Pagans, how do you feel about wearing jewelry that depicts symbols for a religion you do not follow?
Pagans, how do you feel about wearing jewelry that depicts symbols for a religion you do not follow?
I do a lot of costumed events and I frequently where jewelry for religions that I do not follow as part of the costume/character. Just recently I started seriously being aware of this fact and it gave me pause. I wanted to know how other people feel about it.
Examples:
I have a handmade silver rosary with a crucifix blessed in Rome that was given to me by a catholic former girlfriend. I occasionally like to wear it because it is beautiful and it reminds me of the good times we had. I am not a catholic and never have been.
I have a sterling ankh with cartouche (supposedly) imported from Egypt given to me by an follower of Kemetism (Egyptian Reconstructionist Paganism). We are close friends, and I know that the pendant meant a lot to him before he gave it to me. I do not follow Kemetism.
I have a handsome brass and copper Vodun Veve of Loa Agwe (protector of sailors and travelers) that I wear when I dress like a pirate. I know that it is consecrated because I did it myself. I am not a Houngan.
Theses are just some examples. Part of what has made me aware of it is that when I am wearing these symbols prominently people of that religion (or that choose to oppose that religion) approach me to talk about the symbols. Though I do not follow these religions, I NEVER wear something that I do not have some knowledge of; my crowd was big into wearing symbols, logos and flair designed to make a statement or draw attention, and we distained logos or symbols just for their popularity.
Personally, I am a Henotheist. I accept that there may be other gods, but I only worship my god. My god does not mind that I wear symbols of other religions, but I am not entirely sure how the other gods feel about it.
In answer to the question about why I did not just ask this question once with lots of belief systems at the beginning (or none): I have found in the past that if you do not target one belief system (or non-belief system) in the question a lot of people skip it. Also, if you put too many belief (or lack of belief) systems in the question it becomes a distraction from the question and many people do not bother.
I am more interested in hearing people’s opinions than I am worried about mildly annoying a few people.
If it does not bother you or your god, then I see nothing wrong with it. I personally have trouble with the idea of wearing crosses and symbols of other Abrahmic religions, but other religions that do not believe there is one true path do not bother me. I have and love Wicca stars although I am a Dianist as well as pieces that are Egyptian, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.
My mother bought me a gold cross and had it inscribed with my name and D.O.B for my 18th birthday. I wear it every day.
Things like this do no bother me at all.
I also have a Pentacle, a pendant with the trigrams, the evil eye on a bracelet and the IPU symbol on a pendant.
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I don’t see there being a issue in your case. You said you wear it as part of a costume.
Example: if you dress up as a clown in make-up would that make you a clown in real life? No. Of course it wouldn’t. You are just playing a part, its like acting.
If it is in fact bothering you then stop. Simple.
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If it does not bother you or your god, then I see nothing wrong with it. I personally have trouble with the idea of wearing crosses and symbols of other Abrahmic religions, but other religions that do not believe there is one true path do not bother me. I have and love Wicca stars although I am a Dianist as well as pieces that are Egyptian, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.
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I have no problem with it, just because I wear something doesn’t mean that I follow that religion or belief system. It could just be because I like it, or that it represents something that I find special to me, be it a friendship or an ideal.
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Well, here I go… being non-denominational pagan, none of them really apply to "my" religion, but I purchase and wear very little jewelery to begin with. I have a certain amount of respect for all religions (Divinity = Perfection Humans = Imperfection… Imperfection cannot fully comprehend Perfection, therefore there is no such thing as a "correct" religion… anyway) and if I’m given a piece of religious jewelry, I know the significance behind it… and I realize that nearly everyone who would be giving me jewelry knows that I don’t follow that religion, but I realize the intent, and wearing the piece is more a way of showing my appreciation to the person who gave it to me than an homage to the religion it symbolizes… Divinity doesn’t need me to wear any trinkets to show my reverence.
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I don’t mind really because each religion is a valid path in its own right. I’d love to have a pendant that has the symbols of many religions on it too.
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My jewelry is a reflection of who I am, and I would
not wear anything that is associated with a cause
that I do not fully support.
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