My kids are full grown adults. Basically we all grew up together. We have all held varying belief systems, passions and interests. I've encouraged them to think for themselves and never be afraid to use their voices to speak about injustices.

Backstory...

I grew up in a very conservative household. Church multiple times a week. No 'secular' music, no dances, no cards. We were even taught to believe our church (Pentecostal) held a higher belief system than the Baptists up the street. Don't even get me started on the Catholics.

So much judgment. We spent so much of our lives preaching only God could judge us but it felt like every day was dedicated to literally judging others.

This was the only life I knew. To think any other way was full sin. To question it would be to fall away from Grace...

Some examples of every day judgment:

Gay - "love the sinner hate the sin"
Abortion - murder
Premarital sex? - sinful slut
Divorce - scandal
Drink a beer? - SIN
Play Poker? SIN
School Dance? SIN
Secular music - sinful & pulling you away from grace

You guys, I'm ashamed to admit that even on my first day of nursing school I proudly put my hand up in class & announced that I would not be able to help with abortion because it was totally wrong & against my belief system.

Can you imagine?! It still nauseates me

Nursing school of course changed me. I was fortunate to be exposed to Native studies throughout my program and it was the first time I had to consider another person's belief system as something other than sin.

And it was beautiful.

Fast forward to my first job in the city and was legitimately shocked to discover that my Muslim co-workers weren't actively plotting against me.
My Buddhist neighbours seemed to have more peace than I'd ever known.
I even made friends with a lesbian from the United Church!

I started to wonder... How can these beautiful people that I've grown to love, dedicate themselves and their lives to their God but I'm out here believing mine is the only way to eternity?

Of course the home church believers have called it backsliding.

I call it clarity.

I can't begin to express the freedom and peace that comes from shifting thoughts (& my parenting style) out of this cultish behaviour.

We were free to feel love and acceptance towards every person, no exceptions. To consider & validate their thoughts & beliefs without judgment!

And lately I've been reading about these folks who spew their hatred & judgment and how "they can't help it, they've been raised that way" Not true. We still have the power of choice. We can choose to be racist, fascist, loving, liberal...
It's all a choice.

I chose poorly & was narrow minded.

But I also chose to open my mind, heart & soul to the world around me.

Now together, we as a family choose to rage against the actual injustices. We march. We protest. We speak out. We stand up.

We choose the right side of history.