Pagans, Wiccans and Heathens?

Question

How many went through the Christian "motions" to appease parents and/or others during their younger years or during their first walks upon the Pagan Path(s) because they were unsure of how they would be accepted (or not)?

SC - I don't believe singing Christmas Carols is hypocracy. It's fun to do with family members. =) Though, I dare say, some of the "Christmas" Carols are actually "Pagan" in origin lol ;-)

Uruk - yes, those who follow Asatru/Odinism are called Heathens. I know, a lot of people don't realize this... I didn't till just a few years ago. And here I thought it was just what my mother called me. =) *You heathern* (And I spelt it wrong on purpose... that's how my mother says it)

Hestia's Priestess - I'm so sorry to hear that. =( I have heard of some Pagans going through such situations with family and friends. The closest thing I have come to such a situation is when a few friends of mine had given me the ultimatum - either I become Christian or I lose their friendship. And I won't lie to myself or others just to keep a friendship. I am glad you're here.

Prairie Crone I am left speechless at your story.

Answer 1

I don't know if you are aware of my story or not but when I was 15 and being raised Quaker, some righteous "Christians" tricked me to coming to some kind of church service in a private home where I was beaten until I accepted Jesus. They didn't realize that Quakers are christian. I had never been hit before in my life. My family was threatened by hell fire if I told and from then on for nearly 30 years I tried to be christian. Of course it wasn't the path I was meant to be on so it cause me alot of emotional and spiritual pain. A few years ago I realized what I really am and haven't looked back since. I do keep a very low profile here in the Bible belt of Montana to keep my immediate family safe. I have had to work hard not to hate Christians and their actions. Their refusal to believe that there are Christians who do this type of thing really frustrates me. My healing so far has been a long and hard road. I have lots of help from Wiccans and pagans here on this forum. The atheists have been a big help to me as well.

Answer 2

Actually, my mother was a Methodist Sunday school teacher. When I went to catechism class at age 13, I asked some questions (not terribly difficult ones, in hindsight) that the minister could not answer. His stock response was "That's one of God's mysteries; we're not supposed to know that." I got so disgusted I told my mother I would go through with the confirmation ritual because I knew she would be terribly embarrassed if I didn't, but that she must not expect me to go to church after that. She accepted it, but did not find my declaration that I was a witch very easy to take. Still, I was her daughter and she loved me, and I'm glad of that.

When it came time for her to die, her minister would not talk to her about death, and kept saying she'd be "up and around in no time." Her doctor had told her differently, but the minister obviously did not want to discuss it, which was his job. So she and I talked openly about it, and were reconciled to one another as a result. I will always be grateful for having that opportunity.

More recently, however, I have "come out of the broom closet" as an atheist. I realized I was just using the gods and goddesses as metaphors, archetypes, and didn't mind that fact that I had not done a single ritual since My Steve, my high priest, committed suicide.

Sorry for the long-winded response, but I got involved. What a long, strange trip it's been!

P.S. (((((Prairie Crone)))))

Answer 3

My family is not what you would call a believer. My mother is very strict about her beliefs that there is no god at all. i had already turned to Wicca at that point and found it rather frustrating, every time i tried to bring up the point it would be turned into another thing. Therefore i was sure that my mother would burst if i told her i was wiccan. Now she knows that I'm following a religion but she doesn't know which one. I suppose she's content for the moment.

Crone- *punches something* i can't believe they did that to you, its been depicted into books or so but i never knew it was this bad. Did you say you're a Quaker? Sorry if i ask or seem rude but do you mean Quaker----->Circle of Friends------->silence is golden? if i get it wrong sorry, i just saw it in a book.

Answer 4

Those who claim to be a High Priest/Priestess yet sets out to take advantage of others. The authors that don't do ANY kind of research, just writes about how horrible everyone else is and then makes up crap and calls it "authoritative". Fluffy Bunnies annoy me, but not nearly as much as the Wiccans who claim no one can be a "witch" unless they go thru a certain trad (tradition for those who don't know) and be formally taught by them. Witches weren't "taught formally" in ancient times... they learned what was appropriate for them and handed it down thru family/friends/etc... there weren't any underground "witch schools" back then, so this idea is absolutely ridiculous to me. Then there's the Racist groups within my own religion... these people burn me up. They use our religious symbols and bits and pieces of lore they learned from ww2 and the nazi regime (which was totally messed up to begin with) and then try to claim they are doing what our gods want *Sigh* I'm not sure about any single group that has helped ALL of us the most, but some have done a lot to bring Paganism in general to light. Covenant of the Goddess, Circle Sanctuary, The Troth, Asatru Folk Assembly, The Pagan Federation (UK), Avalon Isle Foundation, Earth Religions Legal Assistance Network... There are many groups that have helped us get out into the public, but with all of the old propaganda that has been lingering throughout these ages, I feel it's going to take even more of us to get out there. But we do have to deal with the assholes in our groups. Unlike other religions who, when they have someone giving them a bad name, they simply pull the "they're not a TRUE....." When we find people who are giving us a bad name, we need to cut them off... publicly. Just saying "He's not true to our religion." doesn't do a thing about how the public in general views us. They will remember the bad guys quicker than the good ones.

Answer 5

Um no not really. I am really lucky with my family. They are pretty open minded. Probably comes from thier little collection of college degrees (I am almost done with just one. My mother just started her 4th) They were a little taken aback at first mainly because they just never saw it coming. But they asked a few questions to make sure I wasn't in some odd cult that would take all my money and then said "Have at it. Just don't tell your Grandmother". LOL So I "go through the motions" with my grandmother because she's old and I love her. I understand how much her faith means to her and if it makes her happy to think I am still Catholic, I'm not going to ruin it for her. Besides she KNOWS I'm not and I know she knows....but we just have a don't ask don't tell thing. It works.

Answer 6

blessings and love to our dear Prairie Crone.

My situation was different. By the time I was around 19 and the church was fading fast from my life, both my parents were sick, with different problems that necessitated me taking them to hospitals all the time and they didn't care about anything. My mother was an alcoholic, and my father had organic brain damage after ODing on some sleeping pills, so they didn't care about much of anything.

It was hard on me then, but the church was no longer a present thing.

Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 7

I was a christian till I turned 20, at that point I realized it didn't work as a spiritual path for me.

I told My brothers about 17 years ago

I told my parents 3 1/2 years ago

Answer 8

I still do what I have to do to appease my mother but she sorta found out what my deal was during a discussion w/ my husband/soon to be x or whatever that i was burning candles etc....i tried to put her fears to rest and then she said "are u a christian anymore?" "if you're not i'll still love u regardless that's your decision"

of course I was deathly afraid of what my mother's opinion might have been, I'm just glad that she'd be cool if i wasnt a christian anymore. Although I havent told her everything i think she'll handle it better than i initially thought.

Answer 9

Actually I explored Chrsitianity rather deeply before I found that I was really pagan. I am still capable of courtesy to family and others regarding holidays, especially for Winter holidays; singing Christmas carols together is not hypocrasy, especially as everyone adult knows why this or that adult doesn't participate in all the religious activities.

Answer 10

(((crone))) congratulations for being so brave sister

i was brought up a catholic, which i never really felt comfortable. i was attending a catholic school too.
i had always been fascinated with my uncles' ways - and when i was 10 i announced i would no longer be attending church.
my parents were fine with it and accepted my decision, thank fully. but then in the uk i dont think the christians are as zealous as in usa!

brightest blessings to all those who have yet to gather the courage to choose their own path, whatever that may be

blessed be
)o(