Should I keep my Pentacle hidden around my dad's friends?

Question

I recently came out of the broom closet to my dad. He is a Christian minister and so are both of his parents. I got my license a few months ago, but not in Christian ministry. Anyway, he says the Witchcraft thing doesn't bother him, but he doesn't want me telling any of the family friends about it, even if they ask, and he doesn't want me to wear any of my Pagan jewelry, including my Pentacle around them. I cannot take off my Pentacle unless I am sleeping, showering or doing athletic stuff. Plus I have one tattooed on the back of my neck, so now I cannot wear my hair up around his friends either. Do you think my dad is out of line here? I think I should be allowed to be myself. My dad has a gay brother and he was asked to "not flaunt his sexuality in front of people" and now they don't speak anymore. Should I adhere to my dad's wishes, or should I be myself and not care what anyone thinks?

I'm not living under my dad's roof. I'm an adult now.

Answer 1

My father and stepmother are very devout Christians. However, once I was living on my own they stopped telling me what I should/should not do. My father is a fair man---he would not ask me to do something that he was unwilling to do himself. I don't tell him he must hide what he believes from my friends, what jewelry to wear, or how to wear his hair. He doesn't dictate those things to me either for him to love me (no one does, including my husband). It is about mutual respect. Our religions have always been different---and we respect one another for it. Yes, I think that your father's demands are inappropriate for an adult child. But only you know where to draw the line between how much power you choose to give you father over your adult life. What if you are in a nearby town with your hair up and pentacle showing and you run into some of his friends? Are you going to hide? They'll probably find out sooner or later anyway and you know how fast gossip travels in a congregation. You can be low key but what your father is asking is much more than that.

Answer 2

Personally, I think your father should respect your choice of religion.
Him asking you to not wear your pentacle and other pagan jewelry is like asking him or any Christian not to wear their cross.

So personally, yes I would think it's a bit out of line for your father to ask such a thing.

But for the part about what you should do, I think that's up to you entirely.
In a worst case scenario, going ahead and disregarding your fathers wishes might cause family drama.

If it was me, I'd show my religion with pride. But then again, my parents aren't very religious, and wouldn't really care.
With your father being a minister it might be quite a different situation, depending on how your father would deal with this of course.

Answer 3

It is recommended that you might wear it closer to your heart where it could shake people up so bad that they lose their minds, but Wicca is a choice, sexuality is NOT therefore that edict that he shouldn't "flaunt" his sexuality is "nauseating". That's like telling others that they shouldn't "flaunt" the fact that they breath, eat, etc.

Ultimately you have to make the choice for yourself. Sounds like your Dad is more concerned about his own self-image than your feelings and those of the brother, so I would've revolted... let's put it this way... if you're living under his roof you probably should obey his rules, despite the intentions behind it, and just tuck the pentacle close to your heart, if you're an adult, they can all just learn to suck it up that there are differences of religious thought in this world and get over it. If you feel, as an adult, you're EVER in danger of physical harm, then you should always tuck it to your heart.

Hope this helps. _()_

Answer 4

I suppose it depends on how much you value your relationship with your father.
A pentacle is a piece of jewelry. It isn't something you MUST wear or you'll offend the gods, and it certainly isn't what protects you. Magic comes from within you and not from what you wear.

Your father obviously has issues with what other people think.
I think it's going a bit far to ask you to lie about your beliefs if asked, and it seems hypocritical, given that he is a christian minister.

Perhaps you could compromise with him in some way?
Let him know what you are willing to do and what you aren't, and see what comes of it.

Honestly, this is completely your decision and only you can decide what's right for you.

Many blessing to you on your path..
Kallan

Answer 5

Its difficult because on the one hand, your dad should be proud of you what ever you do and shouldnt try and make you change urself for someone else but on the other hand, you love your dad and you wouldnt want his friends to turn against him or talk about him behind his back because of your actions.

I understand that you cant take off your pentacle so prehaps you could just hide it underyour clothes but i dont think that having your hair down is that bigger deal.

I know this wasnt very usefull im sorry, but just remember it doesnt matter what people think as long as your happy with yourself

Answer 6

I guess I would have to know whether your dad is still supporting you or not to answer appropriately.

Ok, as an adult living on your own I think you should live as you wish and your dad should respect your choices.
You don't necessarily have to rub his nose in it, but I don't think you should have to remove your jewelry or deny your beliefs either. The tattoo part?...to older folks that's pretty extreme...you might toss dad a bone and keep your hair down around them......................... ;-)

Answer 7

It sounds like your farther might be trying to protect you from an onslaught of Christian conservatives. I wouldn't purposely be defiant of him, but just because he doesn't want you to "show off" your jewelry doesn't mean you can't wear it. I wear my jewelry under my clothes whenever my family is around. If people in my extended family ask, I usually just say that I'm a deist.

Do what you want. Just be aware that you might receive hostility if you "flaunt" your religion. Then again, if they're hostile to you, then do they really love you, or is it conditional?

Blessed be.

Answer 8

Well the Bible says that bringing evil into your Dad's house or ungodlyness will actully curse your Dad's house. Such as abojects and other God's that might be pagan God's. So I think the Pentacle might be bringing more bad to your Dad then Good, that is if you live with your Dad, I am surprised he does not know this!? If bad thibgs start to happen top your Dad, then this is what I am speaking of. You would then have to stop wearing the pentacle when you are inyour Dad's house, so as to not offend God. Now having it tattooed on you, could possibly curse you to, but if you start having bad luck yourself, then I would have i removed.

Answer 9

(Deuteronomy 18:10-to-13) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

(Deu 18:11) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

(Deu 18:12) For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

(Deu 18:13) Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

Thanks, RR

Answer 10

I would keep it out of sight, unless you have a reason for starting a confrontation. On the other hand, if someone asks you outright, will you lie about it? It all comes down to what sort of relationship do you want to have with your dad? You could press your rights, but are you willing to lose your relationship with him?