Well, Steve, three of my four kids went to Catholic schools, and one to a Waldorf/Steiner school. They were all exposed to Catholic teachings as children, along with indoctrination in my beliefs in tolerance and left-wing politics and a number of other things.

When they grew up, they chose their own paths. Not one of them is practicing a religious faith. I suppose I might have liked it if at least one of them were still Catholic, but that didn't happen and it's not my right to push them in any direction.

Still, I don't think they were hurt by seeing crucifixes in their classrooms. But I don't think the Catholic religion was taught to them (or to me) as rigidly as you might expect.

But hey, if I'm Catholic and I'm raising kids, why is it wrong for me to bring them up in my religious tradition? I made it clear to them that when they were of age, the choice would be up to them. They all grew up to be good, nonideological people who have been exposed to a wide spectrum of schools of thought.

-Joe-