Pagan parenting - Page 2

02-26-2007, 07:06 PM

The first question I have is: Do your parents accept your religion, or do they think it's a "silly phase" or do they just stomp all over your beliefs? They seem to be of either the second or last following, so that's how I'll respond.

Eek... Either way, this is going to be rough, for both you and your child. The fact that your Christian parents have legal custody of him, (and therefore can choose to "make" him Christian since you're the biological parent but not the legal one... I knew I was Pagan at a young age, but my parents forced me to recieve all the Sacraments: Communion, Confirmation, etc, even though I consciously knew I wasn't Christian. So even if he doesn't want it, you son *might* be subject to going through things he doesn't want) and the fact that you're all living together is a big hamper on this.

I really, really, hate to the the pessimist, but even if you do attempt to teach him about tolerence, he'll be pretty much screwed because in Christian school, you'll be the "weird" parent, and he might be ostracised for it, perhaps even become ashamed that you don't fit into the mold that the other families fit in. Even if you both are very strong people, the peer pressure will come crashing through eventually... especially since he's getting mixed signals from both your parents and the school, and it'll be intermingled with his love for you. He won't know WHAT to do.

I went to a Christian elementary school and partly through middle school, and I'll tell you from experience that it'll either lead him to HATE Christianity up until his high school/college years, or it will make him into a good little Christian, intolerence and all.

I really wish you the best of luck on this, though.

TrippinSmurf · 03-01-2007, 12:52 PM

My ma is pagan and so am I but i went to church when I was little and she didnt. I asked her at like 6 why dont you go to church mom? She asked me if I thought I needed to be in a special bulding to worship god? of corse I said no. and she said I can worship him from right here. that helped a lot for me

03-01-2007, 01:06 PM

my husband and I have both learned the hard way about religion. the more it was pushed onto us, when we were young, the more we rebelled against it. Most of my family is southern baptist, but there are a lot of Wiccans in my family also.. let's just say our family don't have reunions often (lol). I don't think your child is going to think you are some type of freak. It is a messy situation. Just as long as your child knows that you love them, that is all that baby is really going to pay attention to in the beginning. Then when they get older they will see what they want to. Lets face it, when we are younger we do what we wanted to... it didn't ever matter what someone told you. Eventually, your child's life events is what is going to choose what religion they are comfortable putting their faith in. I believe that in time, things will work out for you. I think it would be a good idea for you to meditate and ask for help. Good luck, For you and your baby. Because no matter what, that child is still yours, the legal system is just paperwork.

07-20-2008, 12:10 AM

Hey there mate. I dont know how well my experience will help, but you never know, eh?
When I was a kid, I had the Christianity shoved down my throat. Pentacostal churches are good for that one ha! I beleived it for like a few months, but was still forced into going untill I ran off and got married 2 years ago. Since I was about 16 I have been a practicing Asatru. I am currently one of 2 gothi in southern ohio that I know of.
What I'm getting at here is;1) With you in the picture (even if you mum has custody), I don't think that the kid will think your strait up going to "Hell". He will undoubtably ask you things that he learns in bible class or whatever it is, but keep calm and don't rant about how they "the christians" are brainwashing your kid. Just explain you beleifs in terms he can understand when he's older, and as of now give him simple explainations. 2) You never know. As he grows, he'll be influenced more by different perspectives in life; so he'll be less judgemental by irrational thougths (cough....christian beleifs..cough). He just might end up like you or me.
Keep up the with how he's doing, what are his current thoughts on religion and that sort of deal. Don't get discouraged about sudden flares of beleif that is so common after major "spiritual" experiences, such as a revival or a holiday. It will undoubtably fade; as it always does with conflictive relgions.
In the end, we can alter our courses, but the fate of the norns are inescapable.
Hailsa- Conley