Ridicule in School (it rhymes).

[JohnH]

I go to a school that is 90% mormon. My freinds and I decided that we would not tell anybody that we are witches because of the people would give us crap. A new kid to the school, who is Wiccan, befreinded us. We told him that we are witches, and then he tells one person and now the whole school knows that we are Witches. The principle calles us into the office one day, and told us that we can't wear our Pentacles anymore. We still refuse to take them off, but he has told all of the teachers that if they see us with our pentacles, our drawing pentacles, then to immediatly assume that we are casting hexes on the students, and to inform the local authorities! They call my parents as if the don't approve of me being a witch. My mom, a Pagan, gave him an ear full and went to the courthouse to find laws that protect witches. I just thought I'd let you know that dicrimination is a drag.

[Djiril]

Good luck! And give 'em heck!;)

[WtchyChick13]

I'm so sorry about this! You might want to let your principal know that in 1996 Wicca became an officially recognized religion by the US Government (even though we've been around a hell of a lot longer! lol).

I could be wrong here, but isn't it illegal to tell someone that they cannot wear an item that is part of their religion? Although, being in a school where you and your friends are the extreme minority, it may be better for you if you carry your pentacles in your pockets. I hate that it would come to that, but it may just be easier on you guys in the end.

(((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

Stay strong--we're still here for you!!!!! ;) http://www.smilies.org/basesmilies/987-4.gif

[Chibi-Fallon]

Dude that sucks. Glad I go to a pretty open school (white people aren't even the majority anymore, it's hmongs). Granted the goths still get picked on from time to time, but it’s nothing awful. Hey, the one that walks home ahead of me (Gay Gothic Dancer Man) makes my day. 8O
The oddest thing just popped into my head. If you were Aussies you could tell them that you’d send devil dingos to eat their children. :D I don’t know where that came from but I thought it was funny.

[Tammy Sullivan]

Or you could switch to the "jedi" religion and whip out light sabers on them!

[Flaire-FireStar]

My mom, a Pagan, gave him an ear full and went to the courthouse to find laws that protect witches.

That's good. Show him you're following a legal religion, and you CAN wear your pentacle in school. (I assume other religious symobols are worn by other students as well)



I just thought I'd let you know that dicrimination is a drag.

That it does. *sigh* If you're different in any way, most likely you'll get teased. (I've had tons of friends who were teased to no end by fellow students. :dis: )

[SerenityMoon]

ugh, that's sickening. hexes, my ass...*shakes head* i'm not wiccan, or even pagan, but even i know how ridiculous that is.
i'm not threatened in the least by wiccans or pagans, and it's sad when some people are.

[Amemphis]

I know what you're going through. When I first became wiccan, my pagan friend gave me her old pentacle as encouragement. I wore it everyday and everyone knew I was wiccan. One of my teachers told me I couldn't wear my pentacle in her class or she'd suspend me. My mom's not pagan but she supports me. When she found out about it she went to the principal and she said we were right. Now I'm lucky enough to go to a School of the Arts where its 10% Normal/inbetween, 20% Prep, 20% Ghetto, 30% Goth, and 20% Punk. Everyone kind just kinda accept each other.
Be strong. Legal or not, everyone has the right to express their thoughts.

[Emerald Oak]

You said that your school is mostly Mormon... It's not a religious school, is it? If it's a public school, then you have all the right to raise hell, but don't expect to get very far if it's a private school.

After all, it's been proven throughout the ages (whether they admit it or not) that narrow minded adults (no, I'm not saying all adults are narrow minded, stay with me here) have a tendency to hide behind loopholes to get their way and sleep easier.


FACTOID: Well... Theory, really. With the trends that we're seeing today, I think that eventually Paganism and Christianity will flip-flop. Typical Christians (again, I'm not generalizing) accept Christian branch religions, like Judaism, Catholicism, etc, and vice versa. Just like Pagans have Wiccans, Druids, etc. I believe that someday, Paganism will be as corrupt as Christianity is today, and Christians will be the spiritual soul seekers that have to deal with ridicule.

Just a thought.

[JohnH]

Thanks...I was feeling down until I read your replies. I went to witchvox.com to find people in my area who are witches, and it was a success. Thank you all for the moral support.

[FlamedLilly]

As a "mormon" myself I can tell you how closed minded they can be. But if you give them a chance, the students, they might listen to what you are saying. If it continues then gently remind them that they used to be the ones that were ridiculed not too long ago. Hey up until like 15-30 years ago it was still legal to kill someone in Jersey as long as they were mormon. Remind them of their own roots and they should back off. We are taught to let people believe their own. I hope this helps, the 8th article of faith, mormons would know what that is, states "let them worship how where or what they may." just quote that to them if nothing else works.

[Storm]

"Hey up until like 15-30 years ago it was still legal to kill someone in Jersey as long as they were mormon."says FlamedLilly.

What?!!! Legal to kill someone?!!! 15-30 yrs ago?????!!!! I am flabbergasted and admittedly skeptical. Say it isn't so?

[FlamedLilly]

When I was in Highschool it was part of the classes, optional, to take Seminary.For those who don't know what that is, it's like going to Sunday school during the week. Anyway one of the years was all about Church history. My teacher was one of those that liked to dig and research and prove what he was teaching. He had photo copies of documents showing that it was on the books. Back when the mormon church was first founded we were ridiculed and such and people would even kill people if they professed to be a mormon, much like when any "new" religion used to surface in this nation. Well the senator, or whatever, of New Jersey decided that Mormons were a scourge just like indians. So he made a law to extinguish the "vermin." Needless to say it became one of those laws pushed to the back of the books that no one knows about until someone has a desperate case and needs to go way back into the books for some sort of legality. That's when it was found and corrected, I believe the term is taken off the books.

It seems this countries first instinct is to kill what we don't understand before giving them a chance. Without our diversity we wouldn' t be who we are today.

[StarryDancer]

Oh, I wouldn't say that prejudice is restricted to the US of A. We are maybe more aware of the hypocracy because our country was allegedly founded on principles of freedom, and we don't see them as we feel they should be among the population at large.

It seems to be a human instinct, perhaps based on a lower brain function trying to keep the gene pool clean, to scorn those who are different -- whether different in religion, appearance, or physical or mental ability. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all learn to use our frontal lobes instead?

[FlamedLilly]

I didn't mean to imply that the USA is the only country you has prejeduce, I just can't say anything about any other country as I've never left here. Trying very hard to find a way to visit other countries though.

It would be nice if everyone had an open mind.

[Kaylara]

I'd show them a nice hex or two... And I wouldn't even need to write anything, touch my pentacle, or even look at them ;)... I hope everything works out for you... Just remind the people that are making fun of you... If you are evil, and can bring harm to them... Why in the hades would they be messing with you... And their god says to stay clear of evil...

Those two facts right there should at least make them think a little...

Kaylara

[Tiana_Ecarias]

JohnH, I know all to well how you feel. In my school, the 2 main religions are mormon and Christian(there are a few others, but those are the 2 majorities.)

My freshamn year, I was nearly hung from the school rafters because they believed I was a witch, I am not a witch, I so have similar beliefs as a wiccan, and do use magic, so in a way, they were right about me being a witch.

Anyways, they were determined, the only reason why they didn't was a few kids came and saved my ass. At the time I didn't care, was going through major depression, but one of those people is my husband, and the other 2 are my best friends.

ANyways, I have had to deal with people through rocks, pieces of trash, mud, screaming insults as I walk by them.... You name it, it's been done, so don't let those close minded idiots get you down. They'll wind up in their own hell for looking down on you, and for trying to punish you, for thier own god says that HE will be the one who shall pass judgement, not them, and that HE will be the one that shall asign dispense punishment, not them.

Keep being yourself, you get them a lot better that way, and I wish you the best of blessings and beings.

Tiana_Ecarias