Of all criteria you care to compare,

By far the most prevalent anywhere

In determining what one believes,

Is to what religion parent cleaves.

This fact at least one conclusion can bring:

Independent thought’s an uncommon thing,

For pious indoctrination at a tender age,

Can close a young mind to self-engage.

Yet if parents teach children morality,

And how to live gracefully in society,

In their own time they’ll listen to spirit,

When they’re mature enough to hear it.

Their independence can take wings,

They’ll be fully adult human beings.