Paganism may be one of the fastest growing religions and spiritualities in the world, but it also exists in a rather precarious world which will affect our children’s spiritual development, and thus the future of Paganism itself.

We, as the people who help shape the next generation of Paganism through our children, have a distinct responsibility to consider our approach to our faith, spirituality and our gods critically, and with pride, when it comes to raising our children. Any religion or spirituality only has a lifespan as long as its youngest living believer.

We must approach this issue thoughtfully, because in a very real way the future of our faith hangs in the balance, and perhaps we should stop being so darn accepting and (over)sensitive when it comes to the education of our children. It is time that we raise our children’s awareness and arm them as to confront a world which at times can be, and is, very cold.

We live in a world controlled by monotheistic faiths, and this is a huge issue for someone trying to raise children Pagan, because it is almost impossible - short of conditioning every aspect of that child’s experience - not to have our children’s views about religion and spirituality affected (if not infected) by the main monotheistic religions.

Whatever our children do, and wherever they find themselves in day-to-day life, monotheism is going to be “the assumption and the norm”. Our children will be asked about their religion, they will be most likely be proselytised to by well-meaning schoolmates (and by not-always-so-well-meaning adults), and in some cases they will be picked on.

This is a fact, and although we have to accept it we do not necessarily have to take it lying down. Enough must sooner of later (sooner than later in this case) be enough!

What most non-Pagan children who interact with your children have been taught about Paganism, Heathenism and Witchcraft has come from movies, books, television series, etc, and from non-Pagan parents whose opinions may range from “evil devil-worshippers” to “hippie throwbacks” to “nutcases”. The point is that this is not a very accepting environment for our children to be open about their religion.

As parents it is our responsibility to prepare our children for the various things people may say, ask and believe about our religion

Although it is important for our children to be aware that people believe many different things and not all of them will agree, and that some of them may be very mean when they disagree, our children should also not be forced to feel as outsiders.

Some people who ask our children to explain themselves might be genuinely curious, and some might be baiting them into an argument or an attempt to proselytise. In any case, our children must understand not only what their family believes, but WHY they believe it. In order to know that, you have to help teach it to them, which means you yourself have to understand what you believe and why - you may yourself not have looked critically at your beliefs for a while.

In Paganism there is a great tendency to “go with the flow”, fearing the boogeyman known as indoctrination. However, your child deserves to have a clear idea of what it is they are being raised with, and a clear understanding of your own beliefs is the only way to get there.

Pagans tend to allow their children to be “exposed” to a variety of religious beliefs and spiritualities, and then aloow them to make their own choices. I believe this to be wrong: either you believe in your beliefs or you do not. If you believe it, then you believe it to be true, a matter of fact, and as such it is your job to teach your children these matters of fact - if you do not teach them the facts as you see them, monotheism and its well-organised structures will be all the too happy to take your place.

As Pagans we have the desire to respect other beliefs. While this is understandable, we must remember that all religions make certain religious claims, including Paganism, and some claims are mutually exclusive. While it may be that many, if not all, of the traditions of Paganism, may be simultaneously true (at least in a sense) because they agree in certain premises, it is not possible for Paganism to be true and Christianity to be true at the same time - and the same goes for other religions. (Here, let's ignore the ongoing debate regarding Christo-Paganism.)

While there is no “right, true, and only way”, there are without a doubt wrong ways, and there is nothing wrong with telling your child you believe your religion to be correct and you believe a certain religion to be incorrect, and then explain why.

And that is really the trick if you want to be responsible about these issues without indoctrinating: you actually have to know why you believe what you believe, and you must be able to answer the “why’s” when they come.

This is not indoctrination, this is teaching, and if you understand what you believe you should be able to communicate those beliefs and reasons to everyone, especially your own children. Give them an argument, not a “believe or else” ultimatum.

I think that there is a big difference between parenting in general, and Pagan parenting. Pagan parenting, like other spiritual-based parenting techniques, takes into account a larger picture than most parenting styles encompass for not only do we as Pagans have to take our children’s spiritual development into account, we also have to prepare them for a world which is not always accepting of our religions and spiritualities.

Another major difference between Pagan parents and parents of other religions is that we as Pagans - while abiding by contemporary society’s rules and regulations - view the world differently because we differentiate between the man-made laws of human society and the natural laws of the universe.

We Pagans view magick as a natural way to influence our environment and we use it within a strong ethical framework. Also, we regard our children as persons in their own right who strive just as adults do to understand their power and responsibility and to grow mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We also see ourselves as part of the whole world, affecting the planet and each other but with no inherent right to rule Mother Earth or to determine the quality of life for her inhabitants.

As Pagans, we generally share a common view on death: that it is a part of the natural order and thus not to be feared, but otherwise we differ greatly. This is a big issue for children who are being pressured by monotheists, because generally monotheism is very concerned with the afterlife.

As Pagans, we have many forms of activity that could be called “worship”. Many of us keep altars to specific gods and goddesses or to our ancestors, and many of us celebrate seasonal rituals as well. This, of course, raises the question of “what is worship?”.

How do you believe the universe and humanity came to be? Why? Do you believe that humanity has a purpose or destiny? Do you believe that individuals have a destiny? What about free will?

On many subjects, Pagans have views that may differ from those of the majority of society. Homosexuality, class, race, gender, transgenderism, war, the death penalty, abortion, drugs, teenage sex and pregnancy, and many, many other subjects will arise over your child’s life and you need to be able to talk about the issues and give your reasons for why you believe as you do.

How our children and Paganism turn out will be a direct result of how we embark on this most important journey: the Parenting Path.

SOURCES:
http://nuannaarpoq.wordpress.com;
Raising Witches: Teaching the Wiccan Faith to Children, by Ashleen O’Gaea;
Enchantedwillow: - Raising the Pagan child;
Global Goddess - Goddess Women Helping Women Worldwide’
Family Wicca: Practical Paganism for Parents And Children, by Ashleen O’Gaea;
Living Asatru by Greg Shetler;
Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions, multiple authors;
Pagan Children’s Workbook, by Lady Eliana;