non beleivers who jsut dont shut up

[Khari]

im new here and well i dont really know what to do... um... well if its like a message board... heres my question...

What doy ou do with those people who know your wiccan and fallow you around and scream things at you like "REPENT" and "FREAK!" i hate that... and i also want to know if anyoen else goes through it...

[Socharis]

we sacrifice them in the name of satan lol :D

No really, just tell them about what Wicca is really about, they are most likely under a false understanding of what they think it is.

[Khari]

yes i know and i do that but they still dont listen...they have thsi insaciable ( did i spell that write i dont think i did) need to be right... and they get up into my face about it... grrrrrrrrr

[Faolan]

I know how annoying that gets, I get that at school too all the time, and among some of my friends. Some of them are understanding when you explain it to them, but others are not, maybe you could try going up to them and explaining that no matter what religon, we're all human beings who have feelings, whether they're hurt, or annoyed or very pissed off, and you don't go around ridiculing their religon, or just plain, I know it sounds kinda sappy, but it worked for me, but it might not work if they don't have a brain :p could threaten to hex them, but not really heh, j/k

[Kaylara]

I for one, let them believe it unless they came up to me and asked me about it... As it turned out there were just about as many who were too scared to ask as there were openminded people who were curious. If they ask, tell them what you truely believe. I say for the others, let them believe what they want. Speaking to them sometimes will do less than letting them wonder.

Kaylara

Merry Meet BTW!

[rantnraven]

Rant is true, and Rant is wise (I think - sometimes).

Ignore them. It matters not what others think. They don't have to live your life after you are done with this one. Once they are done bashing on you, they will find someone else.

That is, if they don't get a reaction, their plight is unserved and they will move to something else that will serve their insecurities.

Even the Bible states "...silence is golden".

RnR

[lightning fire]

I get that whole thing alot when I am meeting my boyfriends parents or when I am meeting my friends parents. they always ask me if I am a satanist, due to the fact that I am a little too open about my religion and wear a pentacle around my neck. I am really just shouting out," I am wiccan! if you got a prob, check in with me". I guess that you could say that I am just asking for trouble, but I dont' know. I guess that I do it because when people come up to me and ask me what it means, and I tell them, they might become interested in paganism or wicca or whatever. so I am teaching without really meaning too. If people asking you about it makes you feel uncomfortable, than ignore them, or tell them how it is. either way, if they dont' stop bothering you, threaten a law suit or something. if that dont' work, than do it! file a lawsuit! that would supprise him or her. or you could take the easy way out and start foaming at the mouth and roll your eyes in the back of your head and start saying strange chants...that should make him leave you alone!!

lightning fire

[fantine]

If you have people following you around and shouting horrid things at you, there are a number of things you can legally do to make them go away.

First, check your state laws and local laws about stalking, discrimination, harassment. Once you know what YOUR rights are you are better armed against these bigots.

Second, if someone is, say, following you around a mall or other public area and harassing you, go to the nearest security guard/police officer and request their help. Explain that you are being harassed, you feel physically threatened, and your religious freedom is being impinged upon (hello First Amendment). If this is happening at an educational institution report it immediately to a teacher or other very high ranking school official. It is their job to make it stop. If they don't stop it, take it higher.

Telling these people you will sue them won't do much good. Telling them you can have them arrested works better. They are violating your rights, make sure they know it.

I speak as someone who has been there. I was persecuted whilst in university for my beliefs, until I learned what my rights were, then I insisted the campus police (these are actually state troopers who should know the law) enforce the current laws. It worked like a charm. None of the people giving me grief wanted to get arrested.

--Fantine

[Rævyn Cigány]

Originally posted by rantnraven
Rant is true, and Rant is wise (I think - sometimes).

Ignore them. It matters not what others think. They don't have to live your life after you are done with this one. Once they are done bashing on you, they will find someone else.

That is, if they don't get a reaction, their plight is unserved and they will move to something else that will serve their insecurities.

Even the Bible states "...silence is golden".

RnR

Yeah what he said...

:D

Rae )0(

[stirata]

One of my roommates had his parents in town yesterday and I had the day off (being a state employee) and came rolling out of bed around 1 in the afternoon. Anyways, my friends mom was like you're up late did you go out last night? I told her no I was up late reading. She asked what I was reading and I told her a book on Wicca. She didn't know what Wicca was until I explained it as being a nature oriented religion and gave her a few facts and common beliefs. She went off on a rant and rave about Christianity (my pentagram necklace probably didn't help) so I went outside to have a cigarette and avoid a confrontation with her. The thing that upset me most is how quick to judge she was after being a teacher for 10 or 15 years. She herself admitted she knew nothing about the religion and was way too quick to judge in my opinion. I'll quit ranting now. BB.

[evilslinkycat]

Originally posted by Khari


What doy ou do with those people who know your wiccan and fallow you around and scream things at you like "REPENT" and "FREAK!" i hate that... and i also want to know if anyoen else goes through it...

Yep as a friend of mine says 'been there done that got the t-shirt'.
Most of the time I just ignor them, I don't waste my time trying to 'preach' at them, dosen't do any good. They are set in their ways and don't want to hear your side of things. There are always going to be people like that. Yeah it controls negiative pressure, but hey people are afraid of what they don't understand. Trying to tell them this or that is like banging your head against a brick wall, they for the most part are not going to listen...

However. a well timed smile and a "gee, thanks I'm so happy you noticed" can be fun at times.....

:D

[rantnraven]

This post brings back the memory of a song I like that was done by Rush. The song was called Witch Hunt. One of the lines in the song reads:

Quick to judge, quick to anger
but slow to understand.
Ignorance a prejudice
walk hand in hand.

It is our patience and understand that will allow us to prevail. I feel that we need to "turn the other cheek", so to speak. Others, that do not understand, will come around - if they choose to. Otherwise, let them go with their ignorance. Let it not bother you.

RnR

[Lilu]

You could always try holding up your pentacle in their face and yell "BE GONE SPAWN OF JESUS!" :rolleyes: :crazy: :p

Seriously though, fantine's advice is good. Hit them where it hurts, threaten to have them arrested.

BB
Lilu

[evilslinkycat]

Originally posted by Lilu
You could always try holding up your pentacle in their face and yell "BE GONE SPAWN OF JESUS!" :rolleyes: :crazy: :p


LMAO That great! Might have to use it sometime :p

[Ravenhart]

Once I was sitting in my art class, and the guy sitting across from me noticed my Pentagram (which I usually always wear). The guy asked me "What does that thing mean?" I was not about to say that I was a witch, so I just acted dumb and said, "It's just a star". The guy, like most people, thought I was Satanic. So, a few days later it was cold and rainy. The same guy who asked what the Pentagram was said to another guy at the table, "It's a good day to worship Satan."
It would be nice if we could just walk up to someone who asks what the pentagram stands for and tell them it's for witchcraft. Unfortunately, some people are blasted with the idea that if you are not loyal to Jesus or the Christian God you are evil and will go to Hell. If you tell people that you are a witch, they will get all these bogus ideas. I would like to go down the street and proudly proclaim that I am a Wiccan. I really would. But then I may get a minister on my door step with holy water in a super soaker.
Hopefully, things will get better, and more people will be understanding and open minded.

Blessed Be!

[Myst]

There are those who will listen and those who won't.

I don't waste my breath on those who won't, but would spend hours speaking with someone who's ready to hear me.

Don't let them get to you; just be too busy doing your own thing and loving your own life, and soon you'll just pity them that they can't listen

[rantnraven]

Originally posted by Ravenhart
But then I may get a minister on my door step with holy water in a super soaker.


Just return fire with your super soaked loaded with salt water.:eek:

[ladyrowan]

Not sure this will help, but might be worth a try ...........

My sister was having a lot of trouble with kids banging on her door and calling her a witch when she opened it, they were also trashing her garden and causing lots of problems for her.
So, one day they were up to their usual tricks, she went into the garden with what she hoped was an evil look on her face and said
"If i'm a witch, don't you think it would be safer not to mess with me?" followed by an old crone's cackle.

They've never bothered her since!

[random]

ignore em. until they actually want to know, spend the time talking to them... This happened to me on graduation practice the guys I had to sit by asked me about it, but they started the conversation: "So, you worship the Devil." but, they listen none the less and we got in trouble for not paying any attention to what was going on... but, you could also do like someone said use the law. never know.

[MistOfTheSea86]

You say this. "I'll Get you my Pretties!" While wearing a prosethetic wart if available, and besides if they are very young, then they can still take in Info. Try to talk to em' about it, and if problems persist talk to the parents, and if they get in on it. Call the police because it is discrimination and vandalism. Everyone is intitled to their own religous beliefs and no one can say you are wrong! Or just to break you out of it.

[Loki]

I once had a similar problem, I don't think it was as bad.
When I was in high school I had several friends who were Christian. Mind you I had not found Paganism yet and I was not Christian myself.
These friends of mine caught wind of my belief in evolution. They harrassed me some and questioned my beliefs. I stuck to my guns and we talked, eventually they accepted me for who I was.

I have another story that includes the threat of violence and being physically man handled because of these beliefs but I don't want to bore you all. :)

[silvrsnstr]

I myself havw had a bad expierence with somone about Paganism. I don't wear a pentacle, but an equal-armed cross. He saw it and was like devilworshiper. So i said, Who? He did a double take, and said the devil. And I said whos that? That was all it took to get him off my back. Pretend you don't know anything about the devil, or satan. It worked for me.

Blessings,
Crimson StarRaven

[Annyka]

Originally posted by Ravenhart
It would be nice if we could just walk up to someone who asks what the pentagram stands for and tell them it's for witchcraft.

When people tell ask me about my symbols ( I wear an anhk around my neck and a petagram as a ring ) I tell them the following- "The Anhk is an egyptian symbol of life. The pentagram is a symbol that represents the elements of life."

Usually I get asked why/how and so I say - "The two parts of the Anhk represent feminity and masculinity and together that creates life. And (while pointing to the parts of the pentacle) this bit represents earth, fire, water, air and spirit."

Sometimes I get asked why do I wear them and if I think they are the interested type I will tell them, but if I think they would be offended or feel negativity towards me (my instinct is usually pretty good) I tell them - ""BECAUSE I LIKE THEM".

When told that the pentagram is a satanic symbol I correct them and say - "Only if it is held this way" (single point down) "Otherwise it is just a symbol of life."

I haven't had any trouble by doing it this way :)

Blessed be
Annyka;) ;)

[Twig]

Turn around, smile, and tell them:
"tis better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt". 8O 8O 8O 8O

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[scorpiomoon]

First of all let me say that although an inverted pentagram is associated with Satanism, it does not mean Satanism. The five points of the pentagram also represents the five points of the body ( head, arms & legs ). Single point up (head up) represents spirituality over the body and inverted means body over spirituality. Hence the association w/Satanism. ( Carnal sin, evil, blah blah blah) I digress. The reason I bring this up I am a very open Pagan. On my left bicep I have a tattoo of the Goddess draped over an inverted Pentacle. Although I do believe in spirituality over the body, it represents the rebel in me. So needless to say I'm pretty much asking to get a reaction. Ignorance is bliss, Knowledge is power.
Don't let them bother you. If they ask you about your beliefs be truthful and they still don't understand or accept. Just ignore them. People fear the unknown and don't have the capacity to do something about it some are just happy that way. but if they are truly harrassing you (not just being really annoying) Then call the police, take action. But do it Legally. You don't want something to come back on you.

[Adam Of Avalon]

I just eat their young. Muahaha!

[Earth Walker]

Originally posted by Adam Of Avalon
I just eat their young. Muahaha!

Barbecued or Oven Roasted? ;)

[Starlight]

If people ask me such questions as that I dance around the real answer and just simply tell them my beliefs instead of the plain fact that I'm a witch. Like if someone asked me what the pentagram on my neck meant I'd say " It's a pentagram and it means ..yadda..yadda..!" You don't sound as strange to them that way as if you had just said " Yep, I'm a witch"
I don't know, this is just my way of handling things. :)

[random]

I am moving schools again, unfortunatly I will have to go through this ordeal again... I permanently wear a pentagram around my neck, close-up high-I never take it off, I can't really. People can see it, its pretty large, and heavy, and it gets noticed alot. Right now I have had curious questions pressed to me like: "Do you know what that means?" or the more typical-"What the F* are you wearing that? DEVILWARSHIPER!" then again, im just a little Freshmen, hey, what do I know anyway? Heh, i usually have a pentagran drawn on my hand, get bored in class alot...

Recently, a Catholic girl in the Jr. High here went to the Ren. Festival and bought a $25 pentagram, not knowing what it meant. Her parents obviously did not know what it meant. I find this extremely funny because this certain girl reacted very negativly when she found out I am a witch. She is in my little sisters class--8th--and my lil sis is Christian, but not, she doesn't go to church or anything but still believes, well, she told the girl what it meant--just the simple things--spposivly the girl freaked out...

I love that....

christy

[mol]

Originally posted by Mystique


Barbecued or Oven Roasted? ;)

Bah! That takes too long. Throw em in the microwave.

[Starlight]

Originally posted by mol


Bah! That takes too long. Throw em in the microwave.

Wimps.....eat em like a man.........Eat em raw!

[Mythrel]

Originally posted by Ravenhart

Unfortunately, some people are blasted with the idea that if you are not loyal to Jesus or the Christian God you are evil and will go to Hell.
Blessed Be!

I have a quick and simple response:
"I can't go to hell...I don't even believe in hell or this supposed Satan guy."

but that's just me...
Mythrel

[Starlight]

Originally posted by Mythrel


I have a quick and simple response:
"I can't go to hell...I don't even believe in hell or this supposed Satan guy."


Very good point. :)

[white_draco]

When somebody tells me I'm a freak Satan worshipper I tell them that they need Jesus. That only applies if I know they're a Christian. If they aren't a Christian I tell them Satan in a Christian concept is no way incorporated into my beliefs and dash off yelling "Blessed Be". But the most effective way I found to make those annoyances go away is to laugh at them.

[Radocs]

Since I work as a security guard I've gotten really good at ignoring jerks. What always works for me is pretending you don't hear them and then imagining how fun it would be to run over them with a jeep. ^_^

[Starlight]

Originally posted by Radocs
Since I work as a security guard I've gotten really good at ignoring jerks. What always works for me is pretending you don't hear them and then imagining how fun it would be to run over them with a jeep. ^_^

But imagine is the word here folks! :T

[Radocs]

Exactly. I am in no way condoning running morons over with any sort of vehicle here. Besides, I don't own a jeep anyway.... :rolleyes: