Is Paganism an "Interest"?

[pt_tangles]

In poking around yesterday and today (mostly on MysticWicks - they are big and I can usually find an interesting topic there ... if not an interesting discussion), I stumbled across one of those "What's wrong with raising your kids Pagan?" threads.  One thing I noticed in many of the responses of people who were in the 'not raising kids Pagan' camp was the phrase, "If my children choose to share my interest, I will include them".

This is something I have seem before, but it struck me today how strange a thought that is.  I don't know about anyone else, but my religion is a hell of a lot more to me than an 'interest'.  It is a huge part of my life.  It shapes who I am and how I see and interact with the world. 

If you have found a spiritual home, why would you want to hide it from your children?  How would you spend holidays/Sabbats?  Send them to a sitter?

--Phae

Comments

[dbmyrrha.livejournal.com]

I don't find that to be true, outside Wicca, which is an adults-only Tradition.

Our trad is very family oriented, and we've often had infants and kids as young as 5 in ritual with us.

Since our tradition is all-encompassing, and built on lore and symbols, I don't see why my kid won't be told the tales, sung the songs, and danced round the ring.

If they choose to go elsewhere as adults, that's fine.

[pt_tangles]

Fair enough, though I don't have a lot of experience with TIW either.

I have always heard people complain that outside of Norse and Reclaiming that there really isn't much out there for kids. But, I don't have kids, so I wouldn't know from first hand experience.

Maybe it is just about how hard you are looking.

--Phae

[dbmyrrha.livejournal.com]

I think it's more about what you are willing to do, and about what you can see "hidden in plain sight." TIW aren't very religious, but we are deeply spiritual, and not irreligious. For us, Mother Goose and the Brothers Grimm are sacred texts. Therefore, all well-read children are potentially one of us. However, only certain children will have the spark stricken within them, and grow up Witches.

Not all are called, and none are coerced.

[pt_tangles]

I agree. Though, there is a certain element of re-inventing the wheel with a lot of folks. Some people seem more willing to do it all themselves rather than find what is out there.

Though, I suppose the same can be said of anyone who is Eclectic (self-included). ;)

--Phae