Wiccans, Pagans and Heathens are you still in the "Broom" closet?

[Solon]

I thought in the spirit of the thread about atheists agnostics, I would start a thread for those of other minority religions, and it doesn't have to be just those of neo-paganism or shamanistic faiths that need to respond. I would like to know about the Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. on this board as well.

Let me start with myself, I started on my path to Wicca about two years ago, I am a solitary practitioner, and only my immediate family knows about my religion at all. As far as extended family, well, none are fundies and at least two of my cousins, most likely a third, are atheists(didn't ask him). My family is rather loose with religion in that for example, today is my sister's birthday, Easter isn't really mentioned. My immediate family hasn't set foot in a church since my cousins wedding, and that was a Methodist church, (My cousin Chris married a non-practicing Jew, they compromised :)) a year ago.
I would guess I have it easy, but I am not out with it any more than the pentacle I wear when outside. My mother is curious about it because of the fact that she is a self identifying Catholic Witch, and so is my aunt and grandmother (she is the religious one of the family). Question for other Wiccans and pagans, have you ever heard of Witches of other faiths? I mean my mother has never heard of Wicca until I told her about it though to her it seems removed from faith and is more like a force.

[yardwork]

1. What is a Catholic Witch?

I have recently recognized that my upbringing was essentially pagan. I feel that I have found my path after years of feeling guilt over not being a practicing Christian.

I am seeking recommended websites about paganism, wicca, and witches.

[Solon]

6. Think of a shamanic Catholic, I guess they would be similar to

Santeria. A mixing of traditional herbal and naturalistic healing, with ceremonial magic thrown in. Also think of mysticism in a general form, that is perhaps the best answer I can give. The act of casting spells or circles are a way to get close to God and Jesus, I do not know that many details.

Decent sites:
http://witchvox.com/
Also you can get a free book on Wicca here:
http://www.maidenmoon.com/
Its in PDF format.

[G_j]

16. first and foremost I always

recommend looking into Starhawk, because she an incredible activist and a very knowledgeable witch.
I have worked her and she a person of great integrity. I love her, she rocks! She has written a number of wonderful books. check out www.starhawk.org

[PatGund]

35. Sorry, can't recommend her

Starhawk annoys the heck out of me. Her politics are her politics and she's welcome to them, but a) I really wish she'd stop acting like *ALL* Pagans agree with her, and b) show some courtesy to other traditions as well, (I remember some conference in Canada that she did some sort of 'peace spell" at. Problem was that the conference was on tribal land, and the tribe's shamans had already blessed the area according to their tradition - and got really ticked at her presumption.)

The first edition of "Sprial Dance" was good. Since then, they've been less about being Pagan and more about her politics. She wants to be political, fine, but don't assume all Pagans and Witches believe the same as her.

[Solon]

39. Perhaps a better recommendation is

Cunningham's Wicca: Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.

I even have, for those of the male persuasion:

Wicca for Men by Drew I believe.

[G_j]

42. the incident you mention

was based on a misunderstanding and was later dealt with through clear and honest communication. Starhawk had no knowledge of the tribal ceremonies before hand. This story has been purposefully exploited and distorted by her detractors, or repeated by those who do not know the whole story.

It is also completely inaccurate to say that she ever pretends to speak for all pagans or wiccans. She has never even hinted at such a thing. I am sorry but your accusations are not founded in fact.
If you don't like her politics, you don't like her politics. To make unsubstantiated statements is another matter. Please show me even a single instance where she has ever pretented to speak for all pagans or that all pagans agree with her.

[PatGund]

46. Maybe.....

Maybe a better way to phrase it is that she seems to give the impression every single time she opens her mouth, (as reported in the press), that she speaks for all Pagans. Maybe that's how she gets written, but certainly it appears that way in more than one article.

As for her having "no knowledge of the tribal ceremonies before hand", I find that typical for her - I would dare say she didn't even bother to check beforehand. I would hope she had the decency to apologize for her actions, and didn't just try to explain them away as a mea culpa.

Then there's the impression one gets in almost all her books, (Dreaming the Dark was particularly bad at this), that if you *don't* believe as she does, then you're not really a Pagan. (and no, I'm not the only person who thinks that of her.) She's not the only one who does this - the Zell's are about as bad with their "One true way" attitude towards Polyamory and their support of groups like ELF and Earth First.

[Neoplatonist]

2. No, I'm definately out of the closet. LOL!

Look at my nickname. I'm a cross--no pun intended--of Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, and Catholicism--the latter being the least of my eclectic blend of paganism. And I don't give a damn what the Church thinks about it.

--Air America (my other nickname)

[Carni]

3. I have no idea what I am

But I guess whatever it is it's still in the closet! (Even to me)

I am definitely not a practicing Christian.

All I know is the more I talk to the public the more I realize how out of the loop I am when it comes to religion!

I guess I am just trying to say I feel your pain lol

[Fovea]

4. Never was in the broom closet.

I could not deal with the stress of living a hidden life.

[Maat]

5. I have a question....I found the Church of Religious Science...

6 months ago. I love it. It is not Scientology, and not Christian Science. It is a religion based on positive thinking and using the power of the mind. We believe in all paths to God-Goddess-Great-Spirit-Cosmic Consciousness. It is very similar to Unitarian-Universalist. But sometimes in our services, we honor a Jewish custom or a Hindu or Native American custom. Is there a difference between Paganism and Wicca? I will honor anything positive or honoring nature -- but not anything that involves 'casting spells' to hurt someone. Can you guys enlighten me? Because I would like to know what of Nature we are celebrating on Easter --something about the Vernal Equinox (moon phase).

[Solon]

9. No not the same, but similar.

I would guess the best comparison would be someone who is a Monotheist, and a Christian, you can be both however you do not believe, in practice or faith, in the same things as those who are Jewish or Muslims, who are also Monotheists. Also I would be careful, for even eclectic Wiccans have used rituals or traditions from other current religions, specifically Native American and Hindu, and I, personally, do not find that apropriate, for it would be offensive to those practicing those paths. Also on the casting of spells to hurt others, that is NOT recommended, and Wiccans do not believe in that:

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is now wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

This is one version of the Wiccan Rede, I interepret it as saying: Live you life as best as you can, stepping lightly, so to minimize the damage you wrought. "The Craft" is not a valid potrayal of Wicca!

[Neoplatonist]

13. I see your point

I don't practice invocation of any kinds. I find all the ritualism that the Catholic Church practices bizarre on its face. The early Church loved criticizing the later Neoplatonists for the very thing they adopted--ritualism.

Does anyone here besides me find the whole notion of the Eucharist bizarre and boarderline cannibalistic in its symbolic ritualism?

--Air America

[Fovea]

36. The short answer

Wicca is to Paganism as Red is to Color.

Most religious systems recognize magick in one form or another.
The ethics of magick use differes from faith to faith.

Paganism generally is not very orthodox. Indeed many of us use the term heterodox to describe the following saying.
Ask 12 Pagans a question, get 13 right answers.

Eostre is a fertility holiday, hug the bunny of your choice.
Note the similarity to the word estrogen, and you are halfway there.

[Solon]

37. Soo true realpolitik

that is why, just as a disclaimer, that any questions I answer about Wicca are my personal experiences or something I read. I do not take a definative role in this. I will answer questions to the best of my ability, but I'm no gospel writer.

[coltman]

7. My family.....

is a mixed bag, my husband,( who's acount I'm posting on now, he knows.)is atheist, my daughter and I are pagan ,me being more toward the Native American style of letting mother nature do her thing.I practice some basic herbalism for myself mostly preventative stuff. Seems to work for us.(I am registared on DU as madmom.)

[Maat]

12. Thanks for answering some of my questions.

I love learning about different styles of spirituality (as long as they are postive and not aimed toward serious harm to anyone).

[yardwork]

51. From what I have read of paganism, wicca, and witchcraft

none of them advise trying to do harm to others.

The way I see it, there are extremists in every faith. There are fundamentalist Christians who wish harm on others. There are fundamentalist Muslims who wish harm on others.

There are probably self-proclaimed pagans, wiccans, or witches who wish harm on others.

But the majority of those who follow each of the above paths believe in love, forgiveness, and living in harmony with others.

[Matilda]

8. I am a Catholic, and I practise my religion, BUT

I also believe in Magick - what else can we call much of what Jesus
did, if not Magick? I've read a bit about Wicca, and I can identify
with the belief that the spirit of God/Goddess is all about us in
nature, and that there are powerful forces that can be harnessed,
for good or ill. I don't know how Wiccas feel about Jesus, but the
biggest difficulty I would have with Wicca would be reconciling my
belief in the teachings of Christ - which I think are not always in
harmony with many things that Christian churches try to foist on us
as necessary to religious practice. In other words, I guess I take
and use what I feel is relevant, and ignore what I think is wrong-
headed about Church teaching, and I'm open to exploring different
ways of practice, if I feel they are going to help me in my spiritual
journey.

I am most interested to know how your mother integrates her
Catholicism with witchcraft.

[Solon]

11. One thing about faith is that it is personal.

Nothing wrong with having beliefs such as that, depending on the Wiccan you ask, about Jesus, you could get answers ranging from, he was a great man and teacher, to he was a charlatan or never existed. Me, I lean towards the great teacher part, however, I do not necessarily believe the 4 canon gospels in part because they are interpreted and translated so many times who knows what the truth was. There is no right or wrong in faith, as long as you do not harm others, it must be right FOR YOU and you alone, no one can tell you otherwise.

[Senjutsu]

10. I'm Buddhist

and my long-time girlfriend is a solitary wiccan. We're neither of us in the closet, although it's worth bearing in mind that we currently reside in Canada, where people are much more tolerant/much less militant about their religion than I've found folks to be down south.

[Maat]

14. In the Church of Religious Science (not Scientology),....

we believe also that Jesus is a Master Teacher, and no more divine than the rest of us. We especially like to study Native American techniques that help us with our creative/positive visualization/meditation.

[Maat]

15. I love how one can learn about anything on DU.

Now explain Vernal Equinox/naturalist-pagan celebration of Easter, please (no offensive intended -- I honor everyone's beliefs).

[Solon]

19. OK let me explain

The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre. When the second-century Christian missionaries encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity. They did so, however, in a clandestine manner.

It should be noted that her animal is the Rabbit, and that it is a symbol of fertility, that is obvious. Also Wiccans do not celebrate Easter on this date, should be on the Equinox, we call it Ostara. It is a celebration of the return of the sun and the maturing and growing God. Best summary I can come up with.

[kimchi]

29. Spring Equinox is before Easter.

I believe Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the equinox according to some Pope or other. The pagan symbols were borrowed wholesale, undoubtedly as people holding on to their old beliefs, but probably also deliberately as an enticement to switch religions. It is believed that the ancients may have learned to weave by imitating the bird's nest. There is also the ancient practice of gathering eggs in the spring ritually. It so fascinating to me to see the connections from who knows how long in the past to the present.

Easter is named after the anglo-saxon Goddess of spring and dawn, Eastre (Eostre). The sun, rising from the (east) on the equinox, brings renewed fertility to the earth, and continues to grow stronger. Items associated with her, bunnies and eggs, are, of course, fertility symbols.


I just wish we all still had sex in the fields on Mayday. Ritual prostitution is another ancient art form that I think deserves a comeback!

[Solon]

33. Sex can be a part of religious rituals today.

Usually, however, it is performed in the home with your significant other. Its called "The Great Rite" symbolizing the union of the God and Goddess, even though ritual orgies would be nice! :D

[Hekate]

43. The date of Easter moves because it is on a lunar calendar...

...as is Passover. Since the Last Supper was a Passover Seder (and the bread was unleavened matzo) the first celebrations of the Resurrection were always in conjunction with Passover. I forget which pope recalculated the calendar regarding Easter but it is still lunar, and sometimes Easter falls within the eight days of Passover and sometimes it drifts away by almost a month.

Christian missionaries who proselytized the European tribes utilized imagery and symbols familiar to the tribes, but that was already a well-established practice. The early Christian church adopted the image of Isis nursing Horus (Madonna and Child), and Horus seated on the Throne of Isis (Infant Jesus facing outward on lap of Madonna sitting upright). Many if not most of the attributes and epithets of Mary were taken from Egyptian, Greek, and Roman goddesses.

My Roman Catholic grandmother explained to me that certain images and ideas were placed by God into heathen cultures to "prefigure" the "true" ideas that were to come. She was thrilled to discover (when she visited Japan in the late 1950s) that Buddhists also have rosaries.

I've strayed pretty far from those roots, thanks largely to an agnostic mother with an inquiring mind who read "The Golden Bough."

I try not to discuss my religious tendencies beyond a small circle of friends and relatives, but the goddess-altar in my kitchen corner would be a clue for those looking for one. For about 15 years I've worn a pendant by Jane Iris called "Spirit Healer," which has a stylized woman with upraised arms holding the moon. She represents the Goddess to me, while most other people simply see a stylized form. I wear it with the same intent that others might wear a cross every day.

I'm neither in the broom closet nor out of it. People I call close friends are religiously liberal, but there are other people whose friendship I value who might be very put off by knowing what I believe. Work colleagues ditto.

Fundy next-door neighbors -- great folks, salt of the earth, but hubby is waiting for the Rapture and I think that's rather scary. Mr Next-Door finds it easier to talk with my Jewish husband than with me -- I know he thinks my pro-choice stance is an abomination, but I don't know how much else about me he's figured out and I don't really want to know.

In Washington DC the religiously intolerant are in the ascendant. I'm glad I don't live in a small town, but in a small city that has room for divergent thinking. When I visit my mom in Salt Lake City (why oh why did she think it was a good idea to move there? at least she found the Unitarians) I keep a smile on my face and innocuous conversation in my mouth when interacting with the natives.

Hekate

[Solon]

44. Sometimes Easter falls on my Sister's Birthday, like this year

Sometimes not. I wear my Pentacle as a Catholic would were a crucifix. I sometimes get accosted by intolerant people, calling me Satanist ect. I don't get confronted too much about it, I am a 200 lb. guy after all. :)

I also use discretion, I hate to put it under my shirt when going in for a job interview, but you sometimes have to.

[Solon]

17. That is definitely the truth.

It really depends on where you live, however, I find, oddly enough, little intolerance in my city, however, that is probably because, while we have about 5 churches for every square mile, we are NOT in the Bible Belt. No super majorities of any particular denomination actually helps in maintaining tolerance for those of other faiths. Though I will say that Fundies are infiltrating this area as well. I have yet to hear a report of fundies in this area picketing the local metaphysical shops for being "Satan Worshippers". On an average day driving around I'll see one or two Darwin fishes, about one Christian fish, and sometimes even a (GASP!) pentacle on someones car. This in the Home of the Moran!

[Maat]

18. We have a neat shop in SoCal/Inland Empire.

It's called Lady of the Lake. It has stuff for Native American spiritualists, Wiccans, Neo-Pagans, Buddhists, Hindus, and Religious Scientists like myself. No fundie stuff. Quiet little store. No one seems to bother it. Do Fundies really harass these stores? I hope not!

[Solon]

25. Atheists aren't the only ones who have to deal with intolerance

with no consequences.

A controversy erupted in 1999 about the religious rights of Wiccan solders at Fort Hood, Texas. They even had their sacred site desecrated.
Governor G.W Bush of Texas, referred to the above case involving Wiccan soldiers. He allegedly said in a TV interview on 1999-JUN-24: "The military should rethink their position. That's not a religion."

Jonesboro AR: In the early 1990's there was an attempted multiple murder by stoning. This happened during a march which involved many local Wiccans. The demonstration had been organized to promote religious tolerance and freedom in the area. One or more local ministers had preached that in Bible times, the people knew how to handle individuals of other religions - they stoned them to death. A prominent conservative Christian teleminister had arranged to bus fellow Christians to the march site. They emerged from the bus -- many carrying rocks. Numerous injuries and deaths would probably have resulted, if it were not for the prompt, combined action of over 5 local police forces. They formed a protective circle around the marchers.

[dawn]

34. I used to work at a metaphysical shop in Orange County..

Home of many fundies. No one ever bothered us.

[Ksec]

20. LOL at this thread

Wow. Wacky

[Solon]

27. Appreciate the tolerance. No really.

Its not like we try to push our beliefs on others.

[DrWeird]

38. Hey, at least they don't worship a carpenter that died 2000 years

..ago.

That's just plain nuts.

[Solon]

40. Thank you DrWeird

Though in all honesty, I don't begrudge Christians their beliefs, neither an atheists lack thereof. I just wish they would extend the same courtesy to me.

[DrWeird]

41. Nothing bugs me more...

then people thinking their goofy ass bullshit is any better then other people's goofy ass bullshit.

:smoke:

[robbedvoter]

48. Well, at least no one is eating a slice of their prophet in

a ceremony, nor drinking his blood. That would be trully scary, non?

[The Traveler]

21. Oh crap, ya had to ask ...

Me: Kinda a Christian mystic with heavy qabbalistic influences, moderated by exposure to Native American and Wiccan friends. I've tried out a great many paths. Gnosticism doesn't quite work for me since proper gnostics abhor the flesh and I rather like it, but they cover a lot of really interesting ground, as do the Sufis.

Hmmm ... the following might get you a pretty good overview of my feelings on the matter. "God is that One which suffered the pain of Divison, that He might come to know the joy of Union." "Hold two thoughts, one in each pocket. First, the universe was created for you. Second, you are dust." (Old Hebrew mishra.)

I think it unwise to get to caught up in controversies over one's choice of symbolic system (religion or mythos). All these things are attempts by limited human minds to wrap themselves around the transcendent. It just can't work. God just won't fit in our box. So we approach the truth, but never can know THE TRUTH. The only way I can interpret my highly eclectic experience is that there is this beneficial redemptive force I call Grace and it is highly intrusive and can even be mildly aggressive about it. Further, one can work with it. (Which is quite distinct from manipulating it. Think "surf the wave" rather than "channel the river".)

Grace is easily summoned, from a variety of symbolic perspectives. It is almost as if God (the source of this power) has a rather Betty Boopish attitude about the whole thing: "I don't care what ya call me, just call me."

Am I out of the closet? Only when asked. Most people who know me know I ain't exactly orthodox in my approach to spirituality. My family is mostly lapsed Catholic/agnostic, religious only at funerals.
They all think I'm nuts. Perhaps they are correct, but I think I lead a much more interesting life ...

Bright blessings.

[G_j]

28. i can identify

with your post. The universe is a great mystery, an incredible tapestry. It need not be limited by our limitations. In essence we can be seen as spiritual beings having a physical experience (to quote a 'cliche')

"I don't care what ya call me, just call me." very nice! :-)

[G_j]

22. For many years I've belonged

to a wonderful Christian church that also recognizes other religions: www.whiteaglelodge.org I love Tibetan and other forms of Buddhism, I've been to India to visit an ashram, I have for many years partaken in traditional Native American ceremonies. I meet with wiccan/pagan friends to do ritual on equinoxes and solstices. I have no idea what to call myself.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

23. I wish Wiccans had real power

Maybe, by now, they would have made Bush's head explode.

[G_j]

24. that would go against the first rule

"harm none"

[Solon]

30. Goes against the religion, however why not vote the bastard out.

2000: The Covenant of the Goddess conducted a year-long poll of Witches and Pagans, starting 1999-JUL. They estimate that the total number of Witches and Pagans in the United States is about 768,400. Most of the demographic data is as expected: There is an atypical age distribution when compared to other religions: 11% are 17 or under
25% are 18 to 25
40% are 26 to 39
23% are 40 to 59
1% are 60 or over.

86% are registered to vote. This compares with about 50% among American adults generally. This puts their effective size as a voting block at about 1.3 million, approximately half that of Jews and of Muslims in America. Politicians will have to begin to take notice.
71% are female; 29% male.
13% have military service records.

It is hard to estimate the true amount of people who are Wiccan/Pagan, simply because, many are still in the "Broom Closet". It could be a lot more or a lot less than the poll I just cited, however it does give one food for thought.

[MrSlayer]

26. LOL! I'm an open Satanist.

Which is, of course, Humanism. It's more fun to call it Satanism though because it scares the idiots. I think LaVey's philosophy is sound even if the spells and stuff are silly.

[dawn]

31. I'm a Buddhist with a Christian husband. I'm out of the closet.

He's a liberal Christian, though, like the Christians here on DU. :)

The thing is, we share many of each other's beliefs. I also have some Christian beliefs and he has some Buddhist beliefs. I am glad he is interested in learning about my beliefs, and I respect his. Some people are purists and can't understand why I don't have ontological confusion (by having Christian and Buddhist beliefs)...but oh well.

I grew up Catholic and left the church at 15. I've been like this for about four years or so. I'm 32 now.

[PatGund]

32. Yep

Haven't been in the "Broom Closet" since I was 19 for that matter. I'm 38 now. All of my family knows about my faith. My mom has grown to accept it, my fundie brother is agast and keeps trying to "save" me, one brother finds it annoying, and the last brother not only could care less, but both his daughters are Pagan as well.

Runs in the family I guess.

[LWolf]

45. I am not a self-identified anything.

I'm the daughter of a buddhist, the spiritual sister of a native american pipe carrier, and the friend of hindus, pagans of many stripes, jewish families, and ecumenical christians. (And the ex-wife of a fundamental Xtian family, and the ex-wife of a Catholic family). I have attended and participated in many rites, circles, and ceremonies with various groups.

I attend one or two services a year provided by the local interfaith council, where speakers from a wide variety of faiths all give us a few minutes on a topic from the perspective of their faith.

I attend 3 or 4 sweat lodges a year. In the planning stages: a trip to an eagle dance and a vision quest.

I have a personally-built medicine wheel in my back yard, used for prayer and meditation.

I attend new moon healing circles a few times a year.

I have a shelf full of books delving into various traditions. Christ is included as a teacher in some.

I guess you could say I'm as eclectic as it gets.

So I have no name for myself, but I do put spiritual growth high on my list of priorities. I do spend time in prayer, meditation, and group "connection" and learning.

I wouldn't say I'm out of the "closet;" I'm a private person and generally don't share unless asked. I definitely don't share with colleagues or with friends that are colleagues. I keep my professional life as distant as I can. Living in a very conservative community, I don't need the families of my students concerned about my spiritual practices. That said, I don't hide, either. If someone asks, I answer.

[sam sarrha]

47. my mother Is a First Baptist, she knows i am a Buddhist, my brother wouldn't

understand... at all.

I have been fired form 2 jobs by Christians because they searched my coat and found a book by the Dalai Lama.. and my car another time, because i had lunch in my car and read..< there was no break room or fans in that sweatshop, i had air conditioning in the car,>. again ...the Dalai Lama lost me another job.

[Senjutsu]

49. Call me naive

but isn't that illegal?

[davsand]

50. Still closeted after over 20 years.

No way I'm coming out to my family--it is just not worth the huge meltdown it would cause. I am out to selected people who know me well--and extremely private in the workplace. I am who I am, I found my path on my own, and I figure it is nobody's business unless I want to share it with them. I feel no desire to recruit, nor do I feel any interest in converting.

I did go thru a lot of angst about when to come out to the men I dated, and finally got to a point that I decided telling them, "I'm a witch" was the last real test of their ability to deal with me in my entirety. If they made it that far, then they could hang around a while. One man did--and I'm still with him 12 years later.

I have tried to raise our daughter with personal ethics and a respect for ALL traditions. My hope is that she will find her own path early in life, and that if she learns nothing else at my hand, I just hope she walks away having learned that free will is the one thing that must never be violated.

Pax to you all, and Merry Meet!

Laura