How many pagans raise thier kids in their tradition?

Question

I see so many pagans saying they don't raise thier children in thier path. I wonder why. My kids will be raised in the Heathen path BUT I expose them to all religions and won't disown them if they choose another one. But this thier heritage. I think it's important to know it and be a part of it, even if at one point they choose not to practice it. Why don't pagans raise thier kids in the faith?

LOL Matt actually I DO worry about that. But honestly if they ever don't want to go to fellowship or blot, I won't make them. But I still think it's importnt to have sort of sense of spirituality for the same reason. I don't want a Christian to come in and fill that space. *shiver*

Answer 1

We do.

Answer 2

I've raised mine exactly as I was raised - with an openness towards ALL religions and with information on all of the above. When I couldn't provide the info, I have friends and family who could.

And so what if they chose to be Christian??? I went through a Christian phase as a teenager; I learned an awful lot, not just about the religion, but the nature of human beings. Needless to say, I've not been a Christian in quite a long time - the span lasted about 2 years. But I met some awfully decent people- and some awfully horrible people - during that time.

MOST children who "rebel" against parents religiously - pagans becoming christian, christians becoming pagan do so because they were NOT allowed and encouraged to explore other belief sets, they were NOT taught tolerance (Telling them to be tolerant of others and then not letting them study other religions does NOT teach them tolerance, no matter how tolerant you like to believe you are).

My children have rebelled in other ways, because there was nothing to rebell against religious wise.

The eldest leans toward Buddhism, the youngest is interested in chakra manipulation for fitness and martial arts.

Bottom line, I could care less what religion the choose to be, as long as it makes them happy in their lives.

Only thing I draw a line at is cult involvement - and cults are easily defined- look it up.

Answer 3

I have 2 children and my husband is catholic and I am Pagan. I currently am allowing my kids to go the Catholic way out of respect for my husband. My daughter will start cataclysm classes next year so she can do the 12 yr communion thing, (my son will in 4 more years) then she can have her 15 yr conscience. After that I will not force them to be catholics or Christians or anything. My mother professed being a Christian but did not go to church and she let us read about other religions. She told us that our spiritual path is our choosing and she felt confident that we knew enough about religion in general to find the right path for our lives. I thought that was very wise and decided to let mine do the same thing. My children know I am not into the christian beliefs and that I follow a different path. They also know I am a sensitive and do my full moon cleaning's and protection and healing spells for family and friends. They ask what it is and I tell them. They are young so I just give them the info and let them think on it. If they ask about Christian stuff I usually tell my husband (who is not a practicing catholic) to tell them and if not they talk to their Tia (aunt) or their cousin about stuff. I feel knowledge is power and to be tied down or labeled to one religious belief is sort of self destructive and not very productive.

Answer 4

I don't have kids, but I think that it's a good idea to at least raise them as you believe - if they change that belief, well, that's that. However, because Pagan religions are tolerant, I really don't think "rebelling" by being Christian would happen. It wouldn't be rebelling because of the tolerance aspect! If you're a religious person, doing rituals and such while excluding the kids doesn't make sense - Heathens are very family orientated. How can you be family orientated while keeping the kids out of the very religion of their people.

It's like saying you won't raise your kids to be moral because they may "rebel" against it - they may, but as a parent, it is your duty to raise your kids so that they know how their family believes and does things. When they get out on their own, they may change their beliefs, but at least you, as a parent, did your part and your kids know their backgrounds.

Answer 5

As a mother who is pretty much over the raising portion of parenthood (my oldest is 23 the youngest is 15).. I speak from experience on this one. I've taken my children through the gamut of religious beliefs so that they were exposed to enough of them to make an informed decision. They are always welcome to participate in my pagan rites, and most of them do.. however, they are not obligated to them. My grandchildren are too young to make decisions, but at this point, they are being raised as pagans.. it's so much a part of our lives that I can't see how one could raise a child to be completely without its influence.. even those who are atheist project their viewpoint onto their children in some way or another.. however, you brought up the key point.. we won't disown anyone for growing up and choosing a different belief (or non-belief.. I have a son who is at this point, an atheist). This has worked very well for my family.. and I can only speak for us. Many blessings to you and yours.

Answer 6

We plan on raising our children in our path and teaching them that first and foremost.

If later in life as they hit school and all that, they have questions about other religions we will answer them as best we can (I was raised Christian as was hubby). Im sure my family or Christian friends wouldnt mind taking them to church either if they so choose to go there and see what its like.

If they choose a different path. I wont be pressuring them the way I felt growing up. None of that go here and believe this or be burned in eternal hellfire crapola.

I do hope they will follow in our spiritual path but they are individuals so you never know but they will definately have respect for their backgrounds as well as other peoples differences.

Answer 7

My approach is to avoid labels at all costs. Instead of raising them to be "Pagan/Wiccan", I simply raise them with the same beliefs that I hold dear. It really isn't as important that they know they are Pagan/Wiccan as it is that they know and understand the laws of the universe and it's natural order.

As a Christian Witch (NEVER accepted by mainstream Christians and even rarely by Pagans), it is important to me that my children have, what I believe to be, the secrets of the universe. However, putting the same socially taboo label on them that I have chosen for myself, seems too much pressure at too young an age. By the time I fully disclose my path to them, not only will they be better able to handle persecution, they will have a full understanding of what it means to be both Pagan and Christian.

Brightest Blessings

Answer 8

It personally took me a very long time to find my way to my true path. My husband is christian only by family tradition. we have three children together and work to expose them to both religions in moderation. Our children are ages 9, 7, 5 years old. When they have questions we answer them as honestly as we can and let them lead us with their curiosity. It is our belief that they will find their own path when they are ready. We do not push but provide information. It is our goal to provide them with information on not just our two religions but also on all the religions of the world. I can not speak for others. But these are my own humble thoughts on the matter.

Answer 9

I would rather my kids have good values and eithics than them be anyone relgion. I have tried to raise them to follow the following basic rules:
understand and respect others feelings
follow your gut instinct
Listen to your parents
take care of your world
trust is earned
Life is not fair

Theres a ton of other little life lessons I want to teach them, but religon is something I am sure that they need to discover all on their own. Sure they see what we do and know what somethings are during ritual, but its all passive learning, its not like there participating. On the other hand Id love fo them to really be the thrid generation of pagans in our very large family. Concidering how many Gods and Goddesses I worship, who cares wich they pick, so long as they dont try and stone mom.

Answer 10

I raised my son to be honest and to look at all things. I didn't raise him in any particular religion, but used the teachings within my Path to show him how to be a good, upstanding citizen... without taking any **** from anyone. I guess I just got lucky that we both "fell" into Asatru about the same time. He started in reading the stories, while I was more into the History... and since I was on the Celtic Path anyway, it fell into place when we both started seriously talking about a little over a year ago. It wasn't until recently that we both "took the leap" ^_^ and started using the labels Asatru and Heathen for ourselves. But instead of raising him in Asatru, we are working together. I guess you could say we are our own Kindred, since there aren't any around here. The one's that used to be here disbanned a couple of years ago and most of the people within them can't be found here (with the exception of one Heathen I found, but I have my doubts as to his sincerety). (Hopefully after we move next summer I'll be able to "advertise" enough to see if there are any others around here. Once I move, I'll have the land and the privacy to hold gatherings without worry of outsiders barging in). But, WHY I didn't bring him up in my faith is because that is how I was raised... My mother being Christian and my father being borderline Christian/Deist of sorts. I was free to study and to make my own decisions and I felt this was the best "path" to take with my own son. =)

Answer 11

Becasue every Pagan is a follower of Satan they don't believe in God - The Creator !
That is why they are always in doubt, they are really confuse - and you know why ???????
Because worshipping One and Only God is in the Human Nature like children respect their parents - That thing is inside everyone just need a bit deep thinking and realization, C'mon man kick that Satan out from you and realise...yo!, u can do it !