I have been a practicing pagan for 15 years. In that time I have noticed some men assume that means you are a tad loose...paganism +females=wild orgies. However I think it is contextual, how is it that your religious beliefs are being introduced into a social setting? I find that my beliefs promote more interest when I am at a Festival or in a setting where I am willing to be a bit shocking...or once someone has seen my tattoos. In either case my shirt is off or open, so I am probably more likely to inspire sexual questions. I think since the public's view of paganism has been tilted slightly by the modern media-films,tv etc-there are expectations of robed naked goddessses willing and ready to cavort for hours with a multitude of men...Actually that sounds kinda fun-oops lost my train of thought. What I mean to say is that it is all in the presentation,be careful of who you present your style of worship to-I for one rarely worship sky clad-mostly because my coven is in a residential zone...My look at those cavorting nekkid pagans prancing through our yard...bless their little hearts. Are you a recent pagan-or just recently open about it? I'd be happy to offer more advice but I need more specific stuff to work with-
Blessed Be
Ive been open for almost 2 years now, and i always run into problems.... maybe its because im a crazy female who knows. i wear a pentacle roung my neck, so pretty much everyone sees it. im happy with letting everyone know that im open and happy with my religion. i even went to a "church" once with my sister, and the pastor started hitting on me. im just wondering guys ... why? I have no probs with orgies.... i better shut my mouth! lol
ps i like the siggy!
I've been a practicing witch for over 25 years and have been out of the broom closet pretty much from the start.
I'm a Dianic witch, which means that I do not circle or do ritual with men (save for a private Beltane and Midsummer ritual with my SO) and acknowledge no male energy in circle or ritual.
I think what I'm trying to say is that I have managed to keep my spiritual and sexual lives separate, and avoid situations where they might come in conflict.
I suppose that makes me sound very prudish. I prefer prudent.
The perception of us is that we are always doing the happynekkidpagandance at the drop of a hat. Part of this is public expectation: the Gardnerian trad did work skyclad, partly because Gerald Gardner liked looking at naked women. Therefore -- since it is the foundation of modern wicca -- all witches work skyclad.
I do for some ritual; at home and inside the house. At some of our open Dianic gatherings, women will wear layers of clothing that they can discard as the energy raises the temperature of the room, though few take off everything.
My own advice is to just persevere and treat the predators with a distant kindness, unless it's Beltane and you are really interested. Eventually your manner will do the work for you.