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Pagan Children

Draka

Wonder Woman
What, if anything, do you teach your children about your beliefs? If you don't have children but plan to, what is your stance as well?

Do you opt to teach them to follow your beliefs and traditions? Include them in some way? Or just allow them to learn what they learn and believe what they believe on their own?
 

Holdasown

Active Member
My son has autism and really can't understand the concept of deity. I don't hide my practice and he knows not to bother the altars but he doesn't participate much in my religion or rituals.
 

GoodbyeDave

Well-Known Member
I don't have children and shan't be having any, but if I did I'd certainly teach them about my religion. Look at it this way. You send them to school and don't just leave them to "learn what they learn". Most of what we know is what others have explained to us: life is too short for anything else. And if people are not told the truth, they are more likely to be ensnared by lies.
 

Draka

Wonder Woman
I've taken a very basic approach with mine. I don't instruct them really, just guide and answer questions. I've shown them bits of what I do and explained some of what I believe here and there but place no expectations on them believing exactly like I do or participating in any rituals. If they'd like to or show interest though, that is fine. When they have questions about how others believe then I try to answer as truthfully as I can. I have tried to teach the idea of myths and legends and archetypes though, so they take a look at things from a more analytical point of view. What they choose to believe for themselves is theirs but should always feel free to ask me questions and talk with me about it.
 

Callisto

Hellenismos, BTW
What, if anything, do you teach your children about your beliefs? If you don't have children but plan to, what is your stance as well?

Do you opt to teach them to follow your beliefs and traditions? Include them in some way? Or just allow them to learn what they learn and believe what they believe on their own?

I would certainly raise mine within Hellenic tradition. It, like other recon/traditions are typically orthpraxic instead of orthodox so they're free to form their understanding of the gods. There's no belief of a "one true way" so they would be encouraged to learn and pursue what they're called to.

I'm also a Trad Wiccan, Trad Wicca is also orthopraxic. However, it's not a folk religion but an initiatory priesthood of a mystery cult. So unlike the more common eclecticism, it's not a path a person would be raised in, it's someone enters in adulthood. If they expressed interest, I would teach them general Wiccan concepts and non-oathbound elements, but again, it's something I'd leave for them to pursue if drawn to it. Foremost, I'm inclined to emphasize traditional polytheisms.
 

☆Dreamwind☆

Active Member
I did not push any of my religious beliefs on my kid, nor did I allow any of my relatives to do so. It's not up to anyone but her to decide what her path is. She did learn not to mess with my altar. She is an atheist.
 
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