set of nutjob parents I got.

I DO NOT believe in putting down other churches, though and I respect my inlaws and understand their argument. I do not agree with it, but I get what they are saying.

I just want Spencer to be open to things, and the world. I would hope that a church could learn to deal with the fact that even though I do not believe in God I still would want to go there, to be with my family. I am sure I could find a place for myself there, somehow. If not, I will go hang with UUs.

This parenting stuff is a LOT harder than you ever think its gonna be. Its like I NEVER know if I am doing enough or the right thing.