Pagans please?

Question

I have seen references to Christians disliking people wearing crosses and other religious items as jewellery

how do you feel when people do this ?
I ask because I wear a lot of Pagan items and I never think that it may be offensive

I mean how do you feel when you see people wearing Pagan Jewellery etc when they arent Pagan

( i didnt word it quite right )

Answer 1

I do feel a bit offended when I see 14 year old Amon Amarth fans wearing 5 different Mjollners around their neck. And then you ask them if they know what that is, and their reason for wearing it, and they reply: because it looks cool, or even worse: because the lead singer is wearing it. Or, even more horrifying: because it's so cool and so viking!
It makes me want to grab them, turn the upside down and shake them until all the jewelery falls off them.
Our gods aren't the type who would suffer fools lightly. I guess I must share at least that characteristic with them.

I don't mind if somebody wears the symbol without believing, as long as they know what the symbol represents and respect its meaning.

(Just for the record, Amon Amarth is a music group with pro asatruar lyrics, I think all the members are proper believers, too)

Answer 2

OK, I know I'm new here (and I picked a really strange day to visit R&S for the first time, with all the pirates on the loose, just picking my way around and hoping not to find myself walking a plank...).

But just what is "pagan" jewelry, anyway? And I wonder why it would matter? If somebody wears a cross or crucifix, or anything else, it's a very personal thing.

People wearing symbols as jewelry do it for a lot of reasons. Some say it's an expression of their faith, a personal reminder. Others make it political and confrontational. And some have no clue except that they like it as a fashion accessory.

It's the same as bumper stickers on cars. If some people are offended by things like this, then they're just a little TOO easily offended. I say wear what you wish.

Answer 3

I enjoy jewelry of any culture. I don't think you should worry about what people think. I own a shop called Under the Rainbow. I carry Pagan Jewelry as well as jewelry from different cultures and religions, and some that is just interesting. Crystals, Stone, etc.
I wear what ever I feel like when I feel like it.
Mawdy

Answer 4

There are some who would be offended because it is Pagan, but Pagans would not be.

Personally, I am not offended when someone wears religious jewelry in a respectful way. The only time I would even care is if someone is desecrating another person's sacred symbols for the express purpose of causing a negative reaction......

Answer 5

I find nothing offensive about pagans wearing Pentacles, crosses, swastikas, coffin nails, or even huge cinder blocks around their necks. What'd be the point? Folks wear what THEY like and that's good enough for me. some wish to express themselves, some wear it because it's pretty, some wear it for shock value. Big deal, what ever reason they want to wear what they wear is NO business of mine whatsoever. therefore WHY should I take offense? I judge folks by how they TREAT me rather than by what theyWEAR.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 6

again, you get great answers.

Basic fact: We choose what offends us because most humans have an innate desire to feel superior to some group of people, usually more than one group. I am offended by people who follow one particular cult, and I'm not sure why---just found out today that a co-worker is a convicted sex offender, (probably a child molester) and am struggling with that---I never much cared for him to begin with, but now I feel superior and this is not good.

Anyone who is offended by a piece of jewelry is choosing to be offended---of course, a swastika would offend me, certain racist tattoos affend me, blah blah blah...but a pagan symbol on a non-Pagan? A cross on a non-Christian? Nah...

Answer 7

I don't care what someone wears. It's just jewelry. And the Cross was a Pagan symbol long before it became a Christian one. Just as the Pentagram was once a Christian symbol (as well as a Jewish one - at one time). People will wear what they want and I certainly don't waste my time getting offended by any of it. There are more important issues at hand =)

Answer 8

Symbols can have many different meanings. Just because there may be one or more more common ones does not mean people should be restricted to only those meanings. If a Christian wants to wear a Star of David or a Muslim wants to wear a Pentacle, that is their business.

Answer 9

Personally, I don't find much jewelery offensive. Tacky yes, offensive no. If people choose to wear religious items as jewelery, great -- although wearing the entire Monstrance might offend a great deal of Catholics. (No, don't do that, that was not an idea)
What people choose to wear is personal choice. I prefer myself to wear my amber Thor's hammer or my Triskelon (often times both) and leave it at that with cool ear rings.

Right now everything offends people. It's just silly the Offensensitivity we as a culture have. Good luck, Dearest.

Answer 10

I generally do not find multiple items offensive (regardless of religion), but I do find it obnoxious. At best its an advertisement. At worst its looking for an altercation (basically waiting for someone to take offence and then accusing them of not minding their own business).

I do find it offensive in certain circumstances such as the workplace. You're effectively starting a non-verbal conversation, and religion is generally inappropriate in the workplace. A place of worship not your own would be another offensive location.

Small shows of faith are another thing: a small pendant, a ring, etc. These are personal items for the wearer's own edification, not on display to the world.