Inculcate religious tolerance in your youngster: It’s s a life skill

Religious tolerance is becoming an increasingly bigger issue for most Indians today. With kids more open to hate and intolerance on social and digital media, it’s really important to sensitise them about different religions, belief systems and values. Here are a few tips on how you can do so.  

Clearly communicate your own beliefs  
Make your own family traditions, moral and ethical beliefs and religious traditions clear to your children. Explain to them why you are doing certain rituals, pointing out that religion is dynamic, i.e. it changes over time. Your kid should practice a tradition or ritual willingly, not blindly. If your teenage child is unwilling to follow a belief system and can cite reasons for it, do not force your view. Being ethically, morally and legally right is commendable over blind faith.  

Clearly communicate about the beliefs of other around you 
Do a bit of homework before talking to kids. Look up valid websites and Wiki, learn more about the religions of others. Start with communities around you, since you are closer to them. Introduce your kid then to the world of multiple beliefs, explaining how each region prompted a religious belief. Explain that none of these are inferior or superior, all deserve to co-exist.  

Encourage participation in events of other religions  
Introduce your kid to the joys of Diwali, Navratri, Eid, Christmas and smaller regional festivals.  Watching a video of the Parsi New Year celebration or Guru Nanak’s or the Buddha’s birthdays, would help a child more than just reading about these. Religion is the belief of living people, and once your kid sees other kids enjoying their festivals, they would become more liberal and accepting.  

Discourage any form of intolerance  
Start with yourself. Do not say anything that may sound disrespectful or ignorant about other religions. Tell your child why it’s important to follow news, and not WhatsApp or social media rumours about any incident. If you spot your child, especially teens, following a hate speech or looking at sensationalist videos spreading lies, stop them immediately. Don’t let intolerance enter your child, it could be seriously damaging for their future.