The Quest to Pass on Our Religious Tradition to the Next Generation

For parents of faith, their deepest desire for their children is that they become people who respect God and serve others, and that they avoid the suffering and confusion that comes from lack of spiritual direction. Passing on their faith to the next generation is the parents' greatest gift and their most meaningful quest. Rollain Nsemi Muanda and Jennifer P. Tanabe discuss the challenges that parents face, the needs of the next generation that must be satisfied as they grow to adulthood, and the responsibilities that family, religious organization, community, and the next generation themselves share on their spiritual journey. Success in passing on one's religious tradition is not easily measured. What does become clear, though, is that the role the parents play is fundamental, for the next generation inherit what their parents do, not what they say.