The Continuing Persecution of the Pagans of the World

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Posted: October 9th. 2005
Times Viewed: 2,421

It is a shame to say that the Witches of the world today are still being persecuted for their choice of religion. I would love to be able to say that the entire world is at peace with their neighbor’s decisions and the way they choose to live their life, but I am afraid that if I were to make that statement, it would be completely untrue. An excellent example of this happened to me only today.

My aunt has been insisting that my siblings and I go to church with her for quite some time. Today, my mother broke down and made us all go. My sister and brother, who are still Baptists, had no problem with this. When I asked my mother if I could just not go, she said that it would be good for me to get back to church. (Even though she is my mother and says that she respects my decision not to believe what the Bible says, she is really trying to make me believe as she does. Example 1.) Finally, I too caved and said that I would go, but only sit in the shade. But my aunt, who has no idea of my beliefs, insisted that I go. Again, not to raise suspicion, I went along with her and tried to stay off to the side. But my best friend showed up and managed to loosen me up quite a bit. We laughed, we talked, and we had fun with me managing to keep up my illusion of Christianity.

Finally, the time came when he had to leave, and we decided to exchange phone numbers. Now you have to understand I’ve known this kid since I was in the sixth grade, so we were way past the ‘exchanging phone numbers�?stage. Now, I myself am an open-minded person, and I do not try and convert people to my religion. I respect the Buddhists, the Christians, the Islamic, and every other religion that there is. But that is not true for everyone. We were at a table to write on, and people surrounded it. I made the mistake of thinking that people weren’t nosy and wouldn’t listen in on my conversation with my best friend. Well, I was wrong. He said that he was going to invite me to his church one day, and I made the mistake of saying aloud that I was no longer Christian, but a Wiccan. The nearest person immediately told him that he didn’t want my number. My friend, obviously in pure respect, asked why he didn’t want it. The lady proceeded to say, (and I quote) , “Have you ever heard of a W-I-T-C-H?�?My friend nodded, and she said, “Well, that’s what he is. You don’t want any part of that.�?My friend decided that he didn’t care and took my number anyway. “I’m gonna tell your mother.�?I also got a three-minute lecture about how bringing Jesus Christ into my life would make everything better. Finally, I was able to get away, and the lady got up and, I guess, went to tell everyone of the “W-I-T-C-H�? She didn’t even say the word, like it was poison or something and to say the word would cause unimaginable pain.

That’s the problem with the Pagan Ways; you have to be careful whom you tell about your choices. If you aren’t careful, then what happened to me today will happen to you. What I don’t understand is why people cannot seem to open their minds to the thought of Paganism. I mean, it’s not like we’re killing sheep needlessly here. We’re not sacrificing defenseless animals or eating babies. All we do is try to help people by using alternative methods, and for that, we were hunted and burned at the stake. And in a way, today, that still happens. I mean, sure, they aren’t actually dragging us to the city square and lighting fires at our feet, but the actual concept of them not respecting us for who we are is still there. We’re not aliens just for our choices. We’re still people. We still go out and work nine-to-five jobs. We still pay taxes. We still fall in love with people and do everything that another normal human being would do. The only thing different about us is that we chose a different religious Path in life. If the entire world were open minded about us as we are about them, then the world would be a delightful place to live. There wouldn’t be religious persecution. I mean, isn’t that why we left England and Great Britain? To be free to live the way we want? To be able to enjoy ‘Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness�? We’re Americans, people. We should be able to go out in the street and shout for the entire world to hear, “I AM PAGAN!�?and not be kicked or downed for our choices.

We don’t go door to door, annoying people and trying to get people to convert to our way of life like the Jehovah’s Witnesses do. We live quiet, simple lives, enjoying simple pleasures. And they act like they’ve never had an interest in Paganism before. Many of them have experimented with Witchcraft before they ‘saw the light�? Some of the people in Christianity still practice the Craft. It is sad that by the light of day, they are the world’s greatest Christian, and by the fires of night, they are still practicing our Ways. I was once Christian, so I know what I am about to say is based on the Bible. The Bible says that Witchcraft and such is forbidden and wrong, and should not be practiced. Yet in some instances, Magick is blatantly used. I’m sure everyone has heard the story of Moses and the Red Sea, and if you haven’t, it’s kind of simple.

The Jews were holed up with the Pharaoh, and God sent Moses to set them free. When he got there, he said, “Let my people go, �?(hence the famous phrase) . Instead, Pharaoh did something (I forget what exactly) , and turned something into a snake. In response, Moses threw down his staff and it too turned into a snake, which proceeded to devour the other one. Blatant Magick, people, blatant Magick.

In conclusion, I think that it is a good idea to tell someone about what you believe in. Just make sure that the friend is trustworthy, and that you aren’t near any ‘Hardcore Christians�? Being a Pagan is quite a load to carry about all by yourself, and it helps if you have someone there to help you. But make sure that the person you choose to tell respects you for who you are. If they do, then it should be no problem telling them. I know that now. I don’t make friends easily, and because of his beliefs, I may have just lost one more. You don’t want to end up like me.

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