>So many of the OTD/skeptic friends I have talk about the negativity they feel toward Orthodoxy because of what they experienced in their homes -- their parents screaming and panicking before Shabbos, their being forced to learn and go to/stay in shul in spite of their nature that would have them do otherwise, the emphasis their parents put on the "don't"s, the lack of any excitement in celebrations.
Are you saying you never had bad experiences?
It's hard to predict how children will turn out there are so many factors. My brother and I grew up modern orthodox in London but going to state (=public) schools and only attending "heder" on Sunday mornings. Our area had less than 1% Jewish population. We both went to Yeshiva in Israel for a year after high school (not because our parents wanted us to - my Dad was scared I'd turn out haredi as I went to Ohr Somayach). My brother went to a Yeshiva in the West Bank. I then did an undergrad degree in Israel. He came back to study in Britain. He's MO now lives in Israel and has 5 children. I'm not dati I live in Australia and my wife is Chinese. We both can speak Hebrew of course. I really don't know what factors pushed each of us in our own directions. I have to say my brother seems somewhat skeptical himself. Maybe a bit orthopraxy...
OTD- Of course not. I had some bad experiences with OJ at home, just like I had some bad experiences with other things at home. But overwhelmingly, the experience was good.
I should note that the experiences I had with OJ at school, on the contrary, were frequently negative (especially in high school and seminary).
>But overwhelmingly, the experience was good.
I think that's the same with everyone.
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