wednes | May I ask...

May I ask...

Can I please ask the witches out there what you do when non-bleivers ask about your beleif system? I am having trouble with some well meaning athiests who want to ask questions after question but are totally ignorant as to the ways of the witch. I don't want to be rude, but I have a pretty short fuse for ignorant questions.

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If it's at work, I change the subject politely. "Gosh, look at that giant spider on your head!"

If it's socially, or online, I answer them. As plainly and simply as I can. Most people don't ask questions to be obnoxious, they ask because they're curious, or because they have misconceptions, or pre-conceived notions. Yes, they're ignorant. But ignorant != stupid. I would rather they get their information from a practitioner or at least a believer than from Charmed or Buffy, wouldn't you? And unless you were born into a Pagan family, at one point you probably knew little or nothing about the "ways of the witch" too.

I find that people are more willing to listen to my beliefs if they know me first, and that even people who start out poking fun or being goofy ("Do you ride a broom?" "How do I hex someone?" "Make me a love potion!") can end up having very rational, enlightening conversations about it if you're just patient and try not to get offended by their apparent denseness.

Of course it's not your duty to educate, if you don't want to. That's fine, a simple, "My beliefs are very private to me, I'd rather not discuss it" should suffice for anyone who isn't a total rude wanker. And if they fall into that category, a "bite me hoser" will work. ;-)

I knew you would know ;) I guess in my post I was not very clear. Some of these folks ask my why something is or what I beleive about something. But when I tell them, they want to debate the "rightness" of it, or want me to "prove" what i am saying.

This makes me very defensive as i don't feel a need to justify my spirituality to anyone. I mean, I do wear pentacles and such, I'm not offended by "what's that" or even "are you a satanist" --although someone asked once if I were Jewish and i laughed out loud. yet, I don't think people who wear crucifixes get asked so many questions.

When someone asks me to try and prove my beliefs, I explain that they are simply a matter of faith and, for me, my spirituality and religious practices are very fulfilling, but that I also recognize that they might not be for everyone. As such, I do not rely on proof, nor do I have any desire to provide proof, since I'm not trying to convert anyone else to my way of thinking. If they persist, I just tell them that I'm sorry I can't help them any futher, but it's not possible to "prove" that which is taken on faith.

Don't know if that helps any, but that's generally my approach...

it does. I think I just needed a focal point as my first instinct in that situation is to get angry, defensive, and insulted. Not very witchly I know, but human emotions...I can't help it. yet I don't want to make witches look evil by not answering questions.

It is good to get confirmation that it is okay to just change the topic, or refuse to debate my faith.

BTW, You seem a spectacular lady. I'm glad to have met you, if virtually. Did you see Daily show tonight? They did a story about the Fat Suit, despite a tad of sterotypical insults, it was damn, damn funny.

Of course people with crucifixes don't get asked a lot of questions. How many crucifixes do you see in public vs. pentacles? And of those you do see, how many crucifixes on TV are "positive" symbols, and how many pentacles are "negative"? Catholicism, for good or bad, is pretty commonly known even among non-Catholics. And frankly, I find the crucifix to be completely gruesome. Ew. Jesus hanging on a cross. Yuck. The fish makes so much more sense as a nice Christian symbol. (Or the Buddy Christ, from Dogma...)

That's so hysterical...I get asked if I'm Jewish sometimes too, both from the pentacle ring (count the points kids, it's missing one for Jewish) and because sometimes I simply say, "I'm not Christian". Want to make me swallow my tongue figuratively speaking? Coworker, coming up to me at work, pointing at my ring or the charm bracelet I sometimes wear, and saying, "You Wiccan?" Uh...uhhhh....I never know WHAT to say at that point. Usually a feeble, "Yes?" even though that's not really true, I'm just hoping they'll go away. :)

If you don't want to debate your religion, don't feel pressured to do so. I don't debate mine either. And I generally begin by saying that it's just my belief. I know my faith isn't provable, that's what makes it faith. It's what makes my subscription to Skeptical Inquirer such a scream, too. *heh* I don't like anyone of any faith or bent or group who wants to convert and proselytize and prove they're right and you're wrong, and I tend to end conversations with them by wandering off, or changing the subject, or leaving. Only very occasionally do I get rude. I always try to remember that someone trying to convert you because they think you're going to hell is actually trying to do you a favor, and is concerned about your eternal soul more than your momentary comfort (in theory...). They're not trying to get you to buy Amway. ;-) I usually say, "Thank you, but I'm comfortable with my beliefs, and I hope you are with yours, and we will just have to know we don't agree."

You should really get The Other People, by the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. It's like one of those obnoxious little Chick Tracts, only it's from the Pagan perspective. It talks about Cain's wife (who DID he marry, anyway?) and a few internal inconsistencies in the Bible, and about how Pagans aren't evil, they're just not Christians. I used to carry one in my purse, mostly for the shock value.

And bonus points for using "if I were" properly instead of "if I was". ;-)

For awhile, i was bombarded by people who would give me those little pamphlets that are comics about Jesus or God's love and the like. While my friends was often told that she could be cured of her homosexuality, and often got fliers and ads for groups or churches that could "help" with this.

We eventually put together our own pamphlet explaining things a bit, and gave them out when we received a Christian pamphlet. In a few weeks, the problem had gone away, as if by magic...

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