Terry, it was specified at the beginning of the post that this was a copy of an article that the person posting did not write, and added the copyright information so as not to be incriminated. Just because we practice Magic does not mean you are outside of State or Federal laws, and Copyright is taken very serious. In addition, the actual writer of this article is a member of this site, and it would be rude and disrespectful not to give credit, where credit is owed.
B.
I am friends and have worked with a couple of Priestesses in the past who do teach minors. From my experience I do not agree with teaching religion to minors however I can support of a familial decision to teach about religion to minors.
In my opinion it is not necessarily the best way, but I see no harm in it. A family of pagans might wish for their child to understand certain aspects of historical human kind which may often incorporate religious views, doctrines, tributary work, and widespread ideals.
As a fan of educating children, I'd say with an open-minded and knowledgeable guide being exposed to religion of any sort (even witchcraft, forms of paganism, metaphysics based paths, etc.) minors could easily prove themselves capable of high order thinking and analytically inclined intelligence.
The main goal I'd say is not to confuse children with the idea of religion. It takes serious and engaged caution not to warp the opinion of an adult individual with religious ideologies much more even for a minor or younger child.
However if such an event were to occur, (there are mistakes, no education is perfect) as long as said minor remains open to the world and at peace with both it and themselves I can still a happy future possible for them.
A family choice indeed, as mentioned by the original post. Every parent is different and so are their wishes for their children, but it can be hard to keep a child unknowing of something.
Kids a precocious, and that never shines brighter than when they want to know something about something from something they aren't allowed to. Am I right?
Those Priestesses I know do family seminars and have parents sample the information to provided at every seminar. It is also that parents read and sign documented agreement and approval before they join the teachings. These are tight nit mass community covens. It's really rather interesting. Though it is a little dangerous, thankfully they've had no trouble. I think the solidifying act is to require the presence of the parents since they're family seminars.
Beyond this practice (one on one/private lessons) I've yet to see a situation of teaching a minor (who isn't in their custody to begin with) about paganism end well.
Not that I know of. Most countries consider you a legal adult by at least 18, many younger. This defining factor is another reason I think parents may be overreacting in many situations, their offspring aren't necessarily too young to make their own decisions.
I think its rediculous how there's a magic number, and that until you reach that magic number people almost have a right to treat you like your completely incompetent. I continuously get this treatment even though I'm so close to "adulthood." But at least I'm close.
Dezzy you will be treated like that by people your entire life. It doesn't matter which age you are your competence will all ways be judged by others based on it. Whether you're too young to be experienced enough or you're too old to be aware of what's going on.
Re: teaching minors..... By: lindacash420 Moderator / Adept
Post # 20 Aug 05, 2013
opinions aside...the article simply points out the legal issues involved with teaching a minor. When one reaches the age of 18 in most places, ( the USA included) they are legally an adult and may work and pay rent and utilities and all those other adult things, they can also determine the rules of their own home and what they would like to study,etc. So do not be alarmed, if your parents object to magic or alternative religious study and training, you will be grown, a legal adult and able to be on your own and have adult responsibilities and make your own decisions in all things within at least the next 5 years ( our site age minimum being 13). Until then we all appear to have access to the internet and all the reference material it contains :)
