Comments on The Erin Experiment: Religion and Stepkids: Heaven or Hell?

I don't think you're going to hell. :) Explaining...

2009-11-06T11:44:34.956-06:00

I don't think you're going to hell. :) Explaining what you believe to your stepchildren is part of growing together. You didn't force them to participate in a religious activity against their own beliefs, you simply explained what you feel.

I think it's okay for your stepson to be scared as well. It sounds like he is starting to make some decisions about his own beliefs. His being scared doesn't reflect poorly on you in any way.

Not sure how it would scare him. Wonder if he hear...

2009-11-05T17:59:33.506-06:00

Not sure how it would scare him. Wonder if he heard something different than what you meant. When I ask my stepkids to repeat back what they heard, it's completely different or missing some pretty major elements. And what you said probably came out differently in his 8 year old head.

They should also learn that people, all different kinds of people, believe different things. They will hear all kinds of different beliefs. If they're scared everytime they hear something different, they're in for a scary life!

Erin, You didn't overstep your boundaries. You ...

2009-11-05T09:42:06.283-06:00

Erin,

You didn't overstep your boundaries. You let him know what YOU believed in. Its important for him to know that there are many different beliefs in the world and to be tolerant of them. That is what will help send a responsible, compationate adult into the world, and heaven knows we need more people like that!

Mom2

I don't think you're going to Stepmom hell. You t...

2009-11-04T13:06:26.607-06:00

I don't think you're going to Stepmom hell. You told him about your personal belief on the matter, and, IMO, that's not crossing a bio/step-parent line. When I get questions about stuff like that, I answer the same way - letting them know that this is just what I believe.

Erin - i think you did just fine! but if you stil...

2009-11-04T12:40:05.711-06:00

Erin - i think you did just fine! but if you still find yourself going to hell, give me a call and I'll join you. :-)

FYI (because I don't have your email handy at work), I got your email. I'll be uploading info to Diva Toolbox. This week and send you more info on getting folks to sponsor our radio show!!

Anonymous, You raise a good point. I'm not exactly...

2009-11-04T10:30:59.747-06:00

Anonymous,
You raise a good point. I'm not exactly sure where his statement came from. Like I said, we were driving home and somewhere in conversation he had mentioned he was afraid he was going to where the devil lives because he hadn't always had perfect behavior. His sister and I assured him he would most certainly go to Heaven and that takes horrible things to go to Hell; that's what prompted me to mention my own viewpoint.

I would be curious as to where your stepson is get...

2009-11-04T10:27:49.075-06:00

I would be curious as to where your stepson is getting his "hell" information. From what I remember of my church days, Catholics don't typically spend time talking about hell. It's all about confessing and being repentant. I wonder if there is one particular person who has scared your stepson with the concept of hell? I honestly think it probably less about a religious thing and more of a separation anxiety kind of thing. Life without his/her family is a very scary thing to anyone, but especially an 8 year old.

I think you gave a very reasonable answer and don'...

2009-11-04T08:27:19.406-06:00

I think you gave a very reasonable answer and don't think you are going to hell LOL!

I think what you said was ok. Its not like you ar...

2009-11-04T08:10:19.927-06:00

I think what you said was ok. Its not like you are forcing them to make a choice, or shoving your beliefs down their throats. There is no way for them to know what they do or dont believe unless they are exposed to other peoples beliefs, and then can think about it for themselves. I was "raised" Catholic, but haven't been to Church or Sunday school since I was in 4th grade. I now realize I don't truly believe what the Catholic Church believes, but that was because my mom gave me the freedom to be curious about other religions, and wasn't fanatically religous.

I was raised catholic and come from a large family...

2009-11-04T07:40:32.299-06:00

I was raised catholic and come from a large family of die hard Catholics. My mom converted when she married my father. I have always believed in a God or higher power but as I have gotten older, I frequent the Catholic Church less and less. Not because I have lost my faith per say but I too agree in order to be spiritual I do not need to attend church every Sunday. I know plenty of people who claim to be very religious and quite honestly they are not good people. Going to church does not make you a good person, being a good person makes you a good person. I think what you said was just fine, you are giving them different perspectives, you did not denounce their mother's religion, you simply gave your point of view and I think you did great!
I would like to believe when I have kids of my own someday I might frequent going to church more, I think parts of it were great for me growing up but only time will tell.