Should pagans keep their knowledge secret or not?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sheila on -
In the old days people had to hide what and who they were for fear of being hanged or burned for their beliefs and practices. Today we do not live with the same fears, at least not as much as the witches of the old days did. Today, depending on where you live, there are other dangers. Not being able to get a job and keep a job because of your beliefs, some people will beat another up, causing harm to their home and belongings, trying to drive them from where they live. Fear of having your children taken from you is very real and present. They take the children for other reasons that are not really there, but are able to do it.
To hide or not to hide is a tough decision that each person must make for themselves. I have chosen not to hide, and have paid for it dearly. Still I could not hide and not be myself. I do not flaunt it. Sometimes I will tell someone while talking to them who I am, others i don't necessarily volunteer the information. If asked, i will tell.
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Permalink Reply by Redemousa on
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The pros and cons about being openly pagan or wiccan sometimes, as we know from the past, make sense while at other times make no since at all. An individual's chosen belief system shouldn't be burdened with what so many others might think of it. Once the individual accepts his or her chosen belief system in earnest, with honesty and spirit, and with awareness and consciousness, it would seem to me that that individual would eventually develop that certain comfort zone where he or she will know who to speak with in terms of discussing that chosen belief or practice.
Just "throwing" a thought
Redemousa
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Permalink Reply by Lilith on -
Coming from a pretty conservitive community, and working with the public, I've had to keep alot of my beliefs to myself. My family is also VERY Evangelical and I am afraid to deal with losing what little relationship I have with them. My younger brother is a respected youth minister in the community and I love him, and would hate to deal with having to have him turn his back on me..or worse feverishly work to redeem my soul back to the church. It's complicated, and I wish I could just be myself and not worry what others think.
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Permalink Reply by BrytePhyre on -
Christianity in the is not a weaker faith; its the person who believes in it. there are too many in the religion who is too concerned with whats my brother/ neighbor is doing and is he going to hell or not then there own salvation. I have Meet a few true Christians who really believe Christ teaching and were not pushy judgmental, and hypocrites of there own faith. They accepted me and my daughters and they have a deep since of oneness with there choice.
If you are at peace with your choice then you can since who you can tell and share knowledge with but if your in constant turmoil then your mind is clouded and you have not the strength to stand up for what you believe in.
I myself have had only a few problem people that I have faced in my life. I live in the Missionary area there is a church or every block in fact there is one on the corner across the street of my house. Sometimes they get a little loud.
The problem is when you present yourself as better then the other your in for a fall. And thats what the Christians do over and over.
As for a family not understanding I have seen that they are the ones to shun you first. It takes them longer to accept for they feel they should have know you better or fixed the problem ( in there eyes). not to say you have a problem. All they can see is that it's a bad reflection on the. They were not Christian enough they did something wrong to turn you away.
Until you can express and have them acknowledge that you are a separate entity to them and have your own mind to make, you'll be safer and happier keeping quiet. Watch, Learn, in all you see you'll find a way if it's meant to Be!
I have even went so far as have my Pagan wedding in the newspaper it took front page of the religious section and two pages after that... then was featured twice later in the year. All I ever received was compliments and some questions. I answered honestly and made a few new friends in the process. I was told later that the sound off had bad things to say. But the Goddess protected me for I never saw them.
You have to make the decisions what kind of Wiccan/ Pagan/ Witch you want to be. Sometimes its easer when coming out of the closet to tell people that your a Gypsy Spiritualist. Then you can go into what you believe and they listen and then realise your not a bad person. And some on your view points have merit.
Brightest Blessings on any decisions you make.
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Permalink Reply by kathie on -
I think that it depends on the situation and where you are at, or whom you are keeping your secret from? I am not a secretive person, and if asked I tell, although as Sheila said, I do not flaunt who I am, not because I am afraid but because I don't believe that my religious or spiritual beliefs are anyone elses business....I do not ask what their beliefs are, and they should not have an issue with what mine may be.
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Permalink Reply by Lilith on
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Sigh...It is pretty crummy that people are still fighting and dieing for their religious beliefs still today.
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Permalink Reply by d'Arqstar on -
I can see where it would be easy to think that since paganism is now a legally recognized "religion" that we should be protected and afforded the rights and respect of other beliefs. Technically that might be the case...REALITY is somewhat grimmer! (more grim? LOL!)
There are still PLENTY of examples (worldwide, that is) of so-called "witches" being tortured and killed. Whether they actually WERE witches seemed to have made no difference. Still enough discrimination and fear (lets face it folks, Christianity did QUITE a number feeding the masses misinformation and most would really rather NOT face the truth) to make being open risky, depending on where you are socially, geographically, and yes, financially!
I guess what I'm saying it that just as EACH must determine one's own Path, so too must one determine whether to remain secretive, to be honest and truthful with family and friends only, or to announce oneself to the WORLD!
No wrong or right answer in my opinion...each to his own!
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Permalink Reply by Theresa Chaze on -
No. By acting like we have something to hide, we only look like we are guilty and give credance to the bigotry. However, if we proudly live our lives we not only come from more of a place of strength, but we dispell all the misconceptions.
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Permalink Reply by Lilith on
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Who are you to say that? I mean honestly, do I have to flaunt who I am to every person I meet ? I can't even honestly say what I am? I am a follower of my own path and that is what I say to anyone who asks. Leave it at that, if they want details, I can do that too, but usually people only ask if they are 1. intrigued and want to know more because of a connection to similar beliefs or 2. they want to argue their point...Do I really need to spend wasted energy trying to make them see my way? I work with the public, they are my bread and butter. I live in a community that is 70% conservative senior citizens. If I ran around argueing my beliefs to them I would be broke! I couldn't feed my family or pay my bills running around waving a wand in peoples faces, screaming,"I believe in Faeries!" Isn't gonna settle well or put supper on the table.....and yes I do believe in Faeries, okay?
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Permalink Reply by Nautonnier on -
Hmm.
A VERY good question....
with multiple answers...
Secrecy .....protects NOT only the Teachings.....BUT also the aspirants....
AS we SEE here from some other replies...some of our colleagues have SUFFERED for their honesty...which places unnecessary stress on practise and progress...(and until RELATIVELY recently could have got you BURNED at the stake for your beliefs )
IN TRUTH......doors were ALWAYS opened to TRUE SEEKERS...and that STILL applies TODAY...
IF a person IS Seeking TRUTH....their "investigations" WILL reveal themselves to the DOOR KEEPERS...
and they may Be accepted into the outer court of an organisation....OR find a Teacher who IS willing to help them...
THERE is nearly ALWAYS...a certain period of noviciate..
THE REASON??
WELL....the aspirant NEEDS to learn how to respect the TEACHINGS.....AND the Guardians NEED to Know that They can TRUST the aspirant...not to HARM themselves OR OTHERS...that IS first and foremost...
I Will return to this subject shortly..
but I leave it now..with the
Important TRUTH...that ALL knowledge IS NOT in BOOKS.....Studying the academia BRINGS the student Into the LIGHT....BUT that IS only the first STEP on a LONG Journey!!!!LOL!.....Good Luck!...any questions ..I am EASY to FIND!!!:-)
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Permalink Reply by Externus TerraModus on -
In regards to secrecy.
There is a difference between privacy and secrecy, though privacy means keeping things secret from others, in regards to modern day. I would say, it depends on things that are going on and the community and individuals you are dealing with.
I would say, we as a group no longer are at threat in regards to physical retaliation, though we do come under intellectual and spiritual attack. Unfortunately the battle of religions is alive and well.
Only you know of your situation and environment, you should know if it is okay to be open or not depending on where you live and the communities “fervor” in regards to religious environments.
Mostly though individuals seem to be opening up in regards to being more accepting and understanding in things they do not fully understand. No one person can make a judgment call for you, though generally things are not so dangerous for “Non-conforming” Christians. However some caution is still needed as religious zealots are still out there.
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