Witchvox Article

Author: Heather Belt
Posted: August 21st. 2011
Times Viewed: 4,261

I turned on my computer this past Sunday afternoon and the first thing that I see is �True Blood� trending on Yahoo.com. So being a HUGE fan of the show I click on the link expecting to find an article about an episode coming on that night. But, to my surprise, I get to linked to an article and can�t believe what I�m reading. A Reuters� online article called, �Real Witches Cry Foul at Portrayal on �True Blood�. The first thing I think to myself is �please don�t say what I think this will�, and then I sigh�

This is not meant to be a rant, but I suppose there is no way around it really. Getting offended over television let me repeat that a �television show� is absolutely insane! Fictional portrayals of magical/mythological creatures that we all acknowledge to some extent do not exist blow my mind. Sometimes you wonder if it is just really a cheeky ploy to interject our religion into the media. I know we need respect, but I cannot believe that smart well-rounded individuals would be offended over something whose sole purpose is �entertainment�, such is the plot and characters of �True Blood�. I can�t agree that this is the way to go about gaining positive feed back about Wicca, the Religion.

What do I mean by entertainment? Just this�television is a smoke screen. It�s an electronic medium for entertainment and escape. In lay terms, it�s not real. Crying foul in the name of a religion you do not own is�well it�s hard for me to describe. Having a few members of such a vast religious practice who are unknown to me, take a stance in a fight I do not agree with doesn�t give me warm and fuzzy feelings about my peers. Entertainment is meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

I would hope that most Witches know what their Religion is all about. Being able to adapt and be comfortable in a world largely opposed to our Religion is just the nature of the beast. Education is key here. Education is not attacking an entertainment show because it is drawing interest in our Religion. Education is taking the time to educate those people who come to use with questions. It is not found in media attention over a lame duck issue.

What I would really like to convey to my brothers and sisters of the craft is pick your battles. Choose the battles that actually mean something and will make a difference in the way the world views us. Don�t participate in the overexposed, over glorified blood machine that is lame media footer. Write your Senators and your local Representatives about change in religious freedom polices for our military family of the craft. As coven members, volunteer together for a local charity or soup kitchen. Adopt a highway! There are a hundred better ways to portray ourselves to the world than fighting against a type of discrimination we will never conquer. Not to say we are not strong, it�s just, everyone will believe what he or she finds to be true. Instead of taking these fictional portrayals of something loosely based on what we know to be untrue, makes us look�well, crazy. That�s how the article came off to me while I was reading it. It seemed almost to be poking fun at us, which really upsets me.

Lastly I ask that my peers realize that we are NOT an organized religion. There is a huge umbrella that encompasses the definition of what �Wicca/Paganism� is. So as we all suffer together from the intolerant bigotry that sometimes comes along with calling oneself a �Witch�, we are all equally harmed when something is generalized about all of us. The article �generalizes� the word Witch, and because people don�t understand the religion we will now all take the heat.

I call no one my leader except my Lady and Lord. It upsets me that a my peers feel it is ok to go out and generalize the word �Witch� to only what it means to them. What you are and what your Religion is are private matters, as far as I�m concerned. If you are going to take a stand on something I just ask that you make sure it only generalizes �YOU�, the person or your coven members, not an entire religion or group of people. That is as reckless as you believe the show to be in my opinion!

Finally, I must say that I adore �True Blood�. It�s funny and interesting and creative. I don�t really think the show is supposed to be about anything that is actually realistic in nature. And I�m not convinced the show is supposed to be educational in, either. I hate to be rude, but all I can offer to those who are offended is a sarcastic �thanks�. I hate to say it but your gesture may just be another �speed bump� in the advancement of our religion as far as I�m concerned. If you don�t like my message or if I�m upsetting you it�s not my intention. I just find it, let�s say, incredibly amusing, what some of you choose to call a �real world� opinion on Wicca as portrayed in the media, because such a thing does not exist. Except Mrs. Dugan of coarse who I was pleasantly surprised actually got it! It�s entertainment not a slight against Wicca.

Furthermore, as I realize these people are entitled to an opinion all I can say is I wish you well on your crusade, but excuse me if I am more than a little skeptical about the outcome!

Attempting to �explain� Wicca in a 1, 000 word essay to an entire readership of uneducated and lay individuals is nothing more than futile. Mentioning things like the art of necromancy or spirit communication will do little more than incite more hate because the messages will just go over their heads. Just like the opinions expressed in the above article by the people interviewed for the new story, mine too is a strong opinion. I don't feel my opinion is any better or worse than those who voiced dismay against the show. I just ask that my thoughts be considered, as they have asked theirs be also. Let�s take the time to really think about what has been accomplished?

Blessed Be.

Footnotes:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/12/us-trueblood-witches-idUSTRE77B54Q20110812

www.yahoo.com

Copyright: This article is the sole property and work of Heather Douglas

ABOUT...

Heather Belt

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Website: www.evolutionthroughchange.blogspot.com

Author's Profile: To learn more about Heather Belt - Click HERE

Other Articles: Heather Belt has posted 8 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Heather Belt... (Yes! I have opted to receive invites to Pagan events, groups, and commercial sales)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.

Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.

Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).