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Should Minors Be Taught About Paganism?

Bishka

Bishka

Veteran Member
Perhaps, but I believe it should be up to the parents -- hopefully they will be open minded, but I doubt it.
 
Circle_One

Circle_One

Well-Known Member
IMO, I don't see why it would be bad to teach them about Paganism. How is it any different from teach them about any other religion?

Teaching them Magick, however, is a different story. I see nothing wrong with teaching them about Magick, yet actually teaching them Magick, is not an intelligent move. You see the difference?

Magick is intense and powerful and should not be taken lightly, even for adults, and for those who've practiced for years. So it, in itself, should not be taught to children, though teaching them about it, that it exists, what it entails, etc, I see no problem with.
 
Bishka

Bishka

Veteran Member
Another point...


If they teach about paganism, then I should assume that they would be teaching about christianity, islam, buddism, atheists, etc. Things like that.
 
K

KSojourner

Member
beckysoup61 said:
Another point...


If they teach about paganism, then I should assume that they would be teaching about christianity, islam, buddism, atheists, etc. Things like that.
Click to expand...

Question - why do you automatically assume that Pagans will teach their children about Christianity, Islam, etc. ? (Not being snarky, just an honest question.)

Another question (specifically Becky, but anybody can answer) - would you teach your children about Paganism, Islam, Buddism, etc or just your own religious path?

While it does usually happen that many Pagan parents like to give their children room to explore other faiths, they don't necessarily teach their children about those traditions personally. Some people just do not have the in-depth knowledge to do so.

If I had (or was going to have) children and they were interested in learning about other faiths, I would most likely try to get in touch with someone that had the knowledge to answer my child's question. I think it is important to have general knowledge about other faiths and would not deny this information to anyone, even children. However, I would make sure the information being provided was at a level of understanding based on their maturity level.

I think that was what Circle_One was refering to in regards to Magic. (I don't use the 'k' as I think it is rather silly.) Children don't have the needed maturity level to learn how use magic in a safe and ethical way. It is not something that I would teach them either. (That it exsists, yes. The "how" of it, no.)

Good topic to address on the forums, Sunstone! Thanks for linking to my blog.
 
c0da

c0da

Active Member
I don't see why not. It is just as much a legitimate religious path as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism or any other religion and definitely worth learning a little about.
 
Green Gaia

Green Gaia

Veteran Member
If they teach about paganism, then I should assume that they would be teaching about christianity, islam, buddism, atheists, etc. Things like that.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what UUs do. Nothing strange to us about it. :shrug:
 
Ody

Ody

Well-Known Member
Sunstone said:
Should minors be taught about Paganism?
Is it healthy to teach kids magic?
Click to expand...

I can find no real articulated reason on why not. I see nothing wrong with teaching children about paganism and or magic.
 
OneStraw Revolutionary

OneStraw Revolutionary

Member
This culture puts emphasis on a parent's control over their children, and so it would be for that parent to decide. Now, if a child of eight walked into a pagan temple and asked for lessons, as the child in the blog article did at the church, they'd be turned away pretty quickly, unless that temple had a pretty good lawsuit-blocking protection spell in their arsenal. In this age, with all of these misconceptions, with laws against the pagan community, it would be a blunder to accept that child's curiosity, without mommy or daddy nodding behind them.
 
K

KSojourner

Member
OneStraw Revolutionary said:
Now, if a child of eight walked into a pagan temple and asked for lessons, as the child in the blog article did at the church, they'd be turned away pretty quickly
Click to expand...

LOL - that child was me.

Originally, I didn't walk up alone and "ask for lessons" but I did attend that church on my own for two years (8-10 y.o.). My neighbors (who were about 10 and 14) were allowed to bring me the first time, so my parents knew that I went. I just continued going without my neighbors after they moved, which was about two months after they brought me. I stopped going because my family moved and there was no church within walking distance.

Looking back, I kind of wonder what was going through my parents heads to allow me to walk over and attend alone. When I was attending, I was mostly in the Sunday school class and I found it fun so I continued going. I can honestly say that I had really had no idea what it was really about due to the fact that no one really explained it to me.

I think that if minors are being taught a religion, ANY religion, their parents should definately be involved and be there to explain things. I guess this is something that I learned from experience. :)
 
E

evearael

Well-Known Member
I have no issue teaching my own child about Paganism... and Wicca, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Shinto, Jainism, Atheism, and so on. I want my child to think for herself and make her own decisions with regards to her faith. To me, faith is something very sacred to the individual and the only time I would intervene is if she began to follow a faith that was damaging to her well-being and that of others.
 
OneStraw Revolutionary

OneStraw Revolutionary

Member
KSojourner said:
When I was attending, I was mostly in the Sunday school class and I found it fun so I continued going. I can honestly say that I had really had no idea what it was really about due to the fact that no one really explained it to me.
Click to expand...

And that's just the way they wanted it. I had the same experience; in Sunday school, I got to dress up as a mummy in some pageant. I was playing someone named "Lazerus" but my lines didn't consist of much more than you'd expect from a mummy. What's blasphemy to adults is fair game for the kids...

KSojourner said:
I think that if minors are being taught a religion, ANY religion, their parents should definately be involved and be there to explain things. I guess this is something that I learned from experience.
Click to expand...

Here here! But at some point, the child's journey becomes solely their own. At which point is this, I wonder?
 
jamaesi

jamaesi

To Save A Lamb
I see nothing wrong with teaching kids about all religions, Paganism included.

I know if I adopt kids I'd be disappointed if they just followed mine and my SO's religion (we're both Muslim) blindly, I'd rather them make up their own mind about religion. He feels the same way.
 
kai

kai

ragamuffin
I see nothing wrong in teaching kids about religions all of them, there is a difference in teaching and indoctrinating.
 
K

KSojourner

Member
OneStraw Revolutionary said:
And that's just the way they wanted it. I had the same experience; in Sunday school,
Click to expand...

I wonder if we went to the same church.... LOL


OneStraw Revolutionary said:
Here here! But at some point, the child's journey becomes solely their own. At which point is this, I wonder?
Click to expand...

It all depends on the child, I would think. There are some that are more mature at a younger age. I would say that as a child becomes a teen, they are able to make some decisions on their own, but still need guidance from their parents. Coming from a developmental psychology point of view, this is the time when there is a delicate balance between having the needed guidance and learning to function on their own.
 
Bishka

Bishka

Veteran Member
KSojourner said:
Another question (specifically Becky, but anybody can answer) - would you teach your children about Paganism, Islam, Buddism, etc or just your own religious path?

.
Click to expand...

I would teach them all, but more emphasis on my own, as I do now with my own studies. I own a Koran, several differen versions of the bible, and a variety of books on religious subjects not of my own choosing.

I also enjoy watching movies and learning about different religions. Of course I teach my children about it. I'll teach truth where I find it.
 
Booko

Booko

Deviled Hen
KSojourner said:
Another question (specifically Becky, but anybody can answer) - would you teach your children about Paganism, Islam, Buddism, etc or just your own religious path?
Click to expand...

Since my own religious path is built on the foundation of the major religions, it would be a bit difficult for them not to learn something about them.

While paganism is not, strictly speaking, part of that foundation, I've certainly taught them about it, as I would any religious belief, or a lack of religious belief for that matter. It's a part of life -- why should they not understand such things?

My kids go to school with pagans, have neighbors who are pagans, so it would be kinda silly for them not to understand their beliefs. And no, I do not teach them that other religions are "false."

While it does usually happen that many Pagan parents like to give their children room to explore other faiths, they don't necessarily teach their children about those traditions personally. Some people just do not have the in-depth knowledge to do so.
Click to expand...

How much indepth knowledge is really needed? IF people are interested in a deeper knowledge, they'll seek it out. But at least the basics are good to know, if only so you don't do anything inadvertently rude. :eek:

If I had (or was going to have) children and they were interested in learning about other faiths, I would most likely try to get in touch with someone that had the knowledge to answer my child's question. I think it is important to have general knowledge about other faiths and would not deny this information to anyone, even children. However, I would make sure the information being provided was at a level of understanding based on their maturity level.
Click to expand...

The local Unitarian Universalist church does exactly that with their youths when they're in 7th grade. They have a curriculum that includes inviting speakers from other religions to come in an teach their kids what they believe. We've been there to do our stint, and we let our youth of similar age do the speaking. Well, it's more a dialogue than a talk. Who likes lectures? :shrug:
 
K

KSojourner

Member
beckysoup61 said:
I would teach them all, but more emphasis on my own, as I do now with my own studies. I own a Koran, several differen versions of the bible, and a variety of books on religious subjects not of my own choosing.

I also enjoy watching movies and learning about different religions. Of course I teach my children about it. I'll teach truth where I find it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for answering! :)
 
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