Let me start by saying... I am sorry it's long.

I was raised a Jehovah's Witness. Growing up I had NO choice but to follow the beliefs of my parents. Exploring other religions or beliefs was totally out of the question. Even questioning the Jehovah’s Witness belief was punishable.

It took me years in therapy to learn that there is a difference in teaching children the morals and values that you, as a parent/guardian want to instill in them so that they might lead a happy, healthy life and forcing them to believe as you do without giving them an opportunity and encouraging them to develop their own.

The relationship that one has with God (If they choose to believe in one, many or none at all.) is a very personal one. Sharing your belief and leading by example while encouraging them to develop their own, is (IMO) much more beneficial to all.

My sister (we weren’t raised together, found each other 2 years ago) was raised in a family that was both Baptist and 7th Day Adventist, however at home one could not openly discuss either. As a result my sister spent years and much confusion looking for what she believed in or to find some sense of faith. Last year she went from being Pagan/Wiccan to becoming a full on Christian. While my viewpoints don’t necessarily jive with hers they are hers and not mine. It has taken a few months to sort this out, but I think we are getting there. We are finally starting to have an open dialogue without her trying to “save me and set me free.” I love her to pieces and am very proud of the zeal and growth she has shown in who she has become.

My belief now is that there is a God and I don’t need to belong to a religion of any special kind to have God in my life. When I pray I believe God hears me. When I ask for help/ guidance I believe I get it. I believe that there is no right or wrong answer for what one believes. Free will allows us the opportunity to explore and seek out knowledge and then decide for ourselves what to believe.