I read all of everyone's comments and opinions and was inspired to finally wear my pentacle outside my sweater for Yule. Exactly one week later I was fired for "failing to ask permission before I used the FAX machine for personal purposes". This sounds like discrimination to me. The problem is how do I go about not only proving it but fighting it? I'm not a litigation happy person and don't like people who are, but I sincerely feel that my right to freedom of religion has been violated. Also, if I remember right, President Clinton passed a bill into legislature for freedom to express your religion in the workplace. In my job I was surrounded not only by opinionated Mennonites but Clinton-despising Republicans so I guess being a Liberal Witch wasn't the best thing to be in that situation but it wasn't something I shouted from the rooftops either. I kept it pretty discrete and only talked about it when I was asked a direct question. It never once interefered with my job.

This is why I believe that someone saw my pentacle and decided to make trouble.

So, how do I contact the ACLU?

frodis@nbn.net

I am a married mother of three.I was raised in a christian family and I married a christian man.I was afraid to "come out of the broom closet" for about three years because I didn't think they would understand, those three years I felt as if I were living a lie.I finally came out to my best friend first and then to my husband when I saw the support they both gave me I then came out to my mother who had a very negative reaction and then to my grandmother who is very active in her church ...she the one I feared the worst reaction from has given me the most support.I cannot speak for everyone but I have been on both sides and now I wear my pentagram and as far as the few negative responses I have gotten they dont matter as long as my family can love me for who I am I dont really care what others think.I have never been happier and as far as our children we are teaching them about all religions and letting them choose the path thats right for them while trying to teach them religious tolerance.
THSBUN4U@aol.com

Hi. I was very impressed and heart-warmed by the comments from Kustar. It's great to hear of so much stability and intelligence from such a young person!

I grew up and still live in the Northeastern US. I wasn't raised with any particular religious affiliation and whenever I had a question about anything, my mother would say, “Interested? Go read about it!” and I did - a lot. Now, in my 30s, I still read about every religion I can get information on, and although there seems to be a kernel or two of truth in every one of them, Wicca still makes the most sense to me. It seems to address the essence of the world around us more directly than any other system. Others, such as Christianity, Judaism, Hunduism and others often leave me wondering, “so what”. They almost seem like they've been abstracted from reality a few times too many.

I'm not much of a jewelry wearer, but I sometimes wear a pentagram necklace and I have a pentagram sticker on my car. Although my co-workers will sometimes make little jokes (like “Do you cut you 'tha-lah-may' with your 'atha-may'?”) they also ask some serious questions (like “What do you folks believe in”). I've found the pentagram can be a great door-opener to starting dialogs. So far, I haven't run into anyone who has a serious problem with our beliefs. We live next door to an evangelical pentacostal preacher and his church. He's seen the pentagram on the car when we park in front of the church to unload the groceries (or car-loads of fresh herbs) and he didn't mind when we hung up a set of pentagram shaped wind chimes in full view on the porch!

Sometimes I wonder if the key to other peoples' tolerance may be accepting that they may be mis-informed and jump to conclusions - after all, the smear campaign against Wicca and Craft has been going on for a LONG time.
wes

About the question of wearing the pentagrams in public.....

If I'm not allowed to wear my pentacle in public, then I don't think Christians should be able to wear their crosses in public. I have nothing against any other religion. I believe there are different religions just as there are different people. But I also believe in freedom of speech and religion, therefore pentacles should be worn with pride. I sometimes wear a pentacle, but I'm always wearing my goddess pendant. I'm proud of who I am and of the religion I have chosen to follow. If people ask me about what it means, I simply tell them. If people accuse me of being a devil-worshipper, I try to explain to them that I'm not. However, if they are so close-minded that they can't understand it, I simply walk away. I don't have time to waste away by arguing with them if they are "set in their ways." Let them believe what they want to. I try to set them straight, but I can only say so much. It gets to me sometimes, but I try not to let it. After all, our religion is one of peace, so I try to give myself peace by accepting things, regardless whether I agree with them or not. Once again, my main thought is no pentacles, no crosses. That would be discrimination against religion.
Aurora

I'm 15 years old and am very involved in wicca right now. I wear my beautiful silver and moonstone pentacle everywhere I go, EVERYDAY. It was one of the most expensive things I have ever bought and I intend to show it off. At first, I didn't know if people would ask about it and was a bit scared to go out with it on. People in my high school have a stereotype about wiccans because there's a group of Goths which inadvertantly ruin it for us low-key witches. When people started to ask me about it, I sort of brushed it off and explained what each point meant. Then, someone who was a bit educated asked me if I was wiccan during class. I said yes and then others started listening in on our conversation. They were all surprised because I don't fit the mold of what they would consider a non-Christian. They said "But you're normal." and I replied, "Yes, I am. And there are a lot of other people, who you wouldn't expect, that are just like me." Now, I've become sort of the mentor for the beginner pagans, but that would have never happened unless I spoke out quietly. I think that there is a stereotype because a minority of people who call themselves Satanists speak very loudly. THINGS WE MUST DO TO HELP END PERSICUTION

1) Stop making wicca a hush-hush kind of thing! I know how I felt when I was in my first faze of it. I didn't want anyone else to be like me. I wanted to be unique. But, I, like many others, was fortunate enough to have dicovered this beautiful thing and we need to stop refusing other people from discovering it to.

2) Don't try to convert people. I hate it when people try to do it to me, they would hate it if I tried to do it to them. They'll come around on their own if they want to.

3) Don't let wicca consume your conversations. It makes you sound like it is the ONLY thing in your life (and I know it is a major part of mine), but other people get tired of it.

4) Give answers when questions are asked ALWAYS!

I know our false stereotypes will slowly fade away. But it will take time.

Merry Part and thanks for your time.
*Erin*

I myself am not wiccan, but my boyfriend very much is. I was never brought up to belive in really anything, but on my own I started to take part in Christianity. I think that since I have never really been part of organized religion, i am able to think and interprete believes on my own. My boyfriend wears his pentagram necklace everywhere and i am very supportive of him. If I hear someone say something about it, I will tell them about his religion. I think it is wrong for anyone to say anything about a religion that they know nothing about. I have read all my boyfriend's Wicca books and he is now reading the bible. We have disagreements, but we are very understanding towards each other too. I think to put down someone because of there believes is like putting down someone due to the color of there skin, if not worse. I know a lot of people dont belive this way, but my personal belife is that all Gods/Goddesses are one and everyone has there own way in beliving in him/her wheither he takes the form of a male/female/statue even.
Blessed Be!
~Niki

mine is an interesting case-

i'm going into my Freshman year of highschool this August. my (divorced) mother is a Presbyterian, and is a bit wary of my new wiccan beliefs (i was self-dedicated only a few months ago.) My father and step-mom are into holistic healing, green living, etc, so they are fairly supportive.

My mom still gives me weird looks, but says she's willing to keep an open mind....

Actually, i've actually gotten more heat for being vegetarian than being a Witch- but that doesn't mean i haven't gotten my share of comments. one of my most interesting encounters was with an eight year old that i went to summer school with recently (there was some age diversity, it was, after all, a pottery class). She asked me if i could float things and levitate, blah blah blah. Apparently she'd seen "The Craft". i explained to her calmly a bit what being a witch is really about, she seemed to think it was okay. at least i wasn't called 'devil worshipper', as is the cliche.

i feel i was always somewhat drawn to the craft, especially through one of my best friends, who became wiccan a year before me. i remember once seeing a book on witchcraft on her bookshelf- i picked it up right away with an open mind...now i think it was the Lady calling me, though i waited another year before actively choosing my path.

many thanks for listening, and Blessed Be. )O(
~trillyan

Never having been viewed as one of the saner crowd, I can get away with a lot! However, coming out of the broom closet more and more lately seems, so far, to have had more benefits than not. I find it interesting that when I went into a local metaphysical bookstore with my spouse recently, we looked a little too normal for the room, I guess. I could feel the discomfort and curious looks (we probably looked too conservative to be there, particular my husband, since we had just attended one of his company's meetings). I have since returned, on a normal day, with my so-called earth-mother type apparel, pentacle shining, amethysts and citrines blazing in silver settings with goddess figures, etc. Got a lot more smiles and acknowledgements. I don't begrudge this, I am wary too. A particularly over-zealous fundamentalist ripped the Darwin fish from my son's car once. I guess we could have prosecuted her for damaging private property, etc. Instead, we seem to pity her, clean up the mess, shrug and get on with life.

I have taken a lot of heat in the past (sans pentacle, I might add) for my political stance which had nothing directly to do with Wicca. I was very active in women's rights issues. People pulled their kids out of our Girl Scout troop, wouldn't let me babysit when I had been the only stay-home Mom on the block, and my son got 'dis-invited to a birthday party because his Mom was too "controversial", etc. Our local scouting council supported me, and I was proud of them, for once!

I have had one remark from a guest in our house regarding my pentacle trivets....I informed them that the design is a PENTACLE, not a PENTAGRAM, and explained what the points meant and this was a positive thing. I then went on to discuss with them things like my herb garden, the beautiful rose quartz pieces in our living room, and the candles, incense, the boxes, the flowers, etc. that she uses and what some of their meanings are...they are much greater when used with intent and knowledge than just to "look pretty" or "smell good." I wasn't attempting to convert her, but just get her to lighten up a bit. Who knows where that will lead, at least, she will not be so quick to judge on less than reliable information!
Dana

Well in my short youth ( I am 15 ) I have devised much for I have been what is loosely referred to as "Goth" most of my life and have learned to deal with adversity that people bring about. I do not wear a pentacle, just an ankh. Being from the bible belt I get a LOT more grief than many of the wiccans that complain, especially being a witch growing up in a Christian environment (My dad promised the state I would grow up in one [gee thanks dad] ). Anyway: the people I deal with, even the pastor of my family's church call me satanist, devilworshipper etc... with christians, its easy... to keep them under one's thumb use thier religion against them. According to "that god" thou shalt not judge lest ye be judged. Those that say magick isn't real and does not exist (I can only laugh and whisper) Why does your god forbid something that doesnt exist? Its like saying a man shall not lie with a man...If homosexuality did not exist why would there be a ban on it? It makes no sense. People tell me I am going to Hell, and god knows I am and will if I continue. Which brings me to my next point; Does the Christian God know everything? No he cannot know everything and be the loving kind God that "He" is. Because: If God Knew EVERYTHING then he would know who goes to heaven and who does not...right? That totally defeats the purpose of God's primary Gift to humans...Free will. That is to say if "that god" knew everything then life as a whole is utterly pointless.

I am sorry that this sounds like a christian bashing speech, But there is no other way to say these things.

How do we improve our image in the eyes of this world, well Given Much thought i say that this task is virtually impossible. reasons: from a post I read about pentagrams earlier I have an example of why people call you that, if it has not been brought to your attention already. Pentagrams, by christian definition, are blasphemous to them and is just not understood by the average person that only inverted pentagrams are associated with evil. and that the regualar pentagram (one point up) has nothing to do with satan. I am terribly sorry to say so but today in this world the christians dont have enough tolerance of other thing or patience with themselves to see that the problem is coming from themselves. they have a problem so they look for a "devil" to blame it on, and just like in the burning times, Lucky (who) gets fingers pointed at them????

Well my opinion has been voiced, please feel free to email me your responses at Craftmage

Please...no hate mail.

Im15 and go to a school of mostly Christians and on a daily basis get called Satan or an evil child, on occassion I get called a vampire.My pentagram was given to me by my boyfriend Merlyn for Samhain and it means alot to me.I never take it off not even for my parents who are Christian.My boyfriend and I were both tired of all these comments so when it came time for us to do owr research papers for english and Sociology we both choose Wicca as our subjects.We helped each other do our presentations and now the kids in our classes understand Wicca.They even wished us a Merry Yule.Most of the students in our classes now explain to others about Wicca and only a few kids make comments now.
Blessed Be,
Cryssalyss

The question is: do I wear my pentagram in public?

The answer: YES! I make no attempt to hide it and I've worn it for about four years now. In all that time, I've only had one bad experience: about two and a half years ago, I went into a gas station to pay for my purchase and the cashier tried to give me a hard time about being a 'devil-worshipper'. He was firmly convinced - no matter what I said. I just calmly paid for my purchase; walked out of the store, got about halfway to my car...and screamed. Right there among the gas pumps. :D When I did get to my car, the person with me asked, "What was THAT all about?!" to which I whined, "He called me a devil worshipper!!" Next time, I'll deal with it a bit more constructively. I've also had one employer to ask me to hide my pentagram but I didn't stay with the place of employment for very long, for a multitude of reasons.

The most interesting question I've gotten from wearing my pentagram is: 'Are you an Astronomy buff?' and a myriad of questions associated with astronomy. (I'm only a backyard stargazer.)

My pentagram is a symbol of my faith. It is no different than a cross or a star of David. It shouldn't be hidden - go ahead and display it! If someone gets offended or frightened - try to explain the symbology to them in a calm, friendly, peaceful and most of all nonthreatening manner. If they get offended and will not listen to you - then don't waste your time on them. Move on and let their criticism roll off you. If they want to be a boulder on the path of life - let them. Boulders are easy to walk around of or to climb over.
Many Smiles-
Dawn Firewolf

That depends. I where it when I feel a need to and I don't make an effort to hide it although I keep it discreatly placed like I used to keep my cross. If people ask, I explain the meaning of the symbol: the top point represents the SPIRIT which is above the FOUR ELEMENTS represented by the lower four points. This says that the SPIRIT has command of the ELEMENTS. Then I ask them if this is not a better representation of JESUS then to wear the symbol of his earthly destruction. After all, we are supposed to be celebrating his reasurrection, not his passing. Much better to keep a symbol of his power than a symbol of the ignorance of those who did not understand. JESUS and MARY are GOD and GODDESS in my pantheon.

Let a christian try to discredit that explaination away.
fallyn@bellsouth.net

I have been a practicing solitary for many years and have kept myself in the broom closet because I am a high school teacher. I made a commitment to myself this Samhain to "out" myself. So, I've begun wearing my pentagram without drawing particular attention to it. I've received some strange looks from my colleagues who are all Christian. One student said, "Isn't that necklace bad?" I just replied, "No, it represents the elements of the earth and spirit." Each Halloween season, I show a videotape of real witch practices (legally taped from tv shows and used within 30 days!) and some students have wondered aloud if I am a witch or they ask me what my religion is. I don't answer truthfully because I fear retribution by the school board. But I do tell them that it doesn't matter what my religion is as long as I am still a good teacher, so they accept that.

There are times that I choose not to wear my pentagram because it doesn't match my outfit! Sometimes, I put it inside my blouse . I do have one all-black outfit I wear with my pentagram and a necklace that has a moon and star on it.

I hope that by "outing" myself, I'll help all Pagans find the religious freedom that Christians have found.

Blessed Be!
Diana

i don't have a pentagram yet because of money & also because of my parents. but if i did i would definitly wear it everywhere! i do, however, have a (what ia call) "claw holding a crimsom orb" and a Myrrdin neclace. I am pretty much out of the "broom closet" and have had situations but i hath survived!

A friend of mine wore her pentagram once & someone asked her if it was a Star of David. we all found this quite amusing. my friends & i have had nasty rumers against us(all of which mad no sense) my friends were said to have no shadows & i was(& probably still am) thought to eat spiders.

Once a friend of mine was feeling somewhat silly. she pointed a pencil at this guy & said "poof" a week later he got sick & said she had put a curse on him. :OI

Sometimes the ignorance of others is just too much to bear. & if i had a pentagram i would wear it constantly.
RavenLodin

The most negative comment i receive is that i am going to hell or i am a satanist.....we must remember that most people are uneducated as to what wicca means to us. I cannot go somewhere i do not believe exists as one person has already posted here nor can i be something which i do not believe exists(satan). The funniest comment i get is, "Are you Jewish?" LMAO!!! Ok...sure....the answer to that is no....most people have been very accepting of it and do not push their views on me nor I, them. I am lucky to live somewhere where christianity is not the only accepted religion, where many are still buddhists, where a multicultural society exists and is more tolerant than any mainland state has ever been to anywhere regardless of colour or religion.
overkill@hula.net

If people want to be so close-minded as to criticize people for their beliefs, let them. It isn't their belief and we don't go around shoving it in thier faces like they do, so they should just leave people alone. They don't like to have people knock thier way of life, so they should take a step back and stay out of it. We don't criticize people for wearing crosses so why should they criticize us for wearing pentagrams.
Frybear@hotmail.com

I'm a junior in college, a solitary Wiccan for a year now...I wear my pentacle jewelry proudly, I have two sets of silver earrings and a pendant (I saw this bracelet in the store the other day--I must have it :) So far, I have only encountered my family, fellow students, and fellow employees with it. I've gotten lots of questions, but most of them are just plain curiousity and none of them are "satan" questions...it seems all the people _I_ know right now have at least heard of The Craft. My closer friends and I often joke about it, saying I am a goat-sacraficing pagan, devil worshipper, going to rot in hell, etc. They know I am nothing of the sort, but we get a laugh. I think it is important to keep humor in the situation. Obviously, it is not funny when persecution or violence ensues, however, when dealing with the common ignorant or curious person, take it easy on them, get a laugh out of it. They really don't know how stupid they sound!
Madeleine

I know I'm the minority here, but I haven't had a problem with idiots hasseling me since highschool (3 years ago). I do wear a pentagram ring, and sometimes other things, in public and I haven't been bothered yet ("Thank the Lady"). I mentioned being wiccan to a former classmate recently and he laughed, at the time I merely thought he had found my choice amusing. Later I found out that he had decided to follow the wiccan path as well. Blessed be!
Bran "Druid Dubh" ShadowWolf

It's time to stop explaining and apologizing. Me mate and I both have large pentagrams on our vehiciles, a large station wagon and a motorcycle. Since the cross has been nailed up by the christians everywhere, it is accepted. I say put up pentagrams! You may get hassled a little but it's worth it! If we keep cute little pentagrams, and ready to apologize and hide them, people think it's bad. When you have big in-your-face pentagrams only the real zealots have anything to say. (and then they leave a mis-spelled note and sneak away) Would you believe that even the most brimestone-and-fire fanatic will not even leave a note to save the soul of a biker with a pentagram on his windshield? So much for "do not hide your light"! Large pentagrams also attract other pagans, so you have intellegent people to speak to in parking lots.
Brightest Blessings
Drakos of Outer Gate

I work with Christians and Baptists. When I started working they called me, Satanist, Demon, I have even been called anti- christ. All because I wore a pentacale. I explained to them what I knew of the religon and the balance it has with nature. Most understood what I was talking about and some didn't. Those that didn't were the managers. I have talked to them about it, and they still don't. Finally, one of them told me to hide it and he had a cross hanging out from around his neck. I told him that it was distrinating me from my freedom of religon, my freedom of speech, and my freedom of rights. If I had to "hide" my pentacale, he had to "hide" his cross. He hasn't said anything to me about it for the past month or so. When dealing with closed minded people, keep calm and explain to them what the religon stands for. If you lose your temper you will lose the arguement. The only thing I could say to help get rid of the negativity upon being a "witch" is to show you are one and that you mean no harm, only help. -- Caine75@aol.com

Yes i do where pentagrams in public sometimes i dont just cause i dont have the time to put it on. And only my friends who have christian or cathloic parents ask me to hide my pentagrams and i respect that they dont want their parents fliping on them saying they dont want them around me or that im a bad influence. Well when people say that im a "SATANIST" i will tell them i dont belive in satan and that i belive that there is some sort of evil, some people will ask ????? and ill answer but sometimes when up to 5 or more people say im satanic in one day ill flip and say "DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE RELIGION??? THEY OF CORSE DONT BUT SAY ITS WRONG AND THAT IM GOING TO HELL so i try to explain my belifs and they dont listen or care so then i just dont bother and walk away because people who dont atleast try to understand that i belive what i belive and they cant do anything about it arnt worth the time to explain and if they dont except me because of who i am they arnt going to be in my life forever so i just see them and dont say anything unless they talk to me and sometimes they come back wanting to understand and i give them the info they want and leave it at that. I think we all together can do something mabe if we made a world wide paper that would state who we are what we belive and all answer the quoestions that people think are whats causeing us to be evil.. of we could go to make a movie with our real life and make a comerical on tv that says something about the truth about witchcraft and the real witches life.. there probley is more ways then that but i think that these are the best ways to get through to the people about us

well thanks for listening
BLESSED BE TO YOU AND ALL

Melissa
daughter of bashforth

No i never wear a pentagram in public, bu ti do wear elekes, aka collares, which are colored beaded necklaces denoting which orishas one is dedicated to. This is the santeria/lucumi tradition. White people either don't notice or think they are just colorful, but Spanish people stare, steer clear, or smile depending on their feelings. I don't wear them hanging out either, but w/ seven of them on at one time, you can see them around my neck. -- MeccaStar@aol.com

I am a fifteen year old student from an all boys high school that is populated by a lot of ignorant biased people. I wear my pentacle in public, so that makes me a target. If anyone says something I send it back you them with an analogy. ie: if they ask me to cast a spell I simply say "why don't you pray to your diety instead" or if their athiests "but you don't believe it will work, so why bother?"

What ever happens I just calmly answer what ever questions they have. Point out that their being prejudaced and how would they like it If I went around insulting their religion. -- Michael

I had a thought on the comment-wearing my pentagram in public-- I go to highschool and kids often ask about it in a annoying way. many people think it has somthing to do with the devil, that i worship the devil. it can be very irratating. i wish people would get the diffrence. -- ZZ500@aol.com

I have been wearing a pentagram ring for the nine months I have been seriously involved in the Craft. I haven't had one comment, sly look or reaction from anyone I know!! Having read some of the things that others have experienced, I don't know whether I should feel left out, or happy that people know me well enough to trust in my choice of life!! -- Kali Valkyrie

I have a pentagram ring that was given to me by a very special friend...the friend that actually initiated me into the wiccan culture...I wear my ring everyday. I have received many comments and have actually lost several so called friends because of it. When I am questioned about it or told that it is Satanic I simply inform the person that my beliefs do not hold with the existance of a devil or anything as such and that infact the pentagram is nothing more than a symbol of unity between all the forces of nature and the human spirit, and merely is a guide to show me my place in the universe and remind me that everything that I do has a direct impact on those things as well. Many do not believe or understand and for that I am truely sorry, however for those that express an interest or wish to study further I hope that in some way I can direct them on a good path.. -- KEIHANNA@aol.com

I am a bit shy commenting since I do not own a Pentagram but after reading your comments decided it needs to go on my wish list. However, just wanted to emphasize my personal belief that the world is more complex spiritually than either/or and that I am BOTH a Catholic and a solitary apprentice into Witchcraft. I am going through the process for the last couple of years of merging all of my beliefs into my own personal religion. I think for right now since I wear a cross and it has great meaning for me that I am at the ecliptical "merge" point and will begin to wear a Pentagram as well. I need to express who I am with my jewelry and this would express who I am today. Since I wear my cross all of the time, I would wear my pentagram all of the time as well. For me, it has been interesting wearing my cross to work since I work with a group of environmentalists and NONE of them wear crosses. I "feel" the difference more than the outright public acts of ignorance noted above. Thanks. -- JILL

Hello...my name is *Zandra*...I am a Solitary, eclectic Wiccan, and have been so for over a year. I grew up with my dad in a coven as a child, and my mother ignoring the fact that he was. Needless to say, my parent's are divorced now. I have searched far and wide for my spirituality, but I decided to go back to my Wiccan roots. I feel so happy and free as a Witch. It truly has changed my life for the better.

I wear my silver pentacle in public...but I cannot believe the looks that I get from people. I mean come on, this is 1999, not 1692...when are people going to realize that we do not worship Satan and we aren't evil? If a person asks me about Wicca with a sincere interest..then I will answer truthfully and nicely. If someone has rude comments and thinks they can "save" me...then I have to walk away...it isn't worth waisting my breath. I told my own mother that I am Wiccan, she called me an "evil little witch". MY OWN MOTHER!!!

My husband is not Wiccan, but he accepts that I am. I also have two young girls...when they are old enough, I will teach them about Wicca and let them decide for themselves. I was lucky to have my dad in a coven. It taught me to respect every one and their beliefs...no matter who or what they are. I also have my dad's support and that is the best for me.

Our voice needs to be heard...and we need to get across the message that WE ARE NOT EVIL...so that us Witches can finally live in peace. We are normal just like everyone else. We have feelings just like everyone too. My mom hurt my feelings by calling me evil...and for that I will never forget it. It was uncalled for...and so are the comments of others.

I still continue to wear my pentacle in public...I will never take it of...I also have a pentacle tattoo. I am happy and free!!!

Love
*Zandra* )0(

Hi

I have worn my pentacle in public, but in my job now I don't wear too many necklaces...work in Vet hospital, animals could get caught in them as I hold them, but I have a pentacle tattooed on my shoulder, so it is quite visible and permanent. I do wear tank tops and sleevless shirts at work so all can see it I've never had any problems at work, no comments .

In the past I've only had one or two comments, about wearing my necklace. One when I worked in a pet shop and some people came in, to buy products and for some reason the wife upon leaving came up to me and told me that Jesus loved me I just said thank you but I didn't believe in that religion btw, my pentacle necklace was smaller at the time and couldn't be seen. She came ot me and said I know you are a pagan, follow Jesus he is the way I just smiled and walked away. Funny thing about Wicca and Paganism, we don't need to drum up business people just seem to find their way.

Another time I was with a friend in a bar having drinks, and another one of her friends came over to talk, he looked at me and my pentacle and told me that he was very dissapointed in me I didn't even know him. I just sat there not saying a word, just looking at him, he wanted a confrontation and I wouldn't give it to him, I think my silence made him nervous because he didn't stay very long. But after he left he kept looking our way, a little nervously.
CatDancer

I do not own or wear a pentagram.
cptn@olywa.net

Maybe it's me but in I live in Australia and people over here really don't give a rats what religion you are. I ALWAYS wear my pentacle. I have two necklaces - a big one and a small one. I wear the big one all the time but if I'm going out to a function like a ball, I will wear the smaller one (size of a quarter - 10 cent coin to Aussies and New Zealanders). I have been asked what a pentacle is and why I wear it. I'm honest and tell people I'm a witch - I ain't ashamed of it!

At work, out with friends anywhere, it never comes off. There is a Mormon and a very strict Catholic at my work. Out of the two of them the Mormon is quite accepting of my beliefs and has no problem with it, however the Catholic says that she just can't get why I'd want to be like that (even though as a Catholic, she's commiting a sin by getting divorced - go figure huh?) and the best thing is, there's another wiccan and a druid at my work.

My husband and I are both witches and openly display it, in fact we both have pentacle tattoos. My personal belief is each to his own, beliefs are beliefs because WE believe them, not because we are TOLD to believe them.

Long live religious diversity around the world
Blessed be Moonshae

I live in a small midwestern town, and I wear my pentacle all the time in the form of a ring on my left index finger. I have had both positive and negative reactions from people who have noticed it, and lots of questions regarding what it is. I usually smile sweetly and reply " my mother in law was really big into Eastern Star, and my husband gave me the ring " if I anticipate a negative response. These two things are totally true, but have absoulutely nothing to do with each other. So I am not really lying, but not really stating what it represents. When my son graduates from the school here, I will be able to be more open about what I believe. I have met many other Pagans who see it and recognize its true meaning, so I think it is a good thing to wear it in public.
cindy@ccrtc.com

Personally, I am a junior high school student (grade 8)and I wear my pentagram whenever I feel like it...be it at school, home, or out around town. My town is extremely small and very, very, VERY judgemental. Most of the residents are old, fairly if not extravagantly rich and very blunt. I have had numerous people go out of their ways to attempt to either convert or make fun of me. I believe the most bizarre experience I've had would have to be the following:

I was standing in line at the grocery store and this woman was standing behind me. She had to be in her late 70s. I turned around to take an item out of the cart and put it on the counter and she caught a glimpse of my bracelet. It was one of those ones with the little chain attached to a matching ring and there were pentagrams or both the bracelet and ring. She looked at me oddly but didn't say a word. When I was just about to leave, she said, rather loudly, "Excuse me? I know I must seem rather prying but are you one of those devil worshippers?" Several people stopped and turned to stare. I very politely replied, "No, ma'am, I am not. And pardon, ME for being frank but I don't believe it would be any of your business even if I were as long as I'm not trying to convert you." And I smiled and left the store.

I find it ignorant of people to tell us why we shouldn't believe what we do, then be unable to prove their beliefs by anything other than faith when they expect us to have proof!!! I try to be very polite and explain to people, but occasionally I just lose my temper and get totally pissed at the world.

The worst is the 'preps' at my school who are totally unforgiving of you if you don't meet the requirements of being their friend. But I say, it's a choice; and whatever you choose: