The mother disagreed. The parents believed that they could observe Christmas and Hanukkah, Easter and Passover, and simply let their child decide. She would have an abortion. Religion is not only about who is or is not the Messiah. Religion is about the search for meaning.
Religion is about the search for ethical values in life.
Religion is about the search for a moral tribe to call one's own. And your child needs a moral tribe. Often they can choose their sports. They are actually making an anti-religious statement. This is the religion that we choose to follow.