How to Deal with Common Misconceptions After you’re out of the Broom Closet

There are many misconceptions and questions you will probably be asked when you come out of the broom closet.
This is just a selection of more common ones, from the same questions as the link below, but with my personal experience for answers. For the answers that came with the questions originally, please check out the link!

1. Are you a witch?
The word “witch” brings to mind images of evil Disney step-mothers, or the “bad guy” who casts spells on the hero. Witches are not the weak-looking old women, or the spell casters in Harry Potter, but were people who were shamans, healers, herbalists, and probably the first aroma-therapists. Also, witches were people who were generally very in-tune with the world around them, people who claimed to have psychic powers, and who passed all this knowledge down orally.
Though pagans can associate themselves as “witches”, being a pagan does not mean you are a witch, and being a witch does not mean you are pagan. People opposed to Christianity just to rebel may call themselves witches. Pagans are not associated with them. Some people into the Gothic subculture call themselves witches. These people may also be pagan.
Now, to answer the question no one will ask: are witches evil? No, they are (mostly) harmless people who are in-tune with nature. They do not cast spells like in Harry Potter, or other fantasy works. They are people who believe that energy can be manipulated and directed to achieve their desires. They use magic, but not in the sense of Hollywood magic.
The majority of witches are “white” witches, and will not do magic against living things, and only do magic to aid themselves and others, if other’s ask it of them.
Yes, there are some “black” witches, who can curse people, but they are few and far between, and mostly end up hurting themselves more often.

2. Are you a devil-worshipper?
Simply put: no. The devil is a Christian story, and would not apply to a pagan. To truly be a devil worshipper, you have to believe in Christianity, because Satan is only in Christian scriptures. To be a Satanist is, basically, to oppose the Christian concept of God.

3. What do Neopagans believe about God?
This answer can vary. Ask a traditional Wiccan (like my mother), and she will tell you that God is the counterpart and equal to the Goddess, and both deities are required to keep the universe in balance. According to her, every deity in other pantheons are simply aspects of these two greater deities.
Ask an Egyptian pagan like me, and we believe that one singular god and goddess cannot look after everything, so there are many different gods to represent different things. This is similar to saints.

4. Do Neopagans have a bible?
We do not have a set of specific holy texts. Though much of the information is the same, such as the importance of the elements for example, are common to almost all of Neopagan beliefs, we do not all own the same book that we regard as the singular source.
We do, however, have a Book of Shadows. This is a book that contains everything pertaining to our craft. This has lists of herbal uses, pages of candle magic, and even dreams we’ve written down, or meditation guides. Some BoS’ are hand-copied from older books, or books from their teachers. Some are compilations of things they have found.
This blog you are reading is my Book of Shadows.

5. Did you say magic? Do Neopagans believe in the occult?
It depends on how you define magic and the occult. Magic is energy work, according to us. We direct our energy, much like how one can direct a prayer. The occult— or the paranormal – is a blanket term to describe the unknown like psychic phenomenon, EVP, ghosts, and even aliens. Though believing the in occult is not necessary to be a pagan, many do believe in these things.

6. But I thought that you said that you weren't a demon-worshipper?
Magic has little to do with demons. Magic is about intent. In a Christian setting, when you pray, you focus your intent on giving the prayer to God. Magic is the same idea. Demons are about evil energies that disrupt your good intent. We would not give energy to these evil things.

7. How do you become a Neopagan?
This question can be answered in many ways. Some people believe that you are born with the intuition to eventually become a pagan. Some people just enjoy mythology and paganism is a great way to really study mythology. Most people who eventually become pagans already know a bit about it, and will research it themselves.
To copy-paste: “"Becoming" a pagan is never a conversion”.
8. I've heard about witches holding orgies and such. Do you? Defiantly not. Many pagans hold fertility and sex in an almost Holy regard, for without it, we would not be here. Because of its cosmic aspect, we do not have sex “willy-nilly”, but reserve it for people we truly care about. A huge orgy would go against this concept. 9. I saw on the news that Neopagans use a star in a circle as their emblem. Isn't that a Satanic symbol?
I believe you are talking about a pentagram. The pentagram is a symbol that unites all the elements, in the form of a star. This is a very old symbol, much older than Satanism. In paganism, it is a symbol of unity and a symbol of the earth. In Satanism, it is often shown point down to represent chaos.
The pentagram being a symbol is only a symbol of Satan is like saying the Swastika is only a symbol of Nazis. Before the Nazi’s took over the symbol—and in some parts of the world still—the swastika, or “bent cross” is a symbol of good luck.

10. Are Neopagans opposed to Christianity?
Most pagans respect the views of other religions. Many of us came out of Christianity. We are, however, untrusting of the higher powers within the Church who are out for power and control. Millions of pagans were slaughtered in the name of Jesus Christ, and we still fear persecution in many parts of the world. We are opposed to the fundamentalists of any religion.
I have many Christian friends, who ask me loads of questions about my faith and are genuinely interested, not to convert but because the more understanding between the faiths, the easier it will be to work together.

Well, I hoped this three-part series helped you understand coming out of the broom closet, and helped you either plan for your own coming out, or to understand the risks with coming out.

Source/more information
http://www.ladyoftheearth.com/lessons/less-misunderstanding.txt

So, You’ve Decided to Come out of the Broom Closet

In yesterdays “Coming out of the Broom Closet”, I talked about some of the outcomes of coming out as a pagan, and how there are different ways of being “out”. Today I’d like to address the actual coming out.
Paganism is about trust in yourself and the world around you. You have to trust in what you do in rituals for it to work, for example. Therefore, the basis for coming out of the broom closet, even just in going to a bookstore to purchase a book instead of ordering online, is trust
So, if you want your family to trust in after or during your coming out, you have to make sure you’re doing trustworthy things. Don’t hide the fact you collect oils or incense; tell your family you are looking into aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is used in spas, so it is less suspicious than hiding about it, or arguing, or straight out lying. Saying you’re using aromatherapy is, at least, somewhat truthful. Though you could argue it is lying by omitting, it’s still a lot less risky. Think of it along the same lines as the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell”.
Safety is the next consideration. Is it safe for you to come out? If you think it is unsafe, then don’t come out, at least not yet. Safety includes protection from physical abuse, but can also include having somewhere to live, or the emotional worry of having people harass you or even attempt to convert you.
The next step is then to try to predict how who you wish to tell will react. Start with one group, like your parents. Will they be understanding? Curious? Supportive? Angry? I do suggest starting with people you live with, because you can predict their behaviour best. Make note of how they act talking about religion in general. This stage might take only a few days to have a general idea of how they will react. It might take several weeks. Be patient, and keep your eyes and ears open.
You may be lucky. Your family may not need your choice explained to them, and they will support you no matter what.
But, if I have learned anything, it’s that never trust luck. Always have an explanation. Make a list of what you like about paganism. Write a little paragraph or two explaining why you converted or are not impressed with more mainstream religions. Also, be sure to plan to explain some of the common misconceptions about paganism.
The trick will be to remain calm. Are you prone to anger very quickly? You’ll have to work on that before even considering coming out. Calmness is key. If you speak calmly and explain your points in a level voice, they will be more prone to listening. To help remain calm, you can really benefit from preparing beforehand. Plan for EVERYTHING you can think of, because it can give you something to refer to, and it will help you keep your thoughts in order.
In many cases, what is known about paganism by the general public (people who haven’t studied it) are the misconceptions and rumours spread by Hollywood and religious bigots. Remember, your parents and friends love you, and want what’s best for you and want to keep you from getting hurt. Reassure them that paganism is not a cult, and that you are educating yourself on all aspects of the religion.
Please be patient with them; it may take them some time and some research of their own to fully accept your actions. Also, use common sense. If they are in a bad mood, don’t bring this up, you can wait until they are in a good and talkative mood.
Who knows, maybe you’ll really pique someone’s interest and aid them on their own spiritual journey.

Tomorrow, part three, How to Deal with Common Misconceptions After you’re out of the Broom Closet.

Source/More information
http://www.ladyoftheearth.com/lessons/how-to-tell-family-friends.txt

Coming Out of the “Broom Closet”

I am lucky to have two parents that fully accept the fact I am a pagan. In fact, after I converted, my mother followed; the jury is still out on my father...he would be willing to join in for ceremonies or feasts, but he still goes to church some Sundays and doesn’t really know anything about religion in general. The rest of my family was technically raised Presbyterian, they don’t go to church and we just say grace before big family meals, mostly because of my grandmother.
I doubt my family would have major issues with the fact I am a pagan, they would probably brush it off and think it was “just a phase”, or ask me questions about what paganism really is, but they wouldn’t disown me. Yet, I still have found myself unable to come out of the “broom closet”. So, I kind of want to talk about why, or why not, to come out of the broom closet.
All of my information is taken from personal experiences of friends and of myself, and from the website Lady of the Earth.
Picture if you will, you’ve been studying paganism for a while, and you’ve managed to cast a couple of circles, built up a rather nice collection of oils, incense and candles, and really proud of what you’ve learned. So, now what? Are you ready to tell your friends and family? Wait, we’ll have to consider some things first.
In Africa today, someone may be brutally murdered because they were accused of Witchcraft. Whether or not they are or aren't doesn't matter. Just an accusation.
Closer to home, in America today, someone may lose their children because a social worker was misinformed. Children have been taken from their parents because a 'child welfare' worker believed they will be sacrificed at Samhain.
Very close to my home, in Canada today, someone may be forced into a mental institution for practicing Wicca. Some institutions believe that practicing modern Witchcraft is a sign of mental distress or social maladjustment.
In the world today, someone is losing a job for being Pagan; someone is losing a friend. Someone is polishing a gun and muttering about the 'baby killers'. Someone is holding community action meetings to deal with the 'Wiccan threat'.
These facts are very scary. To think that there is so much ignorance over something is unfathomable to me.
Coming out of the broom closet will change everything.
But, there is good news. The teachers at my high school were very open-minded and prided the small pagan community we had; my friends may not agree with my beliefs, but they happily accept that it is what I believe.
Also, keep in mind there are different forms of being “out”. If we want to be technical, I’m very much out in the open, but at the same time I am very much in the closet. I am out with my friends, but for my cousins wedding on August 1st, I’ll be more half in the closet. I am more out with my mother than my father. Ordering books online is more anonymous than going to your local bookstore.

Stay tuned for tomorrow, “So you’ve decided to come out of the broom closet”

Source/More information
http://www.ladyoftheearth.com/lessons/10-beginner-mistakes.txt