I know two questions in one day. I'm fascinated with the faith. I think when I do figure out what part of paganism is for me, it will be like a rebirth, I've been waiting for. So needless to say, I've felt better about my life, myself, since reading the texts online. Its almost Christmas, and I want to put on my Christmas list, some of the books that have been recommended to me about learning more about paganism. I just don't think my family will be accepting. Christianity is a great religion, but its not for me. I was very lost in that religion, and didn't know if life was worth living. I found myself in tarot card readings and astrology and such. I also have found myself since I've embraced my mixed heritage, especially the Native American in me. So, I was wondering how do I tell my parents about this? I really want to put the books on my list, so my dad can order them online and get a good deal. I just don't think they will except it. They are convinced its evil. Witches are evil.
2007-12-02 08:15:00 · 27 answers · asked by crystal spring 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Don't put the books on your Christmas list. When you get a little money aside, hit Amazon.com and look for those books used (saves money).
I don't think you're ready to tell your parents that you're pagan. You wouldn't be able to answer their questions about what the religion is (and which branch/path you've chosen inside paganism).
Do a lot of reading on-line. Start with Witchvox.com and a few others I'm sure will be suggested here. DO NOT pay for lessons from anyone. Paying a reasonable fee for books is fine, On-line courses or "personal" lessons can be a rip off or unreliable.
Also, see if there are any bookstores in your area that sell reliable books (ask on Witchvox forums what is recommended) - avoid almost anything published by Llewellyn except Scott Cunningham.
Good luck to you, young one. Hang in there.
2007-12-02 08:26:08 · answer #1 · answered by Aravah 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
You have to be upfront. Tell them you are interested in other spiritual paths. Never ever lie to your parents about what you are reading or doing...this is a bad thing by itself but also you will only teach them that paganism is evil, and we are not evil people. If they say no, just wait until you are grown. Some places will not teach you unless you are grown or have permission from your parents, to prevent general nastiness. And that's okay, it will give you more time to see what you want from religion. You could also suggest they learn with you, or approve the books that you buy.
As for your path, you should do what you already want to do. Read and learn as much as you can. Read critically, ask questions. A good place for questions is beliefnet.com, which has a free forum. When you find a path for you, you will know. It will just feel right.
2007-12-02 08:50:30 · answer #2 · answered by MiaOMya 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hate to tell you this, but the chances are, they are not going to accept it. I lived this fruitless battle for 7 years and I chose to speak out about my religion.
That got my room searched, my things taken, my books burned, and my dignity scarred. That also smeared a new perception onto me and damaged a relationship with them.
We're on perfect terms now. I'm also not Wiccan anymore. I'm a Christian Mystic who practices ceremonial magick. They do not know this, and I will keep it this way, likely until the day I die.
See, your parents have these fears out of concern for you. There's no way to uproot indoctrination in your parents because it's had a long time to settle in and become a part of their cosmological makeup.
The best choice, my friend, is to be discrete. If they ask you to come to church, go to church out of respect and reverence. If it bugs you, then try to relate the message to Pagan concepts and ideas. If thinking about the Christian God bothers you, just remember that Christianity has infinite parallels in ancient Pagan faiths.
My advice is solid, though. I say do not, under any circumstances, tell them. Don't put them through that worry -- take it from someone who truly knows. It will only scare them for your safety and make them do all the wrong things for all the right reasons -- and you will be bitter for a very long time as a result. And then you won't even enjoy your walk as a Pagan, and that just bites.
Be careful. This is a tough one. And good luck...
2007-12-02 18:11:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I would suggest you look into the different faiths out there, because it's not a simple "pagan" there are hundreds of different pagan religions...
Anyway, the reason I say this is because you may think you like it now, and then make a big deal about it with your parents, and then in a month or so you don't like it much and then it will be like.....why did I do all this? I wanted to be Catholic, and I was all up in it in the beginning....there was some stuff I didn't understand/agree with, and I tried to look at it fro ma different perspective. In the end, I realized it wasn't the one for me and I feel like I wasted 2 years.
So that being said, look into the different covens in your area(for Wicca) and unless you live in the UK you can't really look into Druidism, and most of the other pagan religions don't have gatherings and most people just worship alone.
2007-12-02 08:23:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Have your parents read this website: http://www.paganspath.com/magik/parent.htm
Also, I second the recommendation of religioustolerance.org it is a wonderful website.
If you decide to put the books on your wish list, let your parents know that they should read them as well, so that way they can get to know what the religion is all about. Perhaps start with Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler, as it is a basic introduction to all Neo-Pagan faiths.
However, I agree with Nightwind- it may not be a good time to start this discussion with your parents just yet. Ask for a gift card and get the book I mentioned, and read it. Learn as much as possible first, so you can answer questions they may ask. Then you can give the book to your parents and have them read it, and ask what they think.
Good luck!
2007-12-02 10:10:52 · answer #5 · answered by Citrine Dream 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how old you are, if you still live with parents etc..but generally, I think it's a mistake to make a big family announcement about these sorts of things. Especially if you don't really know if/when/what religion you are interested in.
Live a life worthy of respect...and they will come asking YOU what your source is.
Often these family "announcements" come across as confessions, drawing a line in the sand, a dare to react, an act of rebellion...rather than an adult living their life. It can really be begging for trouble.
You could always ask for an Amazon.com gift certificate. or...as another suggested, save up and buy the books yourself. I try not to ask people to purchase gifts that I am pretty sure they'd find offensive, and likewise, I don't purchase gifts for others that I find offensive or cannot stand behind.
2007-12-02 12:59:25 · answer #6 · answered by eiere 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the only reason you want to tell them is to get free books. Meanwhile, you have all sorts of reasons why you shouldn't tell them. IMHO, free books doesn't sound like a good reason to start a huge debate with your parents over something I'm not sure you really want to talk about anyway. I'd suggest keeping quiet for the moment and either asking for a gift card to a book store or ask for something else and buy the books yourself.
Don't just leave pagan things around the house or on your Christmas list. That's a terrible way of letting them know, especially since you're pretty sure it will upset them. It can also lead to all sorts of presumptions on their part since you're not facing them to give actual answers.
2007-12-02 09:12:20 · answer #7 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
you do not ought to exhibit your conversion basically yet. Convert on your heart first. Act as a Muslim and be kind and respecting in the route of your moms and dads because this is a duty of a Muslim. Such movements do no longer want any secrecy, hence you may practice them overtly. Be a sturdy Muslim for a lengthy time period. once you concept they are waiting, tell them that you've been a Muslim for such time. Ask them in the adventure that they beloved it? i guess they'll say that they have got beloved it. Then it would want to be the finished time to practice overtly the Islamic responsibilities alongside with prayers and fasting. Islam insists very a lot on loving and respecting your moms and dads. this is an exceedingly sturdy problem that you want to transform to Islam, yet attempt to inform your moms and dads in an exceedingly thoughtful way. replace: p.s. the in basic terms reason that your moms and dads may disagree is they do no longer comprehend a lot about Islam. So enable them comprehend by ability of being a sturdy Muslimah. sturdy success
2016-10-25 08:01:16 · answer #8 · answered by novielli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's generally not a good idea to unload it on them right away like some kind of bomb. Just a general "Mom, Dad, I am interested in looking at other religions" would generally work, and if they ask questions about the books you would like to get be ready with some information about what Paganism is. If they aren't willing to purchase the books for you, see if they would be willing to give you the money so you can get the books yourself. If your parents really love you and accept you they will respect your decision and your desire to explore other options.
2007-12-02 11:05:42 · answer #9 · answered by Abriel 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not really sure how to tell your parents. I found my path to paganism after I was an adult. So it really wasn't a big deal. When and how you tell them be sure you have information to back up why you want to be a pagan. Also be sure to let them know that just because you are rejecting their religion it doesn't mean that you are rejecting them. They need to know that you still love them.
As for Angel wings ignorant comment please ignore it. First of all plenty of people celebrate a secular Christmas. Secondly jesus wasn't even born in december. The catholic church decided a long time ago to celebrate his birth then to down play the pagan holiday of Yule. You could celebrate Yule instead. Christmas trees, presents and even Santa are all Pagan traditions. Well best of luck in whatever you decide. Brightest Blessing and enjoy the Holiday Season
2007-12-02 08:31:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋