"The attached picture is of the strong women in my life!" That is how Amanda, the author of our latest entry on chapters 6 and 7, described this picture. You'll see as you read her entry that she has greatly benefited from the strong women in her life, and I'm confident you'll enjoy reading her response to the chapters. Happy reading!
Feeling a sense of religious “homelessness” myself, it was hard to read this chapter and not feel a little self conscious as Rayna talked about her experiences in Suzanne’s church. While I have never gone to a service outside of my own faith, I can only imagine the awkwardness that Rayna and Suzanne felt on Easter. Then I thought of Rayna’s kids and how they already have questions regarding faith, and how that experience probably raised more questions. I also feel, though, like it was a really good experience overall for them to see different faiths, know they exist, and that it’s ok for people to have views other than their own. I think that is a powerful thing for children to see so that they will begin to understand its importance.
I have always needed to look at things a little more inquisitively. At the age of seven, I asked my dad if it was ok to have doubts and questions about God (as I had found out months prior that there were other religions out there other than what I was raised to believe in). His response was, “No. If you don’t believe in God and that he is the only one, you won’t go to Heaven with me and Mom and Grandma and Grandpa when you die.” Obviously, the thought of not being with my family scared me beyond words, but it also made me wonder why this one God was better than anyone else’s. My dad could never really answer that question. I always wondered how many other kids had these questions growing up.
This book has solidified for me that religion can be really confusing for kids, and while we can’t always answer all the questions they have, it is our job as educators to make sure they know that their family’s beliefs and cultures are recognized. And since most schools are secular and prohibit any religious affiliation, it is so important that we recognize our children’s families in other ways. For example, having family nights, cultural potlucks, or weekly family boards where every week a different student/family is highlighted and recognized in the classroom. These are just a few of the ways that we can acknowledge and appreciate all the different families.
One part of the reading that I think will stick with me for a long time is “The Paper Bag Story” Priscilla retold from her father. It made me appreciate my life and my own set of problems, and how even though everyone has their own set of problems, I wouldn’t want anyone else’s. We are each an expert on ourselves. I feel that at times I can’t handle or don’t want my own problems, but there are people out there with a lot more as well as a lot less, and I wouldn’t give mine up for theirs.
Overall this book has given me insights into not only other religions and cultures but into the perceptions and insecurities of those inside my own religion. This has made me appreciate the time that these women spent hashing it out together and the time I can spend with the strong women in my family and the insights they can and do give me on a regular basis. And for that I am truly grateful.
I can really relate to the questions about religion that you pondered as a child, as I, too, had very similar questions in childhood, and continue to wonder. Though I come from a family where religion was not important, I have always -- even as a little girl -- felt a strong spiritual connection, and spent my childhood and into my young adulthood navigating that path on my own. I've now had wonderful mentors, both in established churches, as well as just spiritually, who have influenced me in my thoughts on spirituality, and they have most often been women. I, too, feel grateful for them, as well as my continuing faith as I travel this path.
ReplyDelete