Help! A new Pagan?

Question

I am a new pagan I have felt a strong pull toward pagan, wicca, witchcraft for a very long time and I have now decided to open my heart and mind to it. I live in an extreamly small southern town where most of my friends and neighbors are southern Baptist. How do I decline the many invitations to their churches and such without offending them. since I am new I have not told any friends yet and I worry about their reactions to this I am happy to share the truth about my religion but I fear they are to closeminded. any help will be greatly appreciatd.

I am not looking for anyone to tell me what I believe is wrong I am just looking for help here please do not leave me nasty messages I live by the pagan law " Harm no one and do what thy will" I ask that you do the same.

Blessed Be

Answer 1

Start small. Become comfortable with yourself and your beliefs and practices first. There's absolutely no reason to "out" yourself before you are prepared to give legitimate reasons and facts to support your beliefs. Especially in a Southern Baptist community.(in which I also live) Here are some sites that I hope will be helpful to you. The last of which is a site that can help you connect to other Pagans in your area.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/neo_paga.htm

http://isle-of-avalon.com/pagan.htm

http://members.aol.com/RawnaMoon/rites.html

http://www.witchvox.com/

Brightest Blessings

Answer 2

It's actually very difficult announcing that you're pagan in any close-knit community. There is no really god news here. After thirty-five years only a few of my close friends really accept my beliefs - but then that's why they're close friends.

My beliefs don't stop me going to Christian services when friends ask me. I accept their beliefs just as I ask them to accept mine, and a reasonable contingent of committed Christians turned out for a pagan wedding recently because they're friends of the couple involved.

Outside of this group of friends, however, I simply don't see the need to discuss my beliefs, unless someone asks. And if they ask and don't like the answers, I consider that that's their problem, not mine.

Resist the temptation to shout it from the roof-tops, but be prepared to discuss things honestly when people ask, unless circumstances dictate otherwise, in which case the old adage 'know, dare, will, be silent' is a good one.

blessings
ffetcher

Answer 3

I don't really think about it honestly. Every now and then people ask me what my necklace is (Thor's Hammer) and even that is RARELY followed by "Why do you wear it?"
I live in the Bible Belt for now and I just say "No thanks! I have a church". Which I do. I have two so to speak lol. I have my kindred and I have a UU church (which I recommend seeing if you have one near you. They are VERY open, have pagan groups sometimes and this way you can say "Oh no I go to whatever church). I do that for my kids at least until I get the hel out of Texas.
I don't tell people about my faith unless they ask. I just don't see the need to. Be ready for some bad reactions and don't let it bother you. They are who they are and you are who you are. If you aren't comfortable, don't tell them anything. There isn't a rule for it or anything.

Answer 4

Accepting an invitation to a friends church now and again isn't a terrible thing. Unless of course you find what they are professing is offensive to your beliefs. Keeping your faith private is all right until you feel more comfortable living it. If you are new to paganism then I would "assume" you were brought up Christian? Christ, tells his followers to pray in solitude. I can't quote the exact scripture but the gist of what he is saying is that you don't have to put on a show to worship, that worshiping without an audience is preferred. With that in mind, keep your religion and beliefs to yourself until you are better established in your new faith. Once you are truly walking the walk you'll know when, how and to whom you can come out of the broom closet.

Not everyone is tolerant even friends. If your friends are true believers and followers of their faith then it will be uncomfortable, to say the least, for you to tell them. Remember, if they believe then as your friends they are obligated to try and save you. So, be loving, tolerant and patient. If they really love you they'll come around. :)

Hope this helped

Answer 5

Polite behavior in religious matters is no different than polite behavior in others. A simple "no, thank you" will suffice. Meanwhile, you might as well lay low regarding your own beliefs for a while. It obviously makes you uncomfortable when your friends talk to you about their faith. Why reciprocate? You would also do well to figure out if this is merely a fad for you or something deeper. I am going to go out on a limb and guess that you are fairly young. It is very natural and common to gravitate towards positions contrary to your culture during the teen years. It is also quite natural to return to your cultural/religious roots later on, usually about the time you start having children, which is not very far off in the grand scheme of things. If you become aware of these normal psychosocial tendencies within yourself and your friends, you will be able to take a more objective look at life, and to expect a more peaceful coexistence with those around you.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I have had to turn down people's invitations to attend church at times.

The best rule to follow is politeness, the truth, nothing but the truth, just not the whole truth.

Say something like, "I appreciate your invitation. I am working on my spiritual beliefs and am in a very personal phase right now."

Interestingly, most people are understanding of this. If they continue to persist, just keep a polite "no, thank you" handy and then change the subject.

Answer 7

My husband and parents are Christian. I still go to Church with them. I find it's a good way to keep my mind open, to remind myself that not all Christians are what many pagans make them out to be, and to better understand the faith of those who will always be around me. My husband goes to Pagan sabbats with me, for the same reasons. My parents, however, dont know about my path and i prefer it that way. Some people you'll know will understand, and with some it's not worth the effort to explain.

Answer 8

Declining the invitations is easy enough, as others have pointed out. Or visit the congregations, no one has to know what you are secretly praying for while you are at service.
I know how you feel, you have found your path and want to shout it from the rooftops, but that is not always practical ;)
Baby steps...tell a few close friends, and see what their reaction is. Read, research and review your beliefs so that you can debate if necessary. Meditate for guidance.
Blessed Be!

Answer 9

Shades of Alistair Crowley. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.Seriously you are asking for trouble as a heathen in a small town. Move to somewhere where you can be anonymous or else pay lip service to the Christian faith. Best of luck to you.

Answer 10

I've had the same problem. I just tell them that I now prefer to worship privately, and usually that ends the conversation.