In Good Faith: Secular Parenting in a Religious World
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.99 (735 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1442270667 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 206 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2015-09-24 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Part memoir, part cultural exploration, this book covers the author’s journey as she grows up in an evangelical Christian home, leaves religion behind as a young adult, and goes on to raise children in a family outside of religious belief. She interviews experts, looks at various studies, and turns to a variety of sources for answers, while maintaining a casual and personal tone. Maria Polonchek weaves a personal story with up-to-date studies and philosophic exploration of what it means to raise secular children in an otherwise religious world. Honest and irreverent, the author admits to her religious “baggage” and searches for better understanding of such topics as religious education, morality, awe, death, purpose, and meaning, and tradition from secular perspectives. While she ultimately argues for parents to let their children shape their own beliefs, she encourages families to tend to existential and social needs that sometimes go unnoticed or unconsidered in life outside religion.. Offering careful and respectful advice for other parents who are raising their children outside of a particular religious belief system, she explores the many other ways of instilling identity, belonging, and meaning into our lives and the lives of children
Although the book is written in the style of a memoir, those raising children will find the author’s ideas helpful. (Katie Savage, author of Grace in the Maybe: Instructions on Not Knowing Everything about God)In Good Faith is a timely and compelling book on an increasingly important subject. For me, it was a long and familiar conversation with a good friend, and, though you may not know Maria, I’m confident it will feel like that for you, too. As more and more Americans embrace a secular orientation to life, this book is both helpful and needed. Although Polonchek and I have wildly different views on God, I appreciated her willingness to delve into the nuances of the deep mysteries that all parents consider when raising children. For readers who may find that last part to be a hurdle, there are a number of helpful tips surrounding ways to find common ground and celebrate hol
. In addition to thinking, reading, and writing about parenting, she is passionate about wellness, mindfulness, the outdoors, music, art, and the way all of these things relate to issues of social justice. She has published award-winning poetry, short stories, and essays and began writing extensively on the motherhood experience after having twins