Blessings:

It is not that we Wiccan are persecuted, as there has not been a witch-hunt in many years. It is about how we are perceived and how that perception is based on stereotyping, misinformation, lack of knowledge and a misunderstanding of our culture and convictions as well as how these issues may lead to bigotry, silent discrimination, social disassociation and judicial prejudices.

I, for one, do not disguise my beliefs under a charade and I think very few do. We are, however, vigilant that we do not emphasize and add to the misconceptions that are already out there. I do feel that religion is a private personal affair and I respect the individuals that think as well, regardless of their religious affiliations. I do not respect those who feel compelled to proselytize and force-feed their convictions upon others.

Muslims are just as misunderstood, if not more so, than Wiccans. In addition they have the 9/11 affair forever attached to their persona. If there is a fear of recent religious persecution in this country, it should be the Muslims. There are many recent news stories where ignorant Americans citizens attacked normal law abiding citizens that just happened to be Muslims. Yet, those same victims have clearly stated that they do not condone the actions of the Muslim separatists movements that were responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

There is one major diametrical difference from Christianity and Islam to most, if not all, Pagan dietical religions: ours is not actively seeking to be expanded by proselytizing or any other means. We are a religion that needs to be individually sought out and discovered, hence the beauty of it: it is deeply personal, formed by our own energy and based on our own experiences, not those of others!

That being said, it is no imaginary thing to know when we Wiccans are held to a different degree, when we do not pass the all mighty litmus test of the American public simply because we are not falling in line within the perceived majority. We are treated outside the norm because we are, in their eyes, out of the norm.

How dare we!

Yours truly,


Bochican Aura

Blessings:

It is interesting to me that you would pick up on the fact that this is my first post and that there may a reason behind my text.

I chose this perticular forum and this particular subject matter to gauge, if you would, the pulse of the forum and the board. It has been my experience that each board has its own unique culture and those of like thoughts gravitate to one another. I have not been a member of a board with as many members as this one, so before I become 'settled in' I like to sense the ebb and flows of the members of this board.

Hope that answers your query.

Yours,

I don't really have anything to say on the main subject of this post.

But I want to point something out.

Not everyone here is Wiccan. Some form of Pagaism maybe, but not Wicca. I for one am not. Yea I share many of the beleifs, but that doesn't make me a Wiccan. Pagan yes, Witch you bet.

An why should there be any kind of persections against Muslims? Maybe I am misunderstanding this part. They don't deserve any such thing as will as anyone else. Hate begets Hate. There's enough of that as it is. IAn I hole heartedly beleave that if one doesn't understand something, then it's time to do some research. What to know what Muslims beleave in, read the koran, librarys are a good place to start to learn about any kind of subject. Ok I'm off topic.

{Not all Pagans are Wiccans, and not all witch's are Wiccans, but Wiccans and Witch's are Pagan.}

I, myself, was totally misinformed about those who follow any religion except Christianity. All otheres were simply going to Hell. They were wrong and we needed to tell them that they were and to lead them to God so as to "save" them.

What egotists we were. We were the only people that God loved and the only ones who were going to be with him after we died. I never could figure out what those who lived and died before Jesus of Nazareth was born were going to do.

Anyone who does not follow the majority is persecuted. Those not of Catholic and then Protestant. Jews as well as Witches and followers of Islam were murdered during the "Witch Hunts".

I re-read your message and I am not sure what you are asking-if anything really. We all know that main stream society has this imagine of Pagens/Wiccan/Witches and anything else. We all know that the mere thought/hit of witchcraft has some running for thier bibles- Harry Potter anybody? Lets face it- being Pagen is no walk in the park (no pun intended). We have nobody telling us how to thinks/act etc. And we like it that way. I personally group ALL "organized religions" into the same basket. Not one I want to pick up. What they do to each other and anybody who doesn't believe in "their GoD" is just so wrong. and I don't have a thing to do with it.

After having been raised Protestant and exposing my children in their early years to Protestant religion I decided to investigate other forms of religion. It brought about a huge dislike for 'organized religion' reason of which I won't go into just now. However, it led me to a firm conviction that no one had the right to dictate who we worship or how we worship. Bottom line is we have to follow what's in our hearts and heads as long as it's right for us and doesn't harm others....as Alora said "follow our own paths"....my motto too. Everyone should have the freedom to do so.

IMHO
Amaris