No one likes to be ignored, pushed around, or harassed. However, Pagans still have to deal with this all the time. The ignorant among us still cause fellow Pagans hardship. Because of religious intolerance, people lose their jobs, their houses, their children, and are generally treated like dog excrement. It's got to stop.
Pagans are generally peace-loving, gentle people. But when Pagan rights are violated and their happiness denied, it's time for action!
Below are tips are resources you can use to protect yourself and educate people as to who we really are. It's time that Pagans are free again!
Click these links to jump to that spot in the document: How to Deal with Proselytizers
Well, we've all seen 'em. They're religious fanatics who are bent on converting you to their faith, and they'll use just about any means necessary to do it. But you like your faith just the way it is. How do you deal with these people? A good sense of humor, a lot of patience, and an even temper are all musts. Pagans are generally a peace loving people, so be sure to show it!
Here are a few examples on how to deal with proselytizers, and other generally ignorant people. Comment: "You'll burn in Hell if you practice Witchcraft!"
Comment: "Why don't you love God? What did he do to you?"
Comment: "Your religion is fake. God is the one true Lord."
Comment: "Is that a Star of David?" (yes, this occasionally comes from people with bad eyesight or those who can't count).
People who create these sites feed off of discord and negative reactions. If you ignore them, they have no reason to exist. Some tips on how do deal with these:
Most people are just generally ignorant about Pagans, for whatever reason. It's up to you to show them that Pagans are not horrible or scary or evil. People to educate can include (but certainly aren't limited to):
You can probably come up with more.
Some tips:
People have stereotypical ideas as to what Pagans are like (think of the Hollywood Witch image, etc.). Pagans of today must strive to show people that we are human just like them, and that they're really not so bad. Here are some tips:
Sometimes, there are specific situations with ignorant people that occur in our daily lives, whether at work, school, or even at home. What do you do in such situations? Here are a few examples of problems, and good solutions.
Situation: A kid at school bumps into you in the hallway. He/She says "Oh no, don't turn me into a frog!"
Situation: Your teacher repeatedly makes negative comments about Witches.
Situation: Your boss tells you not to wear your pentacle to work. He/She may threaten to fire you if you don't comply.
Situation: On a job interview, the interviewer asks questions about your religion.
Situation: People have been sending you threatening mail, e-mail, or telephone calls, or they may be vandalizing your property.
Situation: Your landlord or landlady says that burning candles is prohibited, but the other tenants do it all the time with his/her knowledge.
Situation: The pastor of your local church calls you to ask if you wish to rediscover christianity.
Situation: Your neighbor brings you up on charges that you "bewitched" him/her.
Situation: Your parents forbid you to practice Witchcraft.
Situation: At school/work, you are forced to take part in an organized prayer service, led by a priest or another clergyman.
There are probably hundreds of other examples. Remember, if you think your rights are being violated, they probably are. Check it out.
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Bad: "Shut up, you dumb jerk!"
Why? Name calling brings you down to their level.
Better: "Oh good! I've always wanted to retire to a warm climate."
Why?Don't get upset over a stupid, backward comment like this. Instead, reduce its importance by joking.
Bad: "Well, I prayed for my dog to get better and he died! God hates me, and I hate him right back!"
Why? The proselytizer will definitely have a retort for this one. Besides, if that's the only reason you turned to the God/Goddess, you don't deserve to call yourself Pagan.
Better: "I don't hate God. Christianity just wasn't right for me."
Why? This is a more mature way to handle the problem. Yelling and screaming solves nothing. Furthermore, the proselytizer most likely won't have an answer to this one (other than the usual garbage).
Bad: "Oh yeah, wanna make somethin' of it?"
Why?: Self-explanatory, no?
Better: "I'm sorry you feel that way. However, my deity(ies) are as real to me as yours is to you."
Why?: Again, a more mature answer.
Bad: "No, you moron! A Star of David has SIX stars, and my pentacle has five! Can't you count?!"
Why?: Not very nice. The person is obviously not familiar with the pentacle, and biting his/her head off will turn them off to Paganism completely.
Better: "No, it's not. It's a five pointed star surrounded by a circle, and it's called a pentacle. It symbolizes protection and unity."
Why? A little enlightenment never hurt anybody. Besides, educating the person AND letting them know that we're nothing to be afraid of is doing double duty.
Solution: A few things can be done. The nice approach could be "I'm not going to do anything to you. Just watch where you're going next time." The semi-sarcastic approach is "Why would I do that? Everybody knows frogs taste terrible," or something silly like that. Don't sound too malicious, though, or you'll just make it worse for yourself.
Solution: Talk to the teacher after class. Explain why these comments offend you, and ask that he/she makes an effort not to do it again. If the problem persists, talk to the principal or dean. If that doesn't work, try talking to your parents or guardian about, if this is at all feasible.
Solution: This is a direct violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Tell your boss this if he/she doesn't already know (which would be surprising). If he/she threatens to fire you on this basis, contact the proper authorities (check the bottom of the page for links to help you in the process. Sites such as W.A.R.D. and the WLPA are helpful).
Solution: This is illegal. Period. Decline to answer the questions, or refer to the links at the bottom of the page.
Solution: Leave this one up to the police. Provide them with as much information as possible, but don't try to take the law into your own hands.
Solution: Making rules like this is fine, but this is obviously discrimination because he/she doesn't require it of everyone. Contact the Civil Rights Commission or the ACLU.
Solution: The first time, be polite but assertive by saying something like "No thank you, I'm not interested, but I appreciate your concern and the time you took to call me." If it happens again, say the same thing. Eventually he will get the message. If it happens very frequently, and/or the person makes threats, it can be considered harassment and should be taken to the proper authorities.
Solution: This isn't 1692. Any sane judge will throw the case out practically immediately, if it even gets to a judge. Just be calm and cool about the whole thing.
Solution: This is a biggie. If you're under 18, there really isn't much you can do except to reason with them. Give them literature and explain what it's all about. Have them e-mail someone who can verify what you're saying. If you're over 18, they can't really tell you what to do anyway.
Solution: You should never be forced to take part in an event such as this. If your job is on the line, it shouldn't be. Contact the Civil Rights Commission or the ACLU, or refer to the links at the bottom of this page. If it's at school, just walk out. You don't have to take part if you don't want to (unless, of course, you're in a parochial school, in which case you can just try to tune it out or fake sick).
Resources
(Just remember, violence isn't the answer!)
