This is a letter to Mini Me, to explain why she was baptised this weekend.
My Little Lady,
Firstly I have to confess, I do not believe in organised religion. I hate how humans turn something meant for good to suit a sinister agenda. I'm sure Einstien didn't dream of the nuclear bomb when he discovered relativity. I truly believe that's what has happened with all religions.
It was a choice I made not because I am devoutly religious or because it is a family tradition. It was because I'd like Mini Me to have the option in the future.
Many say they don't want to force their child into a religion and they'll make the decision when they are older. Personally, that would be like saying you can choose the language you want to speak in without giving you a base to work from. Or letting you pick what food you want to eat without teaching you about treats and healthy choices.
Everyday parents make small and large decisions that influence their child into the person they will become. Teaching kids to eat their greens, say their please and thank yous, share, how to love, how to handle anger. Whether I like it or not I'm always shaping you and your future choices.
So, how can you make an informed decision about spirituality if you've never been exposed to it?
I'd love to be able to teach you every religion. Just like I want you to learn about all the different cultures that are out there. But I know nothing about Buddhism, Judaism, Muslims or any of the other forms of Christianity. I'm hoping that by exposing you to what I know, you'll have some base in which to explore your options.
Why is this important to me? It's because I stand by the teachings every single religion is based on; that is before they get warped. I believe every religion is based on the fundamentals of being a good person. Every religion, no matter what they call their higher being or how people have bastardised it, says it is wrong to kill, that it's important to forgive, that the good get rewarded, that it's wrong to steal. In essence it about respect and being a good person.
There's a lot wrong with society these days, and I boil it all down to respect. I'm not saying religion will fix it. But it couldn't hurt it either. Yes, it is up to me to teach you about respect, manners and what is right and wrong. But a few stories and supporting literature never hurts.
And looking back at the photos, I've realised there was another reason. Family. It brought the family together to celebrate an event and make a memory together. And now, if you ever need support, you have another group you can go to if you feel you can't turn to your family.
Be Catholic. Don't be Catholic. I'm truly not fussed. But I want you to be a good person who is open minded and informed before you make a snap judgement. That's all any mother would want.
Mum
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