not saying that religion is the be all and end all, but I will say that I have gotton some wonderful advice from my MIL and her church on how to be a great parent and teach my children right from wrong. the best advice I got was from a great class called  growing kids gods way. even if you take the lord out of the picture it is still great advice.

Also having something to pray to and believe in helps alot of people.

thank you for sharing.

DEAR LEAIA  MY NAME IS LISA AND I JUST FINISHED READING THE ARTICLE YOU POSTED ON HERE AND I JUS WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT. I BECAME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH SOME YEARS AGO AND THROUGH A MASSIVE BACKSLIDE FROM THE THINGS THAT I WAS TAUGHT I FOUND MYSELF PREGNANT OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE AND THEN NINE MONTHS LATER I BECAME A SINGLE MUM TO A GORGEOUS BLONDE HAIR AND BLUE EYED BOY WHO IS NOW TWO YEARS OLD. I HAVE STRUGGLED SO MUCH WITH MY FAITH BUT AFTER READING YOU ARTICLE IT HAS GIVEN MY THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO SEEK AFTER THE TRUTH ONCE AGAIN. THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU. BLESSINGS FROM LISA AND 2YEAR OLD RHYS HALL

Im sorry but you seem to be more interested in recruiting new memebers for your church then giving actual parenting advice.

I do not need a book to tell me how to  be a parent, i learned all that from my parents.  I respect your belief but you seem to be very confused about what the message is. I do not believe in God but in a higher presence,  i belive in a creator of earth and a solider for our souls, but not in a MAN who commands and orders someone to follow him and he will teach you to be a better parent. 

I understand how your faith has given you so many things... However I do not believe that there is one true faith; I believe we should strive for the faith in oneself, responsibility for our own decisions, including our own successes and failings.  Be that as it may, I can empathise that this train of thought is not for everyone and I do not judge others for their choice in religion and I am glad for those who find comfort and joy in their religious beliefs. 

I do have misgivings with the various bibles and religious teachings because they are interpretations by man of 'God's Word' and throughout history they have often been manipulated to create fear and war... I see it as a means to manipulate people into emulating certain behaviours instead of encouraging them to improve their own way of thinking and living in a way that is true to the individual self.  As an adult, I don’t think I need a book to keep me on the ‘straight and narrow’; I am more than capable of making good moral decisions for myself and my family.

My partner and I remain open minded on the topic of religion and we believe there are many ways that an individual can improve themselves and be a better person.  Both with physical activity, whether it be competitive or not, further education, meeting new people from varying cultures and a wide range of ages and learning from them.  Being open to a range of spiritual experiences and self improvement that are not necessarily religiously orientated, yet very much in tune with nature and the world we live in.

This is the introduction to the pledge we made to our son on his Naming Day:  'As he grows up, Jayden will be taught about as many religions as possible.  This will enable him to make informed decisions in the future regarding his religion of choice.  It will also give him a greater understanding and respect for those with backgrounds that differ to his own.’ 

I truly believe that parents are more than capable of providing a wise, loving, nurturing, educational, spiritual, moral environment without having outside influence from a church or other religious body.  People are good and kind because of the way they live on a daily basis; not because they follow the rules of one religion or another... Acceptance and understanding is the key to being a better person, not following a set of rules and being judged by them.