Nicole Kidman Opens Up About Raising Her Kids to Be Religious But ‘Questioning’

Religion is often regarded as just as taboo in discussions as money or politics, the subject being guarded even in Hollywood. But in an interview with Vanity Fair published Tuesday, Nicole Kidman opened up about how she and Keith Urban are raising their daughters, Sunday Rose, 10, and Faith Margaret, 8 — and a large part of that upbringing, it would seem, is the church. The couple is raising the girls to be religious, says Kidman, but on their own terms.

“That’s how we are raising our children,” the Big Little Lies actor-producer said of their church involvement. “Keith has his own believes but he comes, too. I had a very Catholic grandmother, and I was raised praying, so that had massive impact.” Kidman is quick to point out, though, that the family’s religion makes no allowance for judgmental or intolerant behavior towards others. “I wouldn’t say it’s absolutism, there’s constant questioning — I’m a willful, feisty girl. For me, it’s very important that I don’t have judgment. My dad would always say, ‘Tolerance is the most important thing.’”

Kidman admits that religion isn’t the only important habit for the family. Even if it makes her “unpopular” with her little ones, Kidman believes in setting a few ground rules. “They don’t have a phone and I don’t allow them to have an Instagram. I try to keep some sort of boundaries,” she told Vanity Fair, adding, “A lot of my friends tease me.”

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During the interview, Kidman also gave an update on her two adult children (with ex-husband Tom Cruise): Bella, 26, and Connor, 24. “Bella lives just outside London. You know, she really feels more English. We lived there for Eyes Wide Shut, Mission Impossible and The Portrait of a Lady. They both had English accents when they were little,” Kidman said, noting that Connor lives in Miami, where he is “in music.” Although both tend to fly beneath the radar, Bella and Connor both appear to be actively involved in Scientology — a recently published letter suggests Bella serves as an auditor for the organization.

As for younger siblings, Kidman admits their upbringing is pretty traditional and rooted in her traditional marriage to Urban. “[It’s] extremely simple with what we want from each other and what we want from a relationship,” Kidman said. “Just peas in a pod in that regard.”