A lot of people look at me very strange and they often ask me about hell,demons...i said what i do about witchcraft,wicca but they think i lie...how can i stop that is so annoying...and a teacher(of religion) urges my my colleagues to avoid me.Someone has an experience like that?Thanks.Blessed be !!!
I had a similar situation in middle school. I had discovered an energy technique entirely on my own where I would draw energy to my hands and I could feel the environment around me by just holding my hand up even if I wasn't anywhere near the object and even if I couldn't see. I would sometimes practice this at school by just closing my eyes and tossing my pencil on my desk so it would land on a random spot, draw energy to my hands and see if I could feel where it was before my hand was anywhere near touching the top of the desk. One day a kid noticed me and just saw it as a cheap party trick, but you know kids like that have to challenge every cool thing you do. So every where I went kids would cover my eyes and hold up their hand or something to see if I could figure out where it was. This got annoying in more ways then one but I got through it.
I've had my own history of discrimination as well. I manage to know when to keep my practices to myself from people who I know won't approve, but you know some people will usually not approve of a practicing witch. I've had a situation where some guy I didn't even know some how knew I was a practitioner and attacked me. I've had many situations where many didn't have kind things to say about it.
Usually its best not to let these things get the best of you and just ignore what most people have to say. Most people only know about magic from what they hear from church, media, ect... Don't battle with them on it and you'll get by when you don't meet the expectation of "The evil warlock who serves the devil and plans to bring about the damnation of earth".
One more thing. usually when I'm discovered by a relatively large amount of people at least one person ask me to teach them, but most quit after they realize it's not so easy.
Maybe saying its just what you do, are into, and none of their business. and say that it is nothing for them to worry about. What you believe should not affect what you do; school, job, etc.. that is religious discrimination. You might tell them that. then just live. The problem lies within them, not you. Remember that. Hope this helps. Blessings!
Despite the fact as mentioned, nobody has business about your life, but sometimes is better to keep some secrets 'buried'. I don't tell people what do I believe, and they have no idea about what I do. The old quote, people fear what they don't know, so is more easy ignore or don't accept different religions, opinions, etc.
There's a very good reason that one of the precents in magic is " To Keep Silent ". What you believe is no one else's business, but if you choose to go around telling people that you are a Witch there will be those who misunderstand what that is and then make your life miserable. To avoid this it is far, far better not to share your beliefs with others unless you are very sure that they can accept that part of your life.
Now that the cat is out of the bag, so to speak, it's going to be difficult to get people to stop pestering you about it. But in my opinion the best way to do so is to stop talking about your beliefs altogether. When asked about it simply say that your religion is personal to you and not something you wish to discuss. If they press you then simply walk away. Once they realize they can't get you to become upset about it they will find something else to do. But continuing to try to educate them when they have already made up their minds is simply putting more oil on the fire.
Lark makes some good points, sometimes people choose to live "inside the broomcloset" to simply avoid these situations. When someone asks a question, you feel obliged to answer trying to help, but some people are just convinced of something and nothing you say will change their mind. In situations like that it is best to smile and walk away.
I'm not "in the broomcloset" but I'm not exactly "out" either. My close friends and family know, but distant relatives I see a handful of times, or friends I only see at large gatherings don't. I've never told a boss or teacher, and I don't greet strangers with 'hi, I'm a witch!' If someone asks, I go with my gut, someone I know [say a co-worker] were to ask and I know they wouldn't really care, then I would say I was. If a large mob happens to knock on my door and ask, I might keep my mouth shut. There is a time and a place for everything remember.
I have only had one bad experience when someone discovered my faith, and it was as a result of my loud mouth friend who was also Wiccan. We use to spend time after school at this youth group held by a church. After a while the priest found out my friend was a witch. He was locked in another room and the priest tried to force my friend to repent and convert. When that failed he banned my friend, and the rest of our coven from ever returning. We weren't welcomed by the members of that youth group to even eat lunch with them at school ever again. Wasn't a big deal as I wasn't close with the members, but that's what happened to me. In a bit of karmic justice the priest came out as gay a few years ago and got fired and kicked out of the church community. Just don't let these people get to you.
Funny! Gay and kicked out. haha I agree. Silence is most important, especially to people who think that its something evil. What a joke! Talk here, its safe. Only my daughter and her family are the only ones who know of me. and a few close friends. The rest of my family would totally not get it, so best to stay "inside" with them.
If those people try to get you to talk about it, don't. Its obvious they won't get it, as they have thoughts already. Don't let them push your buttons. And if they get forceful, just walk away. Having no reaction often makes then quit, as they won't get the entertainment of watching you react. Stay cool! BB
