Changed religions. Worrying about parent's opinion

[Shadowsgirl]

My parent's aren't very religious, but I don't want them to get the wrong idea I'm some sort of devil worshiper. I used to be roman catholic, but I converted to paganism(wiccan). This religion truly makes me happy. Living a roman catholic life,, I always used to question my beliefs nad I could never come to an agreement with the churche's beliefs. They literally made my blood boil. Now that I'm changed, I've finally found peace and I'm more self confident. I just don't want my parents to think I'm a psychotic freak because there's no way they'll believe in other gods/goddesses besides the God they already know about or magick. But I'm worried most about my grandmother's opinion. She has been a catholic all her life although she is very open about other religions. She has always been there for me and she's one of the only people I really love and I think if I tell her her opinion of me will change.

[RyanJ]

People tend to be scared of things they don't understand and most religious people are taught to be hostile towards beliefs that conflict with their own. This is a bad and quite frankly explosive mix. I would be very cautious about sharing your new found religious beliefs with either your parents or your grandmother. Now I'm not sure what being a Wiccan entails and obviously keeping this on the DL would be harder if there are practices you feel you should perform.

Here's what I would do: A) Continue to search and explore to make completely certain that you made the right choice. I know it feels certain now but time will provide you with more accurate guidance than the "new car smell" your beliefs current have (not that that's a bad thing, its just part of the process). B) It might be good to find a way to slowly clue them in to your change of heart. I would try to open them up to the idea a little bit at a time without going all the way and laying the big W on them. That might help to tone down the reactions when you do finally tell them.

[RayOfLight123]

Its nice to see another pagan on here..

Im in a similar situation...my parents aren't religious either but like you I don't want them to think im some sort of devil worshipper.....Its really frustrating when people say that wiccans worship the devil, perform curses etc

When I was younger I used to go to church..so I suppose I was raised as a christian in a way..I've always been interested in paganism, especially wicca..my mum knows this and supports it, we go to new age shops together all the time and she bought me my first spell book.

I would strike up a conversation about paganism and how interesting you are in it..if they aren't religious then Im sure it won't matter to them..

Its good that your nan is open about religion, mine isn't..Maybe you could take her to new age shops and tell her you are interested in it..

If you need to talk then just pm me

[honeybear1990]

My parents are christian... so when I turned to buddhism they were pretty appalled at first. But it's your life, you have to do whats right for you. Parents don't have all the answers. I had to find the religion that suited my needs despite the fact that my parents didn't agree.

[rockguitarist89]

I know the feeling. I grew up in a Christian family, went to church every sunday until I was 18, and even went to a private "Christian" school for my junior and senior years of high school.

Needless to say, when I told my mom that I no longer believed and tried to explain why, she didn't want to hear it. At first she would scream crazy things like, "You need to move out! I don't want you to bring satanism into this house!" Crazy stuff like that. Eventually she's chilled out, because I'm still the same person, minus my point of views on things.

I've become much more liberal on social issues such as abortion, homosexual rights, etc. and my mom and I canno ever agree on anything, so we try not to even discuss politics.

I am an atheist at the moment. If anything life-changing happens to me, or someone can convince me that their religion is real, then I'm open to listening. I've decided I don't believe in an ancient book that has stories that sound like fairy tales and can't understand why people say there are no contradictions when there are. (Just search, there are plenty)

[OrbitalResonance]

Its seems easier if you tell them you are athiest than some other religion.

For me it was no religion. I am agnostic since I am open to a higher power who created the universe. There is no way to know right now. I need real evidence or confirmation though. I highly doubt any "earthy" religions are correct.

[Titanic Explorer]

My folks are agnostic at best, I'm pretty much an athiest-so I've never dealt with this situation personally. But i defend peoples rights to follow any religion (or no religion) so long as it's done peacefully, and without spewing bigotry, hatred or threats of violence. If i converted to any religion, it wouldn't phase my folks one bit. Its akin to changing political parties. I'm in a pagan friendly city right now (Salem MA)- I hope your folks are open minded and understanding- one would think that our 'creator' would appear in different cultures and be interpreted in many ways- People who think only their religion is the right one are so close minded it's shocking. . If they try and cut you off, then they have a cult mindset and can't be reached. I don't know what to tell you, except that if Wicca is your path, follow that path because it makes you happy, and it's your life. Noone has the right to tell you what gods you have to pray to- it's your choice.

[Same Difference]

If your parents are truly bothered by what celestial being(s) you pray to, then they're not fit to be parents.

[percyblueraincoat]

I was once on a panel that wrote a magazine's "problem page with a twist". Basically, a group of us from different religions and from none got a question from a reader every month and gave our answers as "representatives" of the religions we belonged to. My answers would often be open to interpretation and I got a lot of flack from the editor and the others on the panel. Finally, I boiled over and said: "it's not my job to tell people how to live their lives". The rest of the panel turned to me and said in a remarkable show of unison considering their shared histories: "Of course it is, this is religion!"

I'm not entirely sure that you can actually convert to Paganism. It's usually a "coming home" rather than a conversion. I'm glad that your faith as it stands now has given you more self confidence. I do think you might need some time to settle, mind. You're on a forum for social anxiety and other issues so I'm guessing there's been some kind of trauma or issues. These issues need to be cared for through professional help regardless of religious faith. Religion can be a great help. It cannot be a plaster/band aid.

Despite writing for Pagan publications, I am not a Wiccan. I'm not sure where I sit in terms of defined paths or anything like that. For me, "witch" describes me more but still doesn't do me or things justice. I cannot question that which is in your heart. But you do need to centre yourself and ask for guidance on this one from whatever it is that is in your heart. For instance, I'm not a Pagan because I like going into new age shops a lot. I'm not a Pagan because I've seen a witch being portrayed on TV. I'm a Pagan because I can't help but not be one. The call of the Goddess is what I hear. That doesn't make an authority or expert on anyting. I'm not trying to be patronising either. I just want you, especially if you are seriously considering telling relatives who may not fully understand at first, to be sure.

I've had to deal with the allegations of satanism and devil worship before now. Not personally made at me but at the religious paths and their followers. How exactly we worship something we don't even believe in, I don't know. And then there's the "evil spells" stuff people come out with. Yes, because the law of threefold return is a good excuse to wonder around the place intending to cause other people harm? Seriously?

I understand how much you want to share your new faith with people but family harmony has its place. Is it really worth upsetting family members? Especially when, at the end of the day, this is your communication with the divine.

There can be no rash decisions here. No sudden moves. The divine in Paganism is as above discrimination and ridiculous hostility as the divine in any other religion and Paganism respects other religions based on love and compassion and other philosophies based on love and compassion and respect those who follow them and those who follow none. Conflict for the sake of conflict dishonours any divine.