Why not Witches?

[Hazel BlueMoon]

Is it just me or is it kind of hard to be a proud, out of the broom closet Witch? I mean, there's things out there like "Christian _____" always advertised on things like computer, t.v., etc....I don't know, it's wierd. Also in the media like people are so proud to be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddist, etc....but you never hear about Pagan or Wiccan or Witch. I really hate it. It infuriates me. I don't know...
Blessed Be.

[Dio]

I don't think it really matters. Yes, there are certain lables that are more widely accepted. But in the long run, it doesn't really matter whether or not the rest of the world accepts the lable you place on yourself. It is just a lable afterall.

I identify myself as a witch. Do I get angry that that particular lable isn't accepted by mainstream? No. Reason being, a lot of pagans can't even accept the word. Why should the rest of the world? I really could care less if anyone identifies me as a witch or not. I'm sure I'm identified as all sorts of different things. Hell, crackpot comes to mind. Do I care? Not one bit.

[Baye]

I totally know where you are coming from.
I hve a few close friends who are Pagan and this is what I have heard from them.
People accuse them of shoving their religion in other people's faces if they where their pentacle or have a Pagan oriented bumper sticker.
But no one seems to take notice or say Jews nd Christians are shoving their religion by wearing a Star of David or a cross.

It's sometimes because of that people often lay low about their faith.


Baye

[Toby Stimpson]

Well, you have to look at it in a few different ways...

a. Paganism is at the moment a fringe group in that, although there are a lot of members, in most countries it doesnt exceed a million people, and in a huge country that is important.
b. We do have some things, but you can be proud without having to outwardly show it. I've seen bumber stickers, signs, msn names hehe, all sorts of things really. I think, if anything what would allow this is if we did have teleivision shows that show us...and right now apart from a collection of television specials not a lot focusses on Paganism.
c. In someways, having the need to show soemthing or show that you are proud of who you are openly...denotes a certain lack of self esteem and security in what you believe. I dont necessarily think that an outward showing of faith is always what people think it is...its just like sexual orietntation an outward expression of that personally I think levels the playing field and shows what is normal to us, others as Baye commented on think that this is 'shoving it in people's faces'. If I was a sh** disturberer then I would so walk down my stree in my small town and flirt with every passing guy from my highschool (oh wait, I did hmmm) and wear plate size pentacles or AUM symbols. I think its what you feel compfy with./...but again in mass media Paganism is still fringe really, but I dont think we should care hwta people say if we want to show soemthing off.

Namaste

Tobias

[BohemianMare]

Part of the reason is because most people just hear the word "witch" or "pagan" and assume it's devil worshippers. The Abrahamic faiths have gone a long way to not only say their way is the only way, but also to discredit any other paths, especially polythestisc/earth based, as evil. There's been a big smear campagin that has lasted centuries.

But I think most of us can see the tides are slowly changing, as I personally think it's going to take a rise in the "fringe" faiths to get this earth back on track. So stay optimistic! It's okay we're not counted very often, because no news is good news. I'd rather hear nothing about my faith then the lies that are spread about it by misunderstanding indiviuals.

[cheddarsox]

If you don't want the "fringe" to speak for you, speak for yourself.

In other words...the "fringe" those who don't care what other think...may not be the best or most representative voice for your trad...but they are often the loudest. If you don't want those on the outside to judge you by the example of the fringe, then perhaps you need to come out of the closet and make some noise of your own. Or use a word to describe yourself and your trad that will represent you more as you wish to be represented.

cheddar

[Vigdisdotter]

I'm neither in nor out of the broom closet. I don't' believe the broom closet exists. It's like anything else in my life, some people i will share it with and others I won't.

Last night I went to a friend's birthday party at the local bar and grill. I was wearing my pent. We were talking about problems in the local community. No one was hiding anything. But neither were we in anyone's face.

I'm proud to be me and it shows through in everything I do. I don't have to grab people by the shoulder and tell them.

[jcldragon]

When I'm introduced to perform in the Ding Dong Show, Don Barris (Windy City Heat), always tells the audience that I not only combine Martial Arts, Modern Dance & cutting edge comedy, but I'm also a Witch, I can talk with Trees, a Massage Therapist, and I take care of my 84 year old Mother.

How's that for being out of the Broom Closet?

BTW, one of my best friends on the show is an Orthodox Rabbi...

[bbnflpn]

it is hard, i am not in the broom closet, but i have to becareful too. i have resently lost a job because (yah and i cant proove it) i was in a newpaper article about the group that i help orginize. we had a gathering and the papers were there. http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=130443 i was named by name, the article ran on a monday and i was told not to return that friday, after being there for 2 months and them calling weekly to say how much they liked me. i cant help but wonder.

i feel that if they were that uncomfortable with me then i dont need to be there. (even though it bugs me deeply)

as much as i try not to be angry at one group of people because of a few that do not accept me for who i am (i have also lost jobs cuase of my handicap) it is very hard to keep an open mind.

it hurts me to know that i cant wear my pentacle when ever i want, i have to take it off for job interviews, and i dont wear it when i start working at a new place, i dont talk about religon, (i guess the pentacle and triple goddess on the back of my car give me away)

[Astara Seague]

I am a witch, I wear my pentacle daily, except when I am with my parents out of respect, then I wear it under my shirt, its something they know about but do not accept, they call me "gifted" if anyone asks
I have never had problems from anyone, a few weird looks, but mostly it has brought other witches to me, to me its like the ones that wear their crucifixs all the time, I have just as much right as they do,
Also I only tell the people I choose to, or if they ask me questions, I dont need get in everyones face to let them know,

[David19]

Why does anyone need to shove their religion into the public, i know Christians, Muslims, Jew's, etc who don't 'advertise' their religion and keep it to theirselves, that's what we ('pagans') should do too, religion doesn't matter when it comes to the 'bigger picture', there are more important things.

[Autumn-Forest]

I am a witch, and proud of it, but I do not force it down everyone's throats. In this tiny little town, I get persecuted day-in and day-out. I get called "devil worshipper" and "Satanist", it makes no sense because the concepts totally escape me. :/

I wear a rather large pentacle around my neck and a pentacle engagement ring, I've been asked what they stand for, only to be shot down, telling me that I am a Satanist. :/ I can't see how anyone can tell YOU what religious path you are! This infuriates me.

I am very proud that I am a witch, the knowledge, wisdom, love, peace and beauty of it all blows my mind, and I am so glad to be a part of it. The pagan/witch community is so friendly and accepting. I am glad to be a part of the open minded community! :)

I think we should all just accept that other people have other religions and leave at that. Unless you are going to make intelligent conversation with flaming and hating about the other person. :)

brightest blessings,
Autumn