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Dealing with other non-Pagan parents

I am the mother of four wonderful children. I have been teaching my oldest, who is 8, about my faith as kind of a guide post for his own spirituality later. I personally believe that spirituality is a personal journey to be made by each person, and I have shared this with my son. I have also told him that it is not appropriate to talk about religion with kids at school, which he has been doing a very good job of. Well yestarday, my son was invited over to a friends house to play. When he came home he told me that the boy's mother had been asking him all kinds of religious questions, and when he told her that I was Pagan, she made him sit down and read some Jr. Bible before she would let him continue to play. Now I have no problem with my son learning about other cultures and religions. I actually have a friend who is Buddhist and have asked him to speak with my son, to kinda broaden his horizons. But for someone to speak to my son behind my back crosses a line for me. Especially since some of the stuff that was in the Bible upset my son. I called the mom and talked to her about it, and she actually got upset and apologized for overstepping her bounds, but I still find myself upset about it because if I had done that to her kid or anyone elses, an irate phone call would be the least of my worries. and I am concerned that this will have an adverse affect on my son's spiritual growth. He kept telling me that he was confused and worried that I would be mad at him for reading the Bible.

Has anyone had a similar experience and/or any advice?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rose in the morning dew on May 17, 2010 at 4:27pm

Let it be known that I have 2 kids one m11 and one f9. We are raising our kids the same way. My son has desided that he wants to be pagan. My daughter is undesided but leaning towards Catholic. I have a very eclectic family. My thoughts would be since she really does seem sorry to try to forgive her on that part and slowly deal with your son. He needs to know that it is ok to read the bible. We have 3 in my house. I may not believe in it but I need to know the stories so if my kids choose that path I can help them. What stories did he read? Poor kid. I know he is upset but he might be more scared that he upset you than upset about the reading. You should find out that first. You might even barrow a bible and read with him to show him it does not bother you. We have told both of my kids that everyone has different paths that all lead to the same end. That they should respect other peoples choice and they should be respected too! I wish you the best of luck and keep us updated on the little man, please.

Permalink Reply by Terah Star on May 18, 2010 at 3:47pm

I do agree with Rose. I also agree in raising your children to believe in what you believe. We raise our children in a very pagan home. both of my boys know the basics like "GOD is the sun, the animals, the forest, our father. and the Goddess is the moon the sea the earth our Mother. (as they get older we will have more age appropriate discussions.) When my son was in school, another boy had told him that everything was made from god who was a man and there is no such thing as a goddess. my son asked the boy why he had a mommy then and not two daddies! Lol (a child can even recognize this!) He asked me why the boy thought there was no Mother~ I told him that long ago some people tried to explain -why we are here- and wrote a book called the bible. But these people didn’t understand everything that makes us who we are. They told the people that a man made the world in 7 days- in hope to explain how we all got here. They told the people that this way the ONLY way and they punished those who question it. Since then -this is the only thing many people have been taught to believe. (I hate that I said it but…) I told him to not talk about the goddess at school because so many people don’t know of her and people are scared of what they don’t understand! I told him that I hope one day people will have the chance to learn of her. What is most appalling to me is that even at a fragile age- children understand better then most brainwashed adults!

This being a child, I thought this story was somewhat cute... However I would have been royally pissed off to hear an adult had pushed a bible on my son! I’m not surprised that it scared him. I have done religious studies for 6 years now and some of the most horrible teachings come from the bible. (I will admit…there are also very beautiful stories in the bible.) when ever my kids ask religious "GOD" questions I make sure to bring up other religions and point out how different all of them really are. I point out that when you take away the bells in whistles tho~ everyone is ultimately talking about the same amazing force. That really we all believe in the same God~ its just explained differently from culture to culture!

Permalink Reply by Belinda Miller on May 18, 2010 at 5:31pm

I have told my son that religion is just how people say I love you to the Divine and that everyone has their own way of saying and showing their love, but it doesn't make any one way better. So too is there no one or better religion.
I am not upset at the woman herself, but I am tired of constantly being bombarded by people with good intentions who are trying to convert me, or my kids. The way I see it, I don't preach my beliefs to them, they should give me the same respect. I am all too familier with the bible as my Grandma and Grandpa were sunday school teachers, and I plan on teaching my son about Christianity. My son is a very sensitive happy guy, and I try everything in my power to encourage him to have his own thoughts and opinions and to keep an open dialogue with me. I just don't want anyone to stifle or exploit his good nature. I am a mamma bear.

Permalink Reply by Rev PJ Hertzberg, HP on May 30, 2010 at 8:17am

Yes, when my daughter was about 6 the Christian fundy neighbor gave her one of those bible track pamplets saying she was going to burn in hell as a sinner. I went off on him and told him point blank her mother and I would handle her religious upbringing. Good of you to stand your ground.

It would be amazing if folks would follow the teachings of their own religions.

Blessings!

Permalink Reply by Faolan Moonwing on July 13, 2010 at 1:27pm