[Alberta's Child]

I agree with the rabbi on this one. It makes no sense to raise children in a household with two different religious influences that are mutually exclusive by definition. Providing a child with conflicting religious instruction in this context is worse than providing them no religious instruction at all -- because it trivializes and mocks two religions/cultures instead of just ignoring them completely.

Compromise could be acceptable in a religious context in some cases, but not when it involves two religions that don't share what would best be described as "first principles." Raising a child as both Christian and Jewish is like telling him that two plus two might equal four, but might also equal 73.

[rcocean]

I agree with the rabbi on this one. It makes no sense to raise children in a household with two different religious influences that are mutually exclusive by definition. Providing a child with conflicting religious instruction in this context is worse than providing them no religious instruction at all -- because it trivializes and mocks two religions/cultures instead of just ignoring them completely.

Its just a matter of opinion.

If the parents can't agree on which religion to teach it seems like a good compromise. I think Judaism and Christianity are NOT mutually exclusive but share a lot of teachings in common. Those items that conflict can be pointed out and discussed.

I'm interested as to why you think Judaism and Christianity are mutually exclusive, other than of course the obvious, i.e. the divinity of Jesus Christ.

[Anselma]

"Providing a child with conflicting religious instruction in this context is worse than providing them no religious instruction at all -- because it trivializes and mocks two religions/cultures instead of just ignoring them completely. "


Why not just view this as an education? Why does a religious education have to "ignore" others? Isn't more information ALWAYS a good thing?