Wiccans

[AshtonsMom]

I was just wondering thoughts on this. I am not Wiccan myself, but I used to be, I just fell out of practice, I guess. Anyhow...I came across alot of people who weren't understanding. I never told anyone about the way I lived, but I just didn't understand. I had a group of friends that was the same as me, and none of us bothered anybody. Yet, everyone thought that the practice of Wicca was evil. I don't believe that this is so. Every Wiccan I have met has been nothing but down to earth and nice. So why does society look down on this practice and accept other practices of religion that are much more cruel? just wondering....

[Hacker]

What is not understood is feared. People easily turn fear into anger.

It is a flaw of the human existence.

[AshtonsMom]

yeah, but still...people need to be more accepting, I think.

[Hacker]

yeah, but still...people need to be more accepting, I think.
I can not accept your way of thinking. You are wrong.























j/k...

heehee...

I agree.

:)

[AshtonsMom]

ha. I knew that had to be a joke jus as soon as I read the first line. :D

[steffan]

Its becouse the biggest obstical to the spread of the christen religon was the celtic people, unlike a vast portion of the planet they could not be brought to cur down by the power of the roman army. the only course of action that remained was a campain of propaganda never seen before or since

[Samhain]

Its becouse the biggest obstical to the spread of the christen religon was the celtic people, unlike a vast portion of the planet they could not be brought to cur down by the power of the roman army. the only course of action that remained was a campain of propaganda never seen before or since
agreed, I would add that a lot of religions, feel that true power can only be found through god, witches create magical power from within themselves, because this is seen to be obtained through yourself and not god its seen by many fundamentalists to be gained through evil means. it doesn't help that a lot of witches and pagans have a 'horned god' thats seen by a lot of people to be satan.
witches have been blamed in history, from anything from the common cold to a bar fight and all these prejudices filter through the psyche of human beings and the fear continues.
it helps also if you don't live in a conservative area.
I'd like to finish this by saying that 99% of christians that I have known me, have ended up being very respectful of my religion, even if it has taken a little explaining, so I wouldn't want the christian members of this site to feel that they can't come in here and discuss their religion, providing disscussions of all religions are done in an non judgemental way (i.e not i'm right, your wrong) thats fine.
incedently; did you know that witches tool tend to be house hold objects, e.g broom, cauldron, then when they where being invaded, there was no evidence of any activities
S

[hippychickmommy]

You know, that's why I myself tend to be hush-hush about even having pagan beliefs. Too many people don't understand, look down upon it, think it's evil, when little do they know, it's far from that. Sure there are evil forms out there, but I have absolutely no interest in that whatsoever. Still, the uneducated simply don't get it, nor do many of them even want to. Close-mindedness is what's truly evil in my opinion, it puts a wall up, shuns away others, fills you with hate in your heart. Definitely not something I want.

[Samhain]

You know, that's why I myself tend to be hush-hush about even having pagan beliefs. Too many people don't understand, look down upon it, think it's evil, when little do they know, it's far from that. Sure there are evil forms out there, but I have absolutely no interest in that whatsoever. Still, the uneducated simply don't get it, nor do many of them even want to. Close-mindedness is what's truly evil in my opinion, it puts a wall up, shuns away others, fills you with hate in your heart. Definitely not something I want.
anyone that says they are pagan or a witch and knowingly practice evil, don't know the meaning of the word witch or pagan.
still i can't imagine anyone ever thinking you are evil!
S

[hippychickmommy]

anyone that says they are pagan or a witch and knowingly practice evil, don't know the meaning of the word witch or pagan.
still i can't imagine anyone ever thinking you are evil!
S
You're right...and I am far from evil! :D

[Samhain]

You're right...and I am far from evil! :D
its the pic, your too cute to be evil!!
S

[hippychickmommy]

Awww, thankyou. :)

its the pic, your too cute to be evil!!
S

[hippychickmommy]

Have you ever noticed that some people will stop talking to you once they learn that you are into wiccan/pagan beliefs? It's really crazy. It bothers me that people can be so closeminded when it comes to spirituality. Why is it that the "uneducated" on the subject always link these beliefs to satanism? That's simply not so. Well sure there are some that chose the "darker side" but what about those that don't, have no interest whatsoever in it?

So it's almost like if you want to keep the peace, keep everyone happy, you must hide away in a closet so-to-speak and never mention how you truly feel because goodness forbid you think differently than they.

I don't know, just something I was thinking about this afternoon.

[Samhain]

Have you ever noticed that some people will stop talking to you once they learn that you are into wiccan/pagan beliefs? It's really crazy. It bothers me that people can be so closeminded when it comes to spirituality. Why is it that the "uneducated" on the subject always link these beliefs to satanism? That's simply not so. Well sure there are some that chose the "darker side" but what about those that don't, have no interest whatsoever in it?

So it's almost like if you want to keep the peace, keep everyone happy, you must hide away in a closet so-to-speak and never mention how you truly feel because goodness forbid you think differently than they.

I don't know, just something I was thinking about this afternoon.
Ive been very lucky, even if people dismiss it as nonsense (which is hurtful in its own way) people usually hear me out, they may start off with is it devil worship and by the end realise it isn't.
I suppose the difference is with me is that if I feel people are being disrespectful or ignorant, they usually hear me out, because I'm quite verbal about telling people when I think they're rude!
interestingly born again christians are seem to be drawn to me, and while very few of them accept my beliefs at the end of the conversation, most of them do hear me out
S

[hippychickmommy]

Ive been very lucky, even if people dismiss it as nonsense (which is hurtful in its own way) people usually hear me out, they may start off with is it devil worship and by the end realise it isn't.
I suppose the difference is with me is that if I feel people are being disrespectful or ignorant, they usually hear me out, because I'm quite verbal about telling people when I think they're rude!
interestingly born again christians are seem to be drawn to me, and while very few of them accept my beliefs at the end of the conversation, most of them do hear me out
SSee, that's good. Unfortunately for me I've come in contact with some very, very close minded people who won't even hear me out. It's their way or no way at all. Which doesn't seem fair because if I have to listen to their beliefs and be expected to tolerate and respect it, why can't they do the same? Know what I mean?

Yet these same people who claim to be so religious and so spiritual many times end up being so terribly hateful, intolerate, and judgmental. I always say, if you believe in God, doesn't he want you to love everyone, regardless of anything else? Isn't that the true way? To love everyone? To me, accepting those around you for who they are is much more important. So what if they don't agree with my beliefs, I may not agree with theirs, but why can't we just say "oh well, that's okay?"

If most of my family knew what I believed/practiced, they would be appalled. My mother, fortunately, is completely supportive. In fact, she just bought me Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance" and is going to bring it to me the next time she visits. She is very much into Druidism, and she respects my beliefs, in fact, she loves talking about it. We can spend hours just discussing things like that.

But most of my family, oh my goodness. You can't even talk to them about it.

[Samhain]

spiral dance you'll love it! read it and think of me!

whats the hubby like is he supportive?
As for the people you know that aren't supportive, if they try and talk about their beliefs just say queitly 'I know what you believe and I have no more wish to hear you talk about your belief system than you have a wish for me to talk about mine, so lets discuss something we'll find of mutal interest'
I'm not saying don't listen to other peoples points of view on religion but if you know the only purpose is for them to rant about how good theirs is and why don't you be a part of it- then why bother?
S

[hippychickmommy]

spiral dance you'll love it! read it and think of me!

whats the hubby like is he supportive?
As for the people you know that aren't supportive, if they try and talk about their beliefs just say queitly 'I know what you believe and I have no more wish to hear you talk about your belief system than you have a wish for me to talk about mine, so lets discuss something we'll find of mutal interest'
I'm not saying don't listen to other peoples points of view on religion but if you know the only purpose is for them to rant about how good theirs is and why don't you be a part of it- then why bother?
S
Yes, I'm really excited to start reading the Spiral Dance! And yes, I know I will think of you while reading it! You're the one who turned me onto it! :)

Yes, my hubby is supportive thankfully!

You're right. I guess there's just no getting through to some people. Kind of a curse when it comes to being open minded and wishing others were as well.

[Samhain]

Yes, I'm really excited to start reading the Spiral Dance! And yes, I know I will think of you while reading it! You're the one who turned me onto it! :)

Yes, my hubby is supportive thankfully!

You're right. I guess there's just no getting through to some people. Kind of a curse when it comes to being open minded and wishing others were as well.
I have various books threads on here so when you finish any book and want to do a review ask me and I'll send you a link!
S

[hippychickmommy]

I have various books threads on here so when you finish any book and want to do a review ask me and I'll send you a link!
S
Cool thanks! I just finished Starhawk's "The Fifth Sacred Thing" last week.

[Samhain]

Cool thanks! I just finished Starhawk's "The Fifth Sacred Thing" last week.
so do you want a link?
S

[hippychickmommy]

so do you want a link?
S
Sure, yes!

[Samhain]

Sure, yes!
mmmmm
having said

do you feel its a good introduction to spirituality, if so post it here
http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173707

is there a death theme, post it here
http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175008

if neither of those are suitable maybe you could start a starhawk appreciation thread!

if those links don't work pm me
S

[Samhain]

for everything you ever wanted to know about witchcraft, check out this great site!

http://www.occultopedia.com/w/witchcraft.htm

[fritz]

I always thought it was an excuse to dance around naked outdoors, & maybe light fires! ;) /jk

I'm still a fan of the green man.

What was truly funny was when I was around twelve I started to check out every book on the occult I could find at our local libraries, really freaked the adults out!
Of course, that was when local American libraries still had an occult section! :eek::p

[Samhain]

I always thought it was an excuse to dance around naked outdoors, & maybe light fires! ;) /jk

I'm still a fan of the green man.

What was truly funny was when I was around twelve I started to check out every book on the occult I could find at our local libraries, really freaked the adults out!
Of course, that was when local American libraries still had an occult section! :eek::p
id you do that at the age of 12, to shock, or because you where interested or maybe a bit of both? ;)
S

[Samhain]

For Fritz!
http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/green_man_card.jpg