Wiccans-How do you respond (Wiccans Only) (Earth, tradition, beliefs, Harry Potter)

[ΩRôghênΩ]

I haed a Wiccan Gf who used to tell me that it upset her seeing witches put up as haloween decor. Ive also seen the burning of those HP books for their wiccan (supposedly) beliefs.

How do you respond to this stereotyping of Wicca? does it upset you? why or why not?

[Circle_One]

I'm not Wiccan, but my mother is and I've grown up with the beliefs, so I'm going to weigh in, if you don't mind.

I don't have a problem with either thing and I think it's silly to get mad over halloween decor or Harry Potter books. It's one thing to get mad when someone stereotypes you as being evil or satanic because of your Wiccan beliefs, but these things are so little and petty and, in my opinion, "Wiccans" complain about them and get upset about them simply as a means of shouting from the rooftops an "I am Wiccan, hear me roar" type of thing.

It's ridiculous and unnecessary and only propagates other stereotypes people give said religion.

[Feathers in Hair]

I'm not sure why you differentiate between Wiccans and Pagans. I hope my Wiccan sisters and brothers won't mind me posting in this thread since the issue you raise actually pertains to most earth-based traditions.

I really don't have a problem with 'witch' decorations. I think they can be kind of cute and adorable, really. I happen not to like the 'green and warty and sneering' type of decoration, but I wouldn't like it if they were representing a Hindu person or a Christian in that manner, either. It can lead to bigger stuff, though. Last year, a local sign company that usually runs jokes on it's main sign had a 'joke' about witches eating people. I know that this is simply a leftover from the days when witches were seen as monsters, but even so, it took all of my courage to call them and ask them to change the sign.

[jeffrey]

My loves Halloween. And I do too! What is there not to love when your wife dresses like this for such a splendid Holiday.

[Mike182]

i voted "i really don't care" because i really don't

if i do find something that upsets me, it is far easier to turn that offending situation into something far more comical and at their expense! for instance, i was once asked why i didn't have a wart on my nose, i simply replied "i wouldn't be much of a witch if i can't remove a wart, would i!"

[michel]

As a Christian who has a lot of Pagan influences in his Faith, I feel I too have a right to post on this thread.......and mine, obviously, is the same comment as Feather's concerning Wicca/paganism.

It irks me greatly when people are pigeon-holed by others who don't know what they are talking about.

The trouble is that many, when they hear the term 'witch' have a whole range of pre-conceptions that more often than not include big black chauldrons, frog's eyes, toes of newts, and other delightful contents, to help them in their invocation of some dark, Satanic being who will help them cast spells on their worst enemies.

There are some of us who would call ourselves witches (or whatever the male equivalent of a witch is), because of the definition of witchcraft by various religions.

I help people, and animals who suffer with pain, by way of healing. Basically, as I see it, I allow my body to be the 'conductor' between God and the person who is in pain; I am just the middle man.

I use Tarot cards with which to meditate, and I have used a pendulum, an ouija board (well, a hand made equivalent).

Evil is in the intention, as is good.

For people to pass judgement on wiccans, or pagans, out of sheer ignorance is something that does get me insensed. Why ? because it is blind prejudice (without having ever tried to hear the other side of the argument).

[Draka]

I don't really give a flop. Heck, I'm guilty of "witch" paraphenalia at Samhain. It's all just a part of the whole kit-n-kaboodle nowadays. As for the Harry Potter stuff, the only thing that one can even try to attach to Wiccans/Pagans is the use of the words "witch" and "magic" since the beliefs of Wicca are NOT represented at all. Shoot, they celebrate Christmas and Easter at Hogwart's...not Yule and Ostara. Those terms aren't used and the only reason some want to attach anything to us is the whole witch/magic stuff. It's stupid and based on misinformation of ignorant people. So why should I care? Most people know better anyway. I'm not going to worry about some ignorant people and over political correctness. Whoopty-doo.

[Mike182]

erm... Draka.... they erm, at Hogwarts.... well, they had a Yule Ball