How open are you about being pagan?

[Vimilanda]

I'm pretty closed about it. In the past I've only expressed my views to people close to me that I trust. I don't wear anything that hints at paganism. Honestly I do fear attempts at conversion and rumor spreading. There's just nothing as frustrating as hearing I'm going to go to hell because I don't worship God. In my experience people just can't get the concept of not believing in Hell.
I told a young acquaintance of mine yesterday that I was pagan. He's a frequent customer of the cafe where I work. He asked me if I was a Christian and I told him that no I was a pagan. It really suprised me that his reaction was just to nod and say I thought so. Apparently he had a interest a while back and knows that the part of town I'm always saying I'm going to on my day off is the area with a few shops catering to pagans.
Still I'm suprised he assumed I'm pagan because the area is just full of neat shops. He could have just as easily assumed I was into really funky clothing.
What about the rest of you? Are you open about being pagan or do you just let the people who really know you in on your beliefs?

[Tarbh Nathroch]

Completely.

[Theres]

i guess i'd say wide open, but i just don't think about it much. i don't throw it out there, or wear it on my sleeve. but teaching Wicca at a public store, doing public rituals, and lecturing at a few local colleges has certainly torn the curtain away from me.

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" :lol:

[Blair]

I'm very open about it. I'll give at least a minimal explanation to anyone who asks. It's really not a problem in the area where I live. The only time I've ever felt I need to hide it was when I was working in a daycare-like environment and the kids were talking about the churches they went to. I told them I didn't go to church and left it at that. No need for the kids to go running home to mom and dad telling them their counselor is a witch, pagan or worse.

[CaitrionaMorgaine]

I'm with Theres on this one. I run the only open Pagan fellowship in my town, and since it is located on the Air Force base, I am in the public eye. We offer teaching, rituals, and full clergy services. I am the point of contact and have been doing this for the past three years. I've gone on both the local news broadcasts, as well as worked with the newspaper on articles pertaining to Pagan issues.

I don't mind it too much. I knew what I was getting into when I took over the group. The other things happened because of that, and that's fine with me.

Avalon's Blessings, ~Rhiannon

[*Rain*]

If it comes up then i'm perfectly open about it, but I don't run round screaming that i'm Pagan. I don't feel the need to blurt it out to every random person I meet in the street.

[WhiteRavenBran]

I don't hide the fact that I'm pagan, but I don't flaunt it either. I wear a celtic triquetra necklace, dress like a normal person (ie I don't purposely dress funny to draw attention to myself, even though I wear a lot of black, but that's just a personal preference of mine), and don't shout out my religious affiliation to the world. If someone asks me, I'll tell them, but I don't offer the information to people I don't know very well. That's just kind of a safeguard for myself so that people who don't need to know won't. I'm also reluctant for my professors to know about it, even though for the most part they're pretty liberal, but some might hold it against me. Maybe I'm just paranoid... But if someone asks me, I don't deny it.

[Atheleisia]

I'm extremely open about it; all of my close family and friends know I'm pagan. While I don't exactly grab random people by the arm and go, "Grar! I'm pagany!" I don't hide it either.

[Jenne]

I'm pretty choosy who I tell. I'm still in the broom closet to my parents and grandparents, but my husband, brothers and friends all know. *shrug* And I don't see that changing any time soon.

I don't advertise, but I do wear my pentacle ring once in a while. And if I get into a religious discussion, I don't hide my beliefs, but I don't preach them either...if that makes any sense. I do, however, make it a point to live by example.

[Tzhebee]

Moderately open. Most (if not all) of my friends know. My mother knows that I believe something "different" and that I'm not any flavor of Christian. Other than that, nobody knows. Not my work, not my extended family.

I've been thinking about telling some of my family, but they are "die-hard" Christians and I don't know how they will react. I know that my cousin won't freak out on me, but she'll be worried. And I honestly think my Gramma would have a stroke and die if I told her. :(

[misschief]

i'm not out or in really. it never comes up.. and i rarely bring it up. maybe out more than in. i don't know really.

[Twig]

Open?? Hehehe I have a sign on my dining room widow pointing outward That says PAGAN CLERGY. I performed the wedding of one of the leasing agents a couple years ago.

And it's interesting. We have a large migrant population here (608 units), and people that don't know me, people that don't speak or read english for that matter, know I'm a pagan!
Thats one hell of a grapevine there. :)

_whistle_ Crazy-assed druid, Chupacabra(sp)? Yeah i'm pretty open about it.

Peace
:elf:

[semi]

I'm 1oo% open about it. I don't flaunt it, but I won't hide it.

[Amadore]

If I'm in a situation where I;m discussing my religion or something of the sort, then yes, I am open about it. But I don't go up to random people saying "Hey guess what!! I'm pagan!!!" However, I do proudly wear the pentacle around my neck no matter where I go... so yeah, people can make their own impressions :)

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I fit into the "don't ask, don't tell" group. I'm not "in the closet" about it, as when asked I will be perfectly honest with my answer. To be anything less in an afront to my gods. The only time I ever avoided the question is with my mother in law. She asked me about religion once as I told her flat out that my son was being baptised for them (in-laws) and that I didn't believe in it, I merely responded with I was raised Quaker. Which I was, and even were I still Quaker the baptism still would have been for them, because Quakers don't believe in physical baptism.

Anyone else though gets the pure, unadultrated truth. I have absolutely no problem with telling people I'm a Scottish Recon. Most people don't understand what that means and just look at me odd.

[FlyingBear]

I'm out to everyone I know. When I told my mom, many moons ago now, she was" O honey, it's just a phase you're going thru." LOL Almost 20 years later, here I am still howling at the moon and casting spells. Mom is still not okay with it entirely, especially now that I have a kid.

[Fairyelf]

I dunno really..
no one really ever asks me or anything.
and I dont just tell anyone I pretty much keep it to myself I guess
unless someone were to ask then Id just say "yea...so.. "
;)

[-Ember]

Fairly open. I wear a pentacle (albeit a small tactful one) and my trad symbol. If someone asks or if it contribuites something to a discussion I don't hide it. But I don't push it either or bring it up in front of certain relatives.

[blueangel]

It was really interesting hearing each person's experience with everyone else. It's given me plenty to think about.

I'm pretty open with my bf and I've told my bro and sis. My bf doesn't really understand what I'm on about and pretty much just lets me get on with it (he's not religious) and my siblings dismissed it as me being weird and it's all a load of rubbish. I don't mind them thinking that. I have offered to talk to them about it all but they are not overly interested.

There are a couple of areas of conflict beyond that though... my Dad is Catholic and I think he would spazz out and think I was a devil-worshipper if I were to try to tell him. Also, I volunteer at a church which I have gone to since I was a young child. I look after boys in their youth group and it involves a bit about God and the Bible and so on. I feel a bit hypocritical when I pray with them but I don't want to make a fuss or stop going so I guess I'll just have to continue with things how they are.

I think in time everything will come together and I will edge ever-more boldly out of the broom cupboard.

[DragonDawn]

I used to not tell anyone except my close friends. Since we created the Pagan club on campus and I'm and officer I've become way more open with it than before. I don't mind telling people at all anymore.

Now I still haven't told my parents or my family and I don't think that I'm in a hurry to do so._inabox_

[colusaskye]

if asked, i'll tell
if not, i won't.
and that's about it :)

[~Elise~]

I'm with Theres on this one. I run the only open Pagan fellowship in my town, and since it is located on the Air Force base, I am in the public eye. We offer teaching, rituals, and full clergy services. I am the point of contact and have been doing this for the past three years. I've gone on both the local news broadcasts, as well as worked with the newspaper on articles pertaining to Pagan issues.

I don't mind it too much. I knew what I was getting into when I took over the group. The other things happened because of that, and that's fine with me.

Avalon's Blessings, ~Rhiannon

I'm with Rhiannon on this--Hi there, Rhiannon!!!

I am as open as you get. I'm on TV occasionally and I was on the front page of a Christian paper. I sponsored PPD here in Tulsa and I have an open teaching group here in town that I have overseen for three years now.

I knowingly made this choice three years ago when I took over leadership of the group rather than let it die. I don't wear a pentacle very often in public and I think I dress pretty normal. Could you tell by looking at me? probably not. But I don't hide what I do, either.

Elise

[LadyAutumnCat]

I'm completely open. I wear my pentacle with pride. I don't flaunt it by announcing it, there's no need to. If anyone has a problem with it, then they don't know me, they don't love me, and they are missing out on knowing a very caring person. It's their loss.

[MoonlightShadow]

I don't hide it, but I don't go around bragging about being Pagan. I used to want to tell everyone, but I got over that fairly quickly.

[Pandoras]

I work with extremely conservative people so they don't know. However, I do express Pagan views and do talk about Paganism in general (primarily because my religion is an integral part of my identity and a seamless part of my existence. It shapes my perspective, my worldview.) We have a lot of disagreements, as you can imagine.

Outside of work, I'm completely out of the broom closet (always have been) and I express my paganism very actively. For instance, I believe that the Earth is sacred. So I feel a moral duty to protect it. Although I can do better, I try to live consciously - recycle, buy green, etc. I'm also really big about supporting Paganism in general. I try to buy from Pagan business owners, write about Pagan issues, buy Pagan publications, etc. because if Pagans don't support Pagans, who will, right?

I'm lucky that I live in a big, diverse city where I don't have to worry. I read posts from people who are actually afraid to come out. I know one woman who's married and has a small child who's actually been threated by her neighbors. But I do believe that Pagans will never find real freedom of religion and expression unless we take it into our own hands and become a powerful force and we can't do that from the broom closet.

[forbidden_vengence]

I'm open around friends but very closed and secretive around my family.

[Belladonnastrap]

I'm a mixture of open and secretive. I don't flaunt it around because I don't feel the need to (my religion is personal and while it prevades my life it doesn't dictate it) but I don't hide it either. If someone asks I'll tell...

EXCEPT with my family. I just can't come out to them for some reason :(

[halfwaynowhere]

I'm not closeted or anything. the other day in drama class I got up and announced to the class my pagan ways. Most of my friends are in drama with me, and they already knew. Almost everybody else is a freshman, and i tend to try to appear strange to freshmen. The other seniors at my school though don't really know, or don't really care. If it comes up in a conversation, i'm more than happy to explain it to them. I just don't advertise it often. I dress in a lot of black sometimes, other times i wear earth tones. I don't think its so obvious though, i just don't hide anything.

[lythadancer]

I work with extremely conservative people so they don't know. However, I do express Pagan views and do talk about Paganism in general (primarily because my religion is an integral part of my identity and a seamless part of my existence. It shapes my perspective, my worldview.) We have a lot of disagreements, as you can imagine.

Outside of work, I'm completely out of the broom closet (always have been) and I express my paganism very actively. For instance, I believe that the Earth is sacred. So I feel a moral duty to protect it. Although I can do better, I try to live consciously - recycle, buy green, etc. I'm also really big about supporting Paganism in general. I try to buy from Pagan business owners, write about Pagan issues, buy Pagan publications, etc. because if Pagans don't support Pagans, who will, right?

.

I am with you on this Pandoras. I do not flaunt it and do not tell everyone but I am very open. The people at work know and support me. We are closely knitted. i do not tell certain family members but express pagan ideas and thought.- hey I see no reason to upset my god fearing 87 year old grandma. besides we have a lot of the same views! I support the ONE- yes there is only ONE - semi local(20 min drive!) wiccian store. I live my path.

[Brigid Bishop]

Very Open, Friends, Strangers and Relatives are all aware that I walk this path.

[arctic splash]

I don't usually call myself 'pagan' when I'm with or around people who don't also consider themselves pagan. I'm eclectic and don't follow a particular tradition so I don't think it's all that important. Maybe it is... maybe I should talk about it with others. I just feel uncomfortable. Also, I feel that people are much more accepting when I tell them what my beliefs *are*, than if I give them a label for my beliefs, like 'pagan...' which they can interpret however they wish...

I don't hide my beliefs, but I don't proclaim them to the world, either.

[Gede]

MM~
I am fairly open. If someone asks me what my religious beliefs are (though I cringe at the concept) or why I wear the Pentagram I usually say that I'm Pagan, or as has happened before I merely point out that the symbol is a Pagan one, and go no further. Often the word Pagan is never used and some people who already know about my spirituality just tell others that I am very interested in "all that Goddess stuff" :P I have had some horrible experiences in the past, and at one stage had an entire church and youth group praying for my soul and harrassing me at school (during lunch-breaks and class). Nowadays I know enough to counteract the crap that I am dealt every now and then and I simply leave the squandering idiots to their own detriment. So Pagan and Proud baby!

Namaste, Gede...

[Eirwen Hartsock]

Élistariel knows, infact she is the one that got my onto MW.
My roomie Jenn knows, because she told me all about the coven she use to be in.
My other friend Tiffy knows, however Éli and I aren't sure if she even knows what a pagan is.
You guys know *waves & grins*
Other than that I haven't told anyone, I know Mom suspects, however everyone in my family is way too religious, and since I'm still living at home I don't feel I should come out of the broom closet yet. I don't want to be kicked out of the house. Although all anyone would have to do is look through my book collection, and if they weren't convinced they would at least know something was up.

Come to think of it, my parents do know I see ghosts, and they know I "knew" Great-grandma died, like I felt that she had just died, even though I was nine hours away. So they know I have some natural abilities or whatever you want to call them.

[MystAngel]

Our kids know, (two out of three) and I think my mom knows, but no one has really asked me. I wear a pentacle, but ya know...if I wore a cross, I wouldn't say anything... One thing that really bothered me, was when I was flying home from Louisiana last month, I had to get "patted down" by the security lady. She went over me with a freaking fine tooth comb, all the while asking me about my pentacle. "What is that?" or "Is that Jewish?" or "What does that mean?", just very rudely... I thought maybe she was a pagan, and was wondering if I was, but I got more of the feeling like I was bein interrogated. I answered honestly enough, I guess, but I was very paranoid about it. *sigh* that is a bummer.

[Mindflayer]

Well I don't go around telling everyone I'm Pagan, but if asked, I'm not about to lie.

[Karma Chameleon]

I'd say I am pretty open about it. If someone asks, I'd tell them. I wear a Thor's Hammer around my neck, for some odd reason I a lot more dirty looks from Christians than when I'd wear a pentagram. :geez:

[Pandoras]

I'd say I am pretty open about it. If someone asks, I'd tell them. I wear a Thor's Hammer around my neck, for some odd reason I a lot more dirty looks from Christians than when I'd wear a pentagram. :geez:

Is it an upside down hammer? The dirty looks might be because they don't realize it's a hammer at all. They might think it's an upside down cross.

[Karma Chameleon]

Is it an upside down hammer? The dirty looks might be because they don't realize it's a hammer at all. They might think it's an upside down cross.

That's the only thing I can figure. To me it doesn't much look like a cross. Ah well.

[Lady Avalon]

very, very, very open.

[ObsidianSunrise]

Maybe it came from my fathers' side of the family (devout Methodists) but religious preference has always been a matter of personal thought and decision to me. I was raised with Church of Christ and Methodist background, which was a little confusing when I was younger. I researched all the different religions and when Wicca 'spoke' to me, I knew I had found my path. My husband knows and as long as I don't leave my books out in plain open sight he is okay with it. I have told a couple of close friends that I trust and who aren't judgemental. My kids know since I took them with me to my local metaphysical shoppe this summer. I think my Dad has an idea, but as far as the rest of my family, they don't know and I won't tell them. Don't need the whole 'Oh my God! We have got to save your soul!' argument. And my husbands family will probably never know as they are active Southern Baptists (one brother a minister) and Mormons. Religous discussions there are lively enough :thumbsup: !

So I guess you could say I am not very open about it. But that doesn't mean that if asked I would deny it either. I am comfortable with my path and willing to discuss it if someone is interested.

[Erites]

Like most people here, I'm open if asked, but I don't flaunt it. Most people just thing I'm weird for wearing my spider on a web necklace and my silver spider earrings. Well, only wearing one spider earring atm as the other one has gone off on it's perrenial wanderings.

[fay]

i think that a lot of people at my college know. that wasnt my choice, but last year in L6 drama we were studying Vinegar Tom by Caryl Churchill and my teacher was trying to get the group to understand that none of the characters were witches, it was about the hysteria of witchcraft accusations. i forget exactly what she said, but i think she must have said something about witches not existing and then realised what shed just said and said "i dont mean like Dee or Fay". so the whole class knew then. i didnt really mind except that the boy whod been sitting next to me in the circle, got up and moved right across it saying "i dont want to sit next to a witch". i dont know if he was joking but it wasnt very funny.
so yeah, people at college know and if someone asks me ill probably tell them. i told my mum at one point because she was trying to force me to keep going to church (by saying that if i didnt go, i wasnt allowed to go to my theatre school and anyone who knows me knows just how important that is to me). i think that she was just trying to make sure that i didnt stop going out of laziness. anyways i told her and that was ok, but we havent spoken about it since. i think that its a dont refer to it, dont rock the boat kinda thing.
but i wont tell people at work that im pagan. i dont know them that well and its really none of their business. it depends on how well i know the person and whether it comes up. for example i was going out with my last bf for 3 months and he never knew i was wiccan. at least, i didnt tell him. it just never came up.

so yeah, i think im going to agree with most people, im pretty open if you ask about it, but i dont flaunt it. you couldnt tell just by looking at me.
blessed be

[Rubber_Piggy]

Don't hide it, but don't promote it either. Things I wear and say probably hint it. Many of my friends are die hard chrisitans :halohead: who have given up trying to convery me because thy can't hack the mind games :ahhhh: If anyone asked I would tell them my beliefs, but I think they have just marked me as :evilway: :deviltail and thus are to scared to ask.

[Moriquenya]

I'm open in that I'm not afraid to tell people. I share my beliefs with friends and family, and with people who ask. If they don't ask, I don't tell. I do feel the need to be a *little* more closed at work because I'm an elementary school teacher and don't want folks (ie. parents) getting all jittery about what I'm teaching the kids. But I sneak it in a little when we celebrate the equinoxes and soltices as special days in class.

[Raven Reed]

I am totally open. When I worked and went to school everybody knew. Did class projects on it and stuff. Now I live in a small, conservative town, so I don't broadcast it as much, but people know.

My kids have been harassed for YEARS at school, not because they are pagan, but because they are atheists. And they still tell kids they are atheists. Oh well. It's their choice.

[Aelfoak]

I'm very open and i don't care what other people think either.

[whitewater]

i am extremely open. i don't tell people right away, but if i am asked, i will say, i am Wiccan. if the person has a big problem with it, fine.i have been given sermons, but if someone gives me a sermon, i just don't hang out with them anymore. most people i know don't have a problem with it, though, so i admit that im proud to be different.

[Joshua]

I'm out of the broom closet, but I'm not flamboyantly pagan. I just don't make a big deal of it with the people I know. Some people take issue with it, some people are curious, and a few don't care. It doesn't come up very much at all at work.

[Kalika]

I'm.... selectively open about it. :lol:

For the most part, most people know that I'm not a Christian, and that my beliefs are different than most others... but, not everyone. I don't tell everyone I meet, or everyone that I know well even. Partly because religion isn't something that comes up alot with "acquaintances", and partly because I feel that's a pretty personal thing. But... if someone outright asks me what my beliefs are, I tell them.

[Writer_Waif]

I am real open about being pagan, I didn't used to be but I am now.
Either people accept me or they don't ..
At this point I don't care.
I am who I am and that's that.
:dancy:

[Aidron]

I am completely open about being a Witch (not a Pagan, you will never hear me refer to myself as such).

My craft is the most important factor in my life, so to know me is to know that. I do not go around slinging spells, rituals, and recipes I have created at people (or share them at all), or debating theology with people (my beliefs are just that, 'mine', anything anyone else has to say is irrelevant), but I am more than willing to tell people if they ask or bring it up myself.

I'm sure I am a dead give away as someone who is influenced and works with the occult, however. To the trained eye one might notice my jewelry, or the fact that my belts are inscribed with magical glyphs and sigils, and so forth. To the untrained eye I am sure I either look very strange or borderline 'creep-occult-guy'.

[sandra_the_green]

i'm pretty open about it, but i dont go around telling everyone i pass that i'm pagan.

[pixidust]

I'm open to a degree...as far as family and friends goes, few know about it...as far as others like co-workers...they know nothing...i think it is better that way. People jump to bad conclusions too fast.

[Storm]

I'mr really tired and I didn't read all the responses but...did anyone see SCHOOL TIES with Brendan Frasier. Yeah. I have two kids 4 & 6 so I keep it to myself. Maybe i am just paranoid but human nature doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence.

[SilentDreams]

I'm pretty closed about it. In the past I've only expressed my views to people close to me that I trust. I don't wear anything that hints at paganism. Honestly I do fear attempts at conversion and rumor spreading. There's just nothing as frustrating as hearing I'm going to go to hell because I don't worship God. In my experience people just can't get the concept of not believing in Hell.
I told a young acquaintance of mine yesterday that I was pagan. He's a frequent customer of the cafe where I work. He asked me if I was a Christian and I told him that no I was a pagan. It really suprised me that his reaction was just to nod and say I thought so. Apparently he had a interest a while back and knows that the part of town I'm always saying I'm going to on my day off is the area with a few shops catering to pagans.
Still I'm suprised he assumed I'm pagan because the area is just full of neat shops. He could have just as easily assumed I was into really funky clothing.
What about the rest of you? Are you open about being pagan or do you just let the people who really know you in on your beliefs?

First I want to say that its not that they can't accept that we don't believe in hell. Its that no matter what we believe in, if they think its anti-their beliefs or even "evil" then technically we would go to hell by their beliefs.

I'm pretty quite about being pagan. My mother and her fiance know. My best friend sort of knows but he doesnt' really grasp it very well so I haven't fully explained it all. Another girl at my school who is sort of pagan(she says she is but I can hear the uncertain-ness(?) in her voice) and some others know as well. I have instances when I can let more people know(like in class when religion comes up in history) but I choose not too. So many people are just ignorant and I don't need any trouble. Its easier on my day to day life if I just keep my mouth shut. I will wear pentacles(well not a ton, i recently lost my pentacle ring, and I don't have anything else although I want a pentacle necklace). But anyone who is "goth" or even a "punker" (at my school and around my city)wears pentacles so its not gonna get me alot of questions.

[Hazel BlueMoon]

I am very proud to be a Witch. It's not the first thing I tell people, but eventually I let people know. Blessed Be.

[Loopaleigh]

I am fortunate that I live in a big city. It not only carries the benefit of not having to "stay in the broom closet", but there is the extra added bonus of exposer to other faiths and cultures on a large scale. My neigbors, friends and co-workers are from every country, faith, color, ethnic background, political stance, sexual orintation and cultural heritage. It makes life fun and interesting.
Now, don't get me wrong....it's not a pass key to TOTAL acceptance....people are still people and not everyone is "cool" with my religion, but I can count on one hand the number of "bad" experiences I have had and they have all been minor. Mostly a odd or disdainful look at my pentacle necklace or the occasional snide comment.
I have once or twice thought about moving out of Miami, because, well it's a big city and with it comes the "fast pace" of a metropolitan area...but honestly I don't think I ever could move away...I would miss the diversity and the luxury of "blending in".

[MoonBard]

Let's put it this way, my occult/pagan/magickal book collection is on my bookshelf at eye level. My wife has seen them, her family has seen them I'm sure, and I saw my 10 year old grandaughter thumbing through Drawing Down The Moon one day. "you're one weird grandpa, cool though " she said lol. The only comment I've had other than that, is from my sister in law. " Better leave that stuff alone ". :fpoke:

Life goes on

By the way, when my wife asked me what i was wasting money on "those books" for, I reminded her that she signed a permission slip for our son to attend a "psychic fair" at his high school. The flyer he brought home describing it read almost exactly like Bucklands' CBoW table of contents.
Divination,numerology,palm reading,runes,ect. It was put on by faculty members ! Cool :)

[Dextra]

Eh, my family and friends know. Some of my coworkers. But I try to keep it on a need-to-know basis. Although most people think I'm strange enough as it is, so I figure why make their brains pop?

[LoonyDannu]

I am completely open about being a pagan.Of course I don't go around shouting"I'm a pagan" in the middle of the street,but if someone asks me or if religion comes into a conversation then I openly say that I'm a pagan.
Usually people just ask what it is,what we do,what I believe in,etc.
People here in Portugal usually respect other peoples beliefs and they don't ask many questions.
So its not a problem for me to openly practice my religion.
Which is why I love to live here,well besides the beach right around the corner that is :smile:

[Jeleia]

I wouldn't say I'm very open.

Usually if people ask, I'll mention I'm Pagan. That also depends on the situation / person as well. Sometimes I'll just say that I have my own beliefs and practices.

:uhhuhuh: