Pagans how do you feel about raising you children in the pagan ways?

Question

I personaly see nothing wrong with it. I will teach my daughter my ways, and when she gets older and feels that wicca is not for her i will not be upset.I will let her finde her own path if wicca is not rite for her.

I know a lot of Pagans feel its better to let there children finde there own path and not teach them the pagan ways. What do you think?

sahel great answer you are rite

jaye16 i don't minde you answering

Answer 1

I'm not pagan (i'm jewish) and i think that parents should raise their children in their own beliefs. Parents are to be teachers and if that child decides that their parents way is not theirs, they will make their own path.

I think that teaching your children your pagan ways forges a bond with them that cannot be broken, even if they choose something different as an adult.

Answer 2

I raised my son Christian and as I learned about Wicca so did the family. Once he hit his teens I pretty much decided to choose his own path. We’re pretty open minded when it come to religion. It's a personal relationship with God. My hubby is still Christian, I’m Wiccan with a little Christian and Native American in me and my son follows a more druid/ native American path.
The USA is mostly Christian, so I feel they need to have an understanding of what Christianity is about and if they choose to be like their friends then I would leave it be. Once they get a little older they will choose what makes sense to them and feel right.

Answer 3

I do not feel as if there is anything wrong in raising a child to be pagan....however i have chosen to allow my children to take part in certain rites with me but i also feel the need to stress that there are several beliefs out there.
I tell them that god is everything or god is nothing.....god being defined as the divine omnipotent creative energy in the universe....no male or female pronouns are used, for god is both and neither...

I try to teach my children to respect and have tolerance and reverance for all spiritual beliefs. As a result of this, i have a 21 yr old who is dabbling in the wiccan ways, a 16yr self proclaimed atheist, and 8 yr old twins...one is into the Egyptian Ways....the other one,lol, is just plain old confused! lol

Blessings to you my friend...i hope you find what it is you seek.

bb
)o( trinity

Answer 4

My mother is a pagan... and I was raised Jewish. Now I'm pretty much a pagan.

Weird...

Personally I don't want to involve my children in involved in anything that has to do with being a member of Christianity, or organized religion in general. I'd rather my children develop their own sense of spirituality. However, if they develop into Christians or Buddhists, or anything at all on their own, I'm totally cool with that... happy in fact. I want my kids to find their own spiritual path without the fear associated with Christianity and everlasting salvation or hell.

Answer 5

i think it's silly to "let their children find their own path" when it means not teaching them about yours. kids can't learn about any paths if they're not taught. give them the knowledge of many paths. that is the only way you can ensure that you are giving them the best start in life

edit: gypsy - teaching a child your beliefs is not imposing them upon the child, it's educating them. the only time it's imposing upon them is when you tell them they have to follow it. would you say the same thing if someone was teaching their child how to cook, or fix a car? knowledge is power. the more you give a child, the better they will do in life. and can you truly make a choice between something, like religions, if you haven't been given an education in your other options?

Answer 6

My children observed what me and their mother did as regards to beliefs,but I am a great beleiever that no one has the right to decide an individuals belief or non belief in which ever genre they choose.
My Stepson was not interested in any religion or idea,your born you live you die is the way he thinks,but that is his choice,my Youngest son is 14 and at the moment is more interested in chasing girls and training in ju-jitsu but he has created his own private spirituality and still enjoys hiking with his parents and enjoys nature,we did have some problems with his GCSE choices as he refused to do religious education even though it is mandatory at his school for some obscure reason so we had to mediate between him and the school and isn't resolved yet,he has to take the class but refuses to participate in any discussions(which I think will help his debating skills)and has said he will not attend the exam or do homework or revise for it...but thats his choice and I can only secretly admire his strong principles..oh ps neither boy was baptised and I think it is an offence to the baby to assume he/she will follow your faith and even being a parent doesn't give you the right to pre-ordain what religion they will be......show them your ways and then let them make up their own minds...peace

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with it and everything right with it. paganism is more than Wicca, it is so inclusive of so many environmentally minded spiritual groups, i think a bit of paganism would be good for everyone. Of course, I can say that as a true blue pagan myself.

As for my son, he is living the life of a pagan, as he cares about things that pagans care about, but at age 14, he doesn't call himself anything in particular. Which is his choice too. But he is one of the most environmentally protective and sensitive teenagers you could ever meet, so it is really about what you do, rather than what you call yourself.

Terrific question!
Bright blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 8

i am a pagan, but my kids, through their grandparents and school have learnt about Christianity. at home we discuss aspects of all religions. we teach them religious tolerance and that everyone has their own beliefs and they are not necessarily wrong. i don't have my children participate in any rituals with me, except the cat naming. when they are ready and show an interest they can then learn and join in. we often have discussions about paganism and magic, as we do about the Buddhism, and Islam. we actively seek out information about other religions, to help us better understand our neighbours, i think that this is important, intolerance is just not on. religion should never be forced onto anyone, it has on so many occasions caused harm.

Answer 9

I feel that as parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children our ways. When they're older, it is up to them to find their own ways, but as Pagans, we will teach our children to think for themselves and not be bent by any religious bullying.

There is a difference between TEACHING and FORCING. What if our ancestors never taught their children their ways? We would have lost alot more then we already have!

Answer 10

I am not a Pagan, I am a Christian,but I hope you wont mind me answering.

I think that we should all teach our children about love, goodness and treating others with respect.

I believe in letting our children come to their own understanding about spiritual things because its a personal choice and should be kept that way.

**EDIT

I think we should only teach our understanding and beliefs when asked by our children, not given to them as the only choice because when they are older this will only confuse and leave them feeling like they are betraying their parents in a way.

Blessings!!