Date: 7/14/2003 5:51:00 PM
From Authorid: 62250
I have been following the attitude that the general population has against anyone that is suspected of a crime, if that person is a pagan, say 'a wiccan' and I so many condemn. I feel that I should try to set the differences ... but so few listen unless they are on the receiving end of the prejudice.  |
Date: 7/14/2003 5:53:00 PM
From Authorid: 13636
I've been told that I'm evil...and going to Hell. I was even told once that my child would be the anti-christ. *shrug* I don't usually hold it against them though. I believe most of it is a false education in the ways of other religions...and an inbred closed mindedness that they can't fight. Oh, and also, I've heard many times that I'm only pagan because its the new fad. And, that every pagan is some degree of homosexual....I am, but not all of them. Man...I could go on and on and on.....  |
Date: 7/14/2003 5:54:00 PM
From Authorid: 30630
I have been told on many occasions that my religion is ficticious. Make believe. Fake. You name it I have heard it all. I have also been told that rumors going around about me are that me and my children sit around the house and cast spells on people. LMAO That one made me laugh. I just ignore all the false accusations and the close mindedness. I live in my own little world. Good post.  |
Date: 7/14/2003 5:54:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Very true, and not just in this case, unfortunatly many such predjudices are not heeded by those who are not receiving them.  |
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Date: 7/14/2003 5:56:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Really? I have not heard the homosexual one before, perhaps that one stems from the fact that we (as a religous group) tend to be far more open to and accepting of all sexualities. Yes, I've had the 'fad' statement made to me too. |
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Date: 7/14/2003 5:58:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Thankyou Storm. I think a lot of us will have been told that we aren't following anything real, just wishing after fairy stories and such. Its sad that people think this, about any religion. |
Date: 7/14/2003 6:11:00 PM
From Authorid: 15070
Hello, My Brother. From the time we are very small children, we are shown Disney films, exposed to Fairy Tales, and exposed to the popular notion: Witches/Wiccans/Pagans are bad, evil, selfish people. They are human "Monsters". I believe it goes WAY back to the Church controlloing the masses & "demonizing" those who did not swallow their Dogma. In the 21st Century, the words "Witch/Wicca/Pagan" still strick an almost terror in some people. I believe some people cannot seperate the idea of a "Satan", from those who believe differently. I guess what I am trying to say is "Fear". Fear of the unknown. Fear of incurring the Wrath of a Jealous God. Good post.....  |
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Date: 7/14/2003 6:27:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Hello My Sister. Yes, I think that that is true in many cases, people were fed that idea for so long that they often find it difficult to see the people behind the myth they have been taught. They are, perhaps, frightened that if they allow themselves to think we are not so different from them, that we are not the evil creatures that we have been portrayed as, then they will anger whatever deity/deities they worship, and so lose their place in the afterlife. |
Date: 7/14/2003 6:37:00 PM
From Authorid: 43274
i have found, that as a pagan, when people see a pentagram, they immediately cry "devil worship." of course this is not true. i believe that this is a result of misinformation of the masses. many times, on television, or in the media characters that are portrayed as evil or affiliated with the "devil" often wear pentagrams somewhere on their person. non-pagans see a pentagram and think "this will make me look like a tough, evil guy" and wear one not even knowing its true meaning. this upsets me greatly as im sure it upsets many of us. usually, when confronted by this attitude, i attempt to clarify the misunderstanding, but usually hit a brick wall when these people's social programming takes over and closes their mind. its sad really, but its not like this attitude will change us. we'll always folow our own beliefs, and we know that we arent the people that they say we are.  |
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Date: 7/14/2003 6:44:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Thankyou Bendazk. Yes, thats very true, all too often we can see these misrepresentations still circulating in the media, and no matter how much we attempt to clarify the situation to people, there are always some who do not seem to be able to listen, or whose upbringing has unfortuantly indoctrinated them into the fear basis that most of these problems seem to stem from. |
Date: 7/14/2003 6:57:00 PM
From Authorid: 53052
i am not pagan BUT i am glad to see this post up.. i've seen one recently where a christian commented that people were taking jabs at christians becuase they are.... christian.... but what is forgotten is there are soo many other forms of religion out there... and no one should just lay down and have to take criticism for what they believe in  |
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Date: 7/14/2003 6:59:00 PM
From Authorid: 53052
i wish someone would stomp away the stereotypes and i hope this post helps accomplish that |
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Date: 7/14/2003 7:06:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Thankyou Midnightly, althought this post was intended for Pagans, it is nice to see a non-pagan with such a healthy attitude :-) I too hope that this post can help in that respect. |
Date: 7/14/2003 7:07:00 PM
From Authorid: 61977
You know that I am not a Pagan or anything, but I will say this. All religions are ridiculed by people. It is wrong nontheless. If this comment is deemed unappropiate to this post author you may delete it.  |
Date: 7/14/2003 7:16:00 PM
From Authorid: 29532
While being Christian, I believe in all faiths, I believe and accept all makes and models of human beings. I love pagans, wiccans, all of the above and know that they, as well as I have a belief system and all of it is formed from love. So to all of you, you are all my brothers and sisters, no matter your religion.  |
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Date: 7/14/2003 7:20:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Not, perhaps, inappropriate, but this is a post discussing Pagan issues. I am well aware that other religions are ridculed too, as is everyone else who has commented here. As Pagans though, it is natural that it is ridicule against Pagans that concerns us the most, so I would appreciate it if comments can be confined to this area, just as posts concerning other religions' views on their own set of ridicules etc against them have been. Thankyou. |
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Date: 7/14/2003 7:23:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 41067
Thankyou Pink Bunny, its always nice to see people who do accept us and know we have no hidden agendas, this is simply our way of believing. Hopefully one day everyone will be able to accept others' beliefs in this way. |
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Date: 7/15/2003 8:25:00 AM
From Authorid: 29532
*hugs Tandris* I hope so too. My mom is Wiccan. *hides* Oh lord, does this mean that Sur5r is evil! LOL, no way. |
