Difficulty with family

[Sun_and_Saturn]

Not sure if this would be the right place to post this, so someone please tell me if it is not in the appropriate forum. :huh: And I totally apologize in advance if there are already threads pertaining to this issue. (Please, oohhh, please forgive me!)

I've just seriously begun practising within the past year, although I have been studying for quite a while. Here's a little background: I was raised in a "Christian" household to follow the Christian God and believe in him. I have always had an interest in Paganism ever since I can remember. I never really felt comfortable with Christianity, like it just wasn't right for me. So about a year ago I began to really question a lot of things, my beliefs, and I decided to follow my heart. AND I am a much happier person now. I feel "right" about myself.

My mom and my sister (and my husband of course) are the only ones who know about my "conversion". They don't like it and my mom always makes some reference to the Bible every time I go to visit her. I can't have a discussion with her. The rest of my family (my dad, grandparents, brother, etc) doesn't know, and they are the militant conservative Christian type. Especially my grandmother and grandfather. I know that they would not be very accepting of the news.

My point is, I know I don't have to tell them, and I don't plan on it, but I am sure it will come out at some point very soon (I just have a weird feeling) and I know all (proverbial) hell will break loose. Anyone go through the same thing or have advice how to deal with it?

[Crystal Craft]

In a way but my first advice to you is to never fell your wrong due to the fact that other people views are not yours. Your family should except you for who you are and your husband. The boyfriend I was with when I started down my spiritual path is no longer with me because he couldn't grow with me. ( plus other reasons). I was raised Catholic, even went to catholic school for 8 years and when I switched my beliefs and religion my family excepted it. They really have no choice because the choice is yours. Now a little on your mom quoting the bible. Well I have a few facts she won't be able to argue with if you want them. Also stating that love has no religon. If you have a questions or need to chat I would be honored to help you.
Blessings
Crystal

[greenwitch]

I went through the same thing with my mother, she would quote the bible and tell me I would burn in hell when I died, which is strange because though she grew up catholic she never went to church and several times even declared herself athiest. One day we got into an argument and she brough it up, so I told her, you know what, your god preaches of love and compassion for everyone regardless of race, creed, color, religion, or even species, I love you despite your extreme differences, you're my mother and I accept you. all I ask of you is that you do the same. she still brough it up but not as much, and now she tolerates my beliefs more than anything... but we don't fight anymore, at least, about my religion..

[MorningDove030202]

Well, there is the book "when someone you love is Wiccan" but sometimes it takes time before they will even look at it. Most of all agree to disagre and keep aferming that you love them and that your converstion doesn't mean they have to do. Tell them if they have questions, you would be happy to answer them when they are ready to ask.

Dove

[merlo]

I think some of that abuse they heap on us is somewhat inspired by fear. Anyway, that makes me think they aren't totally brainwashed when they think that way. All through recorded history the seer's and the witches have been feared or revered. Wish I could help ya hon, but we all go through it to some degree, unless they are lucky enough to have been raised pagan. My folks just don't talk about it anymore. My mom still wants me to go to Midnight Mass on Christmas, which is kinda a pagan thingy anyway. Other than that she's getting kinda cool with it, though I HAVE been telling her I have other than Xian beliefs for like the last 10 years. Good luck! :sunny:

[Arinya]

Well...
first I want to see rock on and continue to follow your heart where ever it may lead you. :)

Secondly, I would put it simply to them. You can have a daughter who loves you and you love, no matter the differences, or you can do the judging for your God and lose a daughter. Ask them the question, "You could love me when I was Christian but you can not love me now when I am Pagan?" Remind them to love you for you, not for what religion you practice. YOU ARE THEIR DAUGHTER Paganism is not there daughter, Christianity is not their daughter, You are.

[greenwitch]

Well...
first I want to see rock on and continue to follow your heart where ever it may lead you. :)

Secondly, I would put it simply to them. You can have a daughter who loves you and you love, no matter the differences, or you can do the judging for your God and lose a daughter. Ask them the question, "You could love me when I was Christian but you can not love me now when I am Pagan?" Remind them to love you for you, not for what religion you practice. YOU ARE THEIR DAUGHTER Paganism is not there daughter, Christianity is not their daughter, You are.


well said.

[ClarissaMoon]

As a few of my relatives are Xtian, they don't go to church often or quote from the bible, and some of them are the strict supersticious Xtians who always go to church and they think pagans are worshippers of the devil. There's no way of getting through to those people because they'll resent you, and their Xtianity is more important than their kin. Xtianity is a slave religion and its tightened its grip on many people, there's simply no way of making them understand. Some do learn to accept it but others just can't. Being pagan has created a bridge between me and those strict Xtians of the family and basically I'm better off without them.

[Xentor]

I love the freedom people in the USA have. Including their constitutional freedom of religion.