Although I grew up pretty much a-religious, I've found it important
to pass along my own beliefs as I've developed them to my kids. Not
that this requires much from them, just the odd full-moon sacrifice, peyote, and
some random chants (kidding! we haven't sacrificed anything in
months!), but at least they now have answers to life's persistant
questions, or some of them anyhow.
Kids all have questions about life and death and what their place is in the universe, and apparently more parents are now passing on their own beliefs to their children rather than leaving them believing in a blank void. Unless that's what they believe in, in which case it's okay.
Though
I think it's also important to leave room for kids to eventually draw
their own conclusions, if your own spirituality is important to you then
it should be a part of your children's lives as well. It gives them a
firm foundation as to what life is all about and can connect them to a
larger community or to family heritage. Children traditionally don't
always do well with lengthy church services, but beyond that there are
a multitude of ways to help your child connect with what you believe
about life. You could say a daily blessing, light a candle, share
family stories and memorabilia or read kids' versions of stories from
your religious tradition. It doesn't really matter how you do it, but
by passing on to your children the elements of your own spirituality
that are important to you, you pass on a very important part of
yourself.
