i'm 15, and live with my stepmom and dad, my moma is dead as of 3 and a half years ago
2006-11-01 05:33:30 · 24 answers · asked by Mrs.Anna Cavanaugh 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hun, you are only 15 years old – Wicca is an initiate-only priesthood, it tends only to initiate people over the age of 18 certainly you are not old enough to be Wicca let alone to have practiced Wicca for three years.
I would highly recommend before getting too concerned about how your parents feel about Wicca you study Wicca for a little while to learn about it some more because you seem to be missing the very basics of the religion, it's no good going off half-****** trying to get your parents to accept you as Wicca when you are not actually Wicca to begin with. Sorry, but in saying you are Wicca you are misrepresenting yourself and also in turn misrepresenting Wicca to others because others who do not know about Wicca may think what you do is true of those who follow Wicca, when it is not. It is very important to understand Wicca and not to add to the misinformation regarding Wicca.
You cannot force anyone to accept a religion, but in most cases it is down to ignorance, if you want them to know about Wicca then learn yourself and explain your beliefs to them and that you think Wicca might be the right path for you when you are older – they may not be too accepting if you break it to them as 'I want to be Wicca – I'll be a priestess and dance around naked with my coven' however if you approach it more as a simple view of Wicca they would be more open to it.
I know someone who used to work for a Pagan religious tolerance organisation, she always recommended to teens that they just let it be, by the time you are old enough to become Wicca then you'll probably have moved out, until then respect their wishes and keep it to yourself as you don't need to tell them, if you want to tell them or find yourself in a position where you need to explain it then get a book from the library or find a good web site and either leave it around for them to read themselves or show them specifically. Parents are protective of their children, their need to protect you will make them want to know what you are 'into' in order to make sure you are not at risk.
2006-11-01 14:12:41 · answer #1 · answered by Bella-bella 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would really depend on how your stepmom and dad would react. You say that they don't accept Wicca, but there's a big difference between being simply disapproving and outright hostile toward it. Still, because you are so young, and still have a few years before you are a legal adult, it might be best just to keep quiet. The way parents react can be awfully unpredictable, and the last thing you want is for them to freak out and insist on counseling or worse, disown you. It's sad, but it has happened to some people for being gay, atheist, or pagan.
My family wouldn't have freaked out too badly if I had told them I was an atheist as a teen, but it still would have been one more issue that would have made for more arguments at home.
2006-11-01 05:48:50 · answer #2 · answered by phaedra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents didn't accept it at first either. My mom especially. We just agreed not to talk about it. I kept my books and things in a special box and respected her request to not have them out. I did however continue to read and study. I had a friend who was also Wiccan and she and I spent a lot of time together experimenting and studying. I hope you have someone to talk to openly about it. If you don't I would be more that happy to keep in touch with you. I think while you live with your parents you should respect them but also let them know (politely) that you would like them to respect you as well. Let them know that you do believe in doing no harm to others or yourself and that you are searching for answers on your own. Some parents are very receptive to this "adult" approach. Like I said, if you need someone to talk to, I'm available.
Blessed Be
P.S. My mom now comes to Pagan Pride Day. She has realized that after 13 years my beliefs have not changed and that what I believe is not as bad as she originally thought. It took her time to understand what it was about and I think your parents too will understand with time. I am sorry for your loss but like PaganRebirth said, death is not an end, it is a transition.
2006-11-01 05:43:40 · answer #3 · answered by PaganPoetess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with soft fuzzy. You can't tell them now unless you're ready for fighting all the time. Though, the Wicca group I joined when I studied Wicca didn't accept anyone under the age of 17. They didn't think the person was responcible enough before then to make such a huge life changing decision. Do you have a support group?
2006-11-01 05:38:58 · answer #4 · answered by sister steph 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What they don't know, will not hurt them. Wiccan is a very spiritual group of people. I will not call it a religion because religion is usually tied to the collection plate. Wiccan is a very earthly, spiritual belief system that is actually right in tune with mother earth and our kindred spirits. Nothing wrong at all with being and believing Wiccan. Religous people don't want to understand that so keep it to yourself. What they don't know cannot hurt them. Unfortunately, if they did know how Wiccans really believe, they might be able to save themselves in time. But, that is very personal so keep yours personal. Wiccan is very lovely and a belief system that is more in tune with spirituality versus religion which leads unsuspecting folks into dropping that dollar in the basket. Know what I mean?
2006-11-01 05:43:34 · answer #5 · answered by sherijgriggs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bring it up to them, but have information ready in case they go through the typical "They're devil worshippers!" Just keep in mind most people outside of our religion really don't know much at all about it and we should remain calm at all times. Keep your thoughts straight and your words will remain straight. And be honest... if you don't know the answer to a question they give, tell them you don't know but are willing to look into it further for them. Don't get upset if they happen to repeat false information... instead offer to show them where that information is wrong.
2006-11-01 06:24:11 · answer #6 · answered by riverstorm13 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't tell them till you move out. Seriously. People have very strange ideas about what Wicca is, and most people aren't really open to listening to it. When you're ready to tell them, there's a good book you can get:
http://www.amazon.com/When-Someone-You-Love-Wiccan/dp/1564146227
The broom closet is a scary place to be, but hang in there.
2006-11-01 07:29:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep your dad & stepmom guessing. Otherwise, it is best to keep on keeping your Wiccan life secretly from them.
2006-11-01 05:40:36 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Toni 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't carry a neon sign around advertising my religion but neither would I lie about it. I have found it easier to occasionally discuss individual beliefs (such as reincarnation, mythology, karma, magic, etc.) than to blurt out a label that someone may not understand.
2006-11-01 06:18:38 · answer #9 · answered by Witchy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How secure are you in your faith? How strong is your faith? I've never had a problem telling anyone I'm an Asatruar. Hell, I practically shout it from the rooftops!
If your faith is strong and true, you should have no problems telling the folks your religion of choice. Just come right out and say it. If they have a problem with it, that's exactly what it is. Their problem.
~Morg~
2006-11-01 05:43:57 · answer #10 · answered by morgorond 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋