silvermoon17 asked this question on 5/16/2000:
I have been studing various wiccan traditions over the past few years. As of late, and after much thought, research, and reflection, I have decided to delve further into the craft. My friends and my mother know that I have been studying. Most of my friends respect this, and even want to learn more about wicca, but I get the feeling that my mother feels it's just a phase, and some of my "friends" are closed minded and call wicca "the devil's work" and tell me that I am going to hell. How should I respond to these comments? Then there's the rest of my family. You see, I was raised and Confirmed Catholic. As of now, most of my family sees me as a "bad Catholic". I don't want anyone to think that I am "bad", but I know that several of my relatives, would not understand, and would be hurt, and concerned by my explainations. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can solve these problems? Any help would be appreciated. Blessed Be.
luise gave this response on 5/16/2000:
Dear Silvermoon,
What I would suggest to do first of all is network. Find some people in your area that are Wiccan to have as a support group. You wouldn't believe how powerful it is to have friends that believe similarly in the same things you do, and have someone to talk to.
You have to look not only at the people around you, but the geographic location you live in. Believe it or not, where you live matters in how easy it would be to find others of your kind. When you find Wicca, it feels like coming home. Wouldn't you like to have kith and kin to be by your side when times get rough?
When people say Wicca is the "devil's work", that is usually a cue that it is useless to try and explain Wicca to them. If you feel there is an opening in conversation, just explain the basics of the religion, not necessarily the part about there being no devil or hell. Say that we revere nature in all it's forms, and feel that God is in everything around us, not some unreachable being in the heavens. Say that as long as you follow the Rede and live your life to the fullest, you feel God would never punish you for living a good life.
Most Christians don't realize this, but the Catholic way of worshipping is very ritualistic. Also, Wiccans live their life more like Jesus than most Christians today. Mary is a version of the Goddess. Jesus was very likely a very powerful mage. So when you get down to it, we don't dislike or abhor Jesus Christ, just his followers who have twisted his words so much they are unrecognizable today.
So, meet those in your local Pagan community. Network either in person or online (there are tons of us online). Hold your beliefs dear and true. When your faith shines both inside and out, those that doubt will see your true self. Those that are meant to be there will stay. Those that weren't will go to the way side.
If you have any more questions, or need any further explanations, don't hesitate to ask.
Blessings, Luise
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