Witchvox Article

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Posted: November 14th. 2004
Times Viewed: 3,073

Since everyone has noticed that George W. Bush has won a second term as President, and since I have noticed multitudes of posts complaining, I would like to say a thing or two. I hope that everyone who is complaining and is eligible was registered to, and did vote. If you did not vote, and there really isn't an excuse, you have no right to complain.

I also would like to say this, for those of you who have not considered it: the time hasn't passed us by yet. We can still raise our voices, as one group, and save some of these "horrible" things being predicted from occurring. Now in order for it to work every single Witch, Pagan and Heathen must set aside egos, pride and self-importance. I'm not just talking about solitaries either; all of us must set our egos aside and work toward the higher good as ONE! It doesn't matter to me if you are a neo-whatsit, a Reconstructionist, a fluffy bunny - set aside the differences and celebrate our common ground. We must be a multitude of voices speaking in unison the "gospel" of the Constitution "that all men are created equal," which means to me that everyone has the right to marry anyone that they want, among other things!

We must also speak about the "freedom of religion" and "the pursuit of happiness;" all those beautiful phrases that our forefathers wrote. These are not lofty ideals to be disregarded or given up on, but the very fabric from which this country was made. I also know in my heart that we must remind all Americans that every individual is given choices about how to live and what they can or won't do (there is nothing anyone can't do). We must respect everyone's choice to worship as they please, and ask everyone else to remember ours.

I challenge every American of any spirituality, but especially Pagans, Witches, and Heathens, to register to vote now, today. To go and vote when the time comes. It is your right to choose who will govern you; it is a privilege to have the ability to say what directions our government should move in. I also believe that this is a good example of how important every vote is: the margin of victory was three percent and the margin of error on most national polls is between three and four percent. Four percent - the approximate figure given for the known "other religions" in any demographic situation, and that only represents the people who are open and will say they are Muslim, Pagan, Hindu, or Buddhist.

Just remember it's not about who starts the movement, or who speaks for the movement, it's about the movement itself. We are the movement! It can all start as something as small as collecting winter coats for the homeless, transporting your elderly neighbors to the doctor, or those who can facilitate healing donating some time for free to help the uninsured, as I am trying to coordinate in my hometown.

If we do what we can to help the people who need it, we are just as good as anyone else. If we do nothing, if we don't fight to change at least our little corner of the world, then what else is there? I believe that whatever a person's faith, they should do good things, kind things, that it will come back to us.

I ask you all here today: How often do Pagans, Wiccans, or Witches get mentioned in the news? What are we mentioned for? Is it our good works? No - it is for Halloween, a commercialized day, or it is because someone wants to blame us for a bad act. It is to further the negative connotations associated with our beliefs. Personally I would be more ashamed to be a Christian in this modern world, than anything. Not to generalize, but Christians typically don't understand or know their Bible any better than I understand quantum physics. Good examples would be the fact that homosexuality is referenced in the Bible approximately a dozen times; marriage between homosexuals is not mentioned at all. There is also a marked lack of reference to the worship of Earth-based deities...like not at all. The references are normally considered to have been poorly translated or translated to suit the desires of a power- and money-driven clergy to aid in their conversion. There is also the fact that (and I quote Pastor Brian Maiden of Parr Street Evangelical Church in Kendal, UK) "People want to be told what to do and how to do it." I don't believe that any intelligent self respecting human wants that; I certainly don't.

I say that we must do these things: vote, work for the betterment of our communities, work loudly for our communities, and alter the perceptions of our faiths. When we do these things, when we make our voices heard clearly and loudly, change will come. It won't be fast or easy, but just as Dr. Martin Luther King owed it to his children and their children, we owe it to our children, and our children's children. We must make this country, this world about free choice and service, not just to our pockets, but also to our country, our children and families, ourselves, and our countrymen. I know some people won't like what I'm saying, but I'm saying it for the greatest good of everyone. I'm saying that as a community and as a faith group, as individuals we have to stop whining and talking, and act! We have to do it today, this minute, now!

Gather your covens, gather your families, gather your friends and speak out, act. Be as kind and loving, as understanding as you want people to be to you. Dare to do more than you ever thought you would, to do what your conscience has been telling you is right. Change the things your heart weeps about, so you don't have to complain and whine. If nothing ever changes it will be because you and me and we didn't force the change. Shift the paradigm, make a difference: it really takes just a little, and then we can really have something to be proud of, to celebrate on Pagan Pride Day.

Love and light,

Charles Hendricks

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