How do I tell my parents I'm wiccan?

Question

i have been studying wicca for 3 years, and i have been one for a while. i want to tell my parents I am a wiccan, but my dad has already made it clear that he thinks wicca is "mumbo jumbo crap". basically, he views wicca as magic (without the k)

Answer 1

Sweetie this is hard with any religion that conflicts with who you're telling- it can be anyway but it definatly shouldn't have to be.
First make sure that they understand that you love them and respect their religion (I'm assuming their Christian...? just a wild guess?) but you also want them to do the same for you. Let them know that what you want to tell them is important to you and that you need them to hear you out.

Then tell them- don't beat around the bush or change your mind when they're in the same room; you have a right to be whatever you choose to.
Then explain to them what you can/know about Wicca and your particular path so that they can at least have the best chance at understanding.

Good luck with everything!
Bright Blessings!

Answer 2

I started following Wicca a few months before I turned 16, and my mom's known since the beginning of my research. Of course, I've always had a very open relationship with my mom, and she's a very open minded individual, so I had nothing to worry about when I became Wiccan. The problem with minors practicing Wicca is often that their parents don't approve, and it would be irresponsible to encourage minors to lie to their parents and practice Wicca behind their parents' backs. It's also disrespectful to the gods to lie to your parents with the same mouth you use to pray to them, so, yes, you should tell them. If they tell you no, don't do the immature thing and sneak it anyway, and don't whine and complain because you'll only prove their point. You can argue in a mature, adult fashion (as in a rational argument where no one ends up screaming at each other and calling each other names; make your points and listen to theirs), or you can wait three years and just study what you can during that time. The Lord and Lady understand if your parents aren't open to it, and Wicca will still be there when you are an adult. Venus Bless

Answer 3

I became a Wicca in '94 because it fit into my basic spiritual beliefs. My mother is a die-hard Catholic and though I respect her opinion and religious beliefs, I will NOT tell her my path until she is willing to go out and study about it before putting it down. I have studied the world's religions for over 30 years and during that time settled on to an eclectic combination of Druid, Celtic and American Indian. I also took up the study of the Correllian Path of Wicca and an currently working towards 2nd degree Priestess (am 1st degree at the moment. With some of the attitudes out there towards Wicca and Paganism in general, I still have reservations of letting a lot of people know about my religious affiliations. One example was the gentleman who said if you want to hide it than it is wrong. Not true. I just don't like hearing people trying to convert me when I know the path I have chosen is the right path for me! I wish you luck though, this is a tough decision to make. I would think that if they are willing to listen, then go ahead and tell them, but if they are hard-headed about it, don't say anything.

Answer 4

If you've been studying it for two years, you're pretty serious about it, and I admire your self-discipline.

I felt very uncomfortable with anyone finding out that I was a member of a coven (when I was considering converting to Wicca).

At the time, I worked in an office with a bunch of 'nice Christian ladies,' as I thought of them--meaning that their prejudices and narrow-mindednes were quite evident. I did not want them knowing of my beliefs, and when an opportunity came for me to appear on local TV with members of my coven, I declined. I had to work with those people, after all. I did not want to poison the work environment.

I never discussed my participation in Wicca with my family, except for my husband, who is an agnostic and has no objection to my religious beliefs, at all. As far as I'm concerned, he's the only family member I care to share that part of myself with.

While I think my parents would have understood and continued to accept me if I had remained a Wiccan, I did decide eventually that, though I like the religion very much, it isn't for me. Instead, I found a path of Catholicism that I had never known of before (mysticism), and that is the path I follow now.

I'm afraid I haven't really given you any advice, so far. Mainly, I just wanted to let you know that, if you do decide not to tell your parents, that's okay. Sometimes, there are good reasons not to tell people.

But I hope that someday you will be able to tell them, because your religion should be a vital part of yourself, and it would be preferable if your parents could know that part of you.

Blessed be!

Answer 5

If they are very strongly opposed to it, then it may be best not to tell them. It may cause a lot of trouble and misunderstandings.

I know how you feel. I have very strict Fundamental Baptist parents who would never see witchcraft as anything other than devil worship. Although I've been out of the house for a long time, I still won't tell them I'm a witch because I know that they'll never accept it no matter what I do. Also, it'll be a big argument. So to avoid any trouble, I don't tell them.

You could just tell your dad that this is the religious path that you feel is best for you and that you would like if he would listen to you. But don't force it on him.

Good luck and BB.

Answer 6

It's your beliefs not theirs. Rather than tell them just practice your faith and gradually let it seep out in to their consciousness.

If you do feel compelled to tell them it might be better to tell them you are a Pagan rather than a Wiccist and believe in the old pre Christian rites. If your parents are die hard Christians be prepared for a long hard battle.

On a different note, your dad has some justification in saying what he says. The history of how modern Wicca evolved is full of very dubious influences, far beyond the scope of this answer. Please note this is not a denegration of Wicca as I have no religious affiliation but have studied the formation of religions for many years as it's a fascinating area of history.

Answer 7

well, often the problem is your parents don't HAVE any preformed opinions about it so you don't know how they would react. I am a wiccan too as maybe you can guess from the username, but i think there is this thing in wicca:
To Know,
To Dare,
T o Will,
To keep Silent;
These are the four words of Magus.
In order to Dare, we must Know
In order to Will, we must Dare.
We must Will to possess empire.
To reign, we must be Silent.
- Dorothy Morrison, The Craft

So maybe its best to not say anything

Answer 8

Well if you feel it would be better for you to keep that particular piece of information private, that's fine. It's not like all of us Wiccans have big parades as a part of some "let everyone know who we are" campaigns. And honestly, it's pretty hard convincing a stubborn "your-religion-is-crap" person that they're an idiot (sorry I sort of called you dad an idiot, but let's be real...)

In everday non-R&S life, I hardly have a reason to bring up my religious affiliation with anyone, unless they specifically ask.

Answer 9

Just tell them =) Believe what you want doll, the world is yours there. Theres nothing wrong with Wicca, it's a beautiful religion.

Answer 10

well tell him to believe what he wants. You think its real and right so others opinions shouldnt deter you from your belief. My mom still dosent like the idea that im wiccan, and she still thinks i will go to hell for worshipping the wrong thing, but she isnt hateful nor does she try to convert me all the time, i just came out and told her.