How Many People Know You Are Pagan?

I am a pagan--Wiccan to be exact. All my friends know, and my brother and sister. I routinely wear a pentagram or other symbol of my faith as I believe it is my right. I even tell the students I teach (I am a biology teacher) if they ask as they invarably do when we discuss evolution. But my parents and grandparents do not know because I feel like they would not understand and it would only cause a lot of pain to them. Since I live far away and I am content to celebrate cultural holidays like Christmas with them then I feel like they do not need to know. I think it is unfair to judge people based on their religion as our country is founded on a belief of freedom of religion (thats one of the things the first pilgrims came here for) and I know people who are various other religions and I am content to respect their practices and they respect mine. Blessed Be.

You'll have to excuse some..there are fanatics out there -- it's usually because of fear. Not necessarily of you, but that their religion might somehow be invalid because of yours, or that somehow they're inferior, or some other illogical crap that goes through people's heads. Other times they're simply mifinformed. But it's not new or specific only to paganism. It's happened everywhere, with nearly every religion..from time to rime. My family and friends know, and I expect every time a stranger sees my pentacle necklace they may at least have a guess. So far there hasn't been alot of trouble over it ^_^ Not every pagan is picked on because of their religion. It still happens, which is sad..some are even killed, but it's at least becoming less and less frequent.

Different people have almost always been rejected. It is a shame since many of the differences made the geniuses like Devinci and others. I use them as examples since many different but potentially useful folk are different in some way. Not as to religion, some of the most violent things have been done in the name of religion. I have not a fear of you or the name of Pagan. Am glad to count you as friend.

only my daughter really knows my son knows it a little bit,he is only 9 nobody else knows about it they wont understand

In my younger days I adhered to Wicca a form of Paganism tightly and I even entered interschool debates defending the Wiccan faith. I was an open witch to almost everyone in my family because my family came from tribal roots and our traditional faith was very similar to our tribal beliefes so my mom just allowed the "Wiccan Phase" Pass over. My Grand mother was my best teacher in witch craft although she was now catholic she still followed some of our tribal magics so I never feared being pagan. But a lot of people were strange towards me during those times and I just ignored it. Not to say that Wicca or paganism was bad to me I just had a faith changing experience when I was being attacked by a guy weilding a very sharp sword. I was during that time questioning my pagan faith and suddenly a spirit saying that it was angel whispered in my ear and said, believe in God and you will not be harmed. The sword struck my stomach and left a bruise, it was sharp but I wasnt cut what so ever. Eversince then I adhered back to the Christian faith, and never will I question it again. Im not catholic just a spiritual christian.

Pagan = Witch right? I am into such things. I am not sure why people will attack pagans. After all, they are just human beings. I kind of researched a little into it because I am intrigued by it. Some people are just scared I suppose so they end up bullying others. Its like some people bully gays right?

Actually a better question for me would be who DOESNT know LOL...Everyone I know, have worked with, old clients, neighbours, family, friends, my Christian ex inlaws AND my very Christian current mum in law etc etc..They all know I'm Pagan....

This is for two reasons, and both are inter-connected: Firstly, it's a throw-back to the early days of Christianity imposing itself on the world. The established religions (earth-based, and what the Christians termed "pagan")of the areas they tried to "convert" (or rather assimilate) had been there for a very long time, and ran deep in terms of tradition, history and psyche of the people. It was only by creating superstition and fear of these religions that Christianity was able to muscle in. So it's these medieval fears and superstitions (which the Christians have since used to target other groups who wouldn't conform) which still rear their ugly heads, as Christianity and the mindset it created in the societies where it held power and influence, still form a big part of some people's attitudes and outlook (you know - the ones who value the status quo and refuse to think for themselves or question anything too deeply). The second reason (which is as I mentioned, related to the first) is that the mindset of Christians (and other monotheistic religions) and indeed the very nature of monotheistic religions, is similar to that of a gang; my god is the best, and your god is only pretend, my god will beat you up if you don't fear and obey him too without question. Of course, what they're generally unaware of, is that rather than a deity, they're talking about their "establishment", simply giving it an embodiment. Monotheism works by creating fear, guilt and ignorance in its people (if not across the board, certainly with regards to certain subjects). This means that its people rely and depend on it to tell them what to think and believe, especially as the church's stance and morals tend to be fluid. So they're taught not to rely on their own knowledge and conscience (as they can be "deceived"), rather to always look to their leaders. Whilst they think people of other monotheistic religions are mistaken, they can respect their way of thinking, and often agree with them about many things. However, when it comes to people who aren't monotheists, and insist on thinking for themselves, rather than relying on an establishment, they're afraid and angry - not only because this is the antithesis of the mindset they've adopted, but also because this independance, open-mindedness and self-sufficiency make them jealous. Of course, this isn't true of all Christians, but tends to be the case with hard-line zealots. I could go on for hours about other reasons for monotheists feeling intimidated by people who don't conform to their mindset, but I won't on this occasion. All the best to you, and good on you for finding the right spiritual path for you :-)

I have never hid the fact, I proudly display it in some cases. It matters not to me what people think, as thier stupidity shows when they judge and condemn. I condemn no one for thier religious beliefs, and expect the same respect, whether I get it or not.

I get the feeling that a lot of the religious people fear those of us who are Pagan simply because they cannot understand that it our choice. I have been the subject of an attack purely for wearing my pentagram and it wasn't pleasant. However, a friend of mine gave me a car sticker recently which says *It's a witch thing, just try to understand*

Everyone except for my husband's family knows I am Pagan. My old boss used to be as well, so I have not experienced any work place discrimination in quite awhile. I think that people are just naturally afraid of the unknown or of what they don't understand. One time someone actually asked me if I ate children! I gravitate towards people with similar interests so many of my friends are either Pagan or accepting of it because they know what it's about.

People respond out of fear and a sense of righteousness. There's a need to 'save' the Pagan from his/herself or the 'burn the witch' attitude. When the reaction is moderate, I'm surpised. I don't hide my beliefs, but I don't broadcast them, either. I was raised as United Pentecostal and my mother still attends the church. One of my brothers is Hindu and the other is Lutheran. Mom knows that I'm no longer UP, but has not idea what I practice. Why? She doesn't ask and I'm not going to volunteer that information. I'm a good person and that's all she needs to know.