Hi,
I have been looking into the Wiccan faith for about a year now but really became a Wiccan about 3 months ago. Its really settled me in my life and i feel comfortable with who i am....however. I have a friend who is devoutly Christian i respect his faith and him but i have tried the Christian path and it didnt suite me i felt i was just doing it to keep in line with my family and friends. Initially i didnt tell this friend i was Wiccan but he has found out and said i will burn in Hell. This doesn't bother me because i dont believe in it but i dont want to lose his friendship and he has been avoiding me. I cant be something im not but at the same time i dont want to hurt those around me.I am in my late 20s and know this is not a phase.PLEASE HELP ME!
2007-03-29 00:38:50 · 21 answers · asked by Silent Doe 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sweetie, you can't force someone to accept your belief.
If this person is avoiding you, no matter what the reason, the only thing you can do is confront him and ask him why. If he says he can't be your friend now because of your belief, there is nothing you can do.. it's his issue to deal with, and while it hurts, you have to follow the path that is right for you.
I'm sorry this happened to you. Have you befriended any other wiccans in your area? Perhaps you'll find some new friends in that community.
If not, http://witchvox.com is a great resource for networking with other pagans.
Many blessings on your path,
Kallan
2007-03-29 00:52:14 · answer #1 · answered by Kallan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes these situations are unavoidable. You can't please everyone and you shouldn't have to act or believe in a certain way in order to try to please others. I would suggest telling this friend flat out where you stand. You don't need to be mean, but be blunt so there is no misunderstanding about where you are coming from. If you end up losing this friend, I am sorry... but sometimes it's for the best. You are not hurting anyone by becoming a Wiccan. And if he were a true friend, he wouldn't feel hurt or offended by your personal choice. If he has given you the "hell threats" yet avoids talking with you about it... well, I can't see how you can consider him a "true friend". Obviously he doesn't base friendship on what is important. Instead he's basing it on whether or not you believe like him. That is not friendship.
2007-03-29 01:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by Kithy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will not be able to change anyone's mind. It's time to make a decision. You can follow your own path and continue to be happy, or you can continue a path that others feel comfortable with. Try meditating and visualize yourself a few years from now as a pagan whose life has grown and changed with the knowlege you gain and the practices you adopt. Then visualize yourself as the person your friend wants you to be. Praying in a church, worshipping in thier rituals, interacting with their congregation, and proclaiming your faith. Really think about it. Which one are you? Which one do you want to be? What will you become? What will lead you to your true path of happiness? Be honest with yourself. Know that you will most likely lose this person's friendship if you do not give in to the pressure. Know also that there is so much you will gain. You have already answered you own question. You tried the Christian faith and it did not suit you. To be blunt, it sounds very Christian to sacrifice your own happiness to follow the crowd. My instincts tell me you'd rather not be a hypocrite going to a church that does not reach you spiritually. Blessed be.
2007-03-29 01:03:17 · answer #3 · answered by Konswayla 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a very difficult situation and I appreciate that there's no easy solution.
I'm in my late 20's as well although being a practicing Pagan is difficult when you live in a coverted shed down the bottom of your boyfriend's garden 'cause there's no room at the inn!
At the end of the day, if people love you they will understand eventually that this is who you are. If they don't understand then as much as it hurts it's their loss and you have to move on with your life.
When I was a kid in the Brownies I went to church every 2nd sunday of the month and if the minister asked a question on the bible I would be the first one to stick my hand up and answer it, in fact I didn't even realise that there were still witches around until I came across my first book on Wicca at the age of 20!
I wish every success in what you do and plaese don't listen to any bigots who post here- it doesn't matter what religion you are, it matters as to what sort of person you are!
Goddess Bless!
2007-03-29 01:33:31 · answer #4 · answered by Trouble 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh boy. That is a tough one. If you know this is the path you must be on, you have to understand that this is some of the stuff that comes with it. I wish we could live in a world where everyone is understanding and supportive of each other's spiritual walk, wherever it needs to lead them, but that just isn't the case, and you just learned why it's traditional to keep it secret that you're a Pagan. Even though Paganism has become more common and more mainstream in recent years, it is way far from finding acceptance in the US. If this person were really your friend, he would respect you more than that, though, I have Christian friends that know I'm Pagan, and they don't bother me about it, I respect them, and they respect me. I hope all works out for the best for you.... Good Luck....
2007-03-29 00:51:08 · answer #5 · answered by beatlefan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not wiccan , but have read tons of books and talked to lots of people about this. I think it is great that you found something that relaxes you. I'm Christan and I don't understand why your friend would judge you like that. Christa ins are taught not to judge, but we all do it. If he is your friend give him so time, he may come around. I guess is he won't.Being he was your friend why didn't you discuss that you was exploring your options? It would of made it easier on him then having to find out from someone else. You might have lost him forever. Not fair I know. Get to know fellow wiccans and move on, that's what your doing anyway.
2007-03-29 00:50:49 · answer #6 · answered by norielorie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He must not really be your friend if he acts this way! I am a Wiccan but all of my friends don't really care about my religion.. They just usually ask me about it. Try to talk to him and say that you except his faith and agree to disagree on religion.. If that doesn't work then I guess that he's not you're real friend
2007-03-29 02:26:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
astounding that in a few short centuries that the Christians would go from "being persecuted" to doing the persecution themselves. This is a great example of how the Christian faith is full of hypocrisy...
2007-03-29 01:42:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this person cannot respect your decision and even goes so far as to wish an eternity of firey torment on you, (saying you will burn in hell) then he is not really your friend.
2007-03-29 00:44:40 · answer #9 · answered by Praetorian 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the guy is avoiding you due to your religion, then his friendship was completely conditional, and thus not a true friendship.
Shake his dust from your feet, and move on.
2007-03-29 04:54:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋