Have You Ever Suffered Discrimination As A Pagan?

[Enid]

In this respect, I'm pretty lucky.Why? Because people don't recognize hammers. I can wear one openly at work and have no problems. A rather amusing incident was when I was at work, a little old lady walked up to me to say that my necklace was pretty and ask what it was. When I told her it was a Hammer of Thor, she said "Oh, well I don't know who that is, but it's pretty!" and then walked away.

 
Oddly enough, I was assumed to be a racist for wearing a hammer by a co-worker about 5 years ago. I wear a much more stylized hammer now.

[Vale]

Have any of you suffered discrimination as a pagan? I must admit that I've never suffered any form of discrimination out there as a pagan. I've been attacked on-line by people that believe that I have to be black to worship the Egyptian gods but that was a couple of years ago and every once in a while someone will find my video's and make comments that are stupid but out there, no.

Like the other responders from the UK my answer is also no.

I don't make a real secret of my religious affiliations but neither do I shout it from the roof tops. I think most people who know me in real life either know for sure or suspect.

[Jack]

Yeah, I think that the large thor-like men really scared them. They would scare me if I saw them with period weaponry. Glad that they had enough sense to leave it at threats and not do anything else to you and the group.

 
As long as you're not threatening anyone, they're some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I shudder to think what would have happened if we'd been a less-armed variety of pagan, though.

[Gaudior]

Have any of you suffered discrimination as a pagan? I must admit that I've never suffered any form of discrimination out there as a pagan. I've been attacked on-line by people that believe that I have to be black to worship the Egyptian gods but that was a couple of years ago and every once in a while someone will find my video's and make comments that are stupid but out there, no.

 

No, not really. No one really cares what you do around here, except the loud fundies who preach on the street corners. But even the Christians around here can't stand them. Flea markets sell pagan stuff all the time around here, and our summer festivals do as well. I had classes with a pagan once, and we sat for an hour talking about it, and a couple other classmates joined in too, out of curiosity.

I've found that I can soften the blow if I get to know the person, and then they find out I'm Pagan. That way, it's not such a surprise, because they know what type of person I am anyhow.

[mandrina]

Oddly enough, I was assumed to be a racist for wearing a hammer by a co-worker about 5 years ago. I wear a much more stylized hammer now.

 
At my old job before we moved, I had people who thought a Brigid's cross was a swastika.  I had to educate the whole D--n day shift.

[mandrina]

At my old job before we moved, I had people who thought a Brigid's cross was a swastika.  I had to educate the whole D--n day shift.

 
And I didn't say pagan, I said st Brigid.  I'm not out, things
s that were said convinced me that being out is not a good thing.

[Gaudior]

At my old job before we moved, I had people who thought a Brigid's cross was a swastika.  I had to educate the whole D--n day shift.

Really? But Catholic's wear it all the time in honor of St. Brigid. Wow, that's insane.

[mandrina]

Really? But Catholic's wear it all the time in honor of St. Brigid. Wow, that's insane.

 
what really scared me was that they would not say anything to a Nazi.  A new person had asked what kind of cross it was, I answered in terms of st brigid, and that's when the other nurses spoke up.  threw me for a loop.

[Jack]

Really? But Catholic's wear it all the time in honor of St. Brigid. Wow, that's insane.

 
Eh, there's plenty of people who think all kinds of weird things about Catholics, too.

[Laveth]

I live in North Texas, where as long as you're a good neighbour, and not worshipping purple crystals in a pink tutu at the town square...

I think I know what my next Halloween costume will be....

[Gaudior]

Eh, there's plenty of people who think all kinds of weird things about Catholics, too.

 

Good point.

[RandallS]

Really? But Catholic's wear it all the time in honor of St. Brigid. Wow, that's insane.

Yes, the inability to tell what is basically an equal arm cross from a swastika is somewhat insane.

[Asch]

Have any of you suffered discrimination as a pagan? I must admit that I've never suffered any form of discrimination out there as a pagan. I've been attacked on-line by people that believe that I have to be black to worship the Egyptian gods but that was a couple of years ago and every once in a while someone will find my video's and make comments that are stupid but out there, no.

 
Yep, I lost a life long friend and earned harassment and abuse for coming 'out'. I don't give a shit in that case because my life my choice but holy shit did it throw me for a loop. The 'friend' that went ape and sicced a pack of bigots on me was the witchiest person I knew.

I don't advertise who and what I am unless asked or someone I trust shows an inclination. Some of my coworkers know and don't care but I also work for a progressive international internet based company and I also work from home via the web. So. Yeah.

I also get away with a lot by referring to grove meet ups as pot lucks. Word choice is very important.

I'm in a progressiveish part of the U.S. but my particular county is a patchwork of hippies and vicious fundies with 'normal' people strewn throughout so I tend to just be careful about what I say and do in public.

The jewelry I wear is pretty neutral too. Other pagans seem to pick up on it quickly but it flies by everyone else (I have a pendant with a corvid, another with a tree, and a third is a copper wrapped stone).

[Micheál]

Have you read any of the Freemasonry Chick Tracts? Freemasonry is demon worship, a form of Islam, etc. depending on the tract. I could only find three on the Chick site, but I believe they used to have more.

That's Baphomet?
Good Ol' Boys
The Unwelcome Guest

Thinking about it, I had a Free Presbyterian knock on my door to promote his church. I told him straight away I was a practicing pagan in hopes he would just clear off, but he said, "That's very interesting I've never met one before," and wanted me to inform him about it." (Obviously I knew he didn't and had an agenda)...well he started talking about charities, and when I told him I prefer to donate to our Masonic charities he got real bent out of shape saying it's heretical, and if I came to his church someone would inform me all about it...

I really wouldn't consider that discrimination than an annoying personal difference, but you sure get them.

[Micheál]

what really scared me was that they would not say anything to a Nazi.  A new person had asked what kind of cross it was, I answered in terms of st brigid, and that's when the other nurses spoke up.  threw me for a loop.

Exactly. At an old Missouri job I worked in a warehouse with a neo-Nazi skinhead who has skinhead tattoos everywhere including a big Swastika on the side of his head....and no one would ever think to say anything to him! For employment he did have to put a cap on when customers came from behind the counter into the place, but he had no other issues in his day to day life......some people just think they can capitalise on others.