There have been a lot of people who encounter people who see the pentacle as something evil. It's no secret that many people have the misinformed belief that the pentacle (or pentagram) is a symbol of the Devil, some sort of evil symbol or whatever. However, there have also been people who take the wrong approach to correcting someone who has this point of view. How is any situation going to be resolved if you fire back at someone with the same hate-filled attitude they're giving you?
Here I offer a solution to those coming at you with misinformed assumptions about your choice in jewellery, belief, whatever: Calm, quite, and rational approaches.
Situation 1: Wearing the Pentacle/gram
If someone were to walk up to you and ask you if you know what the symbol you are wearing means, you simply reply: "Yes, I do" and leave it at that. Should they continue with "Well, do you know it's an evil symbol?" You don't go off on a raging tangent about how you DON'T BELIEVE IN THE DEVIL OR BEING EVIL!!! That will just fall on deaf ears and lead to their own tangent about how you are A SERVANT OF THE DEVIL AND ARE GOING TO HELL!!!
How do you respond to someone who thinks the symbol you see as representing your beliefs as evil? Certainly not by yelling at them, that's for sure. Try the "calm, quiet, and rational" approach I stated above. If someone comes to you and says "Well, don't you know it's an evil symbol?", you reply "That may be your opinion (however misinformed), however I personally see it differently. You have your opinions and I have mine, and as I see it, it is a representation of the forces that sustain the life of this planet, as well as the Spirit. Now that spirit may be God...the same God you believe in; my own personal Spirit; or the living Spirit of the Universe. Take your pick".
Now, the conversation can go many ways after this...however, the key is to maintain that "calm, quiet and rational" approach to the situation. The other party may begin to get agitated, frustrated and may even begin to raise their own voice, BUT...maintain that calm, quiet and rational approach. Not once is it ever necessary to raise your voice. Should the situation become elevated to a shouting match with the other person, simply (in a "calm, quiet and rational" approach) state: "I no longer wish to participate in this conversation. You are becoming too agitated and do not see how it will help me to see your side. If you wish to continue this conversation, I advise you to calm down, otherwise this conversation is over." Should the other party get into a huff, you make an about-face, and walk away. Simple. The bigger person in this conversation is the one who kept their cool, and knew when to end the conversation. You can't get your point across when the both of you are shouting at each other...no one is listening. Both sides are trying to be right, while at the same time both being entirely wrong.
Situation 2: Saving Sheep
A woman walks up to you in a library, and takes note as to what you are reading and states: "You know...I can introduce you to a better book; a book that can open you up to a WORLD of salvation". How do you respond?
I can see many people's automatic reaction being "I don't need to read the bible, it's filled with contradictory information and was written by flawed men, not by God". This...really isn't the proper way to approach this situation.
Educating someone on their own belief system makes as much sense as that Christian lady educating you on yours. One person who encountered a person in a similar situation thought the best thing to do was to "educate" her on the history of her own religion. What good is that going to do to win her over to your side? If anything it'll make her defensive, and that tangent will come out again. Who wins a yelling match? No one...everyone around, including you and your opponent, will come out of this situation with sore ears and a bad headache.
No, the appropriate approach to this situation would be to say "No thank you" and leave it at that. However, not all situations are easily ended like that, and 9 times out of 10 they'll continue with you until you give in. The key here is to not give in. Stand your ground. It's your belief...don't let someone intimidate you...but remember the "calm, quiet and rational" approach.
If this woman continues with something like "but you're going down a road to the evil one, and I want to help you to get to heaven". You don't have to bite her head off and make bold statements...simply say that you have your own beliefs. While she may not agree with them, it makes no difference. Make it known that you don't want to be harassed/bothered about religion, that you've made your choice and wish to be left alone with it, as much as she would like to be left alone to hers. There's no need to "educate" her on the history of her religion or mention any "fact" that people were killed as a result of her religion (Paganism isn't so innocent either, you know). Again, if someone approaches you and you feel uncomfortable, there's no law that says you must stay and fight it out...you CAN get up and walk away.
Bullying isn't just a schoolyard thing. Bullying can happen anywhere, to any one...young and old. People harassing you about your religion are just as much a bully as that schoolyard kid. What do we teach our children when it comes to bullies? Typically we say to tell the teacher or someone in authority, however in the real world things aren't so simple. We also teach our children to WALK AWAY. It's no different from someone trying to "save a sheep".
Again (and I can't stress this enough), the key to dealing with a difficult person is to remain Calm, Quiet and Rational. And if someone just can't let you be...walk away. Why is it that so many people find this difficult?
Ma’iingan
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