I finally came out of the broom closet

[Ryhla]

It had been months that I contemplated this and finally got the courage to do this. My room mate is an avid church goer. Though she does not claim to be a christian, she does try to live the path. Lot of things went through my mind on what could happen if I told her I was pagan. But as time went on, I felt the need I should tell her before she heard it somewhere else (like in a courtroom because of legal problems the entire household is dealing with because of her son-in-law).

Anyways, to make a long story short...it went much much better than I expected. Her only reaction was "Don't try to convert me to your religion." I feel so much better knowing I don't feel like I'm hiding anymore. As for her following her chosen path, I told her I totally respect her choice and the last thing I want to do is pull her away from it.

[WtchyChick13]

Congratulations!!! :boing: :boing: :boing:

Being someone who has to remain more than a little "in the closet" herself, I have to say, that took a tremendous amount of guts!

I'm so happy that your roommate treated you ok and took it the way she did.


Congrats! :thumbsup:

[Ryhla]

me too. She was the only one I was worried about "Flipping out" over it. That's what took so long to tell her.

[MidnightSun]

Well congrads to you!

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Yay!

[Faery-Wings]

Good for you Rhyla! I am out to a few people and it is such a relief. I find myslef more and more open to telling more people as well. But there are a few (my parents, and I am 34!!) that will hopefully never know. I am glad your "outing" came about so well.

[serenarian]

Good for you. I have told some of my dearest friends. But there are still some people I haven't told. :(

[Sabrina]

Congratulations to YOU!!!
Good for you!

Since I "came out" and went 100% public (publications, public appearances and the like)....I've had a disagreeable encounter or two....

but I always just look the person directly in the eye and ask them: "Are you prepared to question my freedom of religion?"
I don't say much more than that.

The really strange part is how many people who knew me prior to the big coming out had like a zillion questions...almost as if they themselves harbored some desire to study different religions.

My greatest fear was that the girls might suffer at school from their fellow classmates or get gruff from their teachers...
its SO backward where we live and we live in Amish country here in PA...Dutch being the main theme around here.

But for the most part its going well-
so far so good....

I did hear that a couple of people in the community "fear" me for whatever reason. I don't like the sound of that personally, tends to keep us in that negative light that I hope to dispell by leading a helpful and productive life...
but so far so good!

Coming out of the closet is never easy I think because we honestly value other's lives and do not wish to cause them any fear or harm. But hopefully it's the basis of such - a mindfulness of other's feelings - that ends up making us the better person in the long run.

Good luck and keep us posted on how the whole "coming out of the closet" thing goes for you. I, for one, like hearing these stories.

[Phoenix Blue]

**Smiles** I had a couple folks that were apparently afraid of me, too, Sabrina; though of course they never came out and said it. This was in my basic training flight, though; I was the only Pagan in the flight (which didn't help things much). I did get a chance to do a lot of tarot readings for folks, though, after we had everything else done and were settled in for the evening.

I guess that was my big "out-of-the-broom-closet" time. I've never been very outgoing about demonstrating my faith--after all, it's mine, and I'm selfish about such things. ;) But in that sort of environment, it's nigh impossible to maintain any semblance of privacy to begin with - and in fact the fact that I'm Pagan came out when one of the TIs saw my tarot cards and reacted with an off-the-cuff, "Just don't read mine." :)

I've never been as outgoing with my faith since that time. **Shrugs** I'm still a private person, at the core of things. But I'm certainly not afraid of telling someone I'm Pagan if they ask or if they start shoveling Christian stuff in my direction.

[Ryhla]

I had told a few of my relatives before this. But my relatives also know me to be a touch eccentric. So for them it was no surprise. In fact my sis said "It sounds like you.". That's been for the reaction from most of the people who know me.

[Old Witch]

Congrats!!

[Twig]

I guess the cat came out of the bag when my sister pulled up the area rug in her l-room and found the chalk pentacle on the floor!
Gods that was 30 YEARS ago!!!! Hehehe

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Sabrina]

Originally posted by Twig

I guess the cat came out of the bag when my sister pulled up the area rug in her l-room and found the chalk pentacle on the floor!
Gods that was 30 YEARS ago!!!! Hehehe

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

This is why I want to have hard wood floors put into my living room Sooooooo badly LOL.......

should provide a pretty good clue to whomever enters my home - eh?
Unless you know what you're reading the rune symbols and wiccan symbols painted on the front windows just arent enough of a message.

great idea....when I get to do the same with hardwood floors - I will celebrate yours as well!

[Flaire-FireStar]

Many congrats, Ryhla! :D

[Psyche Ague]

:boing: I'm glad you feel better, Rhyla! :thumbsup:

I'm just sorry that her reaction wasn't warmer for your sake. But oh well.

[Ryhla]

Considering what was going through my mind about what "could" happen, it's nowhere near what I expected. She did sorta give me a small "lecture", but it only lasted a minute. More like her opinion and nothing else really. But I explained to her why christianity wasn't right for me and she actually agreed a bit on that with me. Beyond that, I don't think there will be any problems with it.

[Lunacie]

High fives for bravery, Rhyla. I hope this will open good discussions and only good things come from it.

[Ryhla]

I'm just glad I don't have to hide anymore. It really was a bit of a stress not telling her. I now feel more freely to follow my path here. Less fear of "getting caught" and having a lot of questions under durress.