outside skepticism

[sammytantha]

hey guys! I read this really depressing article on how the industrial revolution made the mainstream want to doubt and critique pagan religions such as wicca. I was wondering if any of you have dealt with a lot of skeptism about your faith from people when they find out you are wiccan?

[Bychan Wulf]

I don't think the industrial revolution was what the trigger. In my opinion people still suffer from the fear of the Inquisition. They were taught that there is only one true religion and every other belief is just a sin.
In my country there are only two religions accepted: Christianity and Islamism.
If you say you're pagan or Wiccan it automatically means you're Satanist and people fear and avoid you.
Witchcraft is also not accepted and considered a Satanist practice.
Actually,people trust praying to the bones of a Saint will help them more that Reiki,meditation and natural healing methods.

[SpiritTalker]

I haven't had much skepticism. It's either out right refuting or a thoughtful curiosity. People who know me are curious. One time, the grocery store clerk asked what my pentacle meant. While I explained the 5 points, the clerk, the bagger, the lady in line behind me and two more ladies who were one isle over, listened respectfully and thanked me for the explanation.

This is balanced by head on confrontation. A coworker slammed me pretty hard for wearing a crystal pendant ( I worked in a Catholic environment). I just said my crystal meant the same thing to me as the crucifix she wore meant to her. Took it down a notch.