Wicca Wiccans Pagans and Free Souls.. live different.. be Neopagan!
A few questions
To begin, I live in a small town where most people are closed minded. They believe their way is the right and only way. Most people in this town are Christian, Baptist or Catholic. If they hear that there is someone who does not believe in God or worships in a different way from theirs, they try and pin their beliefs on them. And this is mostly the Christians. (I'm Not saying that all Christians or any other religion is like this)
When they hear the word Wicca they think evil. I try hard to keep a positive mind about things, but it is hard when they say mean things about how others think or believe. My step-father happens to be one of the closed minded people. Well, instead of me rambling on and on; I would like to ask a few questions.
1. How do people react to you when you tell them your beliefs?
2. What do you say or do if they act negative or rude?
3. Is your family against your beliefs?
4. How do you react to others' beliefs (if different from yours)?
When they hear the word Wicca they think evil. I try hard to keep a positive mind about things, but it is hard when they say mean things about how others think or believe. My step-father happens to be one of the closed minded people. Well, instead of me rambling on and on; I would like to ask a few questions.
1. How do people react to you when you tell them your beliefs?
2. What do you say or do if they act negative or rude?
3. Is your family against your beliefs?
4. How do you react to others' beliefs (if different from yours)?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by erthgoddss on
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I know what you are talking about! I am much older than you.. but am still a solitary witch living in an ultra-conservative mostly catholic state.
1. Perhaps because I am older... I get a little more respect when I state my beliefs. I still get the odd look or the raised eyebrows... but I simply make a joke out of it.. something like.. yeah I am a witch.. but NOT like Harry Potter.. it usually makes them laugh.
2) If they are negative or rude about it... I revert to facts.Recently I was "condemned to hell" My response was why would you do that? I am a witch and I never threatened to put a spell on you! There was no response from the other person. My current roommate is a "Christian" (she says she is... I have seen no evidence of it) who dislikes my path. We discussed how we can agree to disagree on this. But is was a discussion where I was not going to back down.. and she knew that... so it was either agree to it or move out.
3) YUP! Actually out of 6 siblings.. only one is still on speaking terms with me, She is VERY Christian.. so we had to come to an agreement that I respect her right to believe as she does... as long as she gives me that same respect. The one who condemned me to hell? That was my other sister... who is no longer speaking to me because of the way I voted... that is why she says I will burn in the Christian hell. Again, because of my age, I find it easier to "write off" people who give me a hard time about my path. If they can't respect that aspect of me.. what aspect of me do the respect? Most people have learned that I will not bend to their will... so stop trying.
4) I think everyone has the right to believe as they will. I don't argue the point... as long as I am treated respectfully I will treat others that same way.
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Permalink Reply by Hunter on
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1. I don't broadcast my religion much. I first get to know someone if there open minded then I will let them know if not hush hush
2. Smile, Blessed Be, What does your bible say about how your acting and judging right now? Isn't that your gods job?
Turn there own religion against them.
3. Wife supports me, rest of the family does not know. What they don't know can't hurt them, and wont piss me off.
4. There religion is there own until it steps on mine then, I try to kill them with kindness first and if that dosn't work then the gloves come off.
You will find close minded people in every religion, do your best to avoid these people but if they pin you into a corner stand up for yourself. Most you will never win an argument with so don't think your going to, "think of it like talking to your wall", but you can make the experience so uncomfortable for them that they think twice before trying to step on your toes again.
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Permalink Reply by Ffawn on
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1- Scared or inquisitive 2 Usually they ask if I am a devil worshipper, when I say no they ask, What do you believe? or Do you believe in God? I just simply say, I believe there is only one creator. and leave it at that. 3 my parents have both passed and I do not really associate with the rest of my family, except for my little sis, who is finding her path at present. 4 I give them respect because I want them to give me respect. I believe they are allowed to have their own beliefs, just as I am. I agree to disagree with them and try to change the subject...lol Alot of people do not even know what Pagan means !
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Permalink Reply by Wren Ravenheart on
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As a fellow Texan, I share your pain. Here are my answers:
1. I've gotten so many reactions ranging from "Hey, that's really neat!" to "Oh? That's nice." to them looking me in the eye and saying something along the lines of "I am so sorry that your soul is black and empty and you will spend eternity writhing in hell." Yes, it's been bad at times.
2. When negativity and rudeness come into play, sometimes it's best not to say anything. Especially in Texas. The wrong thing in a small town leads to hate crimes. Take care of yourself first. Sometimes people are better off not knowing about you.
3. I am very lucky to be a second-generation pagan as well as a member of the family that helped found and run the Church of All Worlds. (Not saying I follow in that interesting set of beliefs, they can be a little...odd at times) And it's wonderful to have family that not only knows, but shares my views and beliefs.
4. I have been raised and taught all my life that tolerance is one of the most important virtues in life, along with honesty and integrity and leaving the world a little better than you found it, even if it's just picking up after someone else. I embrace all religions and thought paths. To be honest, the only times I find myself upset is when I see someone who is very obviously using my religious symbol as a mark of satanism. I can be a little protective of my faith when I see someone mangling it. Other than that I am very open. It is the best way to live.
If any of this helped you, I'm glad. Keep in mind my answer to number 2. If they can drag people behind trucks for being homosexual, they can certainly shoot you for being pagan. Watch out for yourself first. When in small bible belt towns, there's always the threat of violence against you and yours if the wrong fanatic finds out. A very sad, but very true, fact of life in the south.
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Permalink Reply by Rowan Canterbury on
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1. I have been pagan my whole life and I am now a ripe 42. When I was young you just didn't talk about it. Now it is Fantastic because there are so many of us...it is like an awakening. I think it is all in how you present yourself. I don't believe in going to extremes to prove I am who I am...I wear a pentacle and always have. I don't dye my hair black and if I did it would not be to prove a religious point..it would be because I want black hair...When most people meet me they think...My what a nice Irish Catholic girl...and I like to let them get to know me then spring the pagan thing on them...because then they LIKE me...and that means...OH MY...maybe they were wrong to judge others....
2. I say...I'm not a good witch or a bad witch..I am a sandwitch..!!!! Seriously I like to just remind them Hitler was Catholic...and you are either a good person or a bad person...you can use any religious name you want..it is what you DO that defines who you are...
3. Most of my family is pagan and the ones that are not are atheist or agnostic.
4. I love UM..I eat that shit up...I think it is great to learn. I was raised in a very Amish community...and I mean that literally..I speak Amish..and had Amish babysitters my whole life. I LOVE PEOPLE... not religions and I think that we all have something to share. If I am getting offended it must mean I don't have enough of a core and FEAR something...Fear is a BAD thing...it kills the mind and is usually the root of ignorance...
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Permalink Reply by kat bruce on
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merry meet!
i'm in a situation much like yours! i live in a small-ish town and my familys christian. or at least most of them. i dont tell a lot of people about my beliefs due to the fact that my town is quite close minded... i was jumped for dating someone black a few years ago and decided it was best to keep my differences to myself. i only tell people i trust about my beliefs. and there attitudes have never been bad, they always ask questions. only once have i had to defend myself from negitive comments. when someone acts rude or negitive its best to be positive and ignore there ignorance. i always let it drop or act like i dont hear them. unless they really want to talk. my family doesn't know much about my beliefs-- they would freak out, but it doesnt matter much to me. i respect other peoples beliefs. i dont think one person has the right to tell another that their beliefs are wrong... it seems quite barbaric, and its just plain rude. i listen and ask questions some times... and thats about it
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