My Parents Are Against Witchcraft

Question:

I really need help. I have done tons of research on the wiccan religion and I totaly want it as my own, its just, my parents don't feel the same way about it as I do. They feel that it is a satanists cult and they won't even let me show them that its not. What should I do?

Answer:

Well, first of all, it’s important that you remember that Wicca, as well as many other similar Pagan religions, stress respect as a common value. This includes respect for your parents. While in this case, it sounds like your parents have made up their minds about what Wicca is and isn’t, and aren’t open to any information to the contrary, it is still their right and responsibility to protect you from what things that they perceive to be dangerous. It is very unlikely that your folks are trying to keep you from Wicca in order to be limiting or anything; they are probably sincerely concerned. And while you may understand that the Wiccan religion has nothing to do with Satanism or any of the other evils that it is often associated with, they probably don’t, and if they aren’t willing to discuss it with you, then there’s probably not a whole lot you are going to be able to do to change their minds.

Another thing to consider is this: If your parents are Christians, they probably believe that ~any~ religion other than Christianity is, in reality, false worship. Some even say that if you don’t worship the Christian God, you are in fact worshipping Satan. If these are their beliefs (and they are entitled to their own, as every person is), then your chances are even worse for getting them to understand differently.

The best advice I can give you, if you intend to pursue your study of Wicca, is to remind you that what you believe in your heart is your own, and no one else can make you believe or disbelieve anything you don’t want to. Once you are an adult, and able to freely make choices about the practice of any religion, you will have the ability to do so without worrying about your parents’ approval or consent, but for now, a responsible person (not to mention a responsible Wiccan) would abide by her parents’ wishes. It’s certainly not necessary to have an altar in your room or a bunch of ritual tools, nor is it required to cast spells or anything like that, in order to live a life that is in tune with the same principles of Wicca. Respect for the earth, attention to things spiritual, taking care of yourself and being good to the people around you are things that no one can fault you for making a part of your life… but if you fail to show respect to your parents, none of those things will mean anything, anyway.