~Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782~
If you don't go to the doctor often enough, they punish you by making you "update" your paperwork. This means starting from scratch. My son, Matt, and I were dutifully filling out paperwork for his annual visit the other day when the "religion" question appeared on the page in front of me.
"Why do they need my religion?" he asked.
"So they know whom they should call if you die," I flatly responded. We both laughed.
"No, really."
"I have no idea."
I automatically began scribbling the usual default response, "Christian" when it occurred to me: This is HIS paperwork, not mine. "Hey, what do you want me to write?" I asked. "Leave it blank," he said. No malice. No embarrassment. Just, "leave it blank." And, I did.
My son, at 14, has his own mind, and, frankly, I'm not concerned about his religious convictions. I raised him to be open-minded...to be aware of hypocrisy...to question when he sees someone not practicing what he or she preaches. I want him to explore. I want him to be exposed to different religions and even the idea of NO religion. He is bright and compassionate and genuinely cares about other people. He stands up for the oppressed, loves his family, is kind to others, and is an all-around good kid. He may end up Buddhist, or Pagan, Jewish, Hindu or Agnostic or (dare I say?) Atheist. He may even end up worshiping the computer! (He certainly seems to be heading in that direction.) I have seen what passes for Christianity in this world, and I am not overly impressed. He will be fine.
I laid the foundation. It is up to him to build his own building. It's also, at some point, none of my business. I think we are rapidly approaching that point, if we are not there already. Besides, it does me no injury for my son to say there are twenty Gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. And, it certainly doesn't change my opinion of him. Not in the least. And, (if there is a God) it won't change God's opinion of him either.
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