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			I wasn't raised religiously at all--we celebrated Christmas, and said grace at meals--but that was about it. Today, I'd consider myself an atheist or an agnostic. I have investigated various religions, but I never found one I was 75% happy with, let alone 100% (especially when it came to gender relations and sexuality!). Maybe if I have children, I will decide to raise them in a religious setting.
 With that in mind, I believe that around 14 or 15--around the time of Catholic Confirmation is the appropriate time for the introduction into a religious community. The worst battles of adolescence have taken place, and the child has enough of an adult identity to make a somewhat informed decision. I know that where I grew up, social cliques revolved around which church you attended, which impacted the religious attitudes at my very public school. By the time 9th or 10th grade rolls around, those peer pressure issues are less insidious. I also think at that age, someone is more equipped to understand the responsibilities of being an active member of a religious community.
 
			
			
			
			
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