Pagans: How do non christian people as a whole treat you about your religion?

Question

How do your parents feel about it? Did anything in your life change for the bad after coming out of the broom closet? I'm curious because I was thinking of revealing my love for the craft to a very close friend of mine. I doubt she'd be judgmental. But I'd just like to know what to expect so I'm not to surprised and be-waifed.

Answer 1

Well, I'm not a pagan, I'm an atheist, and I don't think pagan beliefs have any more foundation than christian ones, but if I had to choose between the two for a dominant religion in the country, pagans are better than Xians any day!

Answer 2

I don't know the religion of the people I meet on a daily basis except for the Christians. And I don't think they know mine. So I cannot think of a recent example of a non-Christian who knew I was a witch except for atheists and agnostics. They don't seem to have any problem with it, nor any interest in it.

Coming out of the broom closet is only significant to Christians. My mother had a hard time with it, because she was a Methodist Sunday school teacher. But when she lay dying, her minister would not talk to her about death, and I would. She was glad of that, and we had a good reconciliation. We found we had a lot more in common spiritually than she had supposed.

If your friend is a non-Christian, I would not worry about coming out of the broom closet to her. I guess I'd be sure she understood that you are not a Satanist (unless you are, of course), which is what many people believe the craft is about. If you are a Satanist, you will have to do a bit more explaining, I suppose.

Answer 3

Candles, I have been a Witch since 1971. My parents are both long dead. My mother knew and she was accepting of it even though she was disapointed that I did not remain a Catholic. I have been OUT of the Broom closet since the early 80's and have MANY good friends and associates who are very accepting of my Faith. Yes, a FEW of my friends turned their backs on me as a result. NOW I realize that they were NEVER friends in the first place. A Friend is one who will love for WHO and WHAT you are, no matter what. YOu CAN tell your close friend about your Religion. If she turns on you then she never WAS a TRUE friend in the first place. Most of the people in your life already have SOME idea that you're beliefs are a bvit different than theirs. They have just been good friends and been polite to NOT point it out to you. Some WILL turn on you. You SHOULD try to educate them about your beliefs but be willing to accept that SOME will abandon you permanently. Go ahead and grieve the loss of them but in the end you'll realize that if they'd walk away from you, based on your Religious Faith, then they never REALLY loved you in the first place.

Good luck on whatever you choose to do.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 4

I don't have issues with non-Christians or people of any religion, including Christians. They simply know that that's just me. No big deal. But since I was raised with polytheist beliefs, I've never had the experience of telling friends/loved ones about any major changes in my belief system.

When I make new friends who don't know me, I don't make an issue out of religion. I simply share thoughts and feelings as they naturally come up and eventually by the time we get around to the subject it's not a big deal what label I have for my practices. By then, they usually know that I believe in reincarnation, pray every day, celebrate the seasons, and have a fascination with Celtic history and mythology. They've already heard me half-jokingly greet Taranis when I hear thunder (he's my storm god).

My religious beliefs is simply so intertwined with my life that I can't separate it into a separate "box". It's the way that I see things--everything--around me. It's the ethical values that I live every day. So by the time the subject of a specific label comes up for my religion, people are seldom surprised or concerned. They already know me.

Answer 5

My parents turned on me when I left the Pentecostal church and went with the church of Christ. I have not seen or heard from any family members in over 11 years. My dad was dead 2 years before I even found out because I am so hated. so none of my family knows I am now wiccan.

I am pretty much accepted, but then again i am very careful who I befriend. I do get funny looks from people sometime, but that is about it.

Most people I associate with are either pagan themselves or involved in things like Ren Faires where many pagan are. Most Christians that are deep into Ren Faires are non judgmental toward us.

Answer 6

When i "came out of the broom closet" at 14, my mom threw a fit. She is Catholic and immediately called me a devil worshiper. I learned right there and then that being Pagan/Wiccan is better left unsaid to some.
It should give you a certain feeling of empowerment to hold a special secret from people that don't know. I would tell her if she asks or drop suttle hints and see how she reacts first. Do you ever discuss her religion? If not, once again I would suggest talking about other things. Don't be ashamed, but I wouldn't flaunt it either.
Good luck in your pagan adventures! Blessed Be.

Answer 7

As a whole I would say that most Christians regard Pagans with a mixture of fear, doubt, confusion and a lack of understanding. This DOES NOT apply to all Christians, however---it depends on the person. I have also had to be careful about revealing my religious beliefs in the work place. Some friends of mine have had lots of problems after doing that. When you tell someone about your beliefs, be prepared for anything. Hopefully your friend will be supportive----Blessings!

Answer 8

My family has shown a bit of interest in my paganism, but generally,, none of them is particularly religious anyway, so the impact has not been that big. My 14 year old son has shown the most concern. He wants to make sure I don't really believe in "all that stuff about Witches and stuff..." until I showed him that what he had done on a school project (on his own) was filled with Witch type stuff, and he was reassured.

Not a problem for me, although when i have mentioned being a Witch, a friend thought I was kidding and said, "Oh, honey, you aren't a Witch!"

I had to explain it to her, she is still very uninformed and doesn't want to hear about it. Oh well.

BB, Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 9

My mother was actually the one who brought me into the Craft, before she revealed that she felt her true path was with the Christian God, so she is pretty cool about it. At first it was hard, she thought it was a prerequisite to condemn me for being "Blasphemous" and a "Heathen." but then she actually learned the Bible and treated me with respect and compassion. Now a days, she is very supportive and curious about my ways and beliefs, and very respectful because she knows how fundamental it is to me in my life and how it has made my life something more bearable.

Other Xtians show me nothing but hate, or fear, and I find that sad, for both of us. Its not a good idea in general to talk religion or politics with people you don't know well, but if this person is truly your friend, I say let her know if its important to you. Don't be over dramatic about it, just ask her a question maybe to lead up to it, such as :I have been reading about the Wiccan religion and spiritual ways of life, what do you think of their philosophy?" If its favorable, go for it, if it isn't ask her why she thinks that way.

Good luck, and Blessed be!

Answer 10

this is my experiance I came out of the broom closet when I was 13 was disowned by my parents...have told other people and they think you have a wart, ride on a broomstick and worship a satanic horde. i dont know i think if its a close friend usualy you can trust them i dont know depends on each persons choice some are close minded often people are curious