Mr. Shaw says: Telling lies to your children about God and making them go to faith schools when there are other choices is right-wing.

Well, darn. I thought I was telling my kids the truth about God when I raised them in the religious tradition that I hold dear. I was careful to explain that the Bible is not a historic or scientific document, although it is a profoundly valuable document of faith. I think my kids' Catholic school teachers did their best to be honest in their teaching, too. We taught them about pacifism and about the immorality of capital punishment, and about our obligation to the poor and oppressed. We taught them to question everything, and to think for themselves. And I let my kids know that they had the option to attend state-funded schools if they wished.

I raised my children the way I thought best, and I did my best to be honest with them and not to force them to believe anything.

I suppose that won't satisfy Mr. Shaw, though.

-Joe Offer-