BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Pagan Misunderstanding Paganism

Merry Meet, Canita!

You'll find there's a wide variety of folks here. As we say at my fire circles, it's starting to get nice and juicy!

Thank you! I'm so excited to meet people here. I'm also super excited because I'm participating in my very first ever circle this weekend with five other wonderful ladies. Fourteen years on the Pagan path and it's my first time! LOL <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Welcome to the BellaOnline forums Canita! HAve a wonderful ritual this weekend!

My Ex husband said to me - after I first determined I was Wiccan- "What am I supposed to do? Go around telling everyone my wife is a witch?"

my response...

"why? did you go around telling everyone I was Catholic before?"

Like Rae, I didn't have many problems with people reacting badly until I became an Editor here.

Excellent link, Rae. Thanks for posting that.

The negativity doesn't bother me, because it is so hypocritical.

Too funny and too true. I also don't see any reason to bring up my faith with others who would be combative, but love to talk with those who are understanding/like minded. I love these forums (Wicca & Pagan) thank you so much Rae & Fiona!! Keep up the good work! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ditto, MeSheWolf!

I have found that it is very difficult for many people with non-Earth-Based/Pagan beliefs to accept religious differences outside the mainstream.
It is human nature to be fearful of the unknown.
It is a shame that there is such extreme fear and paranoia attached to this for so many.(Not all.)

I have never found the need to broadcast my beliefs, working from the "To keep Silent" concept. Those who are supposed to know, seem to come to that realization on their own, with no verbal nudging, proselytizing or use of any other energy or communication of my spiritual inclinations.

It actually makes me smile in a sad way when newbies seem to succomb to the deep need to 'let the world know".
I and many others like me have enjoyed lifelong spiritual privacy. Not that I have a 'deadbolt on the broom closet', but I don't feel compelled to heatedly argue something that I have studied, worked for and attained for myself nor do I feel the need to be a Pagan 'missionary'.
All along, I have shared knowledge with those I felt I should, and if asked for help, I do so, if it causes no harm.
Guess what I am saying is that the C.A.W. site resonated on alot of levels....and that the times I have felt pushed into a corner when associated with my beliefs is when some Christians or Pseudo-Christians come hauling baggage - filled with hatred and judgement and ignorance and wrongly-based preconceived ideas about what Earth-Based/Pagan belief is.
When they find out that I am the 'me' I have always been, and that nothing about me has changed but their perception, the fear seems to evaporate.

Merrily..... <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" />

You are so right! I find that just (generally) quietly going about my life--neither hiding nor broadcasting--works best for me. If the subject comes up, I am honest about my spiritual beliefs, but don't go into detail unless someone seems genuinely interested. I hope I am an example of the beautiful values I hold dear as a Pagan, & that my example helps knock down false assumptions.

There have been confrontations, but not many. I try to deflect them as peacefully as possible. When someone gets obnoxious about trying to convert me, I tell them firmly to back off & go away. That generally leads to them talking ABOUT me rather than TO me--which suits me fine <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think as a christian we are raise that our whole idenite is Christianity and there is little else we are good worker, wivies and anything else because we are christians but we (women) feel like we will never measure up because of PROVERBS 31 i think where it talks about the PERFICT woman she is super human and no body could EVER be her!!! but we think if we tell everyone we are christian and GOD SAVES and WE do not have to BE PREFECT because GOD forgives... then some bend twist and otherwise muniplate the bible to justify bad habits or put down other then we feel better be cause we have SPEAD THE GOOD NEWS and reasured our selves that we are GOOD CHRISTIAN WOMEN!!!
And the church has gotting to the point that women are aloud to hold office but we have to do all the work and it plays on our self esteem and in born nature to want to do the right thing and if we dont we our bad christians so it adds full to the fire until one day we wake up and say hey I love Jesus and the Holy spirit and God but take this church and....you see where im going with this right??

I don't understand.
Please explain to me how this relates to the topic, ??

- when I hear the "title" placed on someone: "Good Christian anything" - a red flag goes up.