I'm sorry to hear your family is not accepting of your practices, it feels pretty sad. Unfortunately our community is frowned upon, for centuries and still carries over today. I want to ask you why it is so important that people accept you? Is it the level of emotional investment? Why do you want to tell people about your practice? Do you have anything to gain from it? Unfortunately you cannot make people accept you, they have to do that on their own terms. Whether or not you can be in the same room together or not is another story. Take some time to reflect.
I’m on the fence about practicing magic because I got the same problem with my family they believe I’m getting involved with the Devil but I’m not I know the difference between good and evil and I’ve tried to tell them is not all that bad but they refused to understand
I just think people should be free to be who they are and I found out so many amazing things I want to share with family and friends. But I can't. It bothers me because I care. There is so much to learn if we keep an open mind.
There are a few things at play here, and it all boils down to one thing: People are people.
Yes, you are excited about the things you are learning in your practice, and you want to share that with everyone. It's very common for so many people when they get excited about something new in their lives.
You are free to be you, just as they are free to be themselves. There is no mandate for people to accept everything about another person. I am not a sports fan, and tend to drift away when the topic becomes heavily about any given sport. At the very least, I zone out. Most people would not want to hear me drone on about photography, the intricacies of recording guitar, or magic.
There is also a measure of understanding. When it comes to witchcraft, there is an enormous social stigma. Frankly, there are several stigma regarding the entire concepts of witchcraft, magic, and many of the typically related religions.
People tend to remember, and believe, things they have learned indirectly through their lives, even complete misinformation, and especially if it has come from a trusted source.
I have run into similar reactions about so much my entire life. I have even been one to give such kneejerk reactions. It was not until recent years that I have begun to be more open-minded.
Part of that open-mindedness is also accepting that others will not accept everything about me. Someone I respect very much would absolutely flip out if he knew I even considered interacting with the supernatural. I simply do not share it with him.
For the sake of your family relationships, it may be better not to try to spread your love of your beliefs, knowing they will likely reject it utterly.
I had changed my Instagram name to zinniathewitch and all of a sudden everyone was praying for me and telling me they were worried about me. I always have been a witch. I even have the triangle birthmark. I just recently accepted it as this is who I am and embraced it. I respect their differences but wish they would give me a genuine equal respect. They act like I'm leaving behind my original religion. I'm still an ordained Christian Minister (they were against that too as we were all Catholics and women cannot be ordained in the Catholic Church.) I think that all things have a connection and I'm starting to find evidence that the Bible was changed in order to fullfil agendas and hide ancient truths. That's an entire other topic though. I wanted to at least be able to discuss with them the similarities between Christian and pagan beliefs and where many of the holidays they celebrate originated from. I found it fascinating. I get how they may not. I have to keep reminding myself that we are all at different points on our journey and that not everyone will have the same enlightenment or enthusiasm about such things. I was just disappointed I couldn't find even one person to talk to about my discover. I'm so thankful to have found this website though. It's so nice to find others on a similar journey.
Part of the issue with discussing religious topics with some people is that you are challenging their lifelong beliefs. To them, the entire concept of witchcraft is contrary to what they believe. I have heard those exact same reactions from others. It's really a very dismissive sort of response. They have already made all the assumptions they intend to consider, and have no desire to hear your side of things.
A small tangent of my own: I went on a trip to Italy when I was in my 20s. After my return, I accidentally mentioned I had wine while on the trip, and I was asked through tearful eyes if I still "follow Jesus." Having alcohol, whatsoever, was that severe of an infraction to them.
About your own tangent: I think you are looking in a very interesting direction. I have believed (and have been finding more correlating evidence) similar: That the Christian Bible is heavily edited, to fit certain agendas. I have found evidence of similar for the Old Testament as well, in portions long pre-dating the heavy edits of the New Testament. There are some very crossed lines throughout history, which seem to tie a lot of loose ends, and connect the mythologies of several (if not many) cultures together.
