Are you religious?

I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school for part of my schooling. I've never been passionately religious, but it's always been something I have cared about as a spiritual outlet and support system through difficult times. J was raised in an Evangelical Christian church, but never took to it himself,  so last summer we had Coco baptized in the Catholic church. Then last fall, J started taking classes at the church to convert and we were attending mass pretty regularly. But then a funny thing happened.

I became disappointed in the church. My experiences growing up in Catholic school as an altar server were really positive. There was a great deal of emphasis placed on openness and acceptance, service to others and humility. My mom studied at Gonzaga University with the Jesuits and her interpretation of Catholicism and everything she passed on to us was infused in spiritualism, having a deep personal connection with God and trusting in the mysteries of life. I just wasn't getting that here. I don't know if it's the fundamental difference between European Catholicism and American Catholicism or what, but I didn't even want to go to mass anymore. Everything seemed to be about guilt and shame and to me it seemed really negative. The offerings that were more positive seemed vapid and uninspiring, along the lines of "Jesus loves you," which in my opinion is rather ridiculous. 

So I find myself at an odd point in my spiritual life. I would like to give Coco a spiritual upbringing and a religious foundation, but I don't feel engaged or fulfilled myself. It's frustrating. The news of Pope Francis is really uplifting, though. I have high hopes that the church will give me the same inspiration it once did with him in the Vatican. 

So, I'm curious, are you religious? How active are you in your religion? Do you feel it's something important to model and teach your children? Or, the opposite? I'd love to hear your feelings and views on this one. It's a very interesting topic to me. Thanks! xo