Why do people freak out when they find out you are Pagan?
343855
People are closed minded.  I am an atheist with one atheist friend and one pagan friend, and the rest of the people I associate are Christians, and I know how people must react when you say you are pagan, many people freak out when they find out I am an atheist.  They do because you are different, because you challenge their beliefs and make them wonder "hmm, is it really true?"  And so they resent you and I for that.
107263
Well, you are certain to get a bunch of Christians jumping on this one, which may be an answer in itself.  Much ignorance is due to having a different point of view (usually christian, but perhaps other "standard" religions as well) that prevents you from seeking real facts.\n\nSecondly, the pagan mysteries have long protected themselves, hiding behind symbols, misdirection and so on, because of persecution.  Remember the burning times!  (i.e., the inquisition.)  Also, I think many modern pagans, witches, wicca, (use what term you will), believe that only a small percentage of people are capable of being a part of the pagan world: one might almost call it snobbery.  Think of Malfoy and his contempt for anyone who is not born a "pureblood" witch or wizard.  You think Rawlings pulled that out of pure imagination?\n\nThen there are those who are simply not ready to tell all they know.  (Where does AuntB93 fit in all this?)
913891
I have to admit that i am. it is because you go to an unknown place. many people say when i die , this will happen, or that will happen. so many different things that people "know" will happen, it makes me think that somebody is mistaken. that is one reason we should be tolerant of others beliefs.  you can believe what you believe, but also understand, others believe with the same level of faith , and conviction. while i am a little scared, i just try to be the best , kindest, most understanding person that i can. i do good works, try to make my life have an impact on the world in some small way.  what ever way you perceive god, i know he is kind and understanding, and i hope he will be when he judges my life.
820377
very good question. to me its more of what people demand of themselves. people who are led to believe that something is true all their lives, then have that belief questioned or shaken, take it personality as an attack on their very identity. and thats not surprising, because many people base their entire identities around these stories and beliefs. thats why the whole issue is so personal, and people get so offended so easily by it\n\nbecause of this, people have to zealously defend and prove and apologise for their beliefs. rather than acknowledge the possiblity that ANYTHING you believe today can be proven false tomorrow, these people have trapped themselves in the mindset that even though new information is being discovered daily, what they believe to be true based on 4000 year old stories will always be true. and thats sad
7465
As i'm not a christian i find this quite annoying.  So to me, it's just because they disrespect anyone who is not of their faith.\n\nSo, in turn, i try and scare them as best as possible.  I remember comming down one time from upstairs to answer the door.  Person took one good look at the athame in my hand and pentagram around my neck and litterly bolted to their car and sped off :)\n\nOf course i was just cutting herbs and i always wear my necklace LOL, but he didn't know that :)\n\nI love pissing off and scaring christians, it's quite fun :)
570023
agrees wholeheartedly with gravesidian. and the same thing happened to me. christian by birth Pagan by choice. Christians, it is needless to say, utterly detest each other. They slander each other constantly with the vilest forms of abuse and cannot come to any sort of agreement in their teaching. Each sect brands its own, fills the head of its own with deceitful nonsense, and makes perfect little pigs of those it wins over to its side."
1165148
in my opinion its because most Christians cant think for themselves and wont accept any other religion as valid. and i hate how the first Christians adapted many pagan traditions just so they could convert them easier
328511
Being pagan I have a LOT of religious objects. Symbols of my religion, statues, and clothing are good examples. I try to live my life for the gods and so my home reflects that. I know you weren't interested in religious texts, but I have a library of archeological books that tell of my religion. These are useful at times when I need to tell others about my religion. I also have an extensive library of christian literature for use when I need to explain christian religion to people who are part of that religion.
806954
I stay away from certain labels because they carry so much negativity with some people.  While they may be accurate, other people's reaction to them are unpredictable.  In normal conversation when things like reincarnation, ancient mythology, magic, etc. comes up, I simply share my views on that subject.  New people get to understand my views one at a time.  Eventually they learn enough about me to figure out that I am a neo-pagan.  I'm in no hurry---they can learn about all of me, not just my religion.
794395
It's because they are worried about that person's soul and are scared that the pagan in question will go to hell. \n\nPersonlly, unless asked to pray for someone, I never tell anyone who I pray for. I do so in private and it's between me and God. To announce it is to show off, in my opinion. I really have no problem pagans lighting candles for me (a few of my friends do this because of my health problems). It's kinda the same thing. You're asking your diety to watch over said person.
445373
SOME religious people get easily offended because they were convinced by their church that they have THE truth. So they cannot conceive that other people are saying something different.\n\nI think that sometimes people are offended because they realise that others are telling a truth that they are not capable of accepting yet. I'm glad these people get offended, because that means that in the near future, they might get free from the ties of religion.
495518
I'm not offended by the term 'witch', its no different from being called Pagan now. Most people use the term witch and pagan interchangeably, or at least among the other pagans I know.\n\nBut I AM offended by people who attack us Pagans as if we're some dirty low trash. This is coming from a girl in a Catholic school with otherwise-nice Catholic teachers, except there was one morning they did a Catholic reflection and called us pagans people of 'aimless prayer', which I found extremely offensive. I was that much short of confronting the teacher who said it.
907033
No, Pagans don't try to convert me, that is why i feel that Christians are evil, and since Pagans let me be to do my own thing, they are good people to me.
862067
There is a lot of good within the Religion, for those that can actually get thru the media hype and those that are sometimes labelled "Fluffy" because they only use the glamour they find in it and not really delve into the religion itself.  Though, personally, I am not a Wiccan, I'm Pagan... I have found good within it.\n\nJust be sure to actually study what you find others saying about it.  Like with all Religions, not everyone within the Religion knows what they are talking about.  *smile*
561800
Man you are coming with some good questions!! People that keep their minds in little small boxes are scared to see the big truth. They are comfortable in their little box, full of narrow mindness and ignoarance. You are absolutely right my freind, when you tell people something that goes against what they have learned or even better, things that they don't know, they get so offended and take it personal!! How can people love to be in denial!??! Doesn't it remind you of the narrowed minded people that were told that the Earth was round and the public killed them!?!?
1054334
I myself , as a pagan, have wondered that same question many times. the best thing I can think of is that even though we have advanced as a people, there are many who still hold true the values and mores taught to them by family members over the years. What can I say, old habits die hard. THink about it this way, if you are told something by your parents, who was by their parents, who was told by their parents, et cetera, it would be really hard for you to accept anything else.\n Back in merry old England (and the isles), pagans/wiccans were purseued by the Christans who were pretty much forcing everyone to their religion. When the elders of the villages wouldn't heed to the 'younger kids' wishes to converet to CHristianity, they would either fabricate or not totally investigate claims of demon worship, human sacrifice, and other such forms of obsene behavior.  I know that is just one such reason many people shun such religions. This ideology and way of thinking just kind of trickled down through generations, and just hasn't exactly gone away. \nThere are just so many reasons, and I just bearly scratched the surface. I just think that it all boils down to people not accepting what they don't understand and relgious zealots to willing to accept anything other than what they know/believe.
387918
Superstitious, religious types need their religion. It tells them what to do, how to act, what to think. It comforts them.  So if you threaten it with tricky questions then they can get very techie.\nSome of them think they have to 'save' other non belivers. They're very annoying.