Witchvox Article

Author: Lady GoldenRaven
Posted: June 24th. 2007
Times Viewed: 3,130

I am seeing a disturbing trend around the world lately. While certain Christian denominations are becoming more outspoken against any of our pagan ways, they are gaining popularity with otherwise more tolerant Christian denominations. The fundies are gaining strength within the Christian community. The consequences of being a pagan is becoming worse.

Before, people might "talk behind your back" or discriminate in more subtle ways. However, the situation is rapidly deteriorating. In recent years, burning of crosses on pagan property has become more frequent.

From that point, now rocks are pelting pagan businesses, burned to the ground (mind you, these Christians do not even know or probably care whether people are in these buildings), and being physically harmed. The abuse is graduating to rape, torture, and homicide. The bombing of abortion clinics is yet another example.

Are we coming into the next Burning Times? Will things become better or will they worsen over time. If they worsen over time, will we survive? If we survive, will we be a stronger more united religion with more influence in the world? I would think so.

I am grouping ALL religions which are NOT Christianity under the umbrella of paganism. We are not the only religion being persecuted. ANY religion that is not Christian is subject to this discrimination. . But, does it have to come to this?

The Christians are fighting among themselves. The fundies are attacking their own people. So what chances do we as pagans have? Will we see the Christian denominations that are being attacked join forces with us? It is possible.

It would not be the first time in history for religious wars. In countries like Iraq, Iran, and other Muslim countries, they have been fighting among themselves for centuries, and we think we can go in and stop them?

Regardless of WHICH deity you follow, I cannot think of a single one who says go out and torture and kill people in MY NAME! Or I command you to strap a bomb on an innocent little child and send them out to kill whoever are near, in MY NAME!

How is it that the religious zealots always seem to become the leaders of religious persecution when they are in the minority? One would think that the other religious faithful would stop them in their tracks.

My concern is not just another Burning Times against pagans, but that it will go beyond that. Back to the days when Christianity was in its formative years. The days when the Roman coliseums were filled with people cheering as wild animals were released and fought against those of opposing religions or fought with other men of yet another opposing religion.

To see people cheering as if they were at a Super Bowl game, watching as people were torn to shreds, is appalling. Yet, it is not beyond the realm of possibility. Those days were filled with either Christians watching pagans being torn to shreds or pagans watching Christians being ripped apart. Yet, I can see this coming to pass.

Not just because religion is the main focus, but the entire world is on the brink of insanity. We are close to the End of time. Now, I am not here to state when or where this coming. I am not a prophet, never claimed to be one. However, it does not take a prophet to see the obvious. As a civilization on the whole, there are too many humans on this planet for Mother Earth to sustain us. The climate is changing; animals are dying out, vegetation becoming scarce. Storms, wildfires, and any other type of weather She can throw at us are now upon us. Can we not take a hint?

People are less tolerant of everything, not just religion. However, I am digressing from the point. Back to the issue at hand.

As if it isn�t bad enough, we have to deal with the Christians trying to destroy our way of life. And now I am seeing pagans doing the exact same thing! I grow tried of hearing people say if you are not Wiccan, you are not a wytch. If you are not this, then you are not that.

When I describe our faith to those of other religions, I tend to put it in simple terms they can understand. Wiccan is a denomination of paganism. Please follow:

CHRISTIANITY -- PAGANISM

Methodist -- Wicca
Baptist -- Gardenarian
Lutheran -- Dianic
Presbyterian -- Isisian

One path is not superior to the other. How can we expect the world to take our religious paths seriously, when we continue fighting among ourselves?

Then, on the same note, the pagan path also has its own fundies. Now, this growing trend I am seeing includes pagans causing harm to those of other religions. I am not saying, do not fight back if attacked physically. We all have the right to self-defense if our bodies or families are threatened. But I am seeing more people, especially young bloods, on the web searching for revenge spells against someone or another.

One wanted a revenge spell because the girl he was interested in turned him down for a date! He actually wanted to cause her physical harm. These incidents used to be few and far between. Now they are becoming more prevalent.

How much of this is due to the times we live in and how much is due to these same young bloods thinking the world owes them everything. If the latter is the case, we only have the parents to blame for indulging their every whim. They have no patience, no concept of morality.

And we say it is the next generation who will make things better? Of course, every generation for the last hundred centuries say the same.

Where is this all going to end? How is this all going to end? I see several scenarios in my head and none of them look very good to me.

We need all pagans to gather in peace and work in a cooperative manner if we expect our ways to survive.

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Lady GoldenRaven

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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