I am thinking about coming out of the "broom closet" as they say. But I'm not sure how my friends and family will take it. My husbands family is very very catholic. And my mother is a jahovas witness. I know that they would both think that I am worshiping the devil when in fact wiccans don't even believe in the devil. So what would be your reaction if someone close to you told you they were wiccan?

I would want to find out more about it first, both from books and from you. I would have more "trouble" with a Jehovah's Witness than I would a Wiccan, methinks.

How Wiccan are you? How long have you practiced it? How do you practice it?

Well I have been studying the religion since I was in like 7th grade. I am now 21 and I still firmly believe in the principles the religion teaches. I have officially been wiccan to myself at least for a year or two. The main part of worshiping in the wiccan religion is by holding coven meetings. This is the part that most people think of worshipping the devil because its actual witch craft but its just how we as wiccans honar our god and goddess

Well most likely the JW members will not have anything to do with you at all. And if the catholics are strong, they will believe your soul is doomed to hell and will feel very sorry for you.

If I had family members who were, they would not be allowed to bring any symbol or mention of their religion in my home.

OK that makes no sense. If the chiristian faith is supposed to accept people for who they are then why shun them from your home. This is the EXACT reason I chose to convert.

You can tell them but don't expect the best of reactions.
No matter what religion people tell me they are, I just say that as long as they truly feel that what they believe in makes them want to be a better person, go for it, just don't impose your beliefs on other people.

This is the exact reason I was raised to keep my religion and my politics to myself. That was many moons ago, and I understand now in my wiser older years why these two are such sensitive subjects.

If someone related to me told me they were wiccan I would just have to accept it. They have free will to make their own decisions, & I have no right to impinge on that.

One of my closest friends has a daughter who announced she is Wiccan. She showed up all dressed in black and black nails and black lipstick and she looked hideous, to be honest. Now I know Wiccan's are not all about dressing goth, just some are. I told her she was still welcome in my home but none of her symbols and none of her chants and spells. If I were to go to her home, that would be different. That is her home, not mine.
Just as I do not allow someone who smokes, to smoke in my home and I do not allow someone who drinks, to drink in my home and I do not allow someone who swears, to swear in my home.

I had a close friend who was in fact Wiccan. It never bothered me in the least as I know its not incantations in the darkened forest while wearing darkened shrouds. It's a religion like any other where the utmost respect is paid to nature. I think it's a lovely religion however it is quite misunderstood.

I don't discuss religion with people with little knowledge of monotheism and philosophy of religions... Mostly, though, what role religion plays in the lives of individuals, both good and bad.

Someone who becomes a wiccan is just going through a rebellious phase, for the most part.

So, I say, "Good Luck!"

Thank you Glenda! I wish more people understood it. But sadly they are to closed minded to accept that it is in fact a faith like any other. And to shygrneyzs, I bet if you saw me in the store or in a park you would never know or even guess my religion. BUT what if I was wearing a piece of jewelry that had the pentacle on it? Would you make me take it off? Because I know that if I made you take off what ever symbol that represents your faith you'd be offended wouldn't you?

A rebellious phase? I don't think so. Phases don't last 7 years. What if I became became buddhist? Would that be rebelling?

Silly, if this is what you believe, then do it. If your family or your husband's family do not accept you for it, then so be it. After all, I think both of their religions practice not judging others, so let them prove that to you. My boyfriend's mother has practiced Wicca for many years, but just by looking at her you would never know. I don't know all the details of this religion, but as you can tell many people have misconceptions about it. When you tell your families about it, try to inform them as much as possible and make it clear that this is what you believe. It is sad how narrow minded some people can be, but I wish you the best of luck!

Do you really care how we would react? Do you really think that someone is going to answer that question and tell you, they would shun you for it?

What's important is how to deal with the small minded, bigots who will change their opinion of you because you have chosen a different path then they.

I wouldn't care what religious belief you follow, as long as we mutually respected each other.