Tell a friend your Pagan/Wiccan do or dont

[DracoJesi]

tell are dont tell ,I dont have anyone tell but if I did
fo r future ref how would I.I know the saying if there your friend it shouldent matter
but people tend to be afraid of what they dont understand. so how would I if i do?

[Dove]

I don't actually "Tell" anyone, anything reguarding my spirituality,
But what I do tell people, is that I'm Native American.
That way ... they assume everything I do is a "Cultural" thing and for some reason, that makes it all exceptable ... *shaking head* ...

[Valkie]

It depends on the reason for the friend knowing.

[Keroberos]

I have no qualms about sharing information with my friends. I personally love learning everything I can about the ways. Anyone asking me questions wouldn't remotely bother me I simply tell them the truth. Like the other day my roomie was asking me about some black candles I got, something about them being unlucky. She felt better once she knew what I would use them for (ie not hexing), but I certainly didn't feel weird explaining it to her. If they ask questions honestly and openly answer them the same, if they ask in condescention and avrice that's when you need to ignore or answer in the same manner.

[forbidden_vengence]

I know when I told my friends that I was pagan they just said what's that.....I had to explain it to them It was hard!! But my friends don't really care.

[Pol]

I voted Do, but I think if any poll NEEDS an 'Other,' this one is it. I think it completely depends on that friend and how they'll respond and think of you for it.

[Lai]

No one knows but myself and MW. When face-to-face I strictly follow the advice passed down to me from generations of wisdom:

"There are three things you don't talk about. Religion, politics, and sex."

[Pol]

No one knows but myself and MW. When face-to-face I strictly follow the advice passed down to me from generations of wisdom:

"There are three things you don't talk about. Religion, politics, and sex."

My dad always said he never talks about politics and religion because everyone differs. I can't help but talk about all three of those any chance I get! :fpartyman

[atropa]

If someone asks, or if it comes up in open minded conversation I will. People seem to figure it out without me saying anything alot of the time anyway.

[DianaStormDancer]

If someone asks, or if it comes up in open minded conversation I will. People seem to figure it out without me saying anything alot of the time anyway.
same here with me, but I have no problem teliing people if they ask and if they go off on a tangent that I will burn in hell or whatever i just simply ask them to agree to disagree with me its thier choice and I am still the person they have always known:)

[alesay]

Yeah, i'm not a big fan of pretending something i'm not. Not that any of the people here or that have posted in this thread are. My spirituality is such a HUGE part of my life, that i feel it would be a lie for me not to mention it. I'm proud of who i am, my faith, the people with me in that, that i tell any friend i think needs to know. Which, every one of my friends knows ;) Family hates it, but... they say nothing :D What i have done to help the issue a long a bit is to reassure them that no, satan isn't my dark prince, and no, i don't think i'm going to hell... Don't think there is one...(besides personal hells ;) Other subject) And i tell them the basics of the religion. Earth based, yay for women power... that kinda thing... I think that to be true to yourself, come out of the broom closet. ;) I'm not ashamed. And i've had ONE friend, only one. That has told me that it must be in their path to lead me back to the ways of Christ. Yeah, we don't talk much. Only because after that, i realized it was never a mutual friendship. It was her, doing her thing, but it's not ok for me. If you have a friend who reacts badly, then i guess that shows you the person they are... Most of your true friends will be cool with it, and most likely ask about it to better understand wicca as well as their friend ;) Ok, this is a huge reply... Sorry! HAHAHA :lol:

[mara]

I told a very good friend of mine..she is a public school teacher who considers herself very scientific and logical in her thinking. I could really see the wheels turning in her mind and sort of regret telling her..I feel as though I have to go out of my way to prove myself sane to her all the time..she is very polite about it, but the kinds of questions that she asked me, and the way she asked them made me feel really uncomfortable.

[soilsigh aingeal]

chose do. If this person would stop being your friend because of it, than they aren't your friend. Besides, didn't Jesus befriend those people who are looked down upon anyway?

ETA... on the other hand, if they're the type to badger you and try to "save" you consistantly, to the point you'd like to strangle them, maybe you should keep quiet ;)

[kaosxmage]

I don't typically come right out and pronounce myself anything, or wear a big sign, or any such pagan bling bling rockin. The people around me find out because I'm different ...oh, and they can't get me in achurch on sundays ....I love that part ...more sleep for me :nonono:

--Kaos

[Noriohtle]

I don't talk about my beliefs with just anyone... as a matter of fact almost noone.. but you see one day at work .. someone that just knew by watching and being around me a bit ..... gave me a wake up call and told me to stop lurking and register here on the board and become active... Thanks yet once again hon

[Katya]

if someone asks me, i tell them. if they don't like it, they can go visit Hadies for all i care.

[~Anamorata~]

Don't have a problem with it...they ask, I explain as best I can, and they draw their own conclusions. :uhhuhuh:

[DracoJesi]

yeah but its not that i dont think that they dont trust me or anything like that and i would only tell if i could trust them.it might come up one day.Im worried that they will run off and never tak to me again and i couldent exlolain and that id never see them again thats where im coming from

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

tell are dont tell ,I dont have anyone tell but if I did
fo r future ref how would I.I know the saying if there your friend it shouldent matter
but people tend to be afraid of what they dont understand. so how would I if i do?
Personally for me it depends on my friends. There is one of my friends who is a strong christian, and most likely won't take it well. So i'm not going to tell her unless she asks or something...but that's how i am most of the time. My religion is my business, not anyone elses. I don't flaunt it, if they want to know then they'll ask me...and i'll tell them truthfully.

[SylverStar]

I'll my friends/family pretty much know I'm pagan (there may be a few family members who have no idea)...Usually most people I've told through religious/philospophical discussions. I had one friend tell me I was going to hell and she felt sorry for me, but the funny thing is we grew closer after that conversation. Me and my sisters relationship also grew after she became christian (born again)...that was a ride to say the least...but I actually got the least amount of preaching at. All she ever told me was to throw my books away and that she knew that I would turn towards God because I was a good person. I don't think I've ever lost any friends or family to my beliefs...whereas others in my family have.

[BluDreamer]

I know when I met my friend, Kieth... We had so much in common, especially our beliefs of the spiritual world and nature...etc... He had told me he was a "Druid" and I didn't know exactly what that really meant- then he said he practiced magic... I kinda thought that was neat. But when I saw the pentagon sign in his room, I asked "What's that?" That's when he told me that was a pentagon and he was a pegan. Automatically I thought of "Devil Worship" or something... but he explained more and the more I learned and understood- and the more I look into myself and my beliefs... The more I really do feel it.
I haven't really "adopted" any religon yet... but I am very interested in learning more about this... the different kinds and all or whatever. :chatty:

[~BEBZ~]

Friendship is about sharing yourself with others, and the mutual acceptance, like, and respect towards one another as a result of finding out about that person. If your friend can't accept you for what you are, then they're not really your friend in the first place.

[Desdemona]

I had a friend at work that I told. I considered and still do consider her one of my best friends. She was okay with it, but she was so okay with it that she would blurt out questions or comments about it in the breakroom when other people were around. She's just not very observant sometimes. :wth: I actually had to downplay it with her so she wouldn't want to talk to me about it anymore. I work for a conservative company, and I couldn't have everyone at work knowing my business, nor would I want to. If I ever work for someone else, I will probably talk to her about it more.

[Dove]

hmmmmm .....
I received the following in a PM this morning regarding a post I made early on in this thread,
And thought it should be shared, incase I came across in the wrong way to anyone else in my response.
So are you native american? Do you belong to a Tribe?

It is some what hypocritcal how it's ok to do this "weird pagan stuff" if you are native, but not if you are an everyday American and you have made a concious decision to not be Christian.....

Dove

I don't actually "Tell" anyone, anything regarding my spirituality,
But what I do tell people, is that I'm Native American.
That way ... they assume everything I do is a "Cultural" thing and for some reason, that makes it all expectable ... *shaking head* ...Well it’s certainly NOT my intention to be hypocritical in anyway.
I don’t see that what I do in my life as "weird pagan stuff" .. Nor do I view anyone else’s spiritual practice as particularly “weird”
Honestly ….. To each their own!!

If what I wrote, came across that way to you, then I need to re-think my style of writing, and pay closer attention to what I post.

Humor isn’t one of my strong points, and I find it difficult to express it in written form.

I think that what I was trying to convey in my post, was that as far as my personal beliefs, and the practice of my personal spirituality … The simple truth is that I don’t believe it to be anyone else’s business!!!
Not in any Way, Shape or Form.

If I choose to share any of it with someone else, that’s my personal choice.
If people are close enough to me to be regarded as a “friends” then they no doubt already know my cultural, and spiritual beliefs.

But in my day to day life,
If anyone else, were to blatantly (with out invitation to do so) .. question my belief system, or anything they see, with regards to the way I practice my Spirituality …
I would simply consider that to be “Rudeness” in the Highest Form!!
Rudeness …. whether in myself, or others, is something I dislike immensely,
And refuse to tolerate, if it’s anything but innocent!!

As to my heritage, or my cultural belief system.
That’s really none of anyone’s business either.
But because “I AM Native American” and because “it shows” in my day to day life style ….
If anyone were to question the practice of my spirituality ….
Well, rather then reply to that rudeness …
As I said in my post (regarding “this” topic) … I simply say … “I’m Native American!!

The sorts of people who openly question a person about the practice of their spiritual beliefs, 99% of the time, will never know the differences, and it’s the sort of answer that (as I’ve already stated) seems to turn the course of the conversation.
Thus putting to an end, a conversation that I probably don’t want to .. And have the basic right … Not to have!!

I hope this better answers your own questions.
And again … if I came across to anyone as being hypocritical in anyway…
Please except my most sincere apologies.

Thank you
And Brightest Warmest blessings on you and yours
(So Mote It Be!!)

[dragonsfollower]

It depends on the reason for the friend knowing.
[B][I][U][QUOTE]im new here but ive always been up front with being wiccan if people cant accept you for who you are they aren't worth you time

[argento_occhi]

i'll tell em if they want to know. My best friend's christian, so we do talk a lot about faith and religion, which i don't mind because i like discussing religion, i just am lacking many friends who want to discuss it. It's cool though. I'll quite happily tell someone i'm pagan. I have no probs with that. I don't tell everyone, i am careful who i tell, but i don't mind telling friends if they ask.

bright blessings,
argent

[DracoJesi]

k and i agree with that but what im saying is if they ask and lets say there ignorant you dont want them to leave and never talk to you befor you explain it i mean if they ask how would you go about telling them?