Pagans: Coming out advice?

Question

I'm probably going to "come out of the broom closet" to my parents soon. They're conservative Christians, but claim to be open-minded, "as long as you don't join some cult."

Any advice on what to say? I kind of want to ease them into this, but I'm terrible at this sort of thing.

Answer 1

There's a great book out for this very subject. "When Someone You Love Is Wiccan" By Carl McColman actually there are many books and websites with great tips, just speak from the heart and remember that they love you.

Answer 2

There is no way to guarantee that your parents won't be upset or fly off the handle.  Be honest and be prepared to answer their questions.  The more confident and knowledgeable you are and appear to be, the more relaxed they will become.

It is also good to have a decent book for them to read to get a grasp of things on their own.  If you don't provide the book they may find one that has a christian bias, which will make things worse on you.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I kept it simple. "Mom/Dad I have found this religion that really speaks to me on a level that other haven't. It really brings me peace. It's called Asatru"

Questions ensued to make sure I wasn't promising my first born and all my money and then it was all good.

Answer 4

Just let them know you feel more connected to the world and what is around you. You feel part of the universe we live in and want to explore your feelings for the living natural world.

Answer 5

d**n...i thought you were going to tell us you were a lezzo...

d**n!

Answer 6

Introduce them to an atheist friend first and you wont seem so bad afterward.

Answer 7

answer: there's a book that might help: "When Someone You Love is Wiccan" - you should be able to pick it up on Amazon.com used books fairly inexpensively.  

When you tell them, be calm. Be prepared for any stereotype they might have and reaffirm that it's not rebellion or to be cool.