How do u explain witchcraft and wicca to a christian without getting a bad reaction?

Question

My brother knows that I do witchcraft and wicca, and he wants to know what it's about, but he's a christian and I don't want him to react badly and ask me stupid stuff like have I ever put any spells on anyone or can I turn something into a toad etc. So how do I explain it?

my brother is trying to convert me, and so he wants to know what I used to believe in, so I can let go completely...sorry if I didn't explain that properly.

Answer 1

Well a lot of these answers are a load of rubbish ..... lol. I'm a Christian, so I'll take it from there ..... basically, if he wants to know, then tell him straight, if he cares that much for you and wants to convert you, then he'll listen and try to understand. Ok, you may get some stupid questions, but if he doesnt know anything on the subject then in a way I guess thats to be expected. And in the end, he cant force you to convert to Christianity, its your life, so its your choice ultimately what you want to believe in

Answer 2

Wicca is an earth-based religion, which sees all of Creation as Sacred simply because it is alive. Witchcraft is a tool... a type of psychology one uses to focus on a specific outcome.

There really isn't any way to explain this to people who fear the unknown and have always been told it's pure evil. Magic is not magic... I know, it sounds stupid, but it is the truth. When someone says magic, most people think of Disney cartoons or Harry Potter (poor guy) and it is nothing like that at all.

Just be prepared for the worst. Just glancing over some of your other answers should pretty much tell you how a typical Christian will react to it. Fear, Hate and an obvious ignorance that is astounding in this day and age.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

Wicca is just an afterthought of paganism, and there are astounding similarities between Christianity and paganism, take for instance the symbols, the pentagram or pentacle if you rather was actually used as a Christian symbol, the 5 points representing the 5 wounds of Christ...
I really do think some of the people on here aren’t true Christians as they just use these questions as an excuse to prejudice and belittle others... and I'm not pagan or Wicca before you all start giving me crap...
ttfn ;o)
and if you're brother starts acting like a twonk again, send the little snot rag to a damned library!

Answer 4

Wicca is an Earth-based religion that worships the forgotten Gods and Goddesses and the Elements Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Wicca is not evil in any way! We believe in the three-fold law which is to harm none and what you give comes back on you three times good or bad. Our spells are like Christian prayers only using nature as our guide.

This is what I usually say to evryone so they don't freak out too much. And then if they want to know more, I'll go into more details.

Answer 5

I cannot get over the sheer amount of bigotry in some of these answers!

As for explanation, if you have any books, gather them up. Places online like http://www.religioustolerance.org/ really help as well. And keep in mind in the explanation that in the technical sense, a Pagan is anyone who does not practice Christianity or Judaism.

I can't say one way or the other if it will be easy or not. You could always try to start off with humor, like "Have you ever seen a witch before? - There's one standing in front of you" since so many people (and a lot on here apparently) seem to think we're all scraggly with green skin and large warts.

Education and an open mind are key.

Answer 6

If your brother is trying to convert you he is unlikely to accept anything you say about your beliefs in a good way. Just be honest and deal with his questions however silly they might seem. Since Wicca is so free form and there is no definitive one way to approach it explain the tenets carefully.

A belief in the Divine as neither male nor female, but encompassing both, through the archetypes of God and Goddess, by many names and aspects.

A belief in the Divine being present in all things, including nature and animals, which engenders a respect for all life, even inanimate life.

A belief in the ability to affect and shape one's reality and world by the process called Magick, which is a use of conscious will directed towards a goal - called a spell. This process is often done through rituals and/or with props that assist in focusing the will towards a goal.

The belief that no spell should be cast on any person without their conscious consent.

The belief in the 3 Fold Law, that what is sent out comes back to us, not just once, as in Karma, but 3 times over.

The Wicca Rede: An it harm none, do as thou wilt.

Answer 7

Whether he is Christian or not has no reflection on his reaction what so ever, if he asked about it then tell him, if you are worried about his trying to convert you as you say then simply explain what it is and ask him to respect that, if he cannot then ask him to drop the subject or ignore it respectfully when he brings it up.

It does tend to work better if you avoid saying 'Wicca is like Christianity because of X, Y, and Z' it is also generally not a good idea to point out that Christians were practicing witchcraft long before Wicca ever came on the scene. Don't compare religions just explain it very simply, in most simple terms, and then explain why you feel it is right for you, then rather than compare with his religion try to find a common ground, for example try 'When I am following my faith I feel like….., don't you feel the same way?' or open up discussion. Don't be scared to open up lines of communication where you can discuss, that way is how you find common ground and get a better understand of each other even if it may involve some arguing and problems at the start if you have good communication and avoid blaming each others religions or attacking each others beliefs it will work out fine in the end.

Although you may know about Christianity, do you know about his beliefs specifically? Maybe this is a way to find common ground too, if he is asking about your beliefs it is only fair you ask about his and ask just as touch questions to him, while at the same time remaining respectful as you'll get no where asking him to defend his faith to you, because he will just get defensive as I am sure you may get as well when he challenges your beliefs.

He is your brother so I will assume that he loves you as brothers should, thus why he wants to convert you, it isn't out of hatred or prejudice, within Christianity it is believed that Jesus is the only way into heaven and many will try to convert as an attempt to save. Some people go through a phase of being asses, it could be he is just being an ***, in which case treat him as siblings do sometimes treat each other, with fighting and arguing, not with hatred though of course.
The problem is with many Christians is that they believe it is their duty as Christians to teach the word of God and try to save people, however not everyone has the ability to do that. I can probably think of a good few who have greatly offended me as a Pagan when discussing in their communities, there is only one who I remember as attempting to 'convert' me in a positive way where she simply said 'if you have questions, ask me' she was only 14 years old but she had a great ability to explain her faith and religion in a way that would make someone willing to convert want to convert, without offending those who are happy in their own faith. There is also another point right there, if happy in your faith then what should it matter what your brother says anyway?

Jokes are also not always out of hate or mockery, sometimes they are just jokes because people know the stereotypes and sometimes they are just a little nervous about something new to them that they do not understand – after all if someone makes such jokes doesn't it make you want to correct them?

Answer 8

First of all explain that it was the religion of all of us in the Uk until Christianity came over here as an import! Then explain that it is a Nature based religion celebrating the passing of the seasons and living in harmony with our planet. Tell him that witches have known that natural remedies etc work forever and that only know are people beginning to go back to the old remedies and plant therapies.

Tell him it is nothing whatsoever to do with Devil Worship as the Devil is a Christian invention and we dont believe in God or the Devil but just in the life force in all of us and the balance between Male and Female which is why we have both a God - to honour the male elements in us all and nature and a Goddess to honour the female elements in us all and nature.

If he starts going on about spells then explain that people only get turned into toads in storybooks and real witches would laugh at such things - ask him what prayer is? Turn the tables - I bet he says something like " sending my wishes and hopes to God to ask for his blessing " or some such. Then explain that prayers and spells are one and the same thing except that we dont send out our thoughts to God but to the universe in general. Except that our spells are mostly done for the good of someone or something not for personal wishes. Remember the threefold return - explain that to him, whatever you give out you get back three times as strong- it is as simple as a smile - you smile at someone they generally smile back! So you would never do anything bad as you want a happy life not a bad one with bad things happening to you.

Also the main difference is that we tolerate other religions believing that if it works for you it is right, we dont try to convert people we just respect their beliefs and he should respect your right to be a Witch and into Wicca as you respect his right to be a Christian. Christians are supposed to practice tolerance too it is in the bible so he should respect you.

If he is still not convinced tell him to read about other religions especially the creation stories, (you and he if you do this together will find that all religions have similar elements they just have different names! ) For example our law of threefold return is the same as Karma for Buddists or trying to be the best Christian by being a good samaritan. His Father son and holy ghost are our Maiden, Mother and Crone, in other religions there is a threefold aspect - it just has different names and all religions are based on the cycle of life, death and rebirth - think the life of Jesus for Christians and the turning of the Wheel of Nature and the seasons for us - other religions have similar stories with the same elements in them - the more you both read about other religions the more you will realise that all are equally valid - it is what works for you that is important.

Hope this helps - let me know what happens.
Periwinkle )o(

Answer 9

Go for the True Wicca meaning. Mother Earth and that type of stuff. I am born of a line of witches but chose to be christian. I still use and grow herbs for medicines and meditate. Avoid anything about Goddesses and Green Man.

Answer 10

As a Christian, he is conditioned to have blind faith and the self-righteous notion that Christianity is right where everything else is wrong. It seems that he is curious and interested in your "faith" (since I don't know what else to call it-forgive me).
You could find some common ground if the both of you went to visit at a Unitarian Universalist "church" (legally a church, not a place of worship, though). UU's don't have a religious doctrine or creed, but rather a respect and tolerance for diversity. UU's are all about sharing their differences, and fellowship, regardless of belief or faith. Check out a search engine to learn more about UU's, and a local UU "church"..... people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to visit and share. It's pretty cool.
Maybe your brother can learn to accept that there are other possible "correct" beliefs or ways to live by. Knowledge is power, and respect and tolerance is empathetic. Encourage him to question everything and seek the knowledge that brings wisdom. More knowledge=less ignorance=less fear=less hatred=more understanding=more acceptance=more love.
Take Care!