The essays “Why I Raise my Children without God” and “Dad’s confession: I almost left my disabled daughter” are both devoted to the problems connected with children and their raising, as well as parents and their feelings and beliefs. The first essay is devoted to the position of a mother of two teenagers – she decided to bring up her children without religion, but at the same time not prohibiting them to choose their own religion. She is a non-believer and provides a number of arguments, why God should not take part in upbringing and education. She believes that God is a “bad parent and role model”, since he “does not keep our children safe” and stays aside when violence takes place, like in a tragedy in Newtown. Moreover, God is said to be “not here”; he doesn’t react to many prayers and doesn’t protect all the innocent, unlike parents who always listen to their children and try to save them. Finally, she states that God makes us selfish as he “has a plan for you”, and we start thinking that the whole world is designed for us only. The author wants religion to stay at home, in church, and in people’s hearts, but not used to affect others.
I believe, this essay may be useful and interesting for any parents who care for religion at least a bit. Surely, this text is not aimed at strong believers and church protectors who may find it offensive, although the author didn’t intend to insult religion at all. I personally partially agree with the author, but at the same time I find some of her ideas concerning religion and God a bit too incisive. I don’t think that parents always protect their children and satisfy all their wishes, as it is expected from God, but also ignore some ideas of their children, which is better for them.
The second essay by Jack Barr Jr. tells us is about his daughter with Down syndrome and the father’s feelings about it. He experienced deep depression and hard times, when he almost left his family alone. But eventually he managed to overcome his “selfish expectations for his daughter” and started interacting with his daughter and other parents with disabled children and surprisingly found out great changes in himself. He turned to God, talked to him about his feelings, and “started finding peace” (Barr). Now he feels thankful to God and the Universe for Marley, his daughter, who has “made a difference” in his life (Barr).
As far as I am concerned, this essay may seem interesting and hopeful for parents who have a child with Down syndrome or any other disease. It may also help ordinary other people who struggle with some disease or another problem, since it is full of hope and motivation and can help anyone feel a bit better and start fighting for his/her happiness. Frankly speaking, I don’t know whom it may offend. Maybe some parents may find it insulting that a father was going to abandon his wife and daughter but we should always remember that he is a human with his shortcoming and weaknesses, who finally found strength to return and face the reality. So, my personal opinion about this essay is very positive, I feel extremely sorry for the family and at the same time feel happy for them, since they found peace and reconciled themselves to this situation and revealed great changes in themselves. Not every healthy person can experience this happiness and peace.
Works Cited
Barr, Jack, Jr. "Dad's Confession: I Almost Left My Disabled Daughter." CNN. Cable News Network, 4 Dec. 2014. Web. 28 June 2016.
"Why I Raise My Children Without God." CNN IReport. N.p., 14 Jan. 2013. Web. 28 June 2016.
