CLICK HERE FOR NEW MAIL FOR 1999! Feel free to add your voice to this page. Email me with your topics of concern, your viewpoints, or anything else you feel should be added. Pagan, Wiccan, Christian, Jewish.... whatever you have to say about this ongoing argument for spiritual freedom I will post here, as well as responses.
Q: Why bother with this site? Why not just ignore those Christian sites and their statements if they bother you so much?
A: Because normally that IS my philosophy, but they happen to be making these offensive statements about the Pagan community as a whole. If they wanted to say "THAT witch is evil", fine. Then it is more directive. But the idea they are spreading that ALL witches and Pagans alike are scum is what keeps us minorities, what keeps us being ridiculed in society with the likes of Camel cigarette ads in magazines.
Q: What do you intend to accomplish with this website?
A: To show the slanderers that there are polite, intelligent, law abiding, kind hearted Pagans out here who are watching and listening. To promote fairness in a world with diverse religious beliefs, and give a forum for Pagans to defend themselves with dignity.
Some questions to arouse your discussion: If Jesus Christ preached about loving your fellow humans, and these people who run these websites are so devout, why are they so harsh on the Pagan community, rather than kindly suggesting we "repent for our sins?" Shouldn't a line be drawn between aggressive worship and attacking others?
We know that one of the main ideas in Christianity is to spread the words of Jesus. (This is plainly evident by Jehova's Witnesses). So "converting us" is one of their goals, one could presume. But how far should it go? When American history books say the Pilgrims came to the New World for religious freedom, shouldn't it have said "For Christian religious freedom?"
A lot of Pagans and Christians, and Jews know that most religions in the world have the same goals and moral codes. Just different books, deities, rituals, etc. Yet the sites we are focusing on claim that unless you give your heard to the Lord Jesus, you will be damned. If God is so loving, and I'm moving in a Catholic vein here, don't you think that as long as we live honest, loving lives, that he will forgive us no matter what name we call him by?
In a letter dated Tues, Feb. 9th, Jadeshaman writes: "Lorna, since you are into religious freedom and do a lot of searching, can you recommend a Pagan group in Illinois?? We have a young teen who was forced to take off his pentacle with a police officer and teacher (present).It is in their handbook that no 'occult' items can be worn, even though crosses and other jewelry of faith can be worn..."
>>>Jadeshaman: The same thing is happening here in Michigan; Lincoln Park has gotten themselves into a lot of trouble recently, lumping the pentagram in with gang symbols, as a way to rid their school of what they percieve to be bad.
As far as local support groups, look at this website, the Pagan Community Common Ground. They have sites for local Pagans to seek eachother's love out on the web, especially here in the midwest.
When a school bans the Pentagram/pentacle, but not the cross, ankh, or star of David, it is religious descrimination, and an infringement on your rights. The federal government recognizes Wicca as a valid religion, whether these old world, one horse towns around here like it or not. See The Detroit Free Press for further details on the case in Lincoln Park. The ACLU has stepped in, like I predicted they would. (YAY!!!)
Blessings, Jadeshaman!!!
In a letter Dated Tues. Oct. 20th, Tao Mouse writes: "I am not personally Wiccan or Pagan. According to the Christians, I'm just a heathen. I am, in fact, a Taoist. Why do I hang out with a bunch of witches?? Because they are the kindest, most tolerant, accepting, loving.....group of people I've had the pleasure to know..." "In your site you state: 'Freedom of speech protects the rights of these people, and everyone, to be able to express their beliefs, and I am very grateful for that!' That would be nice if that were true. But it is becoming obvious that it should read 'Freedom of speech protects the rights of politically correct religions'. It is very disconcerting to me the number of 'alternative religion' sites on the net that are banned."
>>> Thanks for the letter, Tao Mouse!! Sad, but true. It is complete prejudice and ignorance. Just another case of the internet imitating life. How many times have you heard of a community rallying to have an occult shop run out of business, yet they are plenty of Christian booksellers to be found? They believe they are protecting society and their children... but from WHAT?? Everyone has the right to KNOW about spiritualities, not just what YOU want them to know.
In a letter dated Friday, Oct. 23rd, Belgareth writes: "I have recently discovered your page, and I like the idea of it..... you don't air your dirty laundry in public. What a refreshing idea!*S* ......The problem is not "politically correct" religions, however. It is mass general opinion and mistrust, caused by the beliefs of the more numerous religions......Fear of what will happen if the general population finds out that they are different ways and different beliefs that won't cause them to "burn in hell.".... They control public opinion by sheer mass of numbers, and the church controls them by preaching superstition and evil."
Well put, Belgareth. Thanks for the input! That's a point I've been thinking about a lot myself. In fact, a new page will be up soon on this site, "The Christian Negativity and it's Effects on Society." Society is in the dark about the truth of Paganism and Wicca, and they don't pick up "Living Wicca" or "Drawing Down the Moon" because they are trained, devout or not, that it is "evil" and "bad." A 16 year old Christian in Florida once told me that he wanted to read a book about Wicca, just to learn about some Pagan beliefs. He knew Pagan kids at school and was curious. His mother would not allow him to! A belief that does not allow for mere information..... There is a double standard in the world against Pagans, just because Christians and others say that there should be. Proof positive why it is true how harmful these Anti Pagan websites and ideas are so harmful to us.
Angel writes: "First off, this is exactly what we need.... it's about time the misconceptions get cleared.... Secondly, part of the problem lies in history class, when we learn about the burning times-- where we only learn about the mistakes, the burning of the innocent, but nothing of the fact that there is nothing wrong with true Wicca to begin with!"
Thanks, Angel! Very true, indeed. Nothing is ever said about actual witchcraft, just that these Puritans thought it was so bad it was punishable by death. Thing is, Christians believe that if you don't follow their Jesus and believe their Bible, there is no other way but "Satan's way." Love to ya, sis!!!
Elmo writes: "I love your site, it's refreshing and interesting. I am not Pagan/Wiccan, but I do hang around with friends who are, because I find them to be the most tolerant, loving, and gifted people I know. They all inspire me and make me happy... Pagans don't judge other religions, and it's not fair to judge someone based on religion... People should be judged on their heart and soul... something I'm proud to say Wiccans have a lot of!"
Thanks for the praise, Elmo! You know first hand how light hearted we are from a lot of play in chat! :) You also know how loving we are to others, and how we bond together for one another. Thanks for pointing that out, hon!
In a letter dated Nov. 18th, "Kitan" writes: "What does the Wiccan/Pagan religion say about interracial dating? My preference is NOT to date outside my race. I have never seen a Wiccan of any other ethnicity. It seems that the religion never acknowledges any other races."
Intersting question! I believe that the fact that Neo-Paganism never discusses race is simply because it is just not an issue. It is based from Teutonic, pre-Christian European tradition, which IS mainly Celtic Anglo-Saxon. However, Wiccan Rede promotes love and harmony, within not only all races, but every living thing (albeit even if it is plaid!) I cannot speak for every Wiccan, but it is the general idea to not be against ANYONE, or any love, be it interracial, gay or lesbian, etc.
P.S., I have personally known African American Wiccans!
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