Poll: In the Broomcloset?

[Eeluna]

I was wondering how many Pagans are in the broomcloset. For myself, no one knows but my husband and kids and our closest friends.

I searched and couldn't find a poll about this subject, so I hope everyone will answer. I think it would be fascinating.

[Flaire-FireStar]

A few friends & family members know I'm pagan. :)

[Myst]

hehe there's a few hundred threads on it tho if you are interested :)

[Mithrea]

Yeah I think I remember one that was something about hiding your faith (maybe in new pagans) I don't know. I chose the option of I am open and honest with anyone who asks. Of course, this means that some complete strangers know when some of my family members do not :) But that pretty much explains my policy. If I am asked, then I answer truthfully if I'm not asked, I believe they don't care or don't want to know in the first place.

[Old Witch]

All my family knows and most of my friends......and as my everyday earrings are dangling pentacles, anyone paying attention could know.............

[Theres]

i don't wear it on my sleeve, but i'm "open and honest with anyone who asks".
i teach a Wicca course at a local bookstore, i have lectured at local churches and a nearby College, and i've been involved with quite a few public rituals. so it would be a rather difficult closet to get into at this point! (lol)

[Dellit Tandannon]

they ask, i tell. screw them if they don't like it. its mine.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Only certain friends and family know.

But, I would be glad to explain my beliefs to anyone who asked.

[Flar's Freyja]

I keep it out of my professional life due to the nature of my profession.....when you mess with child custody you're already considered to be evil and this is something that a lawyer could have a field day with on a witness stand.....

But if there's no risk involved, I am willing to share with those who ask and are genuinely interested. My family, closest friends and even a few of my colleagues know.

[ChelleOfShadows]

If someone were to ask me I would tell them. However I do not openly advertise. Yes I wear crystals and silver and some things but with the styles of today most people think I am eccentric not a witch. However, even today, wiccan or pagan beliefs are not something that everyone is comfortable sharing. I respect that!

[SnowStar]

I have a little 3/4" inch silver pentacle that I always wear, so its plausible that anyone with a clue could know, and I don't mind that. However if someone asks, I'm more than willing to be truthful. My immediate family knows, most of the people I go to school with know, my boyfriend knows, and all of my other friends that I see regularly know as well. For the most part, that counts as about everyone important in my life. A lot of my extended family might not know the specific details, but that is because I either don't see them a lot or because I know they would not take it well if I put a name to the beleifs they know I have. If someone walks up to me and takes an interest in my pendant or asks, though, I'll tell them.

[shnen]

this should have been multiple choice!
some of my coworkers know, only cuz of circumstance, and I trust them... my Friends know, and my family does not.

I try to judge a situation and depending on my audience I say yes or just nothing. Some people just aren't worth me trying to explain it to them... small minds do not want to know. And if someone is sincere, they are more then welcome to pick my brain :)

[Rubi Waters]

my answer almost mirrors Shnen's
Two of my co-workers know because it came up in conversation...the others dont know and i won't tell them. My sig.other knows (actually he encouraged it) but my family doesn't know.....but if I'm asked I will say something unless I know it would cause trouble.

[MidnightSun]

I picked I am open and honest with anyone who asks. If they ask i'll tell, I have no problem with that.

[bluecat]

Like I said ... I have this ... Tattoo ... http://www.bluecatsden.com/tattoo.html ... that just sits there for a lot of folks to see, depending on what I am wearing. Because of my lungs I spend more time than I would like in emergency rooms and more than one ER person has "taken notice." I have also awakened in a few ICU's and discovered that someone has "discreetly" put a "bandage" on my left shoulder. Ah well ... such is life, No?

I also have an article on my site about just that ... http://www.bluecatsden.com/closet.html ...

So, you see, for me this is quite a complex issue. ;)

'NUFF SAID!

Blue :cool: :rolleyes:

[cherrywind]

Only a few very close friends and family know. Not because I fear persecution or anything like that, but I consider my spirituality something very important and private to myself, and I just don't feel like sharing everything. Most of my friends have seen my many books on herbalism and my jars upon jars of dried herbs, but I think they mainly chalk it up as a "weird hobby". *shrugs*.

[WandererInGray]

*ponders*

Well I answered the "professional" one...however, that's only because it has never come up at work, if someone were to ask me directly about it (as a woman did recently) then I answer honestly. :D Most people just don't ask.

Depending on where I end up in my next job, I might be more open about it.

All my friends know...*chuckles*...and most of them are Pagan anway, so it doesn't matter.
And most of my family knows, though I never openly announced it, these things just kind of filter through. :lol:

[Silver_Alhena]

Well, my parents don't know that's for sure! Both sides are catholic and whereas my father's side are open-minded and I'm sure would come around to the idea, my mother's side are strict Irish catholics and are likely to disown me! (no joke)

Most of my friends know, and have known for some years. My colleagues found out a month ago when they seen me on the Fluid Druid network whilst in training, and have not mentioned it, or treated me any differently since.

Of course, my boyfriend and flatmate know, and 2 of my ex-flatmates were also pagan, hence much book-swapping! :-)
However, I keep all my pagan paraphinalia to my room. That way no-one sees what I don't want them to.

It all depends on the level of knowledge you're comfortable with people knowing about you, as many people have assumptions about paganism that cannot be shifted. My mother went mad when I told her I'd went with someone to a spiritualist church, so it's less hassle and stress for her not to know....

Cowardly, I know.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I don't think it's cowardly. I think it's very kind of you to consider the feelings of your family.:)

[Garnet]

In another & similar poll I once claimed to be so far in the broom closet, that I'm a dustpan.
Honestly, I don't see how my family doesn't know. I spent ten weeks living at Dad's while I recovered from ankle surgery. My Dad , sister, & kid brother were at my house on a daily basis to feed my cats & fetch mail, so I can't imagine them passing up the chance to prowl through my bedroom (where I keep occult & 'New Age' books). My sister knew that I'm involved in the Craft. My Dad & brother never said anythig so maybe they think it's a phase. Two or three friends know. Nobody I work with does...I'm already the company 'token Jew'.

[StarryDancer]

I'm surprised I've told even myself!

No, I'm in much the same straits as Freya at work, and my parents would have heart attacks and die for sure, being died-in-the-wool catholics.

I have NOT told my husband, who is of some uncertain sort of faith himself, but is always afraid that I'm going to get overly involved in faith-related stuff. He's spooked enough by my spirituality. Though lately I think he's starting to suspect something. He actually asked me if I thought pagan religions were closer to the truth than others when we went to Mystery Hill in New Hampshire (it's a prehistoric stone circle similar to ones in Ireland Scotland).

I suppose it was an opening, but I didn't take it. *sigh* I DID say that I thought earth-based religions were in general better for their followers and the earth than any other. Color me coward! :rolleyes:

[Azure]

Eh, if people ask, I tell them. I've very out at the theatre - in spite of the fact that there are many conservative Christians there - but only discuss it if asked at my sports bar - waitress job. I wear Celtic jewelry and have a Celtic tattoo, but it's on my back, so most people don't see it.

My family and I have a pretty don't ask, dont tell policy, but they know, and my extended family on my Dad's side knows, and my cousins on my Mom's. I've done tarot reading for all the women in my Mom's family. My Bf knows and is himself a closet Hellene, so that's pretty easy.

But I live in a very, very Bible Belt city, and it's not something I'd feel safe loudly announcing to someone I didn't know well in this town.

FYI, I don't really think staying in the closet for safety is a bad thing - I only think it's sad so many people who aren't Christians feel they have to. I really, truly believe however, in spite of the vocal minority of the Religious Right - that things are starting to change.

[Psyche Ague]

I'm completely open and honest with anyone who asks.

[Jeleia]

A couple of close friends know, including my boyfriend.
My coworkers do not, but thats because most of them are fairly closeminded and immature.
My parents don't know, although I think my mom has some idea, its not something she would approve of. My sister also knows.

Usually if someone asks I'll tell, but that also depends on the situation and the people. :)

[Piperbunny]

Most my friends know :) A few others around know as well. I think my parents know due to amounts of books I have about Paganism and Magick and I do get a few comments from them

[Haedis]

I'll be open and honest with anyone who asks.

My friends know, though I dont remember specifically telling them. My religion is an important part of my life so it IS something that I discuss.
My mother knows and shes totally fine with it, though I suspect she thinks I'm just doing it to "be cool" (this from a self proclaimed "new ager" like her).
My dad has undoubtedly seen my books and its hard to miss my altar which I've never made an attempt to hide, but the topic has never come up. The only thing I hide from him is my athame (i know he wouldnt understand and would worry needlessly).
And a few people at school know because of questions I answered after an English speech where I mentioned Bush's stance on witchcraft.

[Armitage]

Most of my friends know, and I think part of my family, but I don't volunteer the information. I think they just chalk it up to me being odd. :p

[Rævyn Cigány]

Originally posted by ChelleOfShadows
If someone were to ask me I would tell them. However I do not openly advertise.

Yeah, that's me too...I don't shout it from the rooftops, but I don't hide it either. I have a pair of pentacle earrings, a celtic pent I wear around my neck, and a goddess symbol/pent tattoo that are almost always visible, but not to scream to the world that I"m a witch...it's as natural to me now as a Christian wearing a cross every day.

B*B

Rae )0(

[Lauralu]

Only my boyfriend and a few of my close friends know...I think my mom has an inkling....she asked me once if I was "searching" for something other than Christianity....she's open-minded, but I don't think she really wants me to be what I am. That's okay, though...she still loves me.
I tell people when they ask. I went to my Freshman Orientation at Ohio State recently and two guys I had become aquainted with suddenly turned around and asked me what religion I was. I said I really didn't know...I'm just me....but if I had to classify it, it would be paganism. One asked me if I was a wiccan priestess. I almost doubled up laughing (since I'm the newest little newbie) but I explained I just believe in a god and a goddess...I don't practice any magick (I'm not that comfortable with it). He said that was "cool" and that he was a Catholic. It surprised me that he was so comfortable with the fact that I was a pagan, but I was glad I told him. Not everyone is close-minded. :)

[SimplyStrange]

CRAP I voted for the wrong one... What I meant to say was I am honest and open to anyone who asks. But I put Only Certain Friends and Family Know... I wasn't really thinking.

My family doesn't really know. They see me wearing my pentangle, but we've never openly talked about it... my friends know, and new people that I meet, if they ask, I tell them!

So in reality I chose the wrong one... -.-' But whatever. I'm pretty much in the broom closet with my family... but with anyone else, if they ask, I answer! I wear a celtic looking pentangle around my neck all the time, so most people know I'm some sort of Pagan. :D:D A lot of people don't ask though because they're afraid of.... actually I don't know what. A lot of people think i'm sensitive about it because I don't blab it out all the time... :D But it's all good.

[Echohawk]

I really don't care what people think of me, as far as this subject goes. . . . they're going to assume whatever they wish when they see me, and very few people do I get to know closely.

I'm not going to walk around with a great big sign saying "look at me, I'm different than you, let me draw your attention to this."

If I'm doing a job for someone, I'm not about to announce my religion any more than someone else is. If they assume I'm christian, or buddhist, or whatever it is they are, I really don't care. I don't mind. I'm not really "anything" identifyable, at least. So they can assume whatever they wish. It doesn't change me. :)

(and it's an awefully lot easier to get hired again if you're not blatently trying to cause controversy while on the job) :rolleyes:

[shnen]

acutally I just told the first of my family a few days ago... my step sister in law... (they are pentecostal :eek: )

you know what she said... "I know you are wiccan, god told me" :rolleyes: what do you say to that? :lol:

[SimplyStrange]

"In a good way or a bad way?"

Or you could say

I know I'm a Wiccan too... the devil told me. :D:D:D:D JK!

[shnen]

Originally posted by SimplyStrange
"In a good way or a bad way?"

Or you could say

I know I'm a Wiccan too... the devil told me. :D:D:D:D JK!

:rotfl:
see, she is very very spiritual, which makes me think she knows things, but instead of saying SHE is gifted, she gives the credit to "god"...

I dunno, but regardless, she told me she will respect my path, she knows she has to or else I will just ignore them. :)

[phoenixsong]

I told my best friend that I was a Witch, and she laughed at me, so I haven't told anyone else. My sister knows, I think, as she's seen my 'Favorites' list on the computer. She also thinks it's stupid. Coulda killed her when she started asking where I got one of my Pagan books in front of my mother, as I was afraid it would get confiscated. I had to say I'd borrowed it off a friend, and now I have to make sure to keep that friend away from my sis!

[shnen]

(((phoenixsong)))

I told my bestfriend a few months ago... and things havent been the same since... she has totally pulled away from me. but if she truely is a friend, she will ask questions and come back :)

Its nice to be free and unhidden, but you also need the support from others as well, some who I told have suprised me with the support they have given me :)

good luck