Pagans, do you raise your children pagan?

Question

Do you teach them as much as you can and let them decide on their own? Or what? Just curious.

I'm gettin the feeling it's going to be hard picking a Best Answer for this one, there's so many good ones!!

Answer 1

Yes.
My children are raised to choose their own path. They are educated in many religions. When they were younger, they went to Sunday school and they can go to church when they want, but they don't want to anymore- not since the whole gay marriage argument started a few years ago. It disgusted them. We read together every night at bedtime and they are as well versed in Homer as they are in Rowling. I have many old tales memorized, and I tell them on long car trips. I keep a comprehensive literary library and video library and when we go to the theatre, I point out the mythical elements in the plays. Their teachers are blown away. I am Neo-Hellenic. My daughter is leaning toward Shinto, I think, though I was thinking Kemetic a few years back. They will be what they will be.

We are part of a family Circle and we meet with other kids and moms a couple times a month to do crafts and meditations and talk about different aspects of faith, how magic works, respecting the environment, etc. We also go camping frequently, go on nature walks and discuss herbal lore, plant identification, etc. We have special prayers we say over meals and special traditions for the holidays. Sometimes we go to group public rituals or rituals at other peoples' houses, so they can see the different ways of doing things. Sometimes they just watch or sneak off to read a book. They don't have to participate, but they do have to be respectful.

Yes. They are being raised Pagan, I am teaching as much as I can, and I want them to decide on their own.

Answer 2

Yes, absolutely! And why not? Paganism values creativity, individuality, and personal responsibility. To me it is a healthy and natural way to raise a child -- children are naturally Pagan to begin with, and Paganism teaches us to be true to our natures. It's a lot healthier than a few other religions I can mention. For example, what if your child comes out as Gay? Many other religions would have a big problem with that, and many families have fallen apart because of it. In Paganism, it's OK, and the Pagan parent will embrace that child as they are.

Some Pagans are uncomfortable about raising their children in any religion. This is due to baggage from their own Christian upbringings, and to that I say GET OVER IT! You are doing yourself, your children, and the Pagan community a disservice by not passing on what you know and believe to the next generation. If we are to grow and survive as a religion, we are going to have to be willing to pass our ways on to the next generation. That does not mean that they have to stay Pagan -- when the child is old enough, he or she can make up his or her own mind. But, when I have children, I will definately bring them up in Paganism.

Answer 3

I do not have any children yet, but when I do, I plan on raising them in such a way that they do not see the world in terms of religions.

I was raised to value the meaning and significance of traditions and rituals, whether they are Christian, or Pagan or family specific. I think it's very important to be able to respect everyone's way of life. What we are may change. But we should always be able to get along with everyone, no matter what faith they may come from.

To me, being a Pagan means being a friend of the earth and the world. And in a way, that transcends labeling yourself as a Pagan or anything else. Because I think labels separate us.

But that's just me :P

Answer 4

I was raised Roman Catholic and my parents and my best friend are still devote Catholics. I, however, have been a Methodist and one of Jehovah's Witnesses before finding my way to where I am now ... Wicca.

I am raising my children who are 9 and 5 as Wiccan. They are exposed to many other spiritual paths such as Roman Catholic and Hindu due to my family and close friends. I teach them that all paths lead to the same end which is exactly what I believe.

I think it is extremely important for children to have a spiritual foundation no matter what that foundation is. As they mature they will have questions and I intend to answer as many as I can honestly. If I don't have answers I will find them with my children. I want them to understand that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to worship ... just the way that is right for them ... if it is not the same path as mine then so be it.

Answer 5

My children will pick the religion they choose. As being a Pagan I do not force my religion onto anyone. Growing up a was raised Baptist. Had to go to church every Sunday no matter what my relatives forced it upon me. I was only able to choose my own path when I was older. I did not like that at all, so my children will have a the chose I did not have growing up.

Answer 6

I'm heathen rather than pagan, and have no kids, BUT . . . in the loose regional Asatru social network of which I am a part, every parent I know is raising their children within their beliefs and folkways.

Not *forcing* it on them or *shoving it down their throats,* mind you. Just not hiding it behind closed doors like some kind of dirty little secret. Letting them participate or not, as they choose, and answering questions honestly as they arise, living as heathens at home, not just at blots and moots.

As a certified teacher, I've even conducted weekend heathen-oriented writing workshops for my friends' kids.

It's called being part of the family.

Answer 7

I've raised mine to make their own decisions. If they were interested in a faith, we explored it together. If they wanted to go to a church, we went to church; if a synagogue, temple; mosque; etc.. we went together. We'd study upon the tenets, ask questions, read books, to the degree of the desire they had for those things.
I have five children, three are grown. One is a deist, two are pagan. The other two are still deciding what they believe. One right now is leaning toward atheism, the other leans toward paganism, but they are teens.. that can change.

I hope that helps.

Answer 8

My children are 2 and 4. The 2 y/o has no concept of religion, but the 4 y/o is curious. He sees a lot of Christianity, as I work for a church. He doesn't understand yet that my personal beliefs are entirely separate from my job duties at the church.

Answer 9

I am raising my kids in a Unitarian Church so that they are exposed to all religions and can make thier own choice. We celebrate both Pagan and Christian holidays in our house (so that she won't be as ostrasized when she starts school) I enjoy being in a religios enviornment that accepts my paganism, my husband athiest "beliefs" and exposed my kids to everything they are interested in. It won't surprise me if my kids are Pagan though simply because I am. But I hope they find thier own path, even if it doesn't follow mine.

Answer 10

I didn't become a confirmed "strong-atheist", until recently. And my daughter is already 17.

I ended up raising her in her early years as a Catholic. By the time she was 12, she expressed that she wanted to move to a Public School, and I moved her.

Now, I think she is still exploring, but leaning towards Buddhism.