Losing My Religion

One of the questions we’ve frequently received is in what religion we’ll be raising our child.  I always find the presumption in the question amusing – people presume we’re raising our child in a religion and it’s just a question of which one. But we don't feel the need to choose. 


We both want to impart to our children our respective heritages and traditions.  We would love for them to know Malayalam and Hebrew.  They will go to India and to Israel. They’ll learn to love whitefish salad and spicy chicken curry.


They will celebrate most Christmases with their maternal grandparents in Chicago and get Hanukkah gifts from their paternal grandparents in Maryland.   They will partake in the seder that their parents will host (hopefully) every year and help decorate the Christmas tree.


Religion or spirituality is a deeply personal choice.  Our goal is to expose our children to everything and for them to make their own choice.    Will we baptize our children? No.  But if one of them comes up to us one day and says he/she wants to be, fine.  Will they be bar mitzvah’d? Sure, if they choose to be. 


No, we’re not concerned with our children’s “identity” issues or being “confused” or having no moral code.   I believe in a moral code that is seeded in the inherent goodness of man and the values taught by family and society. And frankly, identity and confusion issues are normal for any kid.  We live in an era where inter-racial and inter-religious families are becoming a norm - take a look at our president for example. 


So what religion will our daughter be?  I don’t know – you’ll have to ask her. 


Update on me:  I'm now in my 36th week (37 is considered full-term) and, as per last Friday's Dr's visit I am 3 cm dialated, a bit effaced and she is pretty low.  Suffice it to say our bags are just about packed. 

And we've completed Ms.SD's room.