This might sound kinda strange...

[morningstar47]

A year or so ago, I had some problems with some bible thumpers trying to shove Christianity down my throat. Now I have no problem with Christians and Catholics and what not, but I hate when they try to change my beliefs.
So I decided, to avoid the thoughts of conversion and to show to people that I am truly devoted to my goddess, I made an oath to remain a virgin till the age of 21. (21 being three sets of seven years)
However, most of my pagan friends seem to think I'm being stupid and shouldn't have to go through with this.
I need some honest opinions. What do you think is the right thing for me to do in this situation? Stick with my promise? Or do you think the promise is pointless?

[Labrys]

I think any oath undertaken "to avoid thoughts of conversion" is a mistake.  And I am confused---you are annoyed at their efforts to convert you, but you are thinking about it?  And exactly how does maintaining virginity have any power over whether or not you are drawn to another spiritual path?

Do you really think it honors ANY deity to make such an oath as a distraction technique?  I can think of many reasons for such an oath----to protect myself from disease or pregnancy or emotional attachments that might prevent me reaching some other goal, OR (just a wild one here) to honor one of the several "virgin" goddesses I honor (Athena, Hestia, Hekate and Artemis).  But never as a distraction for myself. 

And,btw, in terms of the term "virgin"...it did not necessarily mean in the usual Christian sense of 'never having sex'....it meant more in terms of self-determination and self-sustaining, not being in the care or ownership of a male.  Other than priestesses like the Vestal virgins of patriarchal Rome, I don't think I recall physical intactness of hymen being particularly important to any Goddess in particular.  So, the rationale behind such an oath would make me wonder----perhaps if your goddess is one of the "virgin" types, She would be more impressed with you establishing your feminine freedom in more substantial style: learning to be self-supporting, for instance? 

[Lark]

I agree with the points that Labrys has made.  BUT...if you have taken an oath to your Goddess to remain a virgin until you are 21 then you have also taken on an obligation to maintain that oath.

Why do you worry about what your friends think?  That's a bit like worrying about what the Christians think about your choice.  It's not about your friends, they can live as they choose.  This is about what you feel is right for yourself and what you have sworn to your Goddess that you will do.  Telling them that this is important enough to you that you have sworn to your Gods to do it should be the end of the argument.  If not, then simply refuse to discuss it further with them.  The choice of when to have sex and with whom belongs to no one but yourself..don't worry about what your friends are doing.

-Lark-

[morningstar47]

It's not quite that I worry about what other people think, and I am most definitely not thinking about conversion. This was just something I decided a few years ago as a way to prove that I am devoted.
Honestly, there are only two people in the world who's opinions matter to me at all, and they also are pagan. I could care less what people think about my religion.
It's just that at the time that I made this decision, I was under a lot of pressure from people to change, and this was how I decided to prove myself.
Wow, in retrospect it sounds really stupid. But you're right, whatever mind set I was in at the time, I made an oath and I'm bound to keep it.

[RedRonin]

Devotion is proven in and of itself.  There's no real need for oaths or such.

Will such a thing bring you closer to the Divine?  Will not performing take you further away?

The answer to those two questions should determine your choices.

[Still Kate]

Im not sure I understand why you should need to prove something to yourself.

Religion and beliefs aside,I believe it is important to be honest with yourself. Too many people try to rationalise and justify themselves to themselves. Its like a little arguement that goes on in their head, "Oh well, I did that because...." and try to justify what they have done or not done.
Being honest and knowing oneself, being comfortable in your own skin and accepting who you are with all your faults and positives then you should not feel the need to prove anything.

With regards to your oath, as Lark has stated, you made the oath and now have an obligation to keep it.
To be honest, its not a bad idea to remain a virgin until such age, due to STD's, unwanted pregnancy and the emotional ties that are hand in hand with sex.
As far as what people think of you. Why concern yourself with what they think. There will be plenty of people in the years to come who will have an opinion of you .... dont let it bother you.

Blessings
Kate.