Actor and new dad Saif Ali Khan is a self-proclaimed bibliophile. He has often said that he loves to read books and even turned his wife into an ardent reader.
So it goes without saying that his passion for reading books has made him quite eloquent and he knows exactly what to say and when to say it.
This quality of his was for everybody to see when he gave an insightful interview to a leading daily and spoke at length about how he plans to raise his son Taimur and the Special Marriages Act that he and Kareena are married under.
"Taimur should have the freedom to be an atheist if he wants"
Talking about his marriage to Bebo, he says, "Yes Muslims say it was started at a time to give women rights but things are different now. Indian constitution does try to address this with the Special Marriage Act. There is a way if people are willing to follow. Kareena (Kapoor) and I followed the Special Marriage Act. I think times have changed, and I have too."
Khan who is currently working on his next flick and also balancing his daddy duties at home believes that his son has the right to choose whichever religion he so desires.
"Although I had no interest back then either, to convert anyone. I think Taimur should have the freedom tomorrow to be a Buddhist if he wants, or an atheist," he shared.
"I haven’t stopped taking care of Sara and Ibrahim"
Speaking about his turbulent marriage to ex-wife Amrita Singh and the way the two decided to divorce each other, Saif said that he never thought of Triple Talak because he also had his kids to think about.
"When I got divorced, I just couldn’t think Triple Talaq was the way. There are responsibilities, financial one has towards the wife and children. These aren’t just divorce arrangements, but so you sleep right. My arrangement expired when Sara turned 18 but I haven’t stopped taking care of her and Ibrahim, to be a father, emotionally and financially. It’s not a contract or a religious out. I don’t agree with it because I haven’t followed it, I could have."
His views clearly reflect his own open minded upbringing and he does make a compelling case about urban parents letting their kids chose their own destiny. And that's precisely the notion with which we must raise our kids.
3 things about religion and spirituality our kids must know
As urban parents, we must make it a point to raise socially conscious kids who do not discriminate between people based especially on their religion. A sense of religious tolerance is the need of the hour and it must begin at home.
- Differentiate between religion and spirituality: While your five-year-old may be too young to properly understand the two concepts, when he sees you bowing your head down to the one you worship, he will follow suit. If so, this is the time to explain to him that while temples, gurudwaras, mosques and churches are places where you formally worship, god is in fact, everywhere and therefore, we must love and care for all his creations.
- Create habits of respect: When you chant mantras or say your daily prayers, you can also include sentences like "May we all be blessed with more kindness and love." When your kids hear this, they will also incorporate such reverence into their daily prayers and slowly practice it in their lives.
- Explore all spiritual traditions: Encourage your kid if he wants to see the temples, gurudwaras, mosques and churches. Let him make a decision of where he loves to sit and pray on his own. The idea should be to introduce your kid to a variety of spiritual paths.
Read: Curiosity in kids: Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
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