Wiccans, Pagans, etc., Should I keep this to myself?

Question

I am a well-liked, respected employee of a public middle school in a small town. I see my fellow employees wearing crosses; yet I wear my faith symbol under my shirt. I hate having to defend myself from ignorance, but tired...should I just let it hang out there and how do I respond to those who persecute me due to this difference in belief?

Answer 1

Some people do not accept your beilefs, because they are ignorant and don't know anything about your religon, and asume it's evil, and witchcraft. I'm not sure how you should respond to people who persecute you. It's sad that people that you have to hide your beliefs.

Answer 2

Sweetie,

Only you can decide about your comfort level.

Most people, in reality, are not terribly observant. It's likely that if your symbol is small, it won't attract much notice.
Of course, if you're wearing a gold pentacle the size of a dinner plate, there's no way it won't be commented on.

I wear mine under my clothes (when I wear it - I need to clean it right now and de-tangle the chain), because I like to keep it next to my skin, in connection with me. But if it pops out, I don't feel that I have to immediately tuck it back in. And I don't choose my wardrobe based on hiding it.

I recommend that you don't anticipate persecution should you decide to wear it openly. Remember that our expectations are one of the factors that create our reality.

On a legal basis, if other teachers are permitted to wear a religious symbol, then you must be afforded the same right. That will not necessarily mean that you won't get harassed, though.

Only you can tell if you have the desire, the strength, and the patience to calmly fight any battles that may ensue if you choose to be open.

Should you have problems, the ACLU defends the religious rights of *everyone*, so keep that in mind.

You have an opportunity here to show, by your example, that the common perceptions about Pagans are inaccurate. That cause will not be served if you are abrasive, defensive, or strident.

But, dearheart, there is no shame in keeping silent/private about your religion....don't we all wish MORE people would do that?

Really, only YOU can decide for yourself (after, I hope, some deep self-examination) if this is something you are ready to do. My best advice is to be very clear on why.

Should you choose to wear your faith symbol openly, and should there be problems because of it, know that you *will* find allies, sometimes in unexpected places, so long as you remain calm and firm, and behave as if it is *absolutely natural* that you should have the same right to religious expression as anyone else.

Behaving as if it is so is the greater part of magic.

Answer 3

I'm a teacher at an adult school in the very liberal Bay Area and I wear Spiral Goddesses and pentacles all the time, it is no biggie.

I can see your problem, though. I nave thought about this and have come to the conclusion that I would wear it absolutely and if someone didn't like it, they would be in for the religious/spiritual fight of their lives. We as pagans and Witches must not back down and be silent EVER!!! We must re-claim the Divine Feminine and put Her UP THERE into social acceptability NOW!!! If not now, then when??? Changes are sometimes difficult, but the more difficult they are, the more pronounced the outcome.

I saw a lot of Th other answers from Christians who would have no problem. That is good. I say wear it, show it, and if you get someone saying that a pentacle is an inappropriate symbol to wear at school, you come right back at them and ask that if yours has to go, so do all the crosses!!! It's either all or nothing! Even the military has had to acknowledge that a pentacle is an appropriate and acceptable marker to be put on a soldier's grave, so if the military has had to acquiesce to this, SO DOES YOUR SMALL TOWN SCHOOL!!!!!

Get the local ACLU and your union in of this and YOU GO GIRL!!!

Bright Blessings!!!
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 4

I'm Wiccan. The other religion that matches my beliefs the closest is a closer match than Wicca - that would be CR. Please don't ask me why I'm Wiccan and not CR :) I can answer that question, it's just complicated. A Non-Pagan religion that is darn close in terms of philosophy (but not in terms of deity) is Buddhism. My father was Buddhist and if not for the gods problem, I could probably be really happy as a Buddhist from what I know of it. I like the attitude about life though I might not be a nice enough person for it.

Answer 5

... I would say that it depends on where you live, what you teach, how far are you willing to fight, and how much you want to deal with personal responsiblity

How do you respond to the people persecuting you? First, try to understand where they are coming from, and what the basis of their actions are, then deal with it accordingly. If they attack you on a basis of fear, try to speak to those fears and help them through it; if they persecute you from a legal standpoint, speak to the legal problems, and work with them on it.
If that doesn't work, you could always treat them how you would like to be treated, and hope that it works out for the best.

.
Take responsibility for your actions: be aware of what you're doing, and learn how to explain your religion fully. If you wear the pentagram, you need to be willing to deal with what comes with it. If you don't want to deal with the territory, do something that will make the situation go away (don't wear it, get a different job, change schools, move to a more accepting place, ect.)

I had a teacher in the computer science part of our school who openly wore a pentacle t-shirt to school. I don't actually think that anyone really recognized what it ment, but only because I went to school in a very liberal and very non-religious school in Washington State.
In any case, he always wore the shirt proudly, and was always well spoken about his religious choice. When asked, he could give a solid, instant answer to what he believed in, why, and what it ment. There are so many times when someone asks a Pagan "What do you believe" and they answer "Uh... well..... hmmm....." This all could be fixed with alittle introspection, some solid historical background about your path, and some speech practice in front of a mirror.
Learning how to describe your religion, and therefore defend it, is just a part of personal responsiblity. Knowing when and where to fight your battles is another.

Good luck,... and choose whats right for you.

Answer 6

I taught middle school for 18 years, and when I was at school (working) I wore my pentagram under my shirt. I wore other pieces of jewelry (my crystals, moonstone ring, etc.) out in the open. When not at work, I wore all my jewelry (including the pentagram) freely. As collegues (fellow teachers) became my friends, and were invited to my home, I didn't hide anything. If someone asked about it, I told them. I'm not exactly sure why I felt like I had to hide the pentagram for all those years. I told myself that it was because it was a personal source of power/faith and that I didn't want to have it questioned or subverted. Since changing jobs two years ago (although I am still teaching) I have not felt the need to hide anything because the community is more tolerant and open. Good luck and blessed be.

Answer 7

I think that it doesn't matter what your fellow employees are doing....who knows, the cross they are wearing might just be fashion accessory in addition to a symbol of faith. So if you have it out there or keep it private, it is all about your faith and how to practice it on a daily basis....I personally believe that amulets or religious icons should be worn as privately as possible....Not because I am ashame of it or fight against ignorance thing....But rather I want to honor my faith and do not treat it like some kind of jewelry...

Answer 8

i just went through the same thing.

It depends .. if you dont know how they will react.. what would you do if it didn't go very well ? can you imagine leaving your job ? and would you be ok with that ? I'd say.. wear it out.. and if they are so narrow minded to disaprove of it.. then leave.


I work at a Baptist church, for 2 years now. I run the daycare. and for 2 years I've always kept in ALL of my thoughts and views. Though no one asked me.. I've always had questions towards Chrisitians beliefs.. or those you are strict followers of the bible. I'm no atheist.. but i'm deff no Christian.

I was never asked what my religion was when I applied .. and someone I already knew wanted me to work there. I never thought this would cause a problem for me..

I really enjoy working there (tho only 1 time a week) the people nice.. and cool. But one day.. a few weeks ago.. i just let it all out !! LOL

I was watching the Sunday school teacher explain Noahs Ark using toys to my 3 year old class. I got a lil annoyed and blutly asked.. though nicely .. *what does the bible say about carnivores?* Thinking she would understand where I was coming from.. so I had to explain to her .. that some of the animals on the ark .. are Meat eaters.. meaning they would eat eachother .. etc etc... so to make a long story short..
I spoke to her the rest of the hour ..confessing that i'm no follower of the bible.. and I asked her maybe 20 honest questions about her and everyone else beliefs in the church.

I felt much better after doing so.. and she accepted me for who I was. Tho we didn't agree to 1 thing that day ... lol

The next week I started a *small* talk with my manager kind of hinting around that I was not one of them .. she came to figure it out. I think I mainly did this .. not to tell them that i was different.. but to see if they would accept me.. and if not I would be glad to leave. So now.. everyone at church knows about me heh .. and respect that. I dont believe in god.. but i dont disbelieve. I even bring my buddhism mags to read there.. and i'll speak about my own thoughts (tho it may not go with their) to others.. and they are ok with that . So i was lucky that the church i work with are so open minded.


Good Luck

Answer 9

Sad, isn't it, that 400 years after the "Witch Trials" we are still afraid to let our beliefs become public knowledge? In my last 2 jobs, I had like-minded coworkers. We have actually had very interesting discussions with the Christians that worked with us. Before that, though, I worked for an Indian Gaming Casino. I was literally in fear of my job to let anyone know that I was Wiccan. I not only wore my symbol under my shirt, I took all identifying markers out of my vehicle and (quickly) changed the subject if anyone brought up religion in a conversation.

If you choose to "come out" as a Pagan, be prepared for the small-minded, the ignorant, and the people that will insist, often at the top of their lungs, that you are worshipping Satan. You will also find genuinely good people, who will want to know what you are all about, that won't judge and may walk away a little smarter for having seen your symbol. That small percentage is why I refuse to hide my beliefs.

Good luck to you, and let me know how it turns out if you do go public.

Answer 10

Well that depends on where you live and how far they will go. here in my part of Texas Baptist are very strong and have forced most pagans underground. There are very few places of work where one can wear a pentacle openly. Walmart and Target is fairly safe, but most others would be dangerous to do so. It depends on how strongly you feel about it and if you are willing to face whatever they might say or do.

I have known people come out and be open and say it has been the best thing they ever did and the people in their life are more open, while I have know the opposite to be true. Raymond Buckland discusses this in one of his books
BB

Answer 11

Wow so many helpful answers!
All i can add is to do what YOU feel is right for YOU.
There is no shame in your faith, but there is also no shame in keeping yourself in the broom closet either.
If the people at your school already know and love you this is a wonderful oppertuinity for people to realise that we are nice people!
There is also a No Hate Text that you can get from the net, i got mine from the website set up by the mother of that little girl Tempest who comitted suicide because of teasing about her faith.
http://tempestsmithfoundation.org/
(under services)
It is a good document and can be printed as a brochure for you to have on hand for when the need arises.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that it is your choice, and neither decision is any better than the other.
Blessed Be!
Ariel