The world is becoming increasingly non-religious.
In fact, only 38% of millennials say that religion is an important part of their lives, according to the Pew Research Center.
But religion and spirituality do not have to go hand in hand.
As fewer people adhere to religious beliefs, parents are left with a lot of questions.
What do I teach my kids?
Will God play a role in my child’s life?
Am I imposing my beliefs on my child?
These questions are complicated but very common in today’s day and age.
But even if you decline to teach religious values to your children, spiritual values can give your children great comfort as they grow older.
What’s the Difference?
Many people associate spirituality with being religious.
Although being spiritual may imply a belief in God or the Christian iteration of God, this is simply not the case.
Spirituality acknowledges that there is some sort of higher power.
This may not be God, in the traditional sense.
Rather, an intangible set of rules that governs the universe.
Spiritualism differs from religion in that there is no set structure.
Religion emphasizes community and faith while being spiritual concerns your own personal relationship with the esoteric.
Some have even argued that spirituality can be used as a lens through which existing religious tenets can be analyzed.
Regardless, it is important to recognize their differences, although they are intrinsically related.
What if I Don’t Believe?
It is well-known that more and more people are growing up without religion.
That makes sense, as science has taken over for things that religion has historically sought to explain.
Parents have long struggled with how to explain religion to their kids.
Even some who practice religion feel uncomfortable pushing their beliefs onto their kids.
Instead, they would rather let them choose for themselves.
But even if you do not believe in any kind of religion or spiritualness, there are actually benefits to teaching your children about it.
Spirituality and Development
There is much evidence to show that having a spiritual foundation can be instrumental in a child’s development.
A spiritual background gives a lot of children comfort and a more defined sense of self.
In effect, it serves as an answer, albeit broad to many of the questions they will ask but cannot answer.
Even if you do not believe in organized religion, spirituality can structure kids’ lives in a similar way.
A belief in a higher power can even give kids more confidence in crucial points of their lives.
When children are faced with stressful situations, they are often not well-equipped to handle them.
A belief in the spiritual gives children peace of mind.
If something bad happens in their lives, spirituality gives them the tools to bounce back.
Knowing that there are forces at work that are out of our control can enable children to carry less of the world’s weight on their shoulders.
The long-term benefits of this are innumerable.
Internalizing stress and letting it fester can create all kinds of problems for kids.
It can even breed self-esteem issues and mental illness when they are older.
Children need to know that there is a governing power that exists to comfort them.
In this way, children are allowed to feel more supported in all of their actions and during times of crisis.
Spirituality is a Simple Concept
The fact is that your spiritualism is defined by you, and only you.
Your connection with a higher power can be as close or detached as you are comfortable with.
Some people opt to worship quietly, within their own minds.
They appreciate the intangible nature of the universe and they thoughtfully revere it.
It’s rare for these people to seek any kind of communal faith or affirmation of their beliefs.
To them, the world just IS, and they are comfortable with that notion.
Others opt to model their spiritualism after existing religious traditions, while consciously rejecting some aspects of religion.
They participate in traditional holidays and rituals, while not associating themselves with certain parts of their chosen faith.
This can be beneficial for children, as it follows a structure that they can learn to depend on.
Own Your Spiritual Connection
Yours and your child’s spiritual journey will be unique to you.
If you already have a religious foundation and are looking for spirituality as an alternative, your transition will be smooth.
You know the benefits of having a spiritual connection, and you are ready to foster a healthy relationship with the unknown.
If you are coming from an atheist background, you may find yourself in the midst of a spiritual awakening.
Either way, you should always be comfortable communicating your spiritual journey with your child.
Open discussion about spiritualism, something that is all-encompassing but difficult to understand, is essential.
This ensures that your child has a better understanding of the physical and metaphysical worlds and the role they play in the universe.
Religion has endured, despite centuries of conflict, because it is largely a comforting force for a lot of people.
But as more people reject religion, spirituality has risen as a valid alternative.
Religion can be seen, by and large, as a good thing, for its ability to provide societies with a framework.
This Framework Has Long Dictated Our Lives
Without the moral standards set by religion, humanity would likely not be as advanced as it is in the 21st century.
Even today, people choose to remain faithful because of the social benefits.
Many people maintain support structures and social groups based on their church, temple, mosque, or synagogue communities.
But a spiritual foundation can provide the same structure while giving you the freedom to believe what you want.
This is the main reason why it has become so popular today.
People no longer seek out organized religion as a way to validate that they are law-abiding, good-at-heart citizens.
Essentially, they choose to set their own rules, while maintaining a connection with a God, whoever he is to them.
Don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind.
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