Despite the fact that Pagans and Wiccans are free to believe and practice the faith and the Craft in any way we choose, there are still certain social mores that we all agree to adhere to, whether we're solitary or in covens. One of those mores is that we agree to not proselytize, or preach, our gospel (from the Old English "god-spell", strangely enough) to others in an attempt to "convert" them to our religion. We value adherents to our religion for their quality and their intelligence, not to increase our numbers of obedient drones. If anything, we need to keep quiet as much as possible about our practices, because we need to stay out the evil eye of people who demonize our ways. (Read "The Witch's Creed". It's different from "The Witch's Rede".)
But, we recognize that we live in a pluralistic society where our's is not the only path of faith. (Yeah, we can definitely see that because we are a minority.) And in that society, people of other religions do incorporate proselytization as the bread and butter of their practice. What with stories of an impending doomsday where certain "enlightened" individuals are responsible for souls of the stubborn and ignorant "nonbelievers", they are all running for cover and trying to shield the rest of us with a book of their doctrine, even though everything is fine and nothing is going wrong. (Or at least substantially abnormal than usual.) It can be frustrating, depending on the approach that the proselytizer takes. (Nobody likes to be woken up at 7 in the morning to be told that they're a dirty sinner and that their beliefs are all wrong, even if they don't even know you and have no basis for judging you.) Of course, it also depends on how you feel about proselytization and how much of a tolerance you have for it. So, I will list different approaches here:
1. An incident with an aggressive proselytizer and an aggressive listener:
Two words: Walk...away. When two people with this personality and two different intents clash, it is never pretty. Walk away, ignore what they say (as frustrating as it is to listen to someone babbling nonsense) and whatever you do, don't use your athame for reasons other than ritual, if you know what I mean. Obviously, neither of you are willing to listen to each other and neither of you are willing to gain insight from each other.
2. An incident with an aggressive proselytizer and a passive listener:
In this situation, if you aren't brave enough to tell the proselytizer to just shut their yap and go away (in a more polite way, of course), then just listen. If you are brave enough, speak up whenever you can. Whenever the person preaching at you comes up with certain talking points or arguments, respectfully refute them with a logical answer. Try to debunk their theories and corner them, so to speak. (It's fun watching them get angry. :D) If you just don't want to listen anymore, just tell them so. Just say, "Listen, friend. You have all the right to tell me what you believe. I likewise have all the right to tell you that I don't believe in that. You won't convince me and I won't convince you, so would you mind calling it quits and agree to disagree?" But, if you can't reason with them or tell them to just go away, just make yourself some tea and cookies (but don't invite them in, of course) and pretend to listen. Nod and say "uh-huh" and wait until they tire themselves out with talking. After that, ask them "Is that all?", say goodbye and let them go.
3. An incident with a passive proselytizer and an aggressive listener:
Don't be rude. One of the virtues that we Pagans hold dear is to "Speak little, listen much." If someone is offering you their wisdom in a respectful and non-judgemental manner (meaning that they didn't start off calling you a dirty sinner or damning you to hell) and came to you in love, then return the favor, no matter how much you don't believe in their doctrine. Refute the arguments you don't agree with respectfully, but don't forget to also point out which you areas you agree with them in. Never assume that you have nothing to learn from someone, no matter what they believe in. Of course, if you just don't want to listen, just say...respectfully.
4. An incident with a passive proselytizer and a passive listener:
In this case, both of you are approaching each other with kindness and respect and it will likely turn out an easy discourse. If you have the time, take that time to not only teach, but to learn as well.
The most important thing about this kind of exchange is that both parties end up parting with food for thought. If neither are willing to do so, then neither should engage in that discourse. Use your good judgement and decide who you are...
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