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How Do I Tell My Mother That While I Respect Her Faith, I Am a Proud Celtic Pagan?
Question by Caledonia: How do I tell my mother that while I respect her faith, I am a proud Celtic Pagan?
First I just want to say that I appreciate any help that I get. But I am going to ask that people to not post things that are offensive to either me or my religion. This is neither the time nor the place for that. If you love your faith, then I ask you to let me have my faith.
Okay so here is my question…………
I am 19 years old and I have discovered a feeling of faith that I never felt before. I grew up in a Christian home with my mother but I never felt anything form Christianity. About 2 or 3 years ago, my research into Celtic history (a big hobby of mine) helped me discover different Druid groups. The practices and beliefs were very similar to the ones that I had felt for a long time. I have always felt that it makes not sense to just have one God, among other things. For years, I repressed my thoughts because I never thought that there would be a place where people felt the way that I do. I never felt that there was a faith that would work for me. Well, I have found it. The trouble is, I have to hide it form most of the people that I care about because they are not as understanding as I would have hoped. I feel that having hidden this for so long is hurting my faith. I don’t feel that I can be free to worship but I don’t want to be disrespectful of my mother. It causes me to have to find excuses for why I go away to Festivals at certain times of the year. I have to hold my tongue when I see ignorance being portrayed on television against Pagans, because I don’t know if I am ready to have that talk with my mother. How can I tell her who I really am? I need some advice to telling my mother that I have been practicing Celtic Paganism for years. Thank you for your help. Brightest Blessings to you and yours!
Best answer:
Answer by rjb2224
Just like you told us.
Add your own answer in the comments!
<BR%20/>Tags: proud, Faith., Tell, respect, Mother <BR%20/>
There is no right way. It is going to be hard for her no matter what you say. “I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk in truth.”
It will be painful for her to know that you do not walk in truth, no matter what you say.
Heehee my ancestors were druid
))
Oh, and you should sit down with her and explain your situation and that you don’t hold the same beliefs as she does and you hope she can accept that.
Once both of you get past nonsense such as the belief that feelings are a sound basis for other beliefs, then a dialog can begin.
she mite understand if you explain what celtic and christianity have in commone to ease her mind because when ppl thing pagan they jump to animal sacfrices lol
It isn’t disrespectful to have a different faith than your family.
When you see the ignorance, speak up (diplomatically, as in, ‘that’s not my understanding of it’ or ‘that’s not correct’), as it will start to signal the rest of the family how you feel.
If they ask you about it, be honest and positive. Exactly what you said here, that Christianity simply doesn’t resonate with you the way paganism does. Describe what inspires you about it, and emphasize you still respect your mother’s faith even though you don’t find it as inspiring as she does.
simply say just what you just said in your post. i was raised christian but now i’m muslim so i have been where you are now. i grew up in a family church so imagine how that went down.lol anyway it’s your life and you are over 18 so there’s not much she can do at this point. just be strong in your belief and it should stand on it’s own. it may be hard at first. my identical twin sister didn’t speak to me for 3wks, but now 7yrs later she admits it was the best thing for ME to do. she got over the hurt and anger as will your mom. take care and best wishes.
I don’t think anyone can tell you how to steer your relationship with your mother.
On the other hand, Celtic religions predate Christianity and Christianity adopted and adapted many aspects of pre-Christian religion.
What is a Druid but someone who is learned in matters of theology, faith, etc? These people existed before Christianity was even thought of and they are still around today.
There’s no easy answer to this. Practice your beliefs, show tolerance and respect for others and just hope that your mother comes to realise that you are your own person, what you believe is your own, and being different to her doesn’t mean you have two horns and a tail.
:->
man, this is hard. I know what your going through. I am wiccan. I am also the only wiccan in my family. And it’s hard because my father often mocks me and mother doesn’t know what it is. Anyway, I recommend leading up to it. Ask your mother questions about paganism, and see how she reacts. If she has a bad reaction, wait a bit. If not, slowly ease into the idea of you being pagan. Paganism is something not many people understand, and surprise is to be expected. Just do what you think is right. You know your mother, not me. I don’t know how she handle things like this. Ask the Lady and Lord, they will help you :]
“if you call them they will come”
best of luck friend
blessed be
Why does she need to know? Believe whatever you want and leave your mother in peace.
.
Just sit down with her and explain it just like you did for us. I’m quite sure she will be disappointed and hurt that you don’t share her faith, but she is your mother and loves you. She will accept it in time. Have patience. And don’t listen to those who will tell you that you have lost your way. There are many paths to the divine and it is a happy day when someone shares with others that they have found theirs.
Blessings to you and yours.
There are many people that are just like you going through the very same circumstances. Unfortunately there are misconceptions about being Pagan and those misconceptions can honestly affect not just your relationship with your family but with your job. Some people that have devulged that information were fired from their jobs, I know it is discrimination but it happens nevertheless. It really depends on telling your Mother because if you live at home then you may have no choice but to keep yourself in the broom closet for awhile longer till you move out on your own. You are the only one that can gauge the situation. If you did ‘Come out of the broom closet’ then you will live with the repercussions of that decision. Anyone can tell you, sure tell her but you are the one that has to live with her. Something tells me that you will know when the time is right to tell her. But don’t let this hurt your faith. This is a wonderful time for you to celebrate your faith even if it may not be openly around your Mother, it can be with others that are like minded. Surround yourself with support and love from others. You have time and it will happen sometimes it just takes patience. As for Pagans being portrayed badly on tv, you can counter that by supporting organizations that support our planet, the animals on our planet and also through your community as well. Many Pagan organizations are community minded and always try to improve their communities, so you have many opportunities to share and celebrate your faith with others.
wait till your mother is in a good mood, and sit her down for a serious discussion. tell her that you respect the faith and her for believing in it but, that is not for you. tell your faith and the reason you feel it. she will respect your honesty for it instead of pretty much living a lie. i went through the same thing(though my parents wernt as understanding as they should have been.)
If she loves you she will understand and not judge. You have the right to believe anything you want in this world and shouldn’t hide it from anyone. I would personally love for you to explain your belief to me because I find it interesting too.
seems you are in fear of what others are going to think of you ancient beliefs. christian beliefs are also ancient, but nature based faith goes back much farther. the root of the term “pagan” dates back to when rome was taking over and pagans were rural folk who had not converted to christianity. the whole evil thing was made up to put pressure on these forlks to change.
mis-information is your greatest obsticale. try leaving a piece of gently literature where mom can find it, this will open the discussion. gently let her know that there is NOTHING evil about what you are doing, just different. if she is as tollerant as a good christian should be, she will be willing to at least learn a little about what you are doing…..if you have to …let her feel that this is nothing more than experimentation and you may eventually come back to the fold. if she is mis-informed enough to mention sataic worship…you know the truth “in paganism…there is no satan” this is a christian idea. show her the good and gentle side of your beliefs. WE ALL NEED TO BATTLE MIS-INFORMATION…IT IS THE BASIS OF PREDJUDICE
“Hey Mom I found something that really speaks to me. I’ve really found a lot of peace in it. It’s Celtic paganism.”
*shrug* Thats what I told my dad. He said “Cool. Tell me about it.”
Jean: That is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard. Both of my parents know I practice Heathenism and both are supportive though they themselves don’t pracitce. Why would I lie to my parents? And I am freaking 28, I don’t have to tell them jack squat if I don’t want to.
My neighbors also know. Hell the whole town does. It’s not a freaking secret. If the govt asked I’d tell them, but I don’t see them being too interested.
My faith is in God Word; Prov.28:25 Jeremiah 13:15.
There are 3 people that you can never tell the truth to…
your parents, your neighbors and the government.
Aside from that, you can relax.