What We Teach Our Children

[Lark]

Interestingly enough this is a topic that I recently heard discussed.

I attended the American Academy of Religions conference in Washington, DC back in November. Part of that conference is a one-day Pagan studies track conducted by Pagan academics on topic pertaining to religion. One of the papers presented was on raising children in Paganism. The person presenting the paper had conducted a study which included a number of interviews with young adults who had been raised in Pagan households..our 2nd generation so to speak.

What was the common thread amongst these young adults is that none of them were taught about Paganism by their families. This has been a rather typical response amongst those who are 1st generation Pagans.  There was a tendency to not teach their children about their religion because they were trying so hard to avoid forcing the  children into their belief system.

All of the interviewees expressed regret that they had not been permitted to share in the beliefs and practices of their parents.  They all said that they had been interested and wanted to learn, even if they later chose not to become Pagan themselves. They simply wished that they had been able to share that important part of their family life. And all of the respondents who were currently Pagan themselves (which was the large majority) stated that they were actively raising their children as Pagan, but they would have no problem if the children later made a different chose of spiritual path.

In my own Tradition we have a number of families with young children. Many of those children are actively being taught general information about Paganism by their parents. We also offer a children's circle as part of our own Esbat and Sabbat gatherings.  And once the child reaches the age of 13-14, and if they want to, they are permitted to go through our Dedicant course, at the end of which they go through their Coming of Age ritual and are permitted to
attend most adult circles.

-Lark-

[Anonymous]

I can understand people not wanting to force their religion on their children, especially if they were forced to follow a religion as a child. If and when I have children, I'd allow them to see what I do as part of my religion, and allow them to join in if they wanted.

I'd prefer if they joined in, but I'd allow them to make their own choice.

[Zenon]

In my country, it's pretty difficult to be "out of the broom closet", because of the terrible reputation witchcraft has.

This is thanks to "witches" who practice african magic and umbanda, who are very public about it (some of them advertise their "services" on television) because they make a lot of money from phone calls and workings.

This also advertises that all witchcraft is good for is for mundane purposes.  The catholic church and religious groups keep the population scared to hell of witchcraft, which by the way does no better to the situation.

When you are "called" to magical practice, it's pretty much inevitable that you will adopt it as a way of life.  Intolerance is terrible...  If I choose to teach my children about my path, I would also teach them to guard it as a precious thing - there is nothing worse than watching the things you love being ridiculed by the ignorant.

[Still Kate]

When Ryan asks a question, I tell him what he wants to know.
Theres a whole book shelf full of books on Witch craft, the Occult, Wicca, herbalism, The Tarot and crystals.  He has full access to these books along with a copy of the Bible, that is also on the book shelf.    
There are also various items around the house, such as Pentagrams, candles, incense burners and some Feng Shui items too.   He respects my beliefs as I will respect his but I wont force my beliefs onto him, nor Jon. (Jon's Mum is Roman Catholic, as is mine, and Jon attended Catholic school and was also a choir boy.)
We all live in harmony with each other because our most important thing is our love and respect for each other.
When and if, Ryan and Millie's (when she is older) decide what religion or belief system they want to follow then I will support them in their path.  
Bless'd Be                Kate. xx

[Rowan CedarWolf]

I guess I am cut from a different cloth. I openly invite my kids to join me in circle, In fact my ritual group is especially for families. All of our rituals are written so children can attend. I allow my kids to read my book of shadows, to look through and read all of the books on my bookshelf. I answer any question they have to the best of my abality. I have even allowed children to call the quarters when we have a ritual.
Before we cast the circle of each ritual we take a few minutes and explain why we are having  a ritual. We discuss what for example Yule is and why we celebrate it.Then I ask them if they have any questions and I answer them as best as I can in a way that they will understand, the youngest is 7 years) and then we continue with our circle.

[Beith]

I think if we are honest about it many pagan parents are reluctant to expose thier children to intolerance and ignorance - this coupled with the desire to let children choose thier own path, and of course the fact that many of us may have been forced to attend church etc as children, means that we are nervous about doing the same to our children by teaching them about our beliefs.
 
That said, every other faith involves children and if we are true to what we believe, surely we should raise our children in a way that involves them in our spiritual life?  Doing this won't prevent them from choosing a different path if they want to - it didn't stop me!!!!

[Rowan CedarWolf]

As stated above I include my children in circle, I also let them go to church with my mother, thier father's mother (differing demominations of christianity) I encourage them to seek out different religions, learn about them, and if they want to go to religious services, it is my hope that by doing this they will understand that there is a path for everyone and to be respectful of these different paths. Also, when they decide what path they are going to walk they can make an educated decision.

[Zorro]

I don't have any kids, but I think it is great if parents allow their children to explore other beliefs and ways of thinking.  Even if the kids don't end up belonging to the same religion as the parents, they will have knowledge and through that knowledge they will have understanding of people who are different from them.  (Well, they will have understanding if their knowledge is accurate and not based on erroneous ideas and urban legends and such.)

But yea, I can some people bending over backwards and too far in the other direction in an effort not to fall into the same trap as those who attempt to force their beliefs on their kids do.

I guess it may be a bit of an over-reaction, though since we are all humans, an understandable one.

The middle ground seems to be the best place to occupy on this one.

Teach your kids religion(s), but give them the freedom to follow their own course.

[Zenon]

As stated above I include my children in circle, I also let them go to church with my mother, thier father's mother (differing demominations of christianity) I encourage them to seek out different religions, learn about them, and if they want to go to religious services, it is my hope that by doing this they will understand that there is a path for everyone and to be respectful of these different paths. Also, when they decide what path they are going to walk they can make an educated decision.

I really support that.  Ignorance is bliss, but knowing the truth of things may be confusing and sometimes it may hurt.  But it's the only way to grow and mature.