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teen "coming out" about religion
I have been an athiest for about four years, and I have begun to feel lacking in that area. I looked up many differnt religions, and took trusted belief tests to see what would best fit with what I really want and believe. The tests all pointed to Pagan. I have looked up on it, and it just seems to fit. I feel so happy, even just going through a normal day is better now that I have found it. However, I do not think my parents (catholic and athiest) will accept it. Anyone who has had a similar "coming out" (be it of religion or sexual orientation) care to help me form a plan, so they might see my view?
Blessed Be
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Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
well i can tell you now,that a test will not tell you what religion u should be.u claim ur athiest,so therefore if there is no God,how did we get here,and wat is our purpose?oh,and what will happen when we die?
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Just tell your parents how you feel at a time you think is right. Remember, they'll love you no matter what! remember that!
Good Luck!
Love,
Lauren
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I'm starting to convert to Wiccan myself,
My family raised me Christian soon I branched off from that and hid It for 4 months when I told my mother she was like "Okay and..." It really suprised me because she raised me Christian when I had to tell my grandmother I first told her I loved her and said please respect this and I said "I'm a wiccan and she looked at me funny and I said it means Witch and explained Wiccans don't worship satan and we only do things to affect positive change. She said "Your not a witch on the outside but within and I'm glad you cared wenough to tell me. Try and sit them down and tell they that you hope they respect your decision and tell them and let them know you don't worship satan and explain it to them a little so they can understand. If they don't tell them its okay and go about your life they can only raise you with morals that will allow you to live your life but they can't live it for you and make the decisions for you. If ya want to talk im me at ScryingCrystal@yahoo.com or leave a message in my inbox. Merry Meet Merry Part and Merry Meet again.
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Never had an experience like that before, but having read a lot of the other answers, I am going to tell you to ignore the people who are telling you that your attraction to paganism is "just a phase." It's your life, you have the choice. If paganism doesn't work for you, you can change and maybe learn something from the whole thing.If it does work, then you'll be happy and glad you didn't dismiss it as "just a phase."
On the "coming out" thing . . .
Your atheist parent probably won't care, and if your catholic parent married an atheist there shouldn't be a problem there either. Maybe don't sit them down and tell them, but just don't try to hide your religion either?
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I just want to point out to you, that about 80% of teenagers seem to go through this 'pagan' phase, including myself.
It seems to 'fit' just about everyone, and admittedly I still find aspects of it very beautiful, but a lot of it is lies [and you will realise this yourself soon even if you don't believe me now.]
You will grow tired of it after about two years or maybe less [just as I did]. Once an atheist, always an atheist. I have been for about 250 years now, trust me, you will convert yourself back to it.
Becuase of this, I recommend for you not to 'come out' about it unless you find that I am wrong and that you do stick with it for more than two years. I went through torment and bullying when I possesed pagan beliefes, please don't make the same mistake as it is painful to watch from a distance.
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Don't necessarily listen to the people down there. I too am pagan, and found it through my own research and my own thoughts after feeling incomplete most of my life, though I went, and still am forced to, go to Presbyterian church for my entire life.
My parents are Democrats and think they're "pretty liberal", but they are Christian and very set in the belief that only christianity exists. They don't even THINK about others beliefs, or possibilities. They are unbelieveably shallow and closed-minded.
When they found out that I had found my own truth and my own religion, all hell broke loose. They refused to let me explain myself or debate with them, and everything I told them about paganism, they replied "That's just what they WANT you to think! Then they drag you down!"
After five years they no longer really bring it up as a battle point, but they still say when I'm home on vacation time, "you are part of this family and this family goes to church. You are going."
I go, but I don't sing, I don't pray, and I don't participate. This is silly stubbornness on my part because my religion has taught me that all paths of love lead to Deity, and everything that is love is respectable.
I know what tests you're talking about--I wandered across them too, several years after choosing my path, and they only confirmed my beliefs. Nothing, I repeat nothing, about paganism has "dragged me down" or made me hateful, closed or unhappy. My faith lifts me constantly. I am aware of life, I trust enough to love, and I have much less fear in my life. Through this path I have developed philosophies that I feel in my soul are correct--if not for everyone, then at least, for me. Do NOT give up what makes you feel whole---that is how you know it's true.
As to your parents, I would approach the subject as absolutely gently as you can---perhaps some time, while on a drive somewhere beautiful, say somthing like "Aren't the trees beautiful today?... They look so alive... I can feel the spirits inside them happy that spring is coming, can't you?"
Watch their responses, and if that goes well, involve them in a discussion about the cycles of the earth and life and death and beauty and love and awakeness... see how far they will accompany you into philosophies. If it erupts into a debate, tell them what you believe, but don't discredit their beliefs--remember that everyone is responsible for feeling god in their own way, and if you choose to call god Her or Goddess or jesus or Kali or Artemis, it is all the same to god... tell them how you've felt the touch of Deity, and if they understand, you're on a good track.
Good luck to you, and be sure to come back to me if you need any further help, or companionship.
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Christianity is the only way but hey as long as your not an atheist go your own way. Even though its not the right way!!!!!
JESUS LOVES YOU
Your words don't hurt me but they hurt God and yes that is with a capital G. You need prayer lots and lots of prayer and anyone who is reading this should really pray for her. When your in Hell i will cry because you had the chance to put your whole life into Gods hands but you decided to listen to the world
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I don't think you should pick a religion based on which one tells you what you want to hear. Religion is based on truth, not how you "feel". Before you decide to be pagan forever, I'd suggest investigating religions more and find the one that has the most concrete proof to back it up. It might not be the one that agrees with all your attitudes, but sometimes religions change us.
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I dont know much about religion but i know that you have the right to believe in whatever you want to. Sit your parents down and talk to them about your new religion. Tell them its what you believe in and they should choose to except it. HOwever, if they do not approve at first dont whine or get mad, be calm and say that's fine and then talk to them about it later.
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I'm a tad intersted in what these 'tests' are. I really can't see why you should be so worried about how your parents feel. If you truly believe in this you shouldn't let them try to make you believe somehting else. However I want to know what these tests are. Just so I can be sure you're aren't doing something stupid.
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Your parents are an atheist and a Catholic? That sounds like an interesting marriage.
I don't see why the atheist parent would care if you are a pagan. It just makes no sense to me that someone who doesn't believe in God/Goddess would feel strongly that other people not believe in God/Goddess either, unless they are finding that threatening. If the beliefs of others are threatening, then they may not really be an atheist.
I can understand why the Catholic parent would be upset. The amount of upset depends on how committed they are to the Catholic faith. Since they are married to an atheist, I would think there is not that strong of a committment to thier faith.
Also, the reaction will probably depend on how you practice your new beliefs. If you go to pagan gatherings, seek out pagan friends, investigate pagan history, etc., it would probably make more of a difference than if you just walk into the room and announce "I've decided to become a pagan." If you choose a group of people who routinely practice witch craft and magic, and camp in the woods doing ceremonies, yes, you will alarm your parents. If you just go to classes at new age stores, and no more than that, they will probably take it better.
Since it is new to you, I would do a lot more investigating, and keep it kind of low keyed around your parents until you are sure of what kind of pagan you want to be.
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