Talking about religion has not always been encouraged around family tables. While studies show that a vast majority of people across America and Canada identify as “religious” in some capacity, research also shows that many parents don’t know how to openly discuss the various religious perspectives with their children. Instead, parents allow children to learn through exposure. Unfortunately, what a child learns on his or her own is not always the lesson that religion is attempting to teach. What’s more, a child who only ever experiences one example of faith might not realize the importance of other perspectives.
Though the secular and religious worlds have learned to coexist in new ways over recent years, parents across the spectrum can benefit from guidance when approaching these topics with kids. Look over these tips and learn how you can talk about religion with your little ones and help them find a spiritual side that speaks to their own needs.
Exposure Is Best With Variety
As mentioned, simply exposing your children to your own religion is not enough. Additionally, you should not assume that it is best to avoid exposing your kids to any religion just because you are agnostic or atheistic. A child has a right to discover these truths as he or she grows. Learn to take your kids to places where they will learn more in a direct way. Attend cultural festivals and local events that revolve around food. Religious beliefs connect deeply with food in most cultures, and this can be a fun and engaging way for kids to learn.
Make Science Make Sense
Plenty of people struggle with accepting religion due to the nature of science and vice versa. While it does seem like these two areas are natural enemies, there is nothing stopping a person from having a deep belief in science and a deep faith in a higher power. A child will best be able to reconcile the differences between what is discussed in a religious text and what is explained in a science class if a parent is willing to talk about things. If your child brings a complicated religious or scientific question your way, make time to learn.
Try Not To Force Anything
You might not consider yourself a particularly religious individual, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have conscious and subconscious beliefs of a spiritual nature. In most cases, a person’s understanding of morality, death, love, family, and other major areas is determined by his or her faith or lack thereof. If your child comes to you after a relative dies and you don’t know how to discuss the matter, look at a few different possible answers. Engage in an open discussion instead of a lecture, regardless of your child’s age.
Introduce Plenty of Personal Examples
A child is more likely to make a connection with a “foreign” concept when he or she has an emotional tether. When your child has friends of different faiths, for example, you can benefit by getting to know the families. Learning about their religions can help your child grow more accepting of different faiths. If you show any signs that someone else’s religious beliefs are weird or unusual, your child will start to develop similar perspectives. Tread carefully and learn as much as possible to be a fount of wisdom and information for your kids.
Introducing your child to new religious perspectives can be a challenging journey. Still, you will feel much better about taking the time to engage on these topics. The more your little one knows about the world and what people believe, the more he or she will be able to accomplish. Since it all begins with you as the parent, do your part to provide all of the insight you can.