Pagans, I have a couple of questions?

Question

I'm an atheist. Would you be offended if I wore pagan jewelry? I think it is really beautiful and I have found an Anoth pendant I would love to have. What is the meaning of Anoth?

Would you feel like I was trampling on your beliefs if I wore one? That would never be my intent.

I wore a cross for the longest but was told by christians that it was wrong to wear it if I didn't believe. My parents gave it to me and I think it is pretty. But I did stop wearing it. *shrugs shoulders*

Anyway would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks!

Answer 1

Y'know, if it were I, I'd wear that cross because of it's sentimental value - next to my heart, under my clothes.



As far as wearing something Pagan, sure, go ahead. I don't think anyone will tell you that you have no business wearing it, so don't worry. (And, anyway, the only references I found for "Anoth" are Star Wars stuff - not exactly Pagan religious symbology).



Enjoy the pretty pendant you found!



The only symbol I'd really avoid wearing (at least where it can be seen) is a Thor's hammer, unless you want Asatruar to think that you're one of the Kindred. I do know know this for a fact, but it MAY be that this would be inappropriate if you're not a worshipper of the Gods of the Vanir.



It was very very nice of you to ask.

Answer 2

I don't think wearing an a Ankh, or pentacles, hexagrams, triple moons, triskeles, triquetras or anything of that nature would offend most Pagans at all. By Anoth, do you mean Ankh? It's a ancient Egyptian symbol that means everlasting life. I have very old one that I inherited, and although I don't wear it, I still think it's beautiful.



Now, on the other hand, I would advise against wearing a Thor's hammer and especially never an Valknut (which is a symbol of Odin) Why? Because they are symbols of dedication to Norse Gods, to wear them without truly respecting the Gods would be see as a insult. You would be mistaken as an Asatruar and when other Heathens find out you're not, you might get an earful.



And to the poster above me, Heathen is someone who practices the native European religions, and we tend to be very serious about it. Just because Christians use it as an insult for someone who has no religion, doesn't make it so.

Answer 3

Let's see. Am I an Atheist or a Pagan? A Pagan is considered to be a heathen. I think I qualify for both, although heathen has one nasty definition totally unacceptable! I think you should wear whatever jewelry pleases you. Only the insecure in their beliefs would take offense. The cross does NOT "belong" to Christians!



Edit: Safe to say I'm an Atheist. One who does not believe in the existence of a god or gods. A Pagan is referred to as a "heathen." Now, a heathen doesn't believe in any of the world's chief religions, (nor does an Atheist), but included in the definition of heathen is, "one regarded as lacking culture or moral principles." I'm really getting an education here! Sort of confusing. One thing I know, & that is what I am NOT.

Answer 4

you do no longer ought to stress approximately little issues. have you ever had a recipe which you have been attempting to make yet you probably did no longer have each and all the climate so which you worked with what you had and the meal got here out only fantastic? nicely this is a similar with any ritual or workout. Now, once you're speaking spell artwork, that's a tad distinctive. could be waiting to alter yet only gotta be careful that what you alter nonetheless works. in case you do no longer experience like doing a ritual for a Sabbat then do no longer. you're able to do an hassle-free attributable to the divine and save on. i think of that with a view to call your self a Pagan you fairly ought to a minimum of expertise a good draw to the assumption of Paganism. yet this is my opinion. what's actual is which you do no longer ought to do magick or perhaps rituals to be Pagan.

Answer 5

Pagan is just a word that is used to describe people like us who believe in something other than Christianity. And I don't think it is wrong to wear a cross, because a cross by it's self can mean anything you want it to, that's the problem with people and religions who are narrow minded, like Catholicism (proper name for the religion of Catholics) they think that a cross or crucifix can only mean one thing, and that it should only mean one thing, and that is that you are automatically a christian, or a catholic. It can mean anything though. And yes I think it would be perfectly okay for you to wear an Anoth pendant.

Answer 6

believe it or not most pagans that i know really wouldn't care one way or another. it is just how you see it. if you see something as pretty why not it's not like they would hunt you down or anything you just might wind up in a few conversations by accident. and here the thing most jewelry was made to be worn by most any body and for a christian to point that out to you means that they really dont know anything about the religion, for instance what about the celtic cross it's a symbol for a country.

Answer 7

The biggest thing you'll ever learn about wiccans and pagans is they pretty much live and let live, I can't believe any of the ones I know would be offended by someone wearing jewelry that has symbolic meaning for their faith. They'd take it as a compliment.



Google Anoth, you'll find a ton of definitions.

Answer 8

No, and if that cross means more to you than a pentagram then wear it. Do not let people run your life. You can allways say that your parents gave it to you and means a lot to you. Yes I am a pagan. If that helps.

Answer 9

What??? Tell those Christians to go to Hell and wear if you want to. Obviously it must have some meaning for you to wear it in the first place. Worry more about what something means to you and not so much about what things mean to other people!

Answer 10

I wouldn't care, I don't think the Chinese take offense to all those people who get Chinese characters tattooed on their bodies. There are a lot of people who wear different jewelery and tattoos that have meanings they don't know about or believe in.

Answer 11

It was very polite of you to ask but as a fellow atheist, I just wanted to speak to the people who answered. I'm impressed at the acceptance reflected in the answers. It's nice to know that there are spiritual people who are willing to treat those who don't agree with them as people rather than potential converts or enemies.

Answer 12

You can wear what YOU feel good in. Maybe the symbolic jewerly is a sort of a "calling" to you. Life IS a journey!

Answer 13

Sure, why not? If it makes you happy, then wear it. Jewelry can have personal meanings too.



Anoth? I found some links for you!

Answer 14

I'm Wiccan. I don't particularly care. If you think it's pretty, wear it. They're just symbols anyway. :)

Answer 15

I have ornaments of Hindu Deities and im not Hindu.

Answer 16

I dont think they would mind at all .... i think they would find it beautiful also

the ones i know at least would