Ok..this blog is geared toward clearing up a few misconceptions for those ever-present, narrow-minded individuals that think they know something of my faith preference, but in all actuality only succeed in making their ignorance obvious to the world by voicing unfounded fears and ideas about it.
Also, this blog came about from a recent conversation, and I'm still a bit miffed about it..so do try to overlook the rancor reflected therein.
Misconceptions:
#1. Pagans try to convert others to their ways:
Umm..NO. We don't. In fact, in all the history of religion, we are one of the few faith practices, religions if you must call it such, that does NOT seek to convert others.
Practitioners of Wicca, Paganism, and Witchcraft have been hiding in the shadows for ages. Carrying out our rituals beneath the moon in isolated areas actually came about due to the necessity of concealing them from those who would force us into their beliefs.
To tell the absolute truth, we have in many ways almost certainly discouraged the mass populace from joining our ranks. Our books are secret, our practices and rituals are secret, our very faith is most often kept a secret..all in the effort to go about our practices in peace and solitude.
What about these things suggests to the cowan (non-pagan/wiccan/magickal person) that we will automatically try to force our beliefs and ideas upon those who happen to be around us?
#2. Pagans/Wiccans/Witches are evil:
Again, NO. In point of fact, not even Satanists, (what I wouldn't hesitate to call the most feared/reviled belief system in most of the world, which is quite unfounded), are "evil". This little tidbit always seems to be overlooked by those who feel compelled to cast derision upon the faiths or practices of non-christian belief.
If a thing scares you..or you feel that it is wrong in some way..why not study it a bit..if only enough to ascertain the point and principle of the practice..then you might be able to make an educated approach to it, or conversation about it, instead of spouting ignorance.
Paganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft are nature-reverencing practices that the entire world could benefit from. We care for ourselves, our fellow human and animal, our earth, and we certainly watch our actions, as we believe that whatever we send forth comes back to us threefold.
Karma is not something to mess about with, and very few of us do. Whatever misconceptions that the world has about us, it isn't worth the progress of our soul to retaliate to anything in an evil way..we would just as soon let fate issue the comeuppance necessary.
That is not to say that we are opposed to calling forth that retribution..at least, I'm not. But I will only do it in such a way that the ultimate result is neither affected, nor effected by myself. I will simply ask that something be done, and if I am in the right, it will be. That's about as evil as I get..and most practitioners, for that matter.
#3. The Practicing Of Magick (yes, with a k).
OOOOOOO...Spells are scary!! Pfft..yeah, right. Grow up!
If you were to witness, firsthand, the performance of a spell you would see what a lovely, peaceful, and reverent act it is.
Plainly put, there is nothing scary or evil about it. The only thing that might be unsettling is that our logical minds, programmed from childhood to act in only mundane ways, would be unaccustomed to seeing such a thing.
Also, it's not like we perform spells out in the open or in front of people. For my part, if I have an audience, my spell is less likely to be effective, so I make sure to do it in absolute privacy.
I have either a room in my house that my spells take place in, or I find a remote location out of doors and away from everyone else.
To summarize, do not place me within a stereotype, especially not one that is unfounded and ignorantly come upon. I subject noone to my beliefs and/or practices, unless they are a willing participant. My own son isn't even Pagan, he's an Agnostic, and he has chosen that path without my interference.
And I also do not condone the pressing of minors into ANYONE'S belief structure, even though any family who has ever raised their children in their own belief is at fault for doing what they fear and assume someone not of their faith will do..convert their innocents, or influencing them before they are old enough or have the capacity to make the educated choice for themselves.
My ending remark is only this; Try to get your mind out of the "narrow as a double-edged razor blade" mentality and open up your eyes to learn about the things that you don't understand before vocalizing incorrect, preconceived notions.
