Being a pagan kid

[weebandrui]

My friends don't know that I am a druid. I wear a crystal my mom gave me and a ring too but they don't know what they mean. Its hard not to share it with my best friends but I know they wouldn't understand. I talk to my mom about this stuff all the time but no one else.

Does anyone else have that problem?

[ihrian]

ive never told any of my friends that im pagan, but they all seem to know...*scratches head* lol. no one has any problem with it, and if they did, well, i'd set them straight everyone knows about my fascination with celtic anything, ive never hidden that, so i guess they just guessed! but i would feel awkward just coming out and saying 'look guys, im pagan' because none of them would care, it doesnt affect them. if you feel the need to tell ur friends, then do it, otherwise, well, i dont think it would hurt them if you didnt tell them.

[rubytuesday]

I knew a lot of people in the past whom I couldn't talk to, many of them my friends, and I still know of a few who I will never be able to mention anything to. However, if they ask you questions, you are allowed to give answers. You don't have to go into extreme detail, but you can simply say that your mom gave the items to you and that they hold very strong significance for you. If they continue to ask you questions, they might not be as close-minded as you thought: they may have genuine interest. I even have Born Again Christian friends who I talk to about paganism. However, if you really feel that they won't understand, you don't have to answer. Just simply say that you'd rather not share that information, and then change the subject.

[weebandrui]

The hard part is that when they hear the word pagan, they always think of wiccan. It is really hard to explain being a druid to kids.

I will do what you said and answer just what they ask. I think that will work.

Did you ever have trouble at school, like with teachers, though?

[rubytuesday]

I never really had trouble with my teachers...they never brought up the topic, so I never brought it up, either. I was lucky, though, because 99% of the teachers are really open-minded. I had an English teacher who gave me my first Pagan magazine and talked to me a lot about paganism in general. I think that in the case of teachers, you should definitely stick to keeping mum, unless they ask, and if/when they do ask questions, just give them what's absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, some adults act more like adolescents than adolescents do.

[bran_sinnach]

Im admittedly a great deal more open than most pagans my age, and especially in my area. Ive been completely open about my path since I began years ago when I was still about thirteen, and more or less told people to accept me for who I was or to lump it. Heh with the large pentacle necklace and the Druid bumper sticker, Ive been told Im sort of obvious. Ive always found in general that being open works the best, just answering all their questions as best you can and offering to get back to them if they would like on ones you dont. And as for people who cant accept you for your spirituality? I just pity them and tell them if they ever decide otherwise, Im still here. As for teachers, I agree, if they ask tell them but dont make it an issue to be certain they know it. When you get into high school they get more liberal, though, and you can be more open about it. Lol, in my AP English class this year we had a Samhain party instead of a halloween one where I brought traditional drinks and snacks and gave the class a speech on the holiday and then answered questions about it and we Druids in general. In short, I would say for now just tell those you are comfortable telling, and if they cant understand it or how they feel about you changes, then maybe they need to do a bit of thinking on who they are instead. Dont worry, Ellie, your a bright and wonderful girl whos going to have more friends than you know what to do with, whether they know your a Druid or not.

[Zowwiee ™]

I know what its like..its so hard, Im so closed about, ive told a fair few people in time but none of them truly understand, some think its a joke, others think im evil. Teachers arent very understnding in my school either, one asked me if I was a dippy-hippy because he saw my pentacle and my crystal around my neck and theres this Jehovas Witness girl that somehow found out and is convinced im going straight to hell.
Every pagan kid has problems though, its just all part of it.. its okay to not tell anyone, sometimes its even better because you dont have anyone to dampen your beliefs. Iff you feel the time is right to tell people then do but make sure you trust them completely because if someone untrustworthy finds out they can be quite nasty...believe me! anyway dont worry its all part of growing up as a pagan child.

xxx

[Marcus]

I never told anyone really. Didnt feel the need to share my beliefs not because i was afraid but because most people would probably just think it was attention seeking or most people wouldnt be interested. I dont mind not telling my friends. I dont have much to hide anyway. I dont cast "spells" or carry out rituals or anything like that. I just study my ancestors culture and respect the gods they loved.

[weebandrui]

I don't tell people right away either. I was just wondering what to do if they ask about my crystal and my ring. I feel better now because I can talk to all of you here, and my mom, and feel like I can just say my mom gave them to me and they are very special.

[Marcus]

If somebody asks you about your ring all you have to say is that it was a gift from my mum. You dont have to go into detail. As you said nobody knows what exactly they are so they are unlikely to persist in questioning you.

[mystiquepassion91]

Man, being the only pagan around can really suck. My friends think of fucking Harry Potter if they hear about pagan and wicca. My parents and family are the same way. My best friend will exept me for my religion, but she does make wise cracks about it every now and then that really hurt. She'll like say something about another person who is wicca not thinkin about the fact that I am. We don't talk about it much. She is one of the only people who know and try to respect it as much as possible.

[)o( Gothic Pagan )o(]

I am 15, and Go to A Public School, were everyone is Judgmental. and 85% of my friend are deep Christians

I Told some of my close friends about me being Druid, then it turned out that one of my friends was A Natural Wiccaran...and Every since them we have becume very very close friends.

but yes it is Very hard. Everything I mention that word "Wicca", "Pagan", "Magick". Most people think of Curses, and the devil...witch really sucks...

but I have a few people I Can talk about to...


But I have lernt, that as long as you are proud to be who you are & As long as you know the reasons and belifs behind it, then shouldent matter what other people say.



Rebecca/Luna

[mystiquepassion91]

I know what you mean. I go to a public school but we have so many different religions and ethnicities no one ever really cares. We are just there and that's what matters. There are many people who think like that at my school though. It really sucks.

[HiddenFriend]

I have only told 2 of my closer friends. They are religous at all so maybe, it made it easier. I'm a little afraid of telling my diehard christian friends that I'm a pagan. I had a nightmare that they tried to perform an exorsism on me. Not fun at all

[alsvid]

I've told all my friends! and half of them are devout catholics but cause they're my friends they don't mind if i'm pagan or not so its really cool! they think i'm wierd but thats all lol!!