Teaching Faith

A recent post on a blog I frequent has me thinking out loud, so-to-speak. My AnyMommy friend wrote a post about teaching her kids faith while still teaching tolerance of other's beliefs. Which raises a good question, just how DOES one achieve this?

When Beosig and I first had Kiernan we had the religion discussion. Both of us come from different backgrounds, and the beliefs are not the same. Similar, yes, but not the same. Neither of us attend any church regardless of our beliefs, yet that does not mean that we do not believe.

Our neighbors are very religious folk, and there was a time I did ponder entering Kiernan in bible school with their kids to get some exposure. I am fully prepared to answer the inevitable questions about it all, and completely expect I will have to research for some answers depending on the question. Much like Stacey, (aka AnyMommy), I too have concerns that by attending bible school the education received will be slanted towards certain beliefs and that one way is better than all others which is not what I want.

So how do we go about teaching faith without teaching it in such a way as to ensure that no ONE way is the BEST way?

I was personally raised in a family who is split. My Mom's side of the family is Catholic, my Dad's side of the family is Mormon. To say I have mixed feelings is a serious understatement. It left me so confused that honestly half the time I do not know WHAT I believe.

The Mormon church made it all so appealing to kids by having many, many organized fun activities on weekends and evenings, but I was not permitted to attend for reasons I am unsure of. Perhaps a good thing, I really do not know. The Catholic church my Mom attended had few, if any events geared towards kids, so honestly I had no desire to attend. I was forced to attend though, for many years. It made me resentful to be forced into doing something I had no interest in. It also made me more mindful as a parent to realize that Iwill never force Kiernan into doing things associated with faith. I want him to go because of his own desire, or perhaps curiosity, not because I wish to make it so. My ultimate desire for Kiernan is to educate him in what is out there in order to ensure tolerance of other faiths and beliefs, because in my eyes, there IS no "best" way to believe. To believe otherwise simply breeds hostility towards others, and there is enough of that in this world without encouraging that in children.

Living in Colorado Springs, I see VERY strong influences by Focus on the Family. Many of which I disagree with personally, but that doesn't mean I dislike their faith or think they are "wrong", I just do not believe in the same way they do.

So dear readers, I leave it open to comments and suggestions. How do you suggest teaching faith in a non-slanted, non-biased way? Is there a book or a website, or even a method that you have used or seen in practice that achieves this?