Wiccans, Druids, Pagans.......?

Question

Do any of you feel pressurised to keep your faith a secret? I have looked into some of the Neopagan beliefs and they make alot of sense to me but on here and in general people seem to dismiss it, i honestly dont know why (probably social conditioning) but id be intimadated by revealing my faith as a pagan - how do you feel about telling people?

Answer 1

No, I live in a city where multiculturalism is alive and well and most people I've run into are quite accepting. Mind you, my religion isn't something I talk about at the drop of a hat! I wear a pentacle necklace, but it's fairly subtle and most people just think it's decorative. The only people who have approached me about it have been fellow Wiccans and Pagans.

My family knows, and I also do a lot of "Pagan PR" with the local media -- my name is on the call lists of both major newspapers and a few of the local radio and television stations, and I do interviews under my real name. As you can probably imagine, I get a lot of requests for interviews at Halloween (Samhain). I believe that educating the public about what we believe -- and don't believe -- is important, but it certainly isn't something that everybody could or should do. I'm a freelance artist whose clients are mainly outside of my home city, so I don't really risk losing my job as a result of being "out" as a Wiccan.

If you don't want to talk about your religion to non-Pagans -- don't. It's as simple as that. It can't legally come up in job interviews and since Pagans usually don't prosyletize, there's no real reason put the information out there.

However, if you do find yourself wanting to connect with Pagans in your area, I highly recommend the Witches of the World site at Witchvox:

http://www.witchvox.com/xvn.html

Just use the pull-down menus on the left to find individuals, groups, shops, and events in your area. Being Pagan doesn't mean that you have to be alone. :-)

I wish you the best of luck. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email or IM me.

Answer 2

I'm not secretive but I don't offer personal information to those whom I don't know well. If someone asks, I'll usually answer short and sweet. I leave out the details and explanations. If someone wants to know more, they'll ask (and again, my answer is usually short and to the point). Most times, they don't ask. Religion just isn't a subject that often comes up in my normal conversations. There are so many other topics to talk about.

Answer 3

As a pagan and a Wiccan, i do no longer condemn any non secular thought. We experience all direction carry approximately Deity. We do even nevertheless get disillusioned at Christians who attempt and destroy our faith and let us know we are going to hell as quickly as we've not got self assurance in hell. We beleive that each and each direction is optimal and good for the believer. i used to be a Christian so i be responsive to the upside to that thought. while a guy or woman is fairly training what the bible teaches, Christianity is packed with love and compassion for anybody. The bible teaches appreciate for all and teaches it fairly is followers to handle others as they decide for to be dealt with. It teaches honesty, integrity and to consistently be ordinary and ordinary. If all Christians could certainly stay by skill of what the bible teaches, this worldwide could be a greater advantageous place. Jesus on no account compelled his ideals on absolutely everyone and if people did no longer settle for him, he left them on my own. He did get in confrontations with the Rabbi's and the non secular leaders of the day and maximum of his condemnations are directed at people who experience the could desire to instruct faith to others. no longer as quickly as in nis finished existence did he ever bypass to a pagan ritual and pray and sing and tell the pagans they have been going to hell. Jesus knew persons that did no longer beleive in him does no longer be swayed by skill of consistent preaching. Jesus infrequently condemned the pagans, because of the fact they did no longer declare to be conversing from God.

Answer 4

Be open about it, ignore the people who want to judge you because of choice of religion. Yes many people are taught to see anyone who is not their religion as evil, I think they should find the facts and not just listen to what a priest tells them.
I am open about it, some of my friends think it should be kept a serect. I don't let it get to me when people think that I am evil, devilworshiper, whatever else. If this is the religoin you want to follow, do it and don't let anyone stop you.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I used to be much more open about my religion, but then I started working among very conservative people. Now, for the most part, I shut up about it. That is, unless I'm among people who I think will not freak out if I tell them. :D Usually those are people with whom I have a social life. So, I'm not terribly open with people at work (although we have discussed religion a bit). I love talking about religion, so it's kind of hard for me!

Answer 6

Agnostics, Atheists, Unitarian Universalists...
Much like your political beliefs, your religious beliefs have a time and a place to be discussed and or debated. I will never bring either subject up with people in situations that are tenuous to begin with and I respect anyone's right to decline an answer. That is the great thing about the USA. I may not agree with one word you say, but I will defend your right to say it.(and believe it)

Answer 7

Well, I don't shout it from the roof tops, but I do wear a pentacle and my friends and family know who I am.
If an acquaintance honestly asks about what I believe, I will tell him/her and they are usually nice enough about it.
I have noticed people noticing my pentacle but if they don't say anything neither do I.
Peace

Answer 8

I've faced persecution for me beliefs (I'm agnostic) and I admire anyone that can stand up for what they believe in. Don't be afraid of what people will say. We won't know what happens until we're dead anyways. And you know what happens if the Christians were right? REPENT REPENT REPENT. At least I think thats how it goes...

Answer 9

I usually only tell people (in real life) If i get backed against the wall and theres no way of changing the subject.

But here on the net i talk about it all the time :)

Answer 10

I dont keep it a secret but i dont go and tell everyone i meet immediately. why should i have to keep my religion a secret, though my dad doesnt know because he would probably disown me, but i am going to tell him when im 18 and move out.