| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,943,520
|
Article: 19220
[Pagan]
Date Posted:
1/14/2008
6:47:55 am EST
Wvox Stats
Views: 7,984
RSS: 18,832
Comments: 15
|
Letter: Backlash Against Wiccan Community
Author: Amanda Docken Source: Sioux City Journal (IA)
Title: BACKLASH AGAINST WICCAN COMMUNITY
The moment I heard that the man charged with murdering the two girls was claiming that he was casting a spell on them I flinched because I knew that it would cause a backlash on the Wiccan community. The fear people already feel about a religion that they know very little about is going to cause many of those to point fingers and say, "See, that's why witchcraft is evil" or "See, people who do witchcraft are evil."
And the fact that our police chief makes comments such as, "You're talking about people casting spells, spells gone bad. Obviously, there is a lot more going on here than a straightforward homicide," makes that fear of the unknown even more intense.
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 15 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Apparently They Stopped Taking Comments... | Jan 15th. at 11:49:38 am EST
|
Lady Eagle Spirit (Austin, Texas) - Email Me
This is what I would've written in response:
Please go back to school and educate yourselves about history. I am a former history major, recently switching over to cultural anthropology and world religions. I was raised Southern Baptist, but since I was 12, I studied everything pertaining to religion and all forms have their good and bad. I recently started studying Shamanism and it shows it good and bad sides as well.
The only wrongs here that I perceive is the unbound hatred for those who choose to follow their hearts and the murder of 2 innocent children.
Walk in Beauty...
LES
|
| It's A Shame | Jan 14th. at 7:09:03 pm EST
|
Silverfang (St. Clair Shores, Michigan) - Email Me
when any religion, especially ones so often misunderstood as Wicca, get dragged into a criminal case. Religion shouldn't have anything to do with murder or robbery or any other criminal offense. It's time that people took responsibility for their actions. Moral decline is on the rise, not because of any specific religion, but because it's no longer endforced that morals are important. Maybe it's time that all religions stood up and reinforced that they are important. But then, that would mean we would all have to get along...and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Blessed Be
|
| THIS HAS.... | Jan 14th. at 5:25:57 pm EST
|
Whitewolf (Schenectady, New York) - Email Me
NOTHING to do with "WitchCraft" - it was a case of premeditated MURDER, plain and simple, and I think it should be handled as such....
Love to all
|
| Some Thing To Think About. | Jan 14th. at 1:48:02 pm EST
|
Orion 6Xray (Park City, Kentucky) - Email Me - Web
"Being Born Again is an excuse for not growing up".
The hazard of the mob mentality and "Vocal Minority" is that as history has proven it was the vocal minority who plunged countries in to dictatorships.
Only 10% of the colonies actually rebelled against the British in the beginning of the revolutionary war. The fence riders and quiet majority were suckered into the fight when the 10% finally were able to tick off the crown.
Same thing happened in Nazi Germany.
Happened in Russia when the last Czar was killed.
Happend in China when communism kicked into high gear.
The laundry list goes on. So it is the complicity of the moderate majority that allowed the extreme minority to take control. Once that happens the moderate majority goes along to get along with very few exceptions.
"When tyranny comes to this country it will be wrapped in a flag carrying a cross".
Sinclair Lewis
Find More info -- HERE
|
| Why I Don't Live In The Mid-west | Jan 14th. at 12:48:24 pm EST
|
Young Coyote (W. Hempstead, California) - Email Me
Just take a look at the first few comments.
|
| What Matters. | Jan 14th. at 12:37:43 pm EST
|
bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
Does being one faith or another make things any more or less evil upon commission? I rather doubt it. There is always someone wanting to pass culpability to some intangible force or being, since it is far easier than taking responsibility for one's own action.
Everytime the nutjobs rattle the cage, it brings out the all the others willing to point their fingers in gleeful indignation about the circumstances--but somehow-never the crime.
It is always a spell- or a demon- or a devil- or something-- that went wrong or made them do it-but never them. They staunchly maintain their innocence even when their hands run red with blood they shed themselves. They are firmly convinced that others will see the light and truth of their actions-no matter how cruel or heinous because it is a crime committed in the name of (---) insert faith or following here.
This is also a situation where others try to exploit for their own selfish purposes- which are often little better than what they reproach, simply seeking to share the spotlight of the moment- while the innocents and victims go ignored, because they cannot speak for themselves.
The faith is not at fault, it is the failure of the follower-either in neglect or criminal action to take on the responsibility of his own actions and to accept his own blame. And it is the failure and the injustice of those pointing out the supposed blame of spell or devil- that allows justice for the victims to be impeded by their own selfish interests.
It is time to put all faith aside- and judge the crime for what it really is, murder.Whether the man was Wiccan-or christian or anything else doesn't matter-it's what he did that should count. It should be the only thing that matters.
|
| Read Your Local Paper | Jan 14th. at 11:27:35 am EST
|
Bear Moon-shine (DeFuniak Springs, Florida) - Email Me
If the local paper allows readers to respond always insert the religion of the victims. If it’s not said just say Christian. State how evil Christians are. How dangerous they are. How the practice of their religion includes sacrifices of humans…Abraham killed his son and god had Jesus killed all in the name of religion. It’s not P.C. but if the Christians think they can get away with this we should be sure to let them know none of them walk on water ...well unless it frozen.
Any loon can claim anything under the cloak of religion
My energy goes out to the family.
|
| Sad | Jan 14th. at 10:05:56 am EST
|
Gypsy (Zanesville, Ohio) - Email Me
I hope we as a community understand that these people are the few. It's not about religion its about crackpots who kill, and people who blame a benign faith. I worry that these folks might see this as a reason to come after all Wiccan/Pagans because of one man who doesn't represent us in a positive light... The fact that this man wasn't representative of us at all doesn't seem to matter to some of these people.
The only way these people will see that we are not a threat to them is if we get off our bums and talk to the press and tell them in very clear language that we don't approve or endorse or tolerate any action that causes harm to innocent children.
It would not hurt to make certain that we are in a calm frame of mind and remember to check grammar and spelling. These nutjobs will use any reason to call us uneducated, evil, twisted, sick mentally ill etc. We don't need to give credence to any of these claims. They do seem to focus on the negative don't they...
|
| I Agree... | Jan 14th. at 9:48:17 am EST
|
Celtic Lullaby (Jefferson, Maryland) - Email Me
People who post such derogatory comments when faced with the truth about the religion they are so poorly informed about are not deserving of respect or courtesy.
We don't automatically assume that every psychotic christian mother or father who goes off the deep end and wipes out her or his entire family represent all of christendom, yet, let one of ours do something like that and we get wingnuts of all denominations popping out of every nook to screech, "SEE! SEE! WE TOLD YOU IT WAS EVIL!"
|
| Yet The Christian Cannibal Was Never Mentioned | Jan 14th. at 9:45:01 am EST
|
Witch School International, Inc. (Rossville, Illinois) - Email Me
At the same time we saw these terrible crimes, Christopher Lee McCuin killed and ate his girlfriend and told the police that God and Jesus Compelled him to do so.
But that did not make much press.
It's very much a double standard.
Find More info -- HERE
|
| 2 Quick 2 Comment | Jan 14th. at 9:28:32 am EST
|
Nacine Moonglow (Uehling, Nebraska) - Email Me
I think that this tragedy has people (all people) too quick to comment without thinking through what they really want to get across in the media.
It is a proven fact that the pen is mightier than the sword. Yes, many of these articles about these mmurders and public opinion about them are upsetting. A response without proper thought and time to make that response in a consise and clear manner that cannot be misinterpreted by those not on our path of spirituality would probobly be better.
I also think that a short statement by someone from the Wiccan comunity in Sioux City disavowing this crime and kknowledge of the person who committed this crime would go a long way. No details, no trying to fight for or justify their beliefs just a statement saying this man was not a part of our community no matter what he claims.
|
| Some Of Those Comments! | Jan 14th. at 9:06:14 am EST
|
Errapel (Lowestoft, England) - Email Me
" Casting Spells is pure bunk, as is Wicca. "
" Anyone who studies Wicca is in need of a mental evaluation. It is that simple. "
"When you finish your WICCA studies I suggest you find a keeper. We don't want 2 more innocent children to die. "
It's nice to see tolerance and understanding ruling here.
" The only thing people need to "understand" is that an insane monster took the lives of two innocent girls and should be punished to the full extent."
That's pretty weird, I'm sure it was the stepfather who is accused.
"I am appauled that anyone would use this tragedy for their own adgenda to explain how misunderstood their chosen religion is."
I dont think this person has fully understood what the article is meant to be. If there is a backlash against the wiccan community I'd want it tackled, whether or not the backlash was 'justified', it still happened. Hatered and missunderstanding can lead to terrible things, and if this terrible event leads to more hatered I think it's a good thing when people try to prevent it by setting the record straight.
|
| ... | Jan 14th. at 7:28:21 am EST
|
Draken (Bronx, New York) - Email Me - Web
*points to the comments so far on that article*
You want me to respect them? Ain't gonna happen. Respect is earned, not given. Quite frankly, I don't see any reason why I should respect an entire community of overgrown two-year-olds.
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: 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 non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 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.
| |
