The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum

So I have run into a small problem and I really don't know what to do about it. My Father and his side of the family are all christian, My Mother and her side are almost all Christian. My Grandmother however is Pagan. She has been such an inspiring and helpful part of my life. My mother asked me when I plan on getting "serious" about my spiritual life? I really didn't know what she was talking about at first. She went on to explain that I was raised in a a Christian home and that I need to get back to my Christian roots if I am to "save us all a lot of heart ache". I spoke with my Grandmother about this and she has been somewhat reluctant to get involved as she really would rather stay out of the families drama over beliefs, which I completely understand. I guess I'm just curious if anyone has had to deal with this, and if so... How did you do it?

 
I've been lucky as my mother has no idea that I'm Pagan, unlike my sister. She knows that my sister is pagan and is against it. However, my sister pretty much keeps her spiritual practices to herself and doesn't let anyone know, other than those on the net. Since I'm a Kitchen Witch/Hedgewitch and practice Wicca from time to time, I've managed to keep my practice on the down low. Of course she knows not to bother me with any of her beliefs as I've told her that I'm an adult and I have my own life.

Sorry that your going through this. Hope what I'm saying helps.

Actually you could just say that sentence to them...

Update! Over the last month or so things have gotten MUCH better. I think my family is really starting to understand. They may not fully understand how I believe and I really don't think they want to lol But that is ok, they are at least trying.

So I have run into a small problem and I really don't know what to do about it. My Father and his side of the family are all christian, My Mother and her side are almost all Christian. My Grandmother however is Pagan. She has been such an inspiring and helpful part of my life. My mother asked me when I plan on getting "serious" about my spiritual life? I really didn't know what she was talking about at first. She went on to explain that I was raised in a a Christian home and that I need to get back to my Christian roots if I am to "save us all a lot of heart ache". I spoke with my Grandmother about this and she has been somewhat reluctant to get involved as she really would rather stay out of the families drama over beliefs, which I completely understand. I guess I'm just curious if anyone has had to deal with this, and if so... How did you do it?

This may not be particularly helpful, but I had a rather odd if not perhaps applicable situation with my mother.  My mother never really had any problem with me studying other religions and in fact had no problem with me practicing magic even when I was living with her.  What she did have a problem with was with me identifying myself as any other than Catholic.  Her belief was that I was baptized, so I was Catholic for the rest of my life whether I liked it or not.  So, I didn't openly identify myself as a Pagan until after she passed away.  If asked directly I would say I was raised Catholic, which was true.  I still don't generally talk about my religious beliefs with anyone except close friends.  Not because I'm ashamed of my beliefs or practices but, rather because they are simply no one else's business and quite frankly it's generally not worth the discussion that follows.

In any case, I don't know if my story helps at all.  If your parents are more interested in what you call yourself than what you actually do then it may not be really worth the fight.  If they want to attend church with them then that's another story.  I'm not advocating outright lying, but a little creative evasion can work wonders sometimes.