The Oracle

This is always a tough question and one that I hope to face myself one day. Do you raise you child Pagan or do you let them find their own way in life?

Now part of me would love the idea of having a child raised to understand the craft and follow a path that is Pagan. But part of me also loves the idea that my child would find their own way in life, if they don't end up following Paganism I would still have a sense of pride that they found a way of life that is theirs.

So I've added this poll to see what the general feeling is out there.

I said 'yes' as well. My daughter, though she doesn't live with me, is being raised Wiccan as my ex and I both are Wiccan. I think that it will be wonderful that she will have the glorious understanding and foundation provided by Paganism so early in her life. If she chooses to go another way as she gets older, then I will be happy for her.

I voted unsure. Well I'm unlikely to ever have children, unless we decide to adopt in the future. I'm Buddhist (with a few pagan things thrown in!) and my partner is Agnostic (believes there is something/a higher power but is not sure what it is), so I guess I would raise my child Buddhist, but I believe it is important that people find their own path, so if they went to a different faith as they grow that would be ok with me.

Gassho,

M

i checked no as i have no faith and although iwould educate my daughter in as many religions as possible i want the choice to be hers with no pokes in any direction from me

Seems we have quite a mix of opinions (secretly shouts YAY!!!) I'm really struggling with this idea myself. Like Angharad I would love to educate a child in every way, showing them the diversity of the world around them. But there is this little old side of me that wants to pass on what I know, teach them to respect nature and so on.

One thing I missed out in this discussion is the impact of religion in schools. Even if we avoid it completely at home, schools still teach it. I know you can have your children removed from such things in the UK but then I always remembered those poor kids when I was a kid. They always felt like they had been left out of something and as we know, kids tend to rub that in aswel.

Another important aspect is the moral fibre it can give us. I know that in school I learnt a great deal from those little bible stories about giving to others and helping somebody. In many ways they fit in rather snuggly with my Pagan beliefs as they stand, so I wouldn't change that for the world.

So with all my babbling I'm still undecided, but I think that part that wants to raise my child Pagan is winning here. Not because of the notion that I want to pass it on, but more the point of how much moral fibre that could impart onto them. After all, my beliefs are very much based on respect and that is never a bad thing.

I think it is best to raise the child with the parents beliefs, but not strictly enforced, just so they have some spiritual grounding. Also make them aware of other religions and faiths and that people do have different belief systems, so that when they are older they can make their own mind up with what faith (if any) that they believe in.

Gassho,

M

i have be raised with every respect to nature and my father is a baptist!

i do not litter or mistreat anything living or in nature it has nothing to do with being a Pagan, the lessons my father tought me (and there was no religion involved) are simply in my eyes the education to be a good person!