A Heathen Rasing Her Heathen Children

Those of you that know me know that I am not religious. I used to dabble in angsty, teenage paganism, but now hold solidly true to empirical proof and the steadfastedness of science. That being said, I can't rule out all essence of spirituality when raising my children. I want them to come to my conclusions, of course... Humans are the result of evolution resulting from the coincidence of elements. I won't tout what I have to say about particular tenets of faith here--I will exercise in lively debate in private with you, but this is a place for friends. But I would like to note that the Earth is not flat, nor is it orbited by the sun. 'Nuff said.

This thought process came about in the last few days. We have been living in our new place now for about two months. I have already been approached twice by people clutching their Bibles and illuminated postcards. The first time was while I was in my driveway packing the kids into the car to run to the supermarket. Two women, one older and one pretty young, had come specifically to speak with my neighbor, who already buys into their information. The older woman made small talk about my pretty little girl, 'they grow up so fast' an' all that. Then she segwayed into her product. "Do you ever discuss a Creator with your children at home?" First of all, all the time. Second, probably not in the way she meant. I am their Creator. And I like to let them know. They will never appreciate me, but I digress. I told her we're pretty sure science has the corner on creation, and that we're agnostic, which basically means we really don't know what we believe--either way, organized religion is out for us. She feigned interest, and the younger woman behind her shifted nervously. I could tell she wanted to nudge her way into my attention, to make a sale. I try to be polite to people who come to my door. I may be a heathen raising her heathen children, but we have manners.

The second instance, we were at home and both of my kids were napping simultaneously, and if those religious solicitors have children, they would know that this happening is a miracle of the big G.O.D. persuasion. I wrangled the twitching dog and sent them away with apologies for my disinterest.

The point here is how to raise non-Christians in a place where it infiltrates every situation? I can't go out to the car or spend the day in my bathrobe at home because Jesus' salespeople are hiding around the corner, waiting to pounce as soon as the kids are asleep. I think it's good to teach them without sarcasm, but as you can see, I find this rather difficult. I don't want them to be equated as immoral simply because we don't prescribe to a fantastical ideology that holds the patent to moral thought.

Eh... This has reached a point where I can't go on without offending one or more of my five Avid Readers. Welcome back to my blog. I'm going to try harder, yet again. Aurelia is up to no good, and I know how enthralled you are by that.