I don't bother judging too hard.

That may be where you're going wrong....

We were taught that there are some things that we don't understand - that God works in mysterious ways and what-not.

That's a big reason why I'm not a religious person. That and the misogyny.

That may be where you're going wrong....

I don't have energy left over from judging the people who refuse to pivot their heel. You have no idea how all-consuming that is.

My high school experience and religion:

1. My Biology professor was a strict Creationist who told us repeatedly that the "facts" in the textbook were not true.

2. Every Friday, the Pep Rally would start with a prayer to Jesus.

3. I spent the most time in Study Hall of any Honors student.

These items have a direct correlation.

I have massive questions about how to raise my son, with regard to religion, though. I think a solid knowledge of Christianity is important to feel part of American society. I mean, failing actually being a member of another religion. I think a solid knowledge of Judaism and Islam are important to living in the world (and Hinduism and Buddhism if we end up living in Asia). But I don't know how important actually having faith is. I had it, as a child, can't imagine otherwise.

Eh. My kid will probably grow up believing in the lineage of Slayers.

Because often Christian kids feel like they're not allowed to talk about their faith at school.

This makes me sad. They should feel that can talk about it. Prostelize, no. But talk about it, yes.

That and the misogyny.

I wouldn't let that keep you out -- it's not in the rules of religion or anything.

But I don't know how important actually having faith is

Can faith be taught? You can be told you need to have faith, but I've always thought faith had to be acquired by oneself.

I may also be a Gnostic.

I've always thought faith had to be acquired by oneself.

It can be taught -- or absorbed, I guess. I don't think kids run around acquiring it by themselves, although some seek it and some reject it. Usually they just fall into what's around them.

Quite a while ago I was in a bookstore, checking out the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section and there were a group of people there looking at a JRR Tolkein book and commented on what a sick twisted mind could produce all this anti-christian stuff.

Well, duh. Tolkien was a big ol' flaming Papist. You don't get much more anti-christian than that.

And now I'm no longer sure where I stand in the whole ID/evolution thing. I do believe that Someone started the whole shebang, for reasons largely unknown or too large to be known or understood by us; but even though I believe that Someone made science, I also believe hugely in science and in evolution and the astounding puzzle box of questions and answers that lead to more questions that we've opened up.

And I sure as hell don't look to science to prove or justify my Someone or anyone else's, and it's rather irritating to watch other people trying to smuggle Someone in while lamely pretending that's not really what they're doing at all, oh gosh no. It is so, and they should be honest or quit it, but preferably the second. A faith that has to be all propped up with science and agreed upon by and taught to absolutely everyone is kind of tottery and un-faithy, IMO.

I don't know what that makes me; possibly a demi-libertarian ID privatist or something. Or just a hush-up-and-go-awayist.

I may also be a Gnostic.

That's just a letter away from being a Gnomist.