[valkyrie]

What an interesting thread!

I was raised Presbyterian, but my family wasn't all hard core about it. In fact, my father hasn't been to church since he was a kid (he was raised Catholic) and he doesn't believe in God. My mother was the one who took me, and I went to confirmation classes and was confirmed when I was in 8th grade. At the time, I wasn't really into religion, but I figured I probably believed in it as much as I could at that young age.

Since I was about 18, I have been curious about other religions because I just don't believe in the teachings of Christianity and I don't believe in God. If I'm anything, I'm a non-practicing Buddhist. I say that because I believe in the teachings and principles of Buddhism and I try to live my life according to my understanding of them, but I don't "sit" or go to a temple.

I don't really think it was a bad thing that I was confirmed, but I don't think that 8th grade is old enough to be making any declarations about religion because you're too young to really, truly understand it. I don't have a problem with parents teaching their children about religion and exposing them to it, but I also don't think that (at least for me) it is appropriate to practice or believe in a religion just because it's what my parents taught me. Honestly, I have *tried* to believe in God and I think that I would find it very comforting to do so, but when it comes down to it, I just don't.

If I ever have a kid (and that's not really my plan at this time) I think that I would probably try to educate him or her about different religions so that he/she could make an educated decision about religion when/if desired.

To me at least, religion or being spiritual is a very personal issue and decision. I don't care for confirmation at all, because I don't see the point of it. I guess I don't care much for organized religion at all. I don't think that whether you're confirmed or a memeber of a church or a temple or whatever is important. I think that what's inside you and what you believe is.