Why Do People Insist That When A Kid Becomes Pagan/Wiccan, it's Just a 'Fad'.?

Question

It seems like people are always saying that the only reason teens become Pagan/Wiccan is because they are either

A) Outcasts that have no friends.
B) Trying to get attention.
C) Trying to rebel against there parents.

I'm a Pagan teen. I'm none of those. I have plenty of very very close friends. I'm not goth or emo, either. Sure, I'm not the most popular girl at school, but I don't want to be.

I don't want attention from my religion, good or bad. Bot even my very closest friend whom I've known since I was four knows I'm pagan. I try not to shine light on it, because I don't really like attention like that.

My parents are all for it. They love that I found a religion that suits me. They have always belived in a higher power and my mom believes in reincarnation, but neither are part of any religion.

Answer 1

Be who you are. I am atheist. Tell them that your religion is leaps and bounds older than yours. Time tested, yours has a better track record.

Better yet, with the holidays upon us... Question when Christ's birthday is, AND verification from the bible. It isn't listed in there anywhere. Christmas is when it is to coincide with the Pagan Winter festivals..

Answer 2

There are loads of different spells that work for becoming a mermaid, here is the one I know best: 1) Get a Pisces flower. This is a special kind of flower, with seven almond shaped petals that are sea-green. You should be able to find it under water, about a quarter of a mile from shore. When you have it, smash it into pulp and mix that pulp with fresh sea water. Leave out in the full moon's shine overnight. 2) Eat that mixture, and close your eyes. DO NOT OPEN THEM. 3) Walk to the sea, still with your eyes closed. On the way, repeat this mermaid chant: Iv A Von, Sartis, Menamon, Sartis. Iv A Von, Menamon, Jagsta, Kestar, Sartis. Iv A Von, Sartis, Menamon, Sartis. Iv A Von, Venamon, Casta, Mex. 4) When you feel your get touching the sea water, keep on going until you are completely submerged. Open your eyes. Whatever you do, don't resurface until your sight darkens completely. Your legs will feel numb and you will feel tired, but don't worry, this is the process of becoming a mermaid. When you wake up, well. You'll see. ;)

Answer 3

Because, and I hate to say this and bear in mind that I have been a Pagan for 11 years, there are some cases where it is a fad. It's one reason why many Pagan and Wiccan teachers won't touch teens with a ten foot pole...not just for legality issues, but also because teens tend to be a bit fickle. What they believe in at 15 they might change their minds about when they are 20. I was a devout Christian when I was 16...a year later I became a Pagan. I have known people who were Pagans as teens who dropped out of it when they got to college, and when they talk about they dismiss it as they were just "experimenting" or whatever. And there are a lot of teens who will use it for attention getting purposes or to piss off their parents, more than you think.

I realize of course that there are teens out there who are serious about it, and hey I was one also, but I also realize that I was the exception, not the rule. It sounds like you might be too, but for every teen Pagan like you and me there seems to be 2 more who are in it for shock value and appearance's sake. The problem isn't restricted to teens either...you get adults like that too, and the whole "it's just a phase" argument gets thrown at adults as well, even at ones who've been practicing for 20 or so odd years. People just don't want to believe that Paganism and Wicca are actual serious legit religions, and it doesn't help that there are a lot of posers out there.

Because of those posers, because of their denial that we are a serious religion, and because you have your age working against you (and it doesn't help that there are some members of your age group who fit the stereotype) people are always going to think that way about Pagan teens. All you can do is keep doing what you are doing and not uphold that stereotype. Just practice your religion, be a good person, and don't conform to people's expectations of what a Pagan teen "must" be.

Answer 4

You may be serious about it, but the fact is there are huge numbers of teens that do pick up Wicca as a fad. I learned about Wicca when I was about 13 years old from a couple of friends. You know how many actually dedicated? One (me). The others were mostly interested in the erroneous idea that Wicca was ancient and persecuted and they basically got a superiority complex from it. After a couple years of growing up, that no longer appealled to them.

Stereotyping is always bad (presuming all Pagans or Wiccans are doing it for attention), but stereotypes often have some basis in fact.

Answer 5

If you have your parents blessing, that's great!! A lot of "Twitches" do not, and sadly, it's where a lot of stereo typing comes in.
A vast majority of covens, or groves, will not accept those who are under a certain age, without a parents consent. But, also sadly, it does not stp these from picking up books and reading and being a solitaire or eclectic. These are the ones who often fail to continue reading to gain a better understanding, that run amuck, and are in it for the shock value.
I was on line, shortly after halloween. I had attended a Witches Ball in my state, and it was a very good time. I was listening to this 16 yr old female going on and on about how she was invited to a ball to be their keynote speaker on casting spells, since she was one of the "origional" decendants from Salem. (Warning #1).
She said she spoke to an "enthralled" gathering, who were mesmerized by her words. She said it was"kewl" (warning #2). One of her friends asked where it was, it was in the state I was in, and the same city!!. I knew there was only one witches ball held there. I told her I was at the same ball, and had not heard one word of her, how odd? In fact, there were no, keynote speakers, and the ones who put it on, have a strict age policy.
Note the 2 warnings. One, I have never met a decendant of the salem witch trials. The ones who did decend from them, are not witches, pagans or wiccans. Warning 2, I hate the word cool, spelled "KEWL". Grow up people.
It's great your parents are so accepting, because so many are not.

Answer 6

I really think it depends on the kid and their background. Young people are constantly looking for ways to identify themselves, fulfill themselves, and find meaning. Investigating different, even "really different" religions is part of that process.

Young people are also notorious for changing their minds VERY quickly. This helps sustain the image of teens as "flighty" and "undecisive", hence prone to fad decisions in music, clothing, political movements, and yes, religion. While this stereotyping isn't always fair, it has proved itself true in many cases, and is not about to die anytime soon.

Sad, but that is probably why you are hearing "It's just a fad; you'll grow out of it" so often!

Answer 7

Because many times it is. Kids are looking to protest. They're looking for ways to fight against "the man". "The man", in this case, would be your parents and everything they stand for. You're trying to stand on your own two feet so you're doing things they don't like.

But you eventually grow out of that attitude. THAT is why people think its just a "fad" unless it lasts beyond childhood, which usually means into your 20's.

Answer 8

Because they don't want to admit that their child is a part of an "alternative religion." Christianity is ingrained into the deepest depths of our society, making us sure all non-Christians will burn and that there is no other way.
I'm so happy that your parents are so accepting of your personal religious journey. You are very lucky. I'm a grown woman and my parents still aren't sure of the whole thing! :)

Answer 9

There are those that do it because they think it's the cool thing to do, because of television and movies, and create a stereotype around the belief as a result.

Beyond that, it's easier for someone to 'accept' something that bothers them, if they don't believe you take it seriously - or that it's something you'll outgrow and eventually 'come to your senses' about.

Answer 10

Because it's a way for them to pretend that Wicca and other forms of NeoPaganism are not serious religions, when in fact they certainly are.

The ignorant will, sadly, usually stay ignorant. And stupidity goes to the bone.

Glad to hear that your parents are supportive of your choices. Blessed be, and good luck.