Comments on: Can Pagan Families Sustain A Faith? http://wildhunt.org/blog/2006/12/can-pagan-families-sustain-faith.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:15:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Angela http://wildhunt.org/blog/2006/12/can-pagan-families-sustain-faith.html/comment-page-1#comment-706 Angela Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:55:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2006/12/can-pagan-families-sustain-a-faith.html#comment-706 I was raised in the Spiritualist church by two Spiritualist ministers. As a young teen, I went searching for my own spirituality, but I think the impetus was partially that there were no other people my own age in our church. <br /><br />I understand being raised in a "fringe" religion in a small conservative town. Yes, you do have to take precautions, but I learned from my parents that lying about or hiding your faith, especially from your own children, means you feel that you have something to hide, and is always more suspicious than being a minority religion. <br /><br />Going to Christian churches for about 3 years gave me the social aspects I wanted, but also left me cold theologically. I realized that to "become saved" meant that I had to reject some of the teachings of my parents that I cherished. That I wouldn't do. I don't know that I would have made the decision to keep searching and not sign on as Christian if I had not had the context of the religious values of my family religion. I was raised in the Spiritualist church by two Spiritualist ministers. As a young teen, I went searching for my own spirituality, but I think the impetus was partially that there were no other people my own age in our church.

I understand being raised in a “fringe” religion in a small conservative town. Yes, you do have to take precautions, but I learned from my parents that lying about or hiding your faith, especially from your own children, means you feel that you have something to hide, and is always more suspicious than being a minority religion.

Going to Christian churches for about 3 years gave me the social aspects I wanted, but also left me cold theologically. I realized that to “become saved” meant that I had to reject some of the teachings of my parents that I cherished. That I wouldn’t do. I don’t know that I would have made the decision to keep searching and not sign on as Christian if I had not had the context of the religious values of my family religion.

]]> By: Noddy http://wildhunt.org/blog/2006/12/can-pagan-families-sustain-faith.html/comment-page-1#comment-705 Noddy Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:35:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2006/12/can-pagan-families-sustain-a-faith.html#comment-705 I raised my children Pagan in what some would call the buckle of the Bible Belt - Oklahoma (I think Texas, and maybe Kansas are closer, but we're between them, so, maybe). They went to public schools, had friends from all walks of life, and we never suffered any harrasment that wasn't quickly quashed by teachers or other adults in hearing range. <br /><br />They've all explored other religions, and decided upon their own versions as adults - and they've all decided to remain Pagan in one form or another. It makes family gatherings interesting - and often brings us closer together sharing the bonds of belief.<br /><br />None of my children have faced any sort of harrasment in college or their jobs, either.<br /><br />I know some people are fearful of raising their minority religion child in a majority religion culture, but it's not only possible, I think it benefits the children in ways new parents can't even begin to imagine. I raised my children Pagan in what some would call the buckle of the Bible Belt – Oklahoma (I think Texas, and maybe Kansas are closer, but we’re between them, so, maybe). They went to public schools, had friends from all walks of life, and we never suffered any harrasment that wasn’t quickly quashed by teachers or other adults in hearing range.

They’ve all explored other religions, and decided upon their own versions as adults – and they’ve all decided to remain Pagan in one form or another. It makes family gatherings interesting – and often brings us closer together sharing the bonds of belief.

None of my children have faced any sort of harrasment in college or their jobs, either.

I know some people are fearful of raising their minority religion child in a majority religion culture, but it’s not only possible, I think it benefits the children in ways new parents can’t even begin to imagine.

]]> By: Stephanie http://wildhunt.org/blog/2006/12/can-pagan-families-sustain-faith.html/comment-page-1#comment-704 Stephanie Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:44:00 +0000 http://wildhunt.org/blog/2006/12/can-pagan-families-sustain-a-faith.html#comment-704 Always nice to see a local mention!<br />I feel very fortunate here in NH to be able to practice more openly if I so choose. Over the last 20 years I have seen the state's Pagan population flourish. While we are not in the bible belt we have a strong influx of transplants bringing that mentality with them. It shall be interesting how everything evolves by the time my 7 yr old is grown and on her own path. Always nice to see a local mention!
I feel very fortunate here in NH to be able to practice more openly if I so choose. Over the last 20 years I have seen the state’s Pagan population flourish. While we are not in the bible belt we have a strong influx of transplants bringing that mentality with them. It shall be interesting how everything evolves by the time my 7 yr old is grown and on her own path.

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