"oh its just a phase" or "s/he will grow out of it" and dont forget the oh so famous "its cause s/he is a goth" why do people never take it seriously if you go from protestant to baptism everyone is alright and respects it.
2007-10-10 10:43:21 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A lot of people know nothing about Pagan religions so they fear the unknown and also dismiss it as being stupid.
Also we've all seen the stupid 12 yr olds who come on here saying they want to be Wiccans or Pagans and asking us to teach them powerful magic so they can impress their friends and have fun.So such idiots do exist.
2007-10-12 14:14:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well personally I'm a catholic, so I don't konw too much about Paganism other from what my Pagan friend has told me, but I do know that a lot of people don't even realize there are still Pagans, so it surprises them to found this out. Many believe Paganism is strange because many don't understand it, thinking it's for idiots who sacrifice animals while running around stonehenge singing weird songs. Yes, this is offensive belief that people have but you can't totally blame them if they don't know anything about Paganism. When someone converts from Judaism to a form of Christianity, it can still be a big deal. However, these religions are both respected and very large in America so it isn't overall too strange. Now let me just tell you someone can't go from protestant to baptist, baptist is a form of protestant christianity. yeah it's hard to understand but christianity has many different forms, some protestant christians say that I can't be both Catholic and Christian, but in fact I am. Know why? Catholics were the first Christians until some who disagreed with the Catholic Chruch broke away, they became known as protestants.
ANYWAY, back on subject, maybe if you tell people more about paganism they wont think it's so strange. And maybe they'll realize how cool it is and also convert. Maybe, you never know!
Hope I helped!!
2007-10-10 10:58:32 · answer #2 · answered by rioteer28 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say part of the problem that nobody has mentioned yet, but which even pagans fall prey to, is the fact that there's a lot of ageism out there when it come to teenagers. People assume that teens are all about fads, and that they're incapable of commitment. Plus any sort of naivete is automatically chalked up to their age.
Ironically enough, the actions of a 13 year old could make the difference for people of minority faiths, including teens:
http://www.wildhunt.org/2007/10/parental-control-of-religion-challenged.html
2007-10-12 15:34:35 · answer #3 · answered by Lupa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm going to echo what one of the other answerers said....it happens because a lot of teens do come to this path because it's "kewl" or they want power or they just want to be different.
these things are said because anything falling under the pagan umbrella is not a mainstream religion and for some western pagans, magick and witchcraft can be involved. both of those things tend to make people nervous.
also, with some of the books and sites out there, following these paths is portrayed as being fun and easy. many people see this and that's as far as they go. they want the quick fix and when it doesn't happen they just drift back to where they came from. those that drift away are far greater in number than those who stay.
2007-10-10 11:24:28 · answer #4 · answered by luvjeska 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, there are many people (usually teenagers) who turn to "paganism" because it's "kewl" or in rebellion against the norm.
They are the ones who give "serious pagans" a bad name, not to mention a headache in many cases, having to deal not only with the misconceptions of the "Craft-groupie" who is desperately looking for the "eye color change spell", but also with the damage control regarding non-pagans in trying to demonstrate that we're really basically just like everyone else, we just believe in different Gods than they do.
2007-10-10 10:48:04 · answer #5 · answered by Nandina (Bunny Slipper Goddess) 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have no idea.
I just always laugh. They obviously haven't met too many pagans. While I am aware that high schoolers across America are giving paganism a horrible image, I know what it is when you REALLY practice. It shows in who you are. I'm 28 years old. I am so over phases.
2007-10-10 16:35:36 · answer #6 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well Paganism got a bad wrap for a while... just like every other religion does... But in history the catholics tried to convince everyone that pagans studied witchcraft... and the rumor kinda just stuck... and then pagans morphed into many different branches...some which do practice witchcraft. I wouldnt worry about it hun... every single religion will get a disapproving nod by another... it doesnt matter.. do what you want... no one has to believe your way and you dont have to believe their way... and no one will go to HELL for whatever choice they make :)
2007-10-10 10:49:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
My phase is going on 22 years.
2007-10-11 00:59:52 · answer #8 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why do you think? Sectarian bigotry. They ridicule things they don't understand. Everybody's familiar - or thinks they're familiar - with Christianity in its various brands, so switching brands is at least comprehensible to them. "Paganism" just seems like the "Other" box on a survey.
2007-10-10 10:47:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because religious people don't see Paganism as a true religion, and will disavow it as a phase, or some sort of defect.
2007-10-10 10:52:50 · answer #10 · answered by sum gui 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋