Questions and Answers About Raising a Child in a Multi-Relgious Family

I grew up in a multi-religious family. My father was raised Catholic but has always been ecclectic in his religious explorations. My mother is Jewish. By Jewish law, this means I'm Jewish, and by my father's family, this means I should be Catholic.  Growing up, none of this ever seemed particularly strange asmy family chose to be multi-religious. We celebrated Passover and Easter, Christmas and Hannukah. My mother, under my father's influence would recite Native American prayers at Thanksgiving.

Many people I grew up with, though, and even members of our own family, felt that it was problematic that I was not raised in a single faith and had questions about raising a child in a multi-religious family.  There are certainly pro's and con's to raising a child with more than one religion.  This article addresses some of the commonly asked questions and misceptions about raising a child in a multi-religious family.  

Q: Won't children raised in a multi-religious family be confused?
A: Kids are pretty smart, if you explain to them what holidays mean and why you choose to celebrate them, they'll follow along.

Q: How will a child raised in a multi-religious family know which religion to be?
A: My parents gave me a choice, and in the end I didn't choose either of their faiths. This was very hard for them, eventhough I was always told that they would respect any choice I make. If you raise your child in a multi-religious family and tell them they can choose their own faith, please mean it. If that's not something you are comfortable with, be clear about your expectations.

Q: Once my child chooses a faith, won't they loose some of the culture they were raised with?
A: Why? I feel a strong strong affinity with the philosophy and culture of Judaism, it is part of my family, it is part of who I am, and always will be. Religion and heritage are not necessarily the same.  Multi-religious families form their own unique and personal spiritual cultures.