Raising a Child in a Mixed-Faith Marriage

[Dichotomy Girl]

So, I went to church on Sunday for the first time in...um...6 years? (I'm thinking it was 2008, possibly '09). It was a non-denominational church, you know the edgy hip (or what passes it for it in a hick town, ) type, that doctrinally I would equate to a liberal baptist.

I got the idea to go because they were raffling off all sorts of fancy prizes for Easter, and were giving a $25 grocery gift card to all first time visitors. As we are in a state of perpetual brokeness, that sounded like a good idea.

Hubby graciously agreed to go with me, and Avery (who is almost 3!) was very excited (she knows from Christmas that "church is where you go to talk about Jesus"), as this was a first for her. To be honest, that was a big draw, she is a social little thing, and see's other people so rarely, that I knew she'd love the chance to be around other kids.

I thought it went well, Avery had a blast. Josh, only made 10 sarcastic comments under his breath. And he thought it hilarious when he asked Avery "So did you talk to Jesus" and she answered "No Daddy. Jesus wasn't there. We just talked ABOUT Jesus".

But suddenly a few days later, when I mention Avery and I maybe going again, he kind of freaked out. He went on and on about her being indoctrinated, and about having her do artwork of a public execution (Jesus on the cross) and how it's all just propaganda and manipulation. And how she is going to be warped for life.

I told him that I went to a Christian Science Sunday school until 4th grade, and the only thing that I remember about it was that had carpet on the walls, and for years I thought that that was what they meant when they said "Wall-to-wall carpeting".

I then reminded him that he was raised Baptist, had no particularly bad or negative experiences, just decided that intellectually he could not accept the belief in a higher power.

I hate that there are no easy answers here. I feel like nothing will make him happy unless I completely capitulate.

I guess I'm just ranting here. But hey, I'm open for suggestions. (In the meantime, I have contact the church and am attempting to get some more information about their curriculum for 3 year olds.)