Anti-Pagan parent with pagan child... HELP!!!?

Question

My parents have "bad" thoughts about paganism PLEASE give me some information that will teach them the truth, not just the christian, "you worship satan" speel but the real nature wicca pagan truth.

Answer 1

Here's the thing. Many times, the programming that was instilled in people of our parent's generation is a hard thing to break. They had all the rules set up for them about what is evil and what is good. They weren't allowed to think these concepts for themselves. Instead they are so programmed. that they may never break free from that. They have invested so much of their lives into these concepts that to break from them now would be a betrayal to who they think they are. It's deeply psycological. (I don't know how old your parents are, but suffice to say, that they grew up in an age before relevant competant information about Paganism was available)

NOw that we live in the information age, we are more succeptable to different ideas and different philosophies. Bercause there are more prevalant Pagans in society, the best thing you can do is let them know that Pagans are normal people just like them.

Try, if possible to take them to a Pagan pride festival. If they refuse to go, Try searching Google Video for some videos of Pagans who are successful inside and out of the Pagan Community.

Selena Fox, Preistess of on of the largest covens in the US (Possibly THE largest) Circle Sanctuary. Has some video footage of her doing a coferecne about the Veteran's Cemetary Issues in the courts. That would be a good place to start.

Next would be to write down for them, your core beleifs., Maybe if it were in an intelligable format. it would be easier for them to understand.

Lastly, Ray Buckland has a DVD that is designed to show Cowans (Non Pagans) the inside of a working Pagan Coven. It would be another good starting point.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

When I was in middle school I started searching for a religion and being Wiccan was on the stop. I will answer these questions keeping how I was treated back then. And I can tell you it wasn't good. 1. Are you open with your child’s teacher of your religious beliefs? Why or why not? -- I am an Atheist, thus I have no religious beliefs. Religion isn't something that can be preached in school so theirs or my religious beliefs should never be an issue. 2. Do you feel that your child’s beliefs are respected in the school? -- As a non-Christian I can tell you no. If someone doesn't believe in God and Jesus then they are made fun of by the other children, and often times the teachers that do believe in God try preaching to those students. This happened to be a lot when I was going to school, and even now that I am in College it's still happening. 3. Do you allow your child to participate in activities that are Christian based, such as Christmas (Holiday) Parties or Christmas (Holiday) plays? --Christmas started out as a pagan Holiday long before "Christ" was ever in the picture. Holidays for children are about fun and not nearly as much about religion. For a child Christmas is Christmas... It's only with time does the child relate that to Christ being born. 4. Do you feel that educators misunderstand Paganism? --I think everyone that isn't Pagan themselves misunderstand it. The only problem is that teachers have power over the minds of children and thus can sway their thinking. I had a friend that has a pentagram taken away from him by a Christian teacher. She then had him suspended. Yet, a lot of kids have crosses around their necks and nothing happens. 5. Do you pull your children from school on religious holidays? (Since Pagan and the ‘normed’ holidays fall on different days? --Most Pagan holidays fall on the same days a Christian holidays because Christians stole most of them for their own. Again I am an Atheist so no. 6. Do you feel that your child is accepted in the classroom? --I was never accepted in the classroom when I was Pagan, nor would I be as an Atheist. 7. What concerns do you have with your child's education? --That teachers focus on religions text more than science.

Answer 3

I have learned that arguing with them only causes more strife within the family and creates hardships for yourself. The best thing for you to do is calmly tell them that you have made an educated decision and that yelling screaming or "banning" paganism in the house is only going to drive you more into paganism...otherwise stick it out-the books the person before me are actually very good also wiped has a good section about paganism in a strictly non opinion manner that only has information without adding in any kind of dogma.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, if your parents are Christian there is nothing that you can do. The Christian edict is that “We are right, and that everyone who doesn’t agree is a follower of Satan.” That’s just the way it is, and there is nothing that you can do to change that. All you can do is just be honest with them, and hope that they will understand. Explain why you feel the way that you do, and hopefully they can understand.

If you want to try and teach them the errors of the Christian religion I would recommend that you find and episode of Pen & Teller’s Bull S h I t that is about the Bible. It’s probably the best-researched piece that really shows you the errors of the Bible. Once the seed of doubt is placed, they may come around.

Answer 5

I hate to break this to ya, but as long as you live under thier roof, you live under thier rules...your parents take care of you untill you are 21 years old, you will have plenty of time in your adult life to explore the path of paganism if it still interests you...Besides most pagan groups do not allow you participate in thier rituals untill you are at least 18 yrs old. You could go ahead & be deviant & sneak behind thier back, but it looks like your
parents feel very strongly about thier convictions, and do not want you to participate in paganism...Your parents have a version of truth, in which they do not condone pagan practice, any author's version of the truth is probably not going to change thier convictions... Life is tough

cowan means "uninitiated" not "non pagan"

Answer 6

You can give them the Cunningham book suggested...
I would suggest stop talking about it and live your life quietly in accordance with your Pagan values and morality and let them appreciate what a good person you are doing so. When you moveo out, you can come back out of the broom closet. When you live in your parents' house, it's best to follow their rules. My mother accepts my Paganism now, and will even defend it, but I don't live with her anymore.

Answer 7

Scott Cunningham wrote some excellent books that might help to educate them on what you have chosen to believe. "The Truth About Witchcraft Today", "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" and "Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" might help, but only if they are willing to open themselves up and see beyond their own narrow point of view. Best of luck to you and blessed be.

Answer 8

Are your parents really set in their ways *brainwashed or closed-minded*? For you I truly hope not.

Hang in there, check out books from the library or buy at discount bookstore. Have your parents read them (promising to keep an open mind), and be there to answer questions frankly for them.

Please check out what River has suggested.

Suggested Book(s) for explaining things to your parents *Keep in mind that these books keep it really simple and try to help Christians to try to understand*:
When Someone You Love Is Wiccan: A Guide to Witchcraft and Paganism for Concerned Friends, Nervous Parents, and Curious Co-Workers by Carl McColman (ISBN:



Possibly read over the "bhagava gita" part of the Hindu book the "Mahabharata".

Answer 9

Get the Republic of Plato and read the section about the Myth of the Cave!
This will assist you understand that people are fixed with their believes and they are ready to do anything, even against themselves!
Those who have seen light, should be stronger and do not oppose to the others!
Once, someone hit Socrates. Socrates put a sign on him telling that that guy did it to me, since he got tired of replying. Some othe citizen asked him: why don't you bring him to the court, or take some kind of revenge? Socrates replied: if a jackass kicks you will you react like you are suggesting me now?
Thus, we should not try to react or do to the others what they do to us!

Answer 10

It is a shame that your parents have such narrow minds. I personally am not wiccan but some people that are very close to me are and they are the most thoughtfull and caring people that I know. Stick to your guns and eventually they will come around. Remind them that you don't expect them to convert, just that you expect them to respect your wishes.
And if they truely love you they will. Good luck!

"An it harm none, do what thou wilt"