>While many would see this as misguided, but I do not think the intent is based on intolerance but more on attempt to tolerate all religions and culutures by not promoting one over another. If I had children I would want them to learn about all but I would not want them pressured to conform to any of them.

I also see it as a good intent / bad execution combo. And you're right, we should have more of the tolerance based on knowledge, specifically on knowing the others. I already feel I know more than I want about Christianity, Judaism and Islam than I want, which is probably good - but look what happened the other day.

A girl from the neighborhood comes knocking on our door - selling some sweets, the usual fundraiser. They do that all the time. I just asked her what was it for, and she said "church". I said "sorry, then, if it were for something else, I'd buy, but I'm not doing anything for any church. Not everyone believes, you know".

Despite my best smile and calm tone, I could see the cultural shock on her face. Is it possible that a 6-year old (or so, I'm not the best master of those scales) is sent by her church in firm belief that everybody is a believer? Or do her priests really care none about that, assuming nobody would resist the charms of a kid with a box, and wouldn't bother talking to her? What were they thinking?