Ever hiding your faith?

[Rada]

I am relatively new to paganism and I wonder if you can speak openly about it in your society.Don't people take you for a satanist or somebody too hostile and dangerous for Christian society?

[Flaire-FireStar]

Most people around here are fairly accepting (people at the bookstore or library, etc, dont' really look at you funny and such).
Alot of the people at the school are fine with it as well. A girl in one of my classes a few years ago went right up in front of class and did a thing on her coven and everyone was fine with it (mind you, I was surprised at that...this place being mostly Christian & Sikh). :)

[Rada]

Flaire ,but do you tell your family you are pagan?Or someone in the community (exept your friends?)
Rada.

[Myst]

All my family, my fiance's family, all my friends, and probably half my hometown know I'm Pagan. I also wear a pentacle (or two) on a regular basis. Never had a problem with it.

[Twilight Garden]

Most people are aware that I'm Pagan. I don't really pay attention to the reaction of others when in public and speaking about the religion with my friends or family. Many people take it as though you are going through some strange phase when you first open up to the path. I didn't let them bother me. I let them think it was a phase if it made them feel better about it. Time will tell all. No need to get all fussy about it. My husband's family knows about my religion, but out of respect to them I don't discuss it with them. They like me as I am (religion and all) and I don't feel a need to make things uncomfortable for them.

(a side note:) My husband's family was at my house for dinner one night and my brother in law's 3 year old son saw a broom hanging on the wall in my house. He asked if it was a witches broom. They said it was sorta like one. Then he asked if I was a witch. Everybody got kinda quite, so I blurted out "Yes! I'm a wicked witch and I'm going to eat you all up because you are so sweet!" I chased him around a little and he was giggling the whole time. I always try to be honest but make other's comfortable with it, even if means making light of a situation.

[MammaStar]

Lunar--that was such a cute story!

Rada--IMO, i think it depends....for me...I'm not openly out...though the members here who have read posts from when I first got here, know I do keep it secret. It's more on a "don't ask, don't tell" thing. My Mom knows, & she's still not all that keen on it...every so often drops hints that I should just go to church "for my son's sake". I'm not sure about my Dad. My brothers kind of know & my boyfriend of course knows. he's not bothered by it at all (he's a member here too, just not all that active). I do try very hard, however, to keep it secret from my boyfriend's mom & twin brother. They are both very religious, the brother is "born again" and I KNOW it would offend them & cause a big headache for my honey, which is something he does not need from them right now.

The funniest thing (funny neat, not funny ha ha) yesterday. I took off from work for Ostara. Everyone just assumed (or at least I thought EVERYONE)I needed a day. When I got back on Thursday, one of the sales guys comes up to me and says "So, did you enjoy your holiday yesterday?". I thought that was very cool of him.

[Flaire-FireStar]

Originally posted by Rada
Flaire ,but do you tell your family you are pagan?Or someone in the community (exept your friends?)
Rada.

Yes..My (immediate) family knows that I'm a pagan, and they're fine with it. My mom challenged me on certain things at first, but I really think she's starting to get used to it. ;)

[shnen]

Rada,
I have told my closest and dearest friends - and they weren't suprised at all, becasue they are my closest and dearest friends, they sorta knew.
I doubt I will ever tell my family, they already know I'm not christian, but if they knew I was Wiccan they would try to do some funky christian ritual on me and stuff. So I choose not to tell them, for my sanity.;) (They are die hard Pentecostals...:eek: )

[Chibi-Fallon]

I would like to wear a pentacle and all that good stuff around but I'd just feel so stupid. I saw this one really preppy looking one which was really cute and I would wear but I never got around to asking where she got it.
When I wear one of those big dark black pentacles I just feel like a stupid Gothic "pay attention to me I can scare you with a big piece of jewelry" person. And I hate feeling like that. That's also why I can't write poems. I know it's melodramatic teen crap. I just know it in the back of my brain and I can't do it. It's like giving a gun to a five year old. It just shouldn't be done but yet people do it. But hey I support bad Gothic poetry. ;)

[CondurerMan]

I havn't tald my (immidiate) family yet because i don't think they will handle it as good some of my friends.
To be honest i don't think i'll ever tell them really what i'm up to.

I tried telling my brother and he tald me it's and i quate "A Phase your going through".

only one close friend of mine (that isn't wiccan) knows.

My advice is to forget about people who don't understand and don't want to.

[Nina]

...but I've spoken to my Dad about Sabbats as markers of the life-cycle of the earth, because he's a fantastic gardener, and loves growing things. I've spoken to my mother about meditation and visualisation techniques, because she has chronic health problems, and she's tried some techniques that work well. I'm not about to announce to either one of them that I'm 'A WITCH' because I don't see the point - it's just a name, and doesn't tell them anything about what I believe in. But by bringing things into their lives that make them interested, or have a good effect for them, is the best way of sharing my faith without giving them a freak-out! I've got them into burning candles to get rid of negativity - I've told them that candlelight always makes people feel better, and the last time I saw them, Mum told me that they have their own little routine (read: ritual!!!) of lighting candles when they have dinner, and it seems to make each dinner, even if it is only good old fish and chips, feel "special". A little candle magick going on, if ever I saw it!

Funnily enough, my boss knows I'm pagan, and is completely cool with it. I negotiated a big contract for the company the other day and he grinned at me and said 'you worked your magic there, didn't you!' I laughed and said 'so burn me at the stake for it!' - and please don't jump down my throat for saying it, it was just a little joke!!!

[*Adia*]

My immediate family and BEST friend knows I"m a pagan. My parents are happy that I've found 'something that will keep me out of trouble" :lol: but as for my sister, she likes to make jokes. I don't take them personally or anything, because she's usually really sarcastic, and the jokes are actually really funny. But still. The other night on TV there was something about hexes and curses...and she's like.."Hmmm..i bet Kim knows how to do all that stuff..evil stuff and torturing people" Honestly..my jaw hit the floor on that one. But other than that they pretty much know. My best friend thinks its cool, and likes that i'm this interested in something as well.
As for school and other friends, I haven't gotten around to "coming out of the broomcloset" yet with them. I just have some friends who...lets just say wouldn't appreciate me any more. :(
That's my two cents...

[MistOfTheSea86]

They say I dance naked LOL:D

[shnen]

what??? you don't dance naked? :p

[Emaleth]

Hi Rada!
I'm glad you decided to join in, you'll love it here!:wave:

As for the question: my family, except for my sister, doesn't know. Some of my friends know, but we don't discuss religion. Actually most of my friends are Christians and quite religious. Some of them "witnessed" my transition . Two were very supportive, but one guy used to make jokes like: can't you do magick to make the beans grow faster? (we were working on a farm). At first it infuriated me, but then I learnt not to take it personally.
I would love to tell my family, but I suspect some of them, like my grandmother wouldn't want to see me again if I told them I changed my faith:( But definitely, I'm going to tell my parents some day, maybe soon, I'm just thinking about the best way to do it. Any suggestions?:cool:

Blessed Be

[Rada]

Hey,everyone!
I was really very glad to read so many answers and must say I'm also glad so many people in your environment know you're pagan.
If it's difficult to tell it to your family at once just try to do it gradually, like telling that it's a nice thing to have our old religions here and the like.I told Mom I was very anxious about our environment and therefore my religion'll never let me harm it.She was pleased.I think Christians are simply frightened of Pagans.Somehow they feel paganism is mush more genuine and natural and aware of this danger.May be we should let them know we wont try to destroy there Sacred things - it's just that we are different.I told this my Mom and she respected it.
You should also have a sence of humour for not to take offences too often( like Lunar Mist did - I liked it)
Condurer - I was surprised to know there are pagans in Israel. How do you get along there?
Thanks again for answers.
All the best!

[Mythrel]

I appear to have stumbled across this post a bit late...
but for me, all of my friends know I am pagan. I have lost a couple who don't agree with it and have been to close minded to talk to me about it.
My immediate family knows I am pagan and have questioned me at every turn...
My extended family still doesn't know and I am inclined to keep it that way...

[WandererInGray]

*smiles* Hey there Rada!

I approached it in much the same way Nina did, for the same reasons. I thought it was a bit silly to just one day announce to the world "I'm a Witch!!!!" :rolleyes:

So instead I just started talking about things with my family and my friends, introducing them to this, that, and the other thing. *shrugs and grins*

It apparently worked, because my mother sent me a card the other day with some clippings and one was a letter to the editor by a woman who protested a journalist calling that rebirthing therapy "witchcraft". *smiles* She also sent me a clipping of that cute little sign that says "Witch Parking Only: all others will be toads" :rotfl:

*smiles* I have told one or two people outright. My best friend, and she was very happy that I'd found something that made me so happy.
*shrugs* And the other day a woman at work asked me about my OM tattoo on my shoulder and when I told her it was a Hindu symbol she asked if I was Hindu. It felt dishonest to say no, as in many ways I feel it now. The fact that I'm a Kitchen witch too I didn't think I needed to bring up! *grins*

[Sequoia]

I've told my immediate family (mom, dad, little brother), and it's not like I'd deny it if anyone asked. At the very least, it's real obvious that I'm "eccentric" hehe. Just my mannerisms and the way I dress say that enough ;)

the worst I"ve encountered so far is my dad saying I could get hurt because idiots would associate me with satan worshippers (I think my dad is genuinely concerned, and after about a year of me obviously not getting ratted on for being pagan, he doesn't seem as worried. He gives me freedom of choice, without really approving, but also without really disapproving, which oddly enough helps). My mom is just a moron. She never had a problem with it till I broke up with my boyfriend, and alluvasudden they were satan worshippers and witches and D&D was evil. . . -_-; her scapegoat-of-the-month. Oi. Like she's christian or anything else. . . :rolleyes:

And then we have my brother, asking me to turn his friends into frogs. . . -_-; dude I'm not a witch, I'm not wiccan, and I don't think ANYBODY can turn ANYBODY into a frog. Well. . . at least not me ;) My brother is just a pain in the *ss. ^^;;

this community is odd - you go out there, and about half the people you meet (especially downtown or at the colleges) are pagan.

now if ONLY I didn't live in a neighbourhood of catholics. . .8O

[Jasmine Star]

I got into the thread late. I have told my family and closest friends- alot of my friends still joke about it but they are not malicious about it so I don't mind I just joke back. My family are ok about it except my sister- she's one of those close minded people who think that wicca is not a real religion and I'm just messing around. We had a really big arguement the last time I was back- I think she was surprised I didn't back down. Only time will tell how things turn out with her.

[seawitch]

the only one in my family that doesn't know. is my MIL. although she thinks somethings up 'cause when she comes over, she'll point at my things like greenman and river goddess, and say that's from the devil.
i keep my books in my walk in closet so at least she hasn't saw those thank goddess!
she'd have the whole church praying for her sons salvation if she knew that i was pagan

[Emaleth]

Last week I told my friend and she was really great. It was thanks to MW, I was writing something here and she just dropped in and saw it, asked if I was a Pagan and I admitted. She told me she has another friend who is Pagan and offered to borrow a book for me from him. Than we had a little chat about religion (for about 4 hours :D. I'm really glad, the number of people who know who I am grows, and I grow more confident and calmer.

Blessed Be

[Jasmine Star]

Oh dear. I was out with a crowd of friends yesterday some of who know I'm wiccan and some who don't. I had decided only to tell my closer friends. They all tease me about it but are not malicious. Unfortunately they started teasing me about it on the train home and everyone heard. So I got millions of questions- Are you a witch? Why? etc. They seemed interested and I told them a few things but I'm not entirely comfortable that they know. AAAGGGHHHH.

[Amethyst Rose]

All of my immediate family and friends know that I'm a witch. Some of them I told (mostly my friends) but the others I just let them figure it out on their own. The way they talk about me though, to others, it really seems like they think I'm pretty cool :).
Here, however, in the British Virgin Islands, I can't let anyone know what I am. It's a very Christian country, and I have to be careful not to let any locals see any of my stuff (books especially) or it could get confiscated.....so, I don't wear my pentacle in public anymore....kinda sucks, but I know what I am, so what does it matter if I let others know or not??

[Emaleth]

I wouldn't mind that much that I can't tell my family that I'm a Wiccan if I had the chance to do what I want. The problem is they force me to go to church which really makes me mad:mad:
I also have to hide my "witchy" stuff and having my altar is out of the question :(
I wanna move out:wah: !!!

OK now I feel so much better :)

Blessed Be

[Felidae]

My daughter and I have just recently been back in contact with her father's family (he's deceased) and at first I was worried, but I talked with her this morning and decided that we would not try to hide my religious choice. Of course, I'm not flaunting it either, but my personal site has some links and info that would pretty much end any doubts concerning my faith.
As her aunt and uncle have their own things I don't think it will be much of a problem...
Just be patient and realize that if you push things too hard, they may backfire on you. Sometimes situations work out (albeit slowly) on their own.
"Walk softly, and carry a big stick".

[slovene_gds]

Oh, here's something that will be debated endlessly until someone finally straightens out the image of a stereotpyical Pagan. Yes, I agree to most people that we are seen as devil-worshipping people. f you encounter one of these people, my only advice, tell them the truth.
"Actually, Satan is a part of the Christian religion, not Paganism. To give something a name and acknoweldge it as being evil gives it power, so Pagans do not even acknoweledge Satan."
Memorize that, and tell it to anyone who tells you that Pagans are Satan worshippers. Spread the word that WE AREN'T CHRISTIAN. hehe

[Witchy Cowgirl]

There were folks who actually opened the door for me to see I was a Witch. I'd always kinda known in the back of my mind, but didn't exactly know what was goin on. So after I accepted the calling to be a Witch....of course my husband knew right away, then the kids, then my sister-in-law, and mother-in-law. Last week I told my other sister-in-law (brother's wife) that I had been searchin Wiccan and Witch things on the net and she never even batted an eye. Now as far as my parents I don't plan on telling them....although my kids may slip it to them. Kinda the way my youngest (who was around 3 or 4 at the time) told my mom that I had an earring in my belly button! And the kids will probably tell schoolmates. If that happens I plan on using the humoros approach much like LunarMist and WanderInGray. But I've been slipping myself, like at work....customers asking for earlier ship dates on items that we just don't have in stock....and my reply is, "Well I left my magick wand at home this morning so I just can't make that happen!"

[UlricDagon]

I got into the post late but I am having a hard time saying anything for sure. My wife is christian and I mean to the point baptist. I have a found my new path and I have no clue how to tell her. I drop hints from time to time and explaine to her the things she sees on History Channel or TLC about the Druids, Witches but she is to bline to see what I am.

I refuse to go to her church and she does not ask why. She prays at the dinner table and I do not and she does not ask why. I told her that my beleifs have changed and she just walks away and says "oh god will work on you" grrr I just want to say "hey buy the way" Im pagan.

I wish things where easier......

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Ulric Dagon,
Perhaps you can still go to church on occasion with you wife?
Perhaps you can still prayer when she does before supper?
Just because you pray at the same time doesn't mean you
pray to the same God. Maybe God has already worked on you and given you the Pagan path so that you can be where you need to be in your spiritual life. I know that would be something your wife may have a hard time accepting, and maybe that's why you might want to keep doing some the things you mentioned with her. I don't mean to be speaking out of turn, but your post just concerned me. I don't know that much about your situation,
like how long you've been married or if there are kids involved, but I would hate to see a major conflict arise from this if it could be avoided at all.
Many Blessings!

[blindsight]

It dissapoints me that we arent always accepted by even our closest friends and family. I began to study Wicca about 2 and a half years ago. I decided to tell my immediate family. my father is a religious fundementalist, so it wasnt a surprise when he got angry, but i didn't expect him to beat me to a bloody pulp. I knew he took the bilbe literally , and for a second i thought he was going to obey the verse "suffer not a witch to live" regardless of the fact that i am his son. I still dont hold it against him, i respect his choice but i have come out of the ordeal much wiser. my family thinks i no longer am a wiccan. The ironic thing is he has been complimenting me on how ive lived my life the entire time. Maybe some day i will tell them again, but only time will tell. Some of my close friends know, but ive decided that this is not the time to tell my family. Eventually the time will come, but it is not now.My friends are supportive and all of you are an inspiration to me. i look foreward to the day that all wiccans will be accepted.:-)

[Jupiter's Moon]

My story so far: My parents know, I told them I was no longer a Christian, last summer. Dad took it well, like: "You're an adult, you choose!". Mom is more of a Catholic, so she is still ajusting, even though she is a good audience - astrology, crystals, alternative therapies... she's into all that, and she never realized how pagan that is!!! :)
Mom still says silly things, and makes me reply stuff like: "But I DO believe in God!" (while I mumbble "actually, I do believe in a lot of those..."). Dad doesn't ask much.

My boyfriend knows about it and supports me. I've been testing him, since we're not very far from moving in together, asking: "would you be bothered if I had a permanent altar in our house?". He answered: "No, as long as it's not in front of the TV!" (on a more serious note, he just said he wanted to be a part of the house's decoration, and he wouldn't be bothered if I had a whole room full of stuff, as long as he felt good in a home that is also his.) - I've got husband material here!!! :) :) :) :)

My friends are very different people - some of them make fun of me in a humorous kind of way (that's just the way we are as friends, I also make fun of them for being communists... LOL); some of them respect me and want to learn too; and some of them don't know, just because. We all have something in common, mutual respect.

Sometimes I tell other people. Mainly when religion is a subject. Many times I just say "I'm a pagan". Some people ask, some don't.

Mainly, I'm still in the closet. But I'm working on the big exit!

[Loon]

First of all, I really enjoy reading everybody's stories. It helps to feel not as alone. :)

I've worn a Goddess pendant for probably about a year now, and I've actually gotten very little response to it overall. The people that have asked have always been polite and interested.

Now, the situation with my mother just baffles me. After I adopted the word "Pagan," I took a religion quiz and scored 100% Neo-Pagan. It was around this quiz that I framed my "coming out" to my family. I mentioned this Web site I'd found with all of these cool quizzes; I had them take the religion quiz themselves and told them what I got. Even though my mom seemed apprehensive at first—"I wouldn't go around telling people you're Pagan, isn't that devil-worshiping?"—after talking about it and reading the description, I thought she was cool. So that was great!

A few months later at dinner, we were talking about books and I mentioned that a book I got was on Paganism—and my mom freaks out! "That's witchcraft and Satanism!" I was so confused because, first of all, I thought we had cleared this up, and second, she didn't react like this the first time I brought the word up! Since I was so caught off-guard by this scene, I didn't do as good of a job of explaining as I would have liked, but the topic hasn't been mentioned since. My sister during this conversation was so supportive, though: "So what if she was interested in Satanism, more power to her!" :) The funny thing is my mom is totally fine with Goddess stuff. I guess it was just the word "Pagan" that flipped her out that one time. I'm not sure how the rest of my family would react, though, and I did purposefully hide my necklace when we went to my mom's cousin's today to avoid a situation that might be embarrassing for my mom if she had asked what it was.

[*~*Chary*~*]

oh god i;ve had that experience before

[SpikesPet5150]

Everyone in my family knows and all my friends know. I told my sisters first... and they were both cool with it... asking questions and stuff. I don't know why, but I was very nervous to tell my mom and dad. Cimarron (my sister) told me I needed to tell them by X-mas (this was last year) because she bought me witchy stuff and how akward would that be for all of us? LOL So it's thanksgiving and I *still* hadn't told them. I was outside, having a cigarette with Shay (my other sister) and Cimarron comes out and says, "Mom knows you're a witch." I guess Cimarron said, "Mom, what would you think if I told you I practiced witchcraft?" and my mom said, "That would be pretty cool, I think." And Cimarron said, "Oh. Cause Bree's a witch." LOL My mom has always had this collection of dragons and wizards, I should have known she'd be cool to this stuff. :) She told me recently that for some reason, she thinks of dragons as her familiar. :) The best part was, my parents specifically made Yule special for me this year.. with dinner and presents and all that. We pretty much had out traditional X-mas stuff on Yule.. but it was so sweet that they thought of me. :)
~Bree

[Lauralu]

My friends and my boyfriend know that I'm not a Christian and they all kinda of think it's a phase or some passing delusion of some sort. When I first told my b/f I couldn't stand to be a Christian anymore he asked if I still believed in God. Of course I do...just not the way I used to. My mom found my diary (b/c I have little privacy) and thought I was heading down the wrong path. i don't talk to her about religion anymore b/c she just says something about "all that withcraft stuff you're into". Which I'm not b/c I'm not Wiccan and i don't feel like pracitcing magic right now. I'm just neo-pagan, I guess. But nobody really knows except people I'm close with. There could be trouble at my school if other people knew.

[bansidhe]

umm...i can empathise with blindsight, my father did exactly the same thing, and ma wasnt too fussed about the whole thing either (both presbyterians, born and bred in northern ireland like me).
basically, it might have been easier for me to juss keep quiet about it, but it came out in an argument when i was basically thinking along the lines of "oh what the hell" and i was tired of living a lie anyways. so now im living with my fiance and his parents...:rolleyes:
i guess it depends on differnet ppl. it wasnt gonna work for me to stay in the closet, but for some it might. im one of those stubborn ppl who juss fess up to it and dont think about the consequences. ;)
my fiances kewlies with it, and he should be after studying wicca for a while. but he still wont let me out at the jw s ... *sigh* ;)

[FaeRain]

Rada~

Greetings! I was raised in the Pentecostal Holiness religion and would not wish that on anyone! I knew at a very young age that their path was not mine...but I don't discuss religion with my parents. I suppose one could guess that I'm pagan if one looked closely at my bookshelf...or the altar room with gods/goddess figurines and hundreds of candles...or my faery wings that I wear on occasion. Hey, maybe I don't have to tell them!

The thing that bothers me lately is that my mom takes my children to church on Sunday morning...she's in a Baptist one now. They love to go, and that freaks me out. I told them around Eostar that if church ever scared them they didnt have to go back...they were like "what could be scary about church?" Just wait, my little pretties... I know I may have a warped view of the church, whichever one it may be, so I tell them that as long as they realize that there are many stories, many books...that the bible is only one of many...and I take them to rituals that are child-friendly...I think they'll come out alright.

Whew! What was the question?? Oh yeah, someof my co-workers know about me...and some of my friends.

FaeRain

[Jasmine Star]

My boyfriend and i were talking the other night as i was reading a book on Wicca and I made a joke about him dating a witch and he told me he got enough teasing from his friends about it. I didn't realise his friends teased him about it they only found out accidentally after overhearing a conversation. I don't think they are being malicious about it but i wich they wouldn't tease him about it. I can take it I'm not sure my boyfriend can.....

[Ganga]

My non-craft friends: they don't know, but are aware that I've always been interested in spiritual things.

My sister: rolls her eyes...

My other relatives: they don't know, and have always objected/ abbhorred/ thought about me as a weirdo, because I am interested in spiritual (non-xtian) things...

My neighbours: I don't know and don't care... one of them recently asked me about it, and ended up quite upset because I had used the word "Pagan" - "That is a word used by Christians to make fun of all the people who are not Christians. How can you use that word? Aren't you making fun of yourself?" We ended up having quite a nice chat.

My kids: They love the local Pagan store, and don't probably think I'm doing anything out of the ordinary. I've always been a bit crazy, I guess. My daughter started reading The Circle of Three recently.

My husband: Well... He knows and thinks it's funny. Keeps asking for prosperity and money spells... He believes in a lot of magic himself (like omens); just doesn't admit it. A Wiccan friend of mine visited us for lunch, and my husband was awfully quiet. I asked him later if he was OK. He laughed:
"What can I say? Sitting there between two witches..."
But he's OK, really.

[Ganga]

One thing, though. I don't use my pentagram openly. it's on a really long chain under my shirt. I like wearing it, but not advertising it.

[cherrywind]

I found it very very daunting at first. I actively hid it for a long, long time. Aside from entering well-known Pagan friendly stores and being open within those walls, I never read books in public or carried anything that might "give me away" (like it was some horrible deviant act I was committing).
After a while I started meeting numerous people who were also Pagan, and as they say, strength in numbers, and I became more comfortable with myself in a public forum.
Now, I don't hide it. I might not slap people over the face with the fact that I'm Pagan, but if somebody asks, unless I think that I'll be seriously physically harmed because of it (and unfortunately, that has happened where I've had that threat), I come right out and admit it.
Fortunately, my dad introduced me to Paganism, and my mother after reading some material I gave her, became quite comfortable with the fact that this is what I believed.
In fact, she sends me ecards to this day on my holidays :D.

[Emaleth]

Recently I was riding on a bus and reading a book on magick. I didn't notice when a friend of mine got on and sat next to me. She asked me what I read, and I showed her the cover. She was like: Are you gonna cast spells? I didn't know what to say, she's not a close friend and I wasn't going to tell her I'm pagan. So I just made a joke that I wanted to cast a spell on one of our teachers, who's not particularily liked.
I guess I should be more careful, but I still read books on the bus;)

Blessed Be

[Kalosi]

I don't hide my spirituality around my dwelling, but I don't have to - my boyfriend is also pagan. He's the one who introduced me to it. In public, though, I wear my crystal necklace proudly with my ankh earrings. One of my best friends is an ardent christian. I think he knows I'm pagan (or he should, considering the lack of bibles and the proliferation of magic books). We just don't discuss religion much. When we do I remind him that he's old, I'm young, and I'll be burying him :T The most uncomfortable moment was discussing what we believe with my boyfriend's young daughter. Her mother and grandparents, whom she lives with, are christians. Meagan doesn't question why we don't go to church, but she did ask once, "Don't you believe in G*D?" She's five, and hasn't yet learned bigotry or any intolerances. How do you explain that the beliefs of one side of her family are different, and even conflict, with another side of her family?

[Ganga]

I usually tell my kids' friends (if they ask) that everyone has his/her own way of serving the Supreme. Everyone is a little bit different from other people, and isn't it nice that we are all different? We had one slightly unpleasant incident once, though. My son's little friend said to my son, "You worship stone-god. Why are you so stupid?" (His grandpa is a priest...) My son got annoyed and shouted, "You worship wood! You worship wood!" (referring to the wooden cross - wherever he got the idea...) The little boys' parents were not impressed.

Regarding reading books in public (what Emaleth was talking about) - I do it all the time. Once, a friend of mine saw me with the magical almanac, and got very curious. I was reluctant to show her the cover at first (she's a Muslim), but she was actually pretty interested.
"What? Magic? can you do it? Can you get me some sort of potion, for love?"
I just laughed: no, no potions for her. After a week, she came to me and said, "Forget about the potion. Can you get me something to curse my husband?"
It's become an ongoing joke with us.

[Shadowulfe]

I am VERY open about it. the way i see it is if you can't like me for who i am and the choices i make, then let me be. I wear my pentacle openly and i even have a Wiccan Fish T-shirt i wear from time to time. Heck, even my Co-Workers know I'm Pagan.

[Mystic Wolf]

My family knows and they don't mind. My inlaws know and they don't mind. I have never told my ex-wife up front but have taken the kids to ritual and we do take them to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship occasionally so they can learn about different religions.

However I don't go around with large pentacles or dress in a style that becries my path. I will tell anyone if they outright ask me but it isn't something I spend time professing to the general public. I think the only people I told that I didn't know where the Jehovah's Witnesses after they came to the door 4 times in one week. They haven't been back since.

[ditto]

I find it a hard choice . My workmates know I am pagan and a witch, I manage a retail outlet and use crystals and spells for the protection of my staff and my stock, my boss thinks im eccentric, but humours me. My customers mostly dont know, except for those that recognise my Godess pendant and some look at me like I have 2 heads...Lol
I really think my staff gain comfort in my protction spells and yes they do work.
My close friends are fine with it, and it makes for a good birthday present choice as they know they can get me a good book.
My family are a different kettle of fish as all of my family on my fathers side are white witches, however my parents sepperated when I was small and my mother is totaly against witchcraft and Pagans... I could never tell her, she would never understand. I do think that my family know, its just unspoken. I have enjoyed reading this thread. No matter what people think of me. I know there is no turning back.

[Shadowflame]

I haven't told told my parents, they're atheists and I don't think they would understand. I've only told a few of my friends. I recently got my parents to let me burn incense and candles without them suspecting anything. I wish I could summon up the courage to tell them, but I don't think they would take it very well.

Oh well life goes on... :)

[LadyEpona]

I have never told my family directly.

I leave the Alters up when the come to see me, there are Goddess figures and wall hangings up around my house. There is kind of a don't ask don't tell thing in my family.

I think my sister has some idea and would be cool about it but her husband would probally freak out. He is a very strick Mormon and I want to be able to see my sister and kids.

My Dad just thinks I'm strange and eccentric.

All my friends know. They have no problem with it.

At work, I just don't talk about it. Some know and some may suspect. I don't just don't talk about it, except in wishing the other pagans happy Sabat's.

But I don't lie about it, if anyone asks.

Something real cool happened recently. A Catholic friend asked me to preside over her Wedding. She knows I am a pagan, a Priestess of the Goddess and a liscened Minister.

They Wedding took place in the park and was beautiful. We agreed on a ceremony that had Universal Spiritual elements in it. Many people came up to me and said it was the most beautiful Ceremony they had ever heard.

[Shinko]

Well, when I told my mom she freaked out. o.o I really wasn't ready to defend my choice in religion at that time and it ended up being a shouting match, unfortunately. o.o After a bit I gave her Cunningham's "The Truth about Witchcraft Today" to read. I don't know if she read it or not, but I haven't seen the book since, and this was four years ago. O.o She seems semi-OK with it now, though she will "hint" every so often that she wishes I would "come back to god". Like thrice a week. :P Especially now that I'm making tangible objects like runes and wands. My dad never talks about it and my sister alternates between semi-sarcastic questioning and outright teasing. The only other family that knows is my second cousin, who is into new-age. Some of my friends know, and my best friend teases me about it. Unfortunately her family knows and her father nearly forbade her from seeing me, even though she's 18. Her little sister is very annoying....bordering on malicious with the comments sometimes. And, of course, everyone in my family's church knows I'm not walking with god, which makes going inside the building whenever I'm dragged out there for one reason or another tons of fun. :P
I don't hide what I am. If people ask me, I'll tell them. Usually they're ok with it once I've explained the meaning of the word "pagan". I've recently started wearing a pentacle around, but nobody at my work knows.

[~**foxglove**~]

I find that, because I am still searching and learning spiritually, I don't consider it necessary to define my beliefs just yet in order to satisfy other people, who after all, love to categorise. I think beliefs are something that can and should change and develop as you grow. So, although if I had to give myself a term, I would say I was pagan, I generally would not tell a person that, even though I would be quite happy to discuss my view of the world.

I feel that my reasons for keeping this a personal matter are because I don't have a desire to flaunt what I believe in. Too often I see other pseudo-pagans at my school making a joke of themselves in their attempts to be different or 'original'. That is just not me. I generally wear necklaces that are of significance to me under my clothes and keep my practices to myself. However, like I have said, if I am in a discussion with someone, then I will speak my mind, although naturally I sometimes curb what I say to keep the peace. I can never see sense in arguing about the one thing in the world that is truly based on faith alone.

As to whether my family and friends know... well, that is something I have never really thought on before. I think my Mother would most probably be aware that I have some 'interesting ideas'. My father knows I have points of personal disagreement with Christianity, and that is enough for him to take very little interest in my opinions. I suppose with my parents, I just simply don't feel the necessity to share. They know who I am, and they know what I'm like, I think in their hearts they know the path I walk.

My friends, well, one knows, because she herself is of a like mind, and a couple of others have a fair idea... one has no idea... but in general, the same thing applies: if they know me well enough, they'll understand my path. And at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. If it does, then they are not the sort of people I would want in my life. I guess that's the way everyone should think of it.

[Phoenix Blue]

Well-spoken, Foxglove. I'm much the same way. . . I live my path. If someone wants to call me Pagan, that's fine--because that's what I call myself when asked. **Smiles** Otherwise, though, I don't worry about the label. I just live my life.

[Raynewitch]

My boyfriend knows, my boyfriends friends know, all my friends know....my immediate family know. I dont have any hassles really, which is excellent :) Im very greatful for that.....Im very open about what I believe in if anyone asks, but I dont advertise it much.

[shnen]

WELL I DID IT!

I told the first in my xian family :D and I think I am going to tell the others. I am ina position where if they dont like it, then I won't have anything more to do with them. :)
I live a distance away from them, so its pretty easy to do. :)
I am sick of hiding.... I am proud of who I am! :D

[Flaire-FireStar]

Way to go, Shnen. ((((((hugz)))))) :)

[shnen]

thankies Flaire (((hugz))) :D

[SuperHeroGirl]

my close friends know, so does my boyfriend ( wind, he told me about this community ).

i actually wor at a christian camp and ive recently been telling the camp story of "crazy charlie" ( local camp ghost, was murdered on a dark and stormy night, lots of blood, missing his head, cant be put to rest, now he haunts the arts and cafts dome ). and kids ave been asking me to "swear to god" or "swear on the holy bible" that i really really saw him and that the story is true. and today at lunch 3 kids asked me if i was christian or jewish and i kind of changed thze subject by asking f thee were anymore baby carrots. one of the girls, ashley, was SHOCKED to discover that i wasnt christian ( gasp!!:eek: )

theres NO way im telling my grandma, shes n uber-christian. and i know that lots of people say ht but she REALLY IS. she recently got remarried to a hatian pastor, so that she coul go to hati about 1 x a month to "convert the people there from their evil voodoo ways"

[Aotearoa]

I went to the library last week and went up to the counter to get my books scaned, she looked twice when she went thru my books lol! gave me the :eyebrow: look. Coming out in my community/friends is my "next big step" y'know, its pretty scary, but I imagine its gonna be funny too! lol! And it means Ill get rid of those stupid people who are afraid of things that are different. I think most of my friends know that Im "leaning" that way, but I havent "proclaimed it" and thats cool cos I feel Im not ready to answer their Qs yet, cos I havent found the answers myself. So what I'm really saying, is it comes with time....and guts, and Ill get there someday.
*BB* Aotearoa

[celtic]

Originally posted by Shadowulfe
I am VERY open about it. the way i see it is if you can't like me for who i am and the choices i make, then let me be.

Well Said.

[Cait]

I'm pretty open about it, too. I haven't actually sat down and discussed it with anyone, but nor do I make any attempt to hide my altar, shelf full of witchy-type books, etc, and if it comes up in conversation I'll happily tell people about it.

The exception to this is my SO's family; I've chosen not to let them know about my beliefs for the time being, because they're very hardcore Christians and I know it would upset them terribly. They're already deeply upset that their beloved son is involved with a ~gasp~ Non-Christian, and I think it would just about push them over the edge if they found out the horrible truth.

If they actually sat me down and said "Hey, Cait, are you a pagan, at all?", I'd tell them, and try to explain my faith.... but short of that happening, I think it's best to keep quiet. I'm not wildly happy about it - I don't really like deception - but it seems like the lesser of two evils, right now.

[Annyka]

Well I think I have been very blessed in my life. Gee I didn't think I was THAT lucky.

I had been brought up in an athiest like household.. I was scared to tell anyone I was Pagan/Wiccan because I thought my Dad would blow his lid that I was Religious...

Well when I told my bf that I was interested in Wicca he said "Kewl I have been looking into that for ages". Then I told my Dad. It was a rather funny night.

I went to visit my parents and told my mum (I have been very close to my mum my whole life and knew I could tell her easily - she had the same worries I had about telling my Dad). I then said to my Dad "I have decided a religion I want to follow" He looked like he wanted to run out of the door then I said "Paganism" gee the look of relief was hilarious.

After discussing it with my family I found out that I hadn't actually been brought up as an athiest - but as a Pagan (oh so that's why we celebrated Yule - I just thought my Dad was making up names 'coz he didn't like the religious attachment to the holiday)...

I then told my Grandmother and found out that my Great Gran was a Witch and cured herself of Diabetes and that my Gran still practiced some things such as divination practices (that's where I get it from).

It is really cool being able to celebrate the Sabbats with my family and the best magic Rituals happen with them too..

I have however returned to the closest in many situations. Besides the usual critizism from Christians I have had my life threatened and I have been stalked.. Just because I am a witch...

My family knows, My closest friends know.

I don't tell anyone but I don't hide it. I live my life as I always have and if anyone asks (and I don't feel threatened) I usually will tell people - but unless they ask they don't know.

Well most people don't come up to me and say "Hi I'm Fred and I'm Christian/Muslim/Jewish etc" So why should I?

Annyka

[Ryhla]

I myself have only told a few people. My best friend who more or less introduced me to paganism and an old room mate. My room mate and I have had several discussions about the paths, but we would have a hard time telling the others. I've also told one of my brothers. He thought it was cool and said if he got into any non-christian religeon, it would probaly be some oriental path. I think my sister suspects that I'm pagan, and I know she wouldn't have any problems with it. As for my family, my mother might feel uncomfortable about it, but wouldn't press the issue. My dad would be the same as mom since he's told me he was aethiest. (sp?). But I'm pretty sure that my step-mother would protest. She's one of those that believes movies like Harry Potter brainwash people to evil. Otherwise I pretty much keep to myself my path. If people ask, then I would have no problems telling. For the most part, those who have asked have been more curious than trying to beat me over the head with a bible.

[Amemphis]

When I became pagan I hid it at first and made the transition kinda slow. I'm used to being seen in a differen light. I'm a freak of sorts. Dark and goth. I've noticed most people don't flat out ask your religion. I went to a church withm christians friends to learn to work the sound equipment. Even there no one really bothered me about my pentacle jewelry. My parents know, my boyfriend is pagan too, his parents threw him out of his house. I was lucky my parents love me alot and accept me. My friends are interested. And som even want to learn from me. Its odd.

[adament]

i have only admitted that i don't consider myself christian...that i don't beleive in the traditional god...other than that...it would hurt my career to say any more...

adament
red neck pagan