How do you (or would you) go about teaching/including your child about your practice/beliefs? Well, I don't even want kids. But...on the hypothetical, I would first off, teach my child to respect nature. To respect the earth. To explain how we are all connected and that life, no matter what it's form, is still life. I would explain to them that belief is personal and that there is no wrong inner faith. That all religions do are attempt to wrangle people together under ths same inner faith and that it's not neccesary. You don't have to think like anyone else in your belief. That we can only each personally touch the face of "god" in our own way. I would introduce them to the concept of the sacred earth as a means of celebrating that faith.
What kind of coming of age ritual might you suggest for your child and how would you approach them about it? I have no idea. I never went through anything like that. I suppose it would matter to a degree on the gender, age, and outlook of the child. Getting a special peice of symbolic jewelry (something "adult" or with real metals/gems) might be one way. Taking them out for a night to a special place, the woods, the beach, etc., where we could talk and offer dedication might be another. I don't know. I suppose it could be as formal or simple as the child wished.
What might you tell them about being a Pagan in a Christian-centric community? Well that first off, numbers don't make it right, nor make it required. That people are welcomed to believe anything they wish. To not be ashamed of their faith, nor hide in embarrasment. I would remind them that it's ok to enjoy the "general public's" holidays because most are either Pagan in origin, or are jointly celebrated. (i.e. there is no need to give up "christmas" and all the fun of the tree and whatnot, just the name changes) And I would remind them that there are good people and bad people in the world and it's not just their religion that defines them as such.
~ flowers bloom near Memory and Dream
at 7/5/2004 12:22:21 PM ~
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