So I was at school today...

[MentalCensorship]

I was, believe it or not. Anyways, I was sporting a pentacle necklace today. I got the few stupid reactions from it (such as "I didn't know you were jewish") but what was more surprising was the fact that there are so many people at the school (girls mostly) who really wish to be Wiccans, but either lack the courage or permission to become one.

I wish parents were more open to religion as mine are.

[Angelus_Errare]

yeah... my parents don't like the idea that I am pagan. But they can't do crap about it :lol: I agree with you though I wish ALL people were more open towards others religions but I don't think that will ever happen.

[WhiteRavenBran]

I was, believe it or not. Anyways, I was sporting a pentacle necklace today. I got the few stupid reactions from it (such as "I didn't know you were jewish") but what was more surprising was the fact that there are so many people at the school (girls mostly) who really wish to be Wiccans, but either lack the courage or permission to become one.

I wish parents were more open to religion as mine are.

I was lucky enough to have one parent (the one I lived with at the time) who was very open and understanding during my transition into paganism, so I know what a wonderful thing that can be! (Especially when compared to the other parent, who I now live with, who doesn't understand and acts like I'm some kind of freak!).

Maybe you've given those kids some courage to enable them to explore Wicca more seriously... :-)

[RogueSpirit]

It appears that many parents believe having total control over the lives and decisions of their children, sometimes well into adulthood, is the right way to parent them. Unfortunately, that kind of control can and often does have huge negative repurcussions. The children who rebel the most in the most self destructive ways are usually the ones with the strictest parents.

As a parent myself, I try to guide my daughter in the right direction. I do so by suggesting that some other options may not have been considered and that she should weigh these options before making her final decision. I also believe that until she is about 12 or 13, I am a manager. I don't own her or her thoughts and beliefs, but I do have rules of behavior I expect her to follow. I try to be reasonable about those things because I know what it's like to deal with unreasonable parents (both mine and those of other parents). I am only human, but I do try to keep some balance there. As she reaches maturity, I will lessen the reigns and become more of a consultant. If I did my job well, she will have learned how to use logic to figure out her options and the consequences of her actions and that she must be responsible for decisions she makes and the consequences.

I have gotten kind of miffed about someone teaching her Abrahamic, specifically Christian, beliefs without consideration for my wishes. I haven't figured out where the information is coming from and when I do (I have my suspicions), something will be done about it. But my initial reaction to it was to keep from throwing a fit that she seemed to believe (not to offend anyone, but it is what I thought) this drivel. And then I realized that this was not the kind of parent I want to be. She is only six, but who am I to deny her the right to believe as she wishes, to form her own opinions? So I kept my mouth shut about my initial reaction and left it alone for the moment. And in time, I will discuss various other beliefs with her without denying her the belief she expressed at that time. In honesty, though, this wasn't easy to let go of. So I understand why these parents would behave the way they do, even if I don't agree with them.

[Teresa]

I believe children should have the freedom to explore other religions than the ones their parents practice and see what is right for them. I am very thankful that I was allowed to do this when I was growing up.I am not sure if my Mom did it because of my multi cutural heritage or not,but I admire her for letting me learn and grow.

[arctic splash]

I was, believe it or not. Anyways, I was sporting a pentacle necklace today. I got the few stupid reactions from it (such as "I didn't know you were jewish") but what was more surprising was the fact that there are so many people at the school (girls mostly) who really wish to be Wiccans, but either lack the courage or permission to become one.

I wish parents were more open to religion as mine are.

:)

Maybe it wasn't such a stupid question. Isn't the pentagram also an important symbol in Judaism? At least, I know that it used to be, and a lot of Jewish pottery found by archeologists was found to be inscribed with pentagrams. I don't know how the pentagram relates to modern Judaism, though, although I'm sure it does... anyone know?

(And no, I'm not confusing a pentagram with a Star of David). ;)

[Aelfoak]

:)

Maybe it wasn't such a stupid question. Isn't the pentagram also an important symbol in Judaism? At least, I know that it used to be, and a lot of Jewish pottery found by archeologists was found to be inscribed with pentagrams. I don't know how the pentagram relates to modern Judaism, though, although I'm sure it does... anyone know?

(And no, I'm not confusing a pentagram with a Star of David). ;)The Jewish symbol is the Hexagram and is associated with the Biblical Solomon and is also used in mainly Witchcraft rituals, but i think that this is called the Hexagon or Seal of Solomon when used in Ritual Magick, and represents Divine Union, being composed of a female, watery triangle, and a male, fiery triangle. The traditional elemental triangles of earth, air, water, and fire are derived from the seal. The Hexagram is also represented in the Hindhu belief too.

[Serendipity]

My parents never said much about religion. They're Jewish, but allowed me the freedom to do what I wished with it. My dad freaked out when I told him I was researching paganism. My mom freaked out when I told her I was atheist. LOL My poor aunt (who is a kitchen witch, she just doesn't know it) is still praying for my soul LOL

[Aleigh]

I didn't become a Pagan until I was an adult, but I still feel lucky that my husband and at least one of my parents totally support me. I think it's sad that parents try to keep their kids from following their path. My husband and I plan to let our sons decide for themselves what religion (if any) they want to follow. We've got a pretty big collection of books about several different religions. When they get curious we plan to encourage them to look into all of them and decide what's best for them. And I don't think they're ever too young to decide, as long as they have the information to make the decision. I think it's our jobs as parents just to make sure they have access to the info they need, not to make up their minds for them.