Pagans and atheists, how many of you are parents?

I'm not a parent, but I can empathise with your 'awkward'

sense-ness.

I feel that "ooohing and aaahing ... etc" is a sub-text sort

of "group" inclusion-test thing, "code-wording".

It's a no-win situation for 'outsiders'.

Times are changing, and I feel that you are right to teach

your children about the various religions. It's always struck

me that "deciding" upon path-selection is a tough decision

to make at a young age, since kids can't really forsee the

impact that such decisions can have.

(and many adults can't either)

but, by rights, that's "your lot in life" for all of us

Heilsan,

Currently I am the father to two very intelligent and active young males whom each have their own personalities. Religion is a topic which little is made of in our household. I am Germanic Folkway, my wife is pretty much disinterested, and the boys are left to their own devices, save when they ask questions or wish to know things.

Thankfully I've never had the issue that other parents have been overly religious, certainly the children have had some friends whose family is particularly religious, but for me, this is less of a consideration as long as a peoples religion isn't shoved down my or my children's throat.

Indeed, I can see how you could become annoyed with matters, given that they aren't bothered by religious overtones in everything, because the religious overtones are specifically directed at them and their belief systems.

Unfortunately, the simple fact of the matter is that as they are the majority in our society at the moment, we tend to have to put up with it to a degree.

I may be a mother some day, but not for a very long time. I do have a son online though. It started out as one of those just-for-fun online family things, and well, here we are years later and he regards me as a second mother. His parents raised him Catholic, and he knows I'm Pagan. We avoid the subject of religion for the most part. He has come to me for help on school projects, or when someone says something about a religion he knows nothing about. I try to be an unbiased source.

And, OMG how could you NOT like Larry the Cucumber!! lol. =P

Mom of one here. What?? You don't love Veggie Tales? What's wrong with you?

Seriously, I tried to do a local moms group when I first moved to this area and the talk of recipes and magazines drove me up the wall. I left before it turned into churchy talk. I'm a stay at home mom, but one that puts on Iggy Pop and The Rolling Stones during the day.

I am on an adoption forum where there are several people who have to bring God into every little thing. I tend to just ignore it and I rarely go to that forum. But it does get annoying because I fail to see why you need to bring Jesus into a conversation about an unpleasant incident at Walmart with your multi racial family. So yeah, I hear what you're saying but I rarely say anything. I just ignore it unless it's offensive.

wiccan Priest I converted from Christianity at the age of 16 I am 27 now and a parent unlike the other when my child becomes old enough I will let them choose for them self what path is the best for them i hated as a child being forced to go to church I dreaded Sunday morning I don't wish that on my kids so you are not alone just most pagans dont advertise who they are cause well we dont have the need to recruit when the time is right the lord and lady will let them know

My mom did no longer believe what I had chosen on an analogous time as my father no longer too chuffed the two nonetheless suggested it became my determination. My mom nonetheless tries to instruct me decrease back to christianity. i presumed i became an Atheist till now yet now i think of from the ideals i've got consistently had that i'm a Pagan.

I am, but I am fine with others beliefs. There are some Atheist Parenting boards out there.

I just either leave the conversation, stay silent, or change the subject. They have the right to ohh over whatever they want.

I have not been blessed with children yet.. but hopefully some day. ps. I like Veggie Tales. I think it's funny and the songs are really well written. I am pagan.

I am not a parent yet, but I intend to have a child in the future!

I personally want my children to be exposed to books teaching them things such as manners, rather than religion.

I actually know of one site I will definitely use towards my advantage while raising a child one day, and that is www.evolvefish.com - they have great tools to teach children, as well as adults!

I have two sons. The older one is 14 and younger one is 13. The younger one we adopted when he was 11. He came from a catholic family. I've always told him he is more then welcome to attend church with my catholic family members. He refuses. My 14yr old is an Atheist and has made that decision on his own. My husband is religious so it's really up to them, not me.

Other peoples opinions don't bother me. I tell them to go blow.