as a witch, eclectic pagan if you're wondering about my religion, i find it a little less stressful here in the city of New York to deal with being a witch in modern society. However i live with my family who are atheist, i'm underage just keep that in mind, they call me foolish for my beliefs, and mock and attack my faith. I guess you can say i lean more to the wicca side when it comes to my practices and beliefs. So i don't see my religion as harmful. They say i bring bad luck and they use these stereo typical remarks to harm me. I try ignoring them but their ignorance and lies and harmful words to sting. There is no use in talking with them, they are so closed minded to any religion. As a sixteen year old, how can i cope with this until i'm able to leave.
2007-11-05 11:53:10 · 13 answers · asked by windowz2dasoul 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
dare to be silent...
i am not really one to give advice, but your spirit lies within.
Blessings
)o( Trinity
2007-11-05 12:06:26 · answer #1 · answered by trinity 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My mother is also closed minded to my beliefs, so I never bring it up when I am around her. I do respect her beliefs and ideas, and I do know that she will never accept me as a Wiccan. It will be hard, I have been Wicca since '94 been studying religions for over 30+ years. I am going on 50 and still have problems like you are experiencing. I would say just don't do anything to do with Wicca in front of them. For me it is a personal thing so I hold my rituals alone, either in the outdoors or in the basement craft room of my home. I do not broach the subject with family and I am fine. There are some in my family who know my beliefs and respect them so I feel I don't have to talk about it unless they do. In the mean time, try not to rock the proverbial boat until you have a place of your own and then it won't matter what they think. Good Luck and Blessed Be!
Rev. Kaldea
2007-11-05 12:52:00 · answer #2 · answered by Rev. Kaldea 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just calmly keep correcting them. If they comment that you're bringing bad luck, tell them that your religion is about peace. If they tell you your religion is stupid or fake or whatever, ask them if they would say the same thing to a Christian, because thats exactly what the pagans and jews said about the early Christian church. Stay calm and be persistant. Don't go into too much depth, just state a simple fact.
2007-11-06 12:41:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, first, don't antagonize them. Some people don't get it and never will. Try to fly under their radar as much as you can.
I'm interested that they're atheists but they think you're bringing bad luck - are they just saying that to try to make you uncomfortable or are they agnostic enough to really believe that? Comments like that usually come from religious people who don't understand what we do.
Pagans kind of learn to pick our fights. Family is always going to love you, and even if they drive you crazy, just do your thing and love them back. Find some friends with similar interests and bond with them. Be careful whom you choose, of course, but I always sort of formed my own family with like-minded people.
You didn't give a lot of detail, so I can't say more than that. If you have any specific questions, you can email me.
It gets better as you get older, but it never goes away so just flow with it.
Bright Blessings~
2007-11-05 19:12:07 · answer #4 · answered by Morgaine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been in this exact situation when I was your age and already wiccan. ok first of all dont pretend to invoke a demon like Salavain said thats not going to help with the reputation we already carry (you prob already know this but just saying it for the others who read this Q :) )
I'd make a firm statement along the lines of - this is my religion and its a part of who i am and you'll just have to learn to be respectful. I would also be keeping more quite about my practice - not because i would be trying to hide it but more for not wanting to put myself in constant energy draining situations. Your family mocking you and calling you foolish is absolutly disrespectful and you shouldn't put up with it just because they're family. Treat them respectfully but if they start up again just say calmly that I am who I am and I like who I am. or something along those lines lol and just walk away. If they dont get a reaction they'll most likely tire of it really fast.
2007-11-05 12:12:45 · answer #5 · answered by rhaevyn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just remember that there are more of us out there than you might think. Also, try to remind yourself of why you are interested in pagan spirituality and the ways in which it enhances your life -- this will help you deal with the fact that people try to bring you down for believing in it. Try to just keep this sacred practice to yourself, and when people speak disparaging on it, just remove yourself from the conversation. After awhile, they will see that they cannot get a rise out of you by bringing it up. Keep counting down the days until you can be free and on your own. Keep enjoying your faith.
2007-11-05 11:59:47 · answer #6 · answered by Gretta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Halfway.
My husband knows but my parents do not. (I'm 32, btw.) I started with Wicca when I was 15, but changed to Traditional Witchcraft when I was 19.
My parents are very strict Fundamental Baptist, and I've always known that if I told them, they would freak out, and my mom would not be able to handle it. She'd call me a devil worshipper and would never listen to the truth, so I just saw it best to not tell them. I tried telling my dad when I moved out of the house, but just got a weird look. I don't think he took me seriously.
Leave some of your wicca 101 books laying around in plain view. Tell them that it would mean a lot for them to understand what you believe and not belittle it. But don't try to force it on them. But don't let it discourage you.
Good luck, and BB.
2007-11-05 17:11:48 · answer #7 · answered by Bookworm 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wait a minute....these are _atheists_....and then they say you bring bad luck to the family? So they're superstitious atheists? What a bizarre combination.
If you are repeatedly getting mocked by being public, it might be best to be more private in your beliefs, especially as it appears to seriously bother you. It's unfortunate that you have to put up with that.
2007-11-05 11:59:51 · answer #8 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel so sad for you that you dont have better parents. There are so many terrible things that you could be doing in your life (like drugs, robberies etc..) and for you parents to criticize you for choosing a religion is unfortunate. Trust in yourself to get through this time...i know it probably seems unbearable right now, but you are young and will have so many wonderful experiences in your life.
I wont tell you to try to make your parents miserable like some other people on here, because that will only make matters worse...just try to let them know that this is who you are, and if they cant accept that, the least they can do is not insult you and put you down.
2007-11-05 12:05:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should ask them to show you some respect even if they don’t respect your religion. Atheist don’t believe in luck, so their just using that to hurt you. It’s mean and I think if they care about you that once you made it clear to them in a adult, mature way that they are not going to change your mind, then they will leave you alone. After that just ignore them. They will quit messing with you once they see it’s not getting to you anymore. Learn how to shield yourself from their negative energy and avoid them as much as possible.
Good luck.
2007-11-06 10:08:28 · answer #10 · answered by starlightcwa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Encourage them to read about your beliefs. I would suggest Wicca Beliefs & Practices by Cantrel. If they choose not to, you can put it on the back burner til you're out of the house.
2007-11-05 11:58:33 · answer #11 · answered by Keltasia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋