Differing Beliefs Household Chat.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I believe in god. DP is agnostic. DS(9) is agnostic/atheist. DM is Catholic. DF is a believer. ExH (DS's dad) is Dawkins atheist.

This makes for interesting living. Are there any MNetters in a similar position who fancy a chat about the trials, tribulations and rewards of such households?

[Tactfulcactus]

I think it represents UK today - I am agnostic/atheist as are my DDs, OH is agnostic with Christian leanings, DM is Catholic , D F atheist, Stepmum C OF E, friends and family every denomination - Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Hindu, Buddhist Tec.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

How do you find it Tact?

I love the conversations. Not always easy, but mostly satisfying. IYSWIM.[smile[

[pearlylum]

I am an atheist as is OH. My mother and sister are born again christians. We never discuss religion.

I'm not sure what a "dawkins atheist is though.

[StrumpersPlunkett]

I have a strong faith in God and the teachings in the bible, though I have yet to find a church I feel comfortable in.
Dh is very scientific and agnostic.
DM is very very showey Christian but I worry that here is more hypocrisy there than anyone else I have ever met.
m&fil are Tao Buddhists who attended Catholic Church in Hong Kong
They have v good friends who are Orthodox Jews who they can' feat out with at mil will only eat at her fave restaurant which is a pork and seafood specialist. And there us almost nothing on the menu for her friends. But it us "definitely just her friends being awkward" 🙃

[DioneTheDiabolist]

123Lekl, if you don't mind my asking, in what way is your DS "a little bit agnostic"?

[StrumpersPlunkett]

Oh forgot to say ds's attend a religious school that has weekly services in an historic church building. Ds1 is unmoved at all and was happy to believe in the tooth fairy but not Jesus or God. Ds2 very much believes and it warms my heart

[123lekl]

DioneTheDiabolist...... by a little bit I mean he fluctuates! (I probably used clumsy wording in my post to describe what I meant!) He does believe in God most of the time I think but he often has questions and periods of doubt (which I think are quite normal and healthy).
I've wondered in the past if we are all on a sliding scale of agnosticism as many people of faith (and none) still aren't sure, and having faith can still feel a long way from certainty!

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Don't worry lekl, I think putting beliefs into words can be difficult as they are a collection of complex thoughts, individual to each person. How's that for a clumsy explaination?

DS fluctuates as well. Sometimes with the biblical god, and sometimes with other gods. Last year he asked if we could go camping on Olympus for our holidays.

This week we had a one of our most difficult belief discussions. It wasn't one that I was thinking of when I started this thread. It was the Santa talk! I was taken completely unawares. I suppose it was on the cards, DS being 9 and all, but I wasn't expecting it to happen in April.

[123lekl]

Oh we've had the Santa talk..... older boys didn't believe this Christmas but then suddenly on the day seemed to believe again! My worry is they will tell my toddler and ruin the magic for him (although so far they've promised they won't!)
My middle son is being admitted to holy communion soon and he really does have a faith- he's started making the sign of the cross and asking why we do certain actions. I've told him God's blessing and grace are still there and received whether he uses gestures or not but that some people use it as a sign of receiving from God. He has chosen to do it and eldest hasn't..... there are clearly all working it out for themselves which is both a delight and a worry for us parents I think x