Raising Children Beyond Culture: Choosing the Path of Truth

Culture is the way of life, but there are some things we should definitely avoid, especially when you have embraced a new path that gives you a clear understanding of the truth. When that path reveals itself as the only true way, then anything found outside it might be in the wrong direction.

...and culture is amazing. In fact, I have always loved witnessing other people’s cultures. But if I am being honest, since growing up, I have never experienced anything particularly fascinating in mine. This is because, in my dad’s village, they only practised Christianity and Islam. Perhaps there were some traditional practices too, but nothing of such was ever done openly. There were no kinds of festivals or celebrations, just the usual routine of going to church or mosque.

We were never exposed to the kind of cultural events that could make us feel excited or eager to keep attending. This was largely because we were raised in a Christian family.

My grandparents on my father’s side were Reverends before they passed on. And on my mother’s side? Thank God we weren't raised close to them, maybe it would’ve been a completely different story. My maternal grandmother is still alive but doesn't know Christ yet.

I grew up hearing the story of my maternal grandfather who, thankfully, gave his life to Christ and just three months later, he passed away. Before that, he was a great leader in an occult group and a powerful herbalist. People from all over the town used to come to him for help until his life changed.

Recently, when I visited my uncle in Lagos, my grandmother kept insisting on going back to the village because she believed she would receive healing there. I asked her if she knew that Jesus could heal her, and her response shocked me, it made me realize how deeply rooted her beliefs were in culture.

She said she believed Jesus could perform miracles, but not to the extent of healing her because there were things she would have to perform in the village and only relied on the traditionalist leaders to cure her. I couldn’t close my mouth in shock. I was stunned that she had more faith in the powers of her old beliefs than in the God who commands all power. But I kept quiet and thanked God instead. I’m grateful that we were raised in a different home, under a better covering — what a great privilege it is to know God and His son, Jesus Christ.

I have seen different kinds of cultures from other states like masquerades moving through the streets, with children and adults dancing and rejoicing. In other places, they celebrate festivals where they worship their gods at specific times of the year, upholding such practices with pride.

For me, I’m thankful I don’t know much about either my dad’s or my mom’s cultural traditions, just that I was led into the true way, which is divine. That’s the same path I will show and teach my children.

Even if they ask me about the things practised in my state or hometown that might seem interesting, I will simply tell them their mother wasn’t exposed to those things. Rather, she was brought up as a believer in God and a follower of Christ. But of course, I wouldn't hesitate to teach them the language we speak, the morals to embrace, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and all sorts. At least these are beautiful parts of culture that speak of who we are, and these aren't bad with one's faith.

So, when it comes to how much of our culture my children should know, it’s simply to discard the irrelevant parts — those practices that don’t align with being a child of God. I wouldn’t want them to go around carrying masquerades or being involved in diabolical activities, as most cultures sometimes demand. They deserve to be raised in truth, not tradition that contradicts God’s way.

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