How do I deal with my interest in Wicca and my very Christian family?

Question

I'm only a teen and have been reading about the Wicca religion for a little while now. Why? I’m starting to question the Christian religion while Wicca is starting to attract me.
Though I'm not going to jump into that religion and abandon my current one, Baptist, especially since I'm young, still doing DEEP research and have not talked to any Wiccans personally, I'm scared my family is not going to accept even this interest.
Even if I show the slightest interest and curiosity in this neo-pagan religion, my family will FREAK. I'm terrified of their reaction. I actually have a phobia of what they will think!
Therefore, I'm terrified of doing further research. The worry of "what if Christianity is the only religion" and "hell" has been burned in my mind.
So what should I do? Stop my research so I don't get caught up? Wait till I'm older?

Answer 1

If you really fear your parents' reaction, then keep your research under the radar for now. You are correct in doing plenty of research, but you might not want to be completely open about this research right away. If you are really worried about it, confine your research to places where there is no chance of your parents finding out exactly what you're researching. Libraries are a good place to start. I don't recommend lying to your parents, but there's no harm in telling them you are heading off to the library for a few hours. I know that our local libraries have several books regarding Wicca and Paganism, and the section is expanding all the time.

Essentially, just be patient and move slowly. Don't stop your research all together, but remember that Wicca isn't going anywhere. If you have to slow down a bit, it will still be there to explore as you grow and learn.

Answer 2

There is a passage in the bible that basically says that anyone who isn't for their God is against him. Unfortunately this somehow got translated literally onto pagan religions, probably when they were first coming into the collective knowledge and fundamentalists were up in arms about it. It doesn't help that Wicca, being one of the most mainstream pagan religions, has a god that generally has horns. It's very good to seek knowledge about these things, but it's very difficult to have a knowledgeable argument to present to someone who's entire argument is made of ignorance and stereotypes. Unfortunately there seems to be a system among particularly judgemental people where they don't question what they're told, and what they're told is sometimes (often) not right. It's horrible that you have had to go through this so much - I don't get it very much at all, for which I'm eternally grateful. I hope my answer helped you, and good luck with the fundamentalists Blessed be

Answer 3

If your family is caring then they will not force their opinions on you. A philosophical mind can always ask how much do they know about their religion, "what is your faith based upon?" "how do you know you are saved?" "are you sure Jesus is one and the same as God?" Many people in Church today do not believe in Christianity in a strict sense, they believe in religion in general and believe that they should be in some kind of church. Ask rhetorical questions such as "is it wrong for Christians to persecute Arabs because their religion is based on denying Jesus?" So if they say yes it is wrong then you should expect you will not be opressed for your belief system.

Most importantly try to find out from your parents what they think of the Bible first, there are 3 possibilities: 1. they think the Bible is a little accurate or somewhat accurate (if this is the case they will also believe in evolution), 2. they think the Bible is mostly historically accurate (they will believe the Bible is inspired but not completely the word of God and they may believe in a literal 6 earth day creation), 3. The Bible is the perfect word of God.

First try to establish which one of those three you are and which one of those three your parents are, if you are in the same category then good, (1) and (2) and you will not have to worry because you will be able to get by doing research in another religion. (3) may not be a problem, but if (3) is the case then you will see your parents become greatly concerned, but their only recourse is to pray for you.

Answer 4

First, I would ask myself what it is about Christianity that you do not like and see what it is about Wicca that you do.

Secondly, depending on just how old you are, I might wait to do the research. If you are just into your teen years, a period of waiting may be the right thing for you.

Also, there are a number of differant branches of Wicca just as there are a number of differant branches of Christianity, so PLEASE do the research before jumping into anything. Remember that Wicca is not the only Pagan religion and that there are many sites that you can research Wicca and other Pagan religions.

As for your family's reaction, only you can be the judge of how important that is to you. Speaking from experience as a Hellenic Pagan with a devoutly Christian mother, it was a subject that I thought of for a long time before speaking about my religion with her.

Answer 5

If you're a teen and still living in your parents' house, there is relatively little you can do in terms of practicing the religion in any real sense, in part because you can't perform the ritual aspects, and also because operating under a veil of secrecy and fear of being found out will affect how well you can participate in the faith.

My advice to you is to read, read, read -- and to talk to other Wiccans to see if Wicca is indeed a path that you want to follow. Please feel free to email me through my profile; I've been Wiccan for fourteen years and teaching for six, and would be happy to answer some of your questions.

You'll also find other Wiccans you can talk with over at the Beliefnet.com Wicca forums:

http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/boards_main.AllCategories.asp?Category=102

And you can find other Pagans and Wiccans who live near you through the Witches of the World section 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.

Please keep in mind that Wicca is a religion with many different manifestations, so what one Wiccan tells you is not necessarily typical of all aspects of Wiccan practice. If the core principles of Wicca appeal to you, search until you find a path or Tradition that suits you best.

If you're looking to do some reading, I'd recommend "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham, and "The Triumph of the Moon" by Ronald Hutton. I advise you to stay away from anything by Silver Ravenwolf, for reasons outlined in the following essay:

http://wicca.timerift.net/ravenwolf.shtml

Blessings to you on your path. :-)

Answer 6

I'm sorry to hear about hell being burned in your mind. It happened to me too at much too young of an age. I'm still a Christian, but I sort of had to go the long way around to come back to it. I swear if anyone tells my children about hell before they've at least reached the age of reason there will be hell to pay!

While you are still with your parents, take your time to really understand the Christian faith. You will probably see inconsistencies with your church (there always are) and it might make you angry, but it will be worth it. On your own, be very open-minded and question everything the way you've always wanted to but didn't dare to. Ask God your questions...you'll be surprised how the answers are ever-so-subtly slipped into your consciousness when you least expect it. That way you will be set up to compare what you believe with other faith systems when you are old enough to leave home. If your parents are anything like mine, they won't understand one iota, so don't tell them.

Remember, Jesus said "I am the Way, the TRUTH and the life" Since Jesus so boldly stated that He is the truth, you will always find Him when you are looking for the full truth of a matter.

Answer 7

If you are dependent on your parents for your support, and they are the ones that you would be getting money from for your "research" it would seem the best policy is for you to STOP your research until you are on your own, working and can support your research. I say that based on the fact that no True Christian would even have Wiccan stuff in their home as it attracts evil. It may sound harsh to you but let me share a story that I know of which happened in a friend of mines home, he is an Apostolic Christian, like me, and his wife got violently ill the Doctor could find no casue so they were perplexed. Well Steve went home and began to pray, the Lord led him to go to the basement...there was a lot of Wiccan stuff his daughter, (she was 15) had brought in. He immediately gathered the stuff up and burned it. Shortly after that his wife began to get better. He had me counsel with his daughter about the evil thing she was involving herself with, and now she has repented and returned to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. She is even leading a Teen Bible Study teaching the error of Wicca.

Answer 8

Don't worry it is normal. I studied Wiccan before staying Catholic but my family was more supporting then i expected. If they are truly your family and love you they will love you and accept you douring your spiritual journey, oh and don't worry you wont go to hell if you study the religion, just be careful when doing a spell, you may be tampering in a power greater then both of us...

Good luck on your Spiritual Journey

- Peace in Christ -

Answer 9

i think that if you've got a sensible and discreet minister who won't go and talk about you to any one you can discuss it with him , or with an older trust worthy adult.
it's up to you , i read the bible when i was just 13 or 14 , i found a copy at home and read a lot about religions out of interest but it never bothered my parents and i discussed it freely with them as a muslim , but rejected many attempts of conversion by some fanatics online.
i think you need someone a baptists perhaps to talk to , or just a close mature friend you can trust. you don't need to freak out your parents just yet.

Answer 10

You need to study and learn for now. When you are old enough to handle their reactions let your parents in on your spiritual freedom. Read, study, learn and then make your decision. You are young and dependent on your parents still so be respectful but don't give up your individuality.