My parents gave me the gift of irreligion, of growing up without bothering to ask people what gods they held dear, assuming that in fact, like my parents, they weren't interested in gods, and that this uninterest was 'normal.' You may argue that the gift was a poisoned chalice, but even if so, that's a cup from which I'd happily drink again.
The author reflects on the upbringing provided by his parents, emphasizing that they raised him free from religious influences. This freedom from concern about divine beliefs allowed him to consider the absence of interest in gods as a normative state. Growing up with this irreligious perspective shaped his worldview, making him less preoccupied with the divine preferences of others.
While some may view this upbringing as detrimental, the author perceives it...
