Witchvox Article

Author: Kylia Heartsong
Posted: October 3rd. 2010
Times Viewed: 4,479

What I am about to tell you may shock you. Then again, for those of you who actually know me...probably not.

In light of the recent "Dabble-Gate" scandal caused by Delaware Senate Candidate Christine O'Donnell's confession that she had once practiced...well, something (she claims it was Witchcraft...but, some of us would beg to differ) , I felt compelled to share a few of my thoughts of my own about acceptance.

Many Wiccans have come forward to defend the reputation of our religion. What has offended so many is not that Christine O'Donnell claimed to practice Witchcraft. That in and of itself would nary cause a stir amongst our community. No, what I believe really has many Witches/Wiccans flying off the broom handle, so to speak, is that during her brief stint as a Witch, Ms. O'Donnell claims she inadvertently picnicked on a blood tainted Satanic altar, thus linking Witchcraft to Satanism.

For years, Wiccans have been trying to distance themselves from any association with the practice of Satanism. The notion that Witchcraft and Satanism go hand in hand is a misconception shared by many. You will most likely hear what Wicca is not, long before you hear what it actually is. "Wicca is not Satanism". "Wiccans do not believe in the existence of Satan". "Satan is a Christian construct." And my personal favorite, "to give evil a name lends it power". And I know; I've assured many concerned folks of these very things myself.

With all due respect however, aren't we being just a tad hypocritical? Is it just me or doesn't this smack of the same intolerance that we've been striving to overcome for these years? It seems to me that what we are in effect doing, is making it glaringly obvious that we are intolerant of someone else's beliefs, to the point that we are going through hell (pun intended) and high water to clarify that WE are not THEM!

No, we're not Satanists. But we're also not Buddhists. I mean, think about it. Do you hear us so vehemently defending our comparison to any other religion? Many of us have found our way to Wicca after being raised in a more mainstream religious background, yet if someone were to suggest that we were practicing Christianity or Judaism, it would hardly be worth mentioning. Yet, compare a Wiccan to a Satanist and all hell breaks lose...literally!

Now, I would be the last person you would hear say, "Oh, those poor misunderstood Satanists" or that Satanism has just gotten a bad rap. Satanism gained its reputation because many people are repelled by its principals, practices and you know, the whole association with Satan thing. The fact that Satanists don't actually worship Satan makes little difference. Satanists recognize themselves as Deity and hold only their own life perspectives as holy. It is a religion based solely on the "Self". They believe in fully living out and indulging in, their innermost lusts and desires.

"Satanism respects and exalts life. Children and animals are the purest expressions of that life force, and as such are held sacred and precious..." ~ religioustolerance.org.

Surprised? I was. I was taught to believe that Satanists sacrificed children and small animals to Satan. Not so much.

Back in the day, when first I began practicing Wicca, I participated in an online Pagan-Christian discussion forum. I remember one of my very first conversations was with a woman who belonged to the Church of Satan. I recall asking her, with my uppity neophyte attitude, why anyone would want to practice Satanism. I was surprised when, rather than telling me where to put my broomstick, she calmly and politely shared her reasons and suggested a website or two, should I want to a better my understanding of her beliefs. After participating for a while, and being bashed by many of the more experienced Pagan practitioners on the Board, it became readily apparent that not only was she one of the more intelligent posters, but also one of the more respectful as well.

I have to admit, I was actually nervous to visit the sites she suggested, but curiosity got the better of me and eventually I did. Can you imagine how surprised I was to learn that I actually agreed with 9 1/2 of the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth! Shocked yet? See how many you agree with...

http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/Eleven.html

There are many religions whose beliefs and practices I can't embrace. I don't enjoy the fact that some of the African Diasporic religions engage in animal sacrifice. I don't agree with the Jehovah's Witness who refuse a life saving blood transfusion for their child because it's against their beliefs. And the Scientologists? What more can I say?

Yet, I don't need to agree with what anyone else chooses to believe. I am secure enough in who I am and in the Path I follow so that I don't feel I have to hold up for comparison the differences between us. All I need to do is accept that the path they've chosen is much different my own.

As Wiccans we are taught to hold the Earth and all her inhabitants as sacred and this is what we hope to impart on those who still have misconceptions about our beliefs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall a, "except the Satanists" clause in the Wiccan Rede.

All this having been said, I've met a few Satanists in my time. Not many, but those I've met, I've actually liked! No, I can't say I agree with their beliefs and you definitely wouldn't find me attending one of their.... umm, picnics, yet I don't feel an overwhelming need to cringe when I hear my religion spoken in the same sentence as theirs.

The Scientologists? Well, I'm still a work in progress...

In Darkness, Light!

Footnotes:
http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/Eleven.html - Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth

"Satanism" - Religioustolerance.org

Copyright: This essay is subject to copyright.

ABOUT...

Kylia Heartsong

Location: Ridgewood, New Jersey

Website: http://witchofridgewood.blogspot.com

Author's Profile: To learn more about Kylia Heartsong - Click HERE

Bio: Tracy has is a first degree initiate in British Tradition Gardnerian Wicca, who has been practicing approximately 16 years. She resides with her family in New Jersey. In addition to her Wiccan practice she her focus includes, Intuitive magick, Hoodoo and Rune work. She enjoys reading (what Pagan doesn't?) photography, gardening, antiquing and international dance. She is a Reiki/Master Teacher, as well as being certified in Jikiden Reiki Levels I and II. She has completed coursework as an "End of Life" Doula.

You can read more of her musings on her blog:

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magick

http://witchofridgewood.blogspot.com

Other Articles: Kylia Heartsong has posted 4 additional articles- View them?

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