Pagans is your family aware of your religious beliefs?

Question

If so does it cause problems with the family? It would if my family knew I was Wiccan but since they rejected me many years ago and I had to cut them off it does not because I have not spoken to or seen any family in 12 years. They were upset because I dared to attend a different church than they did.

Answer 1

My mother in law is a christian , she was a sunday school teacher. When i came out of the broom closet and to this day she has not said a word. Her daughter is a sensitive like Ellie and so was her mother and it scares her, and when i speak of spiritual matters such as the fey or spirits with her daughter she will have an odd look on her face and say~ "enough nonsense" in a nice way~ but you know she means it!
I wear my pentacle at all times and for christmas she gave me a new necklace~ i wonder if she is wondering if i will wear it instead??!! But she is beautiful and very respectful of my faith. My family dont care but they think i am odd! BB

Answer 2

Hello,
Some of my family are aware. My husband and children for instance know, but not some of my aunts and uncles.

My husband is fine with it and my children are interested in what I do and are now more open to finding out about religions and their own beliefs.

My aunts and uncles are elderly and I'm not sure how they would react. They also live far away so it's not really an issue.

To me though its all down to peoples perception of Pagan that's the problem. Lack of knowledge is a very scary thing. I often explain the very basic belief in energies i.e. wind, earth, sun, moon etc and most people understand that and then they appear to be more accepting of other Pagan ways and ask some really thoughtful questions. They often then go on to think more for themselves.

I have also had some great conversations with Christians, both of us agreeing to respect each others beliefs.

I hope you get the chance one day to reconcile with your family. Good luck.

Lena xx

Answer 3

I have always been close with my family. When I first got into Paganism, I was secretive about it, afraid to be open. It took my mom a while to understand and accept what I'm into, but she seems supportive now. I'm not sure what my dad thinks, we don't discuss it which is probably for the best. When I got married the first time, in a Wiccan ceremony, my dad took me aside and said something like, "This cult sh*t is fine for you two now, but you might think about giving it up if you decide to have kids." That was ten years ago. My fiancee and I are planning on having a Pagan wedding with a prominant leader in the community officiating. Both of our families will be invited, and I think most of them will attend. Everyone seems quite supportive now. The initial shock is sometimes hard for the family, but once it's explained (if they are willing to listen) they may be more accepting.

Answer 4

Since accepting my paganism I have become much calmer and more accepting of people around me. Before I tended to be close minded and bitter, not so anymore. I do get on an occasional rant but nowhere near as often. At the same time it has caused me to be more vocal about what I want, and work to obtain my goals. Some of your examples also apply. I cannot do vegetarianism...I love meat lol. But I am becoming more environmentally aware and have worked at being more "green" and working on my black thumb (I am not good in a garden but I think I can change that). I do feel a greater sense of taking care of myself and family and being more socially conscious of my community. And my creativity has multiplied exponentially. I used to call myself crafty challenged but now I enjoy finding new craft projects so that I can make things with my own hands and pass them on to family and friends.

Answer 5

I was raised Anglican, but chose to become Pagan at 15 {10 years ago}.
My dad isn't religious, so isn't bothered. My mum is a lapsed Catholic, who believes in spirits and spells, so she's ok with it. My mum's side of the family... I don't really know. We aren't close, so it isn't an issue that's ever been raised.

As a solitary Pagan, I don't really do much. If I were with others, I may be more open with my religion, so that may change my family's views.

Answer 6

I'd have to answer both yes and no. My inlaws are aware of my beliefs and are totally accepting.

My parents, sister and brother-in-law, on the other hand, do not know. I am estranged from my family due to other reasons and have not spoken with them in three years. I am certain that it would cause considerable consternation if they knew about my beliefs. From what little I have heard from them/about them over the past couple of years I am under the impression that they have all gone total "fundy." In addition to that, my sister's husband is a pastor.

Answer 7

My mother, the devote Roman Catholic, knows all about it. She supports me completely. She goes with me to the pagan store and has befriended the owner. She even bought me my first broom-haha. She is a wonderful mother! I am out of the broom closet only with a few friends. I havent told others in my family because I dont need the hassle or unrest that it will cause. I dont hide it though. If they asked, I would tell them. I assume someday I'll be out to everyone but I am the peace maker not the dissrupted. But as long my mother, whom I am very close too, doesnt judge or belittle me, that is what matters to me.

BB

Answer 8

Not too much - my sister and I came out as pagan and Mom wanted us to "keep our options open with Jesus". After awhile she saw we were a lot happier and more balanced. Not perfect but better mentally and spiritually and began exploring what we believed.

Now we're all heathens and the Kindred has grown.

Our cousin (my only other family) is a minister of a small church. He knows we're not Christian and just ignores it. LOL - he and his family have selective memories at times and we don't push. We're respectful of their beliefs when we're there and we don't invite them to blots (rituals).

On my father's side (whom I haven't seen in over 20 years) they are staunch Christians. I haven't come out to them because I don't see a need. Even if I visit them I doubt religion would be a topic of conversation, thankfully.

Answer 9

My family is aware. My grandparents don't like to talk about it, but they don't reject me. It's just one of those things we don't bring up.

My mother is a lot more open to discussing it. She's not pagan herself (at least, not that I know of) but she respects the way I've chosen to live my life and how I'm raising my children to a pagan faith. My father is aware, but doesn't really care--he only lives about thirty percent of his life on the same planet with the rest of us anyway, and things like religion just don't factor in to his world view.

My sister is not only ok with it, she's a sort of neo-pagan herself (though I would have no idea what to call her path.) A couple of years ago, she gave me a Yule gift of a wooden box studded with nails to form a pentagram. It contained all sorts of "magical supplies"--most of which I've replaced with my own. Although the quill pens were pretty cool. That box now sits in a place of honor on my altar shelf.

I feel very lucky to have such a loving and accepting family.

Answer 10

Yes my family is aware of my faith. It does sometimes cause problems, but we usually manage to work through them. It has, however taken my family many years to come to terms with what I am. My parents are very strict christians and I believe that deep down they still think I'll go to hell, but after many years and arguments they have finally at least come to some kind of acceptance.