Pagan and Proud

[XanderAmon]

I am attending an Intensive program for young actors, and today we did an excersize wherein we had to name something we wanted everyone to know about ourselves, and something we didn't want everyone to know about ourselves.

"What I want you to know about me is I am a Neo-Pagan and I am sick and tired of being ashamed of it."

:thewave:

I have officially begun my journey out of the broom closet!

[KellyP]

*hands XanderAmon the Pagan With Pride button

Glad to have you out of the broom closet.:woot:

[Sionnach le Fey]

You go girl! _handclapp :abanana: :fpartyfav

[Ishtara]

:thumbsup:

Excellent! I am glad for you that you did it!

[Sun_and_Saturn]

WWWWwwoooooooooooooooooohhhhoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

[Auroro]

Awesome, I'm glad you did. If people ask me my religion (a topic which I usually bring up, religion, because I like to discuss religions, it's a thing I have researched and know a lot about and about a lot of different religions...) I tell them the truth, some ask me what it is, some already know... some people try to lecture me on the bible and don't get it that I was raised baptist until I was 14 (I am 16 now)....

Blessed be,
Vedel
:elf:

[Pure Ahimsa]

:)

[vampy_gurrl]

Yay, congrats!!

[lia_amberwolf]

yay!!!! i remember the day i came out of the broom closet... isnt it a great feeling?!?!?

[Auroro]

Aye, yes it is... I did just about a week and a half ago. Even gave my mom a book to read that is directed to non-wiccans and doesn't try to teach them how to be wiccan... just shows them the wiccan's viewpoint.. Called "Wicca Demystified" by Bryon something.

Blessed be,
Vedel
:elf:

[x_pixiedust_x]

Congrats :) what you said was really brave

[Loopaleigh]

_handclapp Woot! Good for you!

[*Rain*]

Good for you Xander! :thewave:

[Kadynas]

:thumbsup: Congrats!

[DancingCrow3]

It's a great feeling to come out, but then you have to realize that most people have a mindset that expects proselytization, and sometimes they automatically suspect that is what you are doing. You can throw them the standard lines about everybody having a right to their own religion, all paths are right to it's adherents, all religions should be respected, until you're blue in the face, but they still won't get it. Some will, but some won't. And as Scott Cunningham said, really, most people probably don't really care. Otherwise, it's good to be able to be able to be yourself, openly.

[Moonravin]

Wohoo! *clap clap clap* Good job :D Proud and true!

I never really had a broom closet... my parents were Catholic and put my brothers and me through the school system because it was better. But since I was young my parents let all of us follow whatever path we wanted. I remember one night at the dinner table... I was 12, my older brother was 14, he perked up and told everyone he had began his journey to becoming Buddhist. It was that night that I thought to myself "there has to be a classification for what I am..." so I perked up next and announced I was following a Pagan path. My youngest brother looked at us both, thought for a minute, then spoke "I'm following the light" ... I don’t think my parents have ever been so proud to have such independent self-thinking children! :)

[SwordsFlameSong]

HUAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was never really in the broom closet but I know many pagans who still are and it is a hard thing to do in our society. I am very pleased that you were able to take that step. You may take some hits over it - but, IMO - it is better than hiding who you are. :boing:

[fangedeshana]

I was/am in the same boat as SwordFlameSong, I never was in the closet. I picked it up with my whole family knowing, and didnt hide information I took to school and read, etc. If anyone actually noticed and asked what I was reading, I'd tell them and most of them were fairly interested in the subject.

Congrats, it must feel great to not feel so restricted! :) Be proud!

[jetzige]

*applauds* I admire you. Most of my friends and family know. Only a couple people I work with know because I honestly think I would lose my job if I publicized it at work. I'm proud of you.

[Kiss of Flames]

:colorful: :fpraiseyo :bouncybob
I am very proud of anyone coming out of the closet. I myself was raised by baptists but my grandmother was wiccan and before she died (at the time I was 7 when she passed) she taught me what she could. I spent my time from then on gaining all that I could and I chose wicca over the baptist belief in the end. To my parents I have kept it hidden until recently. Although they made me end my relationship with the man I loved because he too was wiccan and although they force the bible and church on me, I still feel free. I know that it is a hard journey coming out sometimes, but is a good one to take. All that you learn from this take as a gaining and a fullfilment and it will mean oh so much more. Best wishes and witches of support on your journey. Don't run too fast! May you be blessed
Kiss Of Flames