Defending the Truth

Gee Wally, really?


By the way, you might want to try using SpellCheck...

Really. The world wide hysteria of the 'witch trials' era was a tragedy in history. No one that was accussed, imprisoned, tortured, or killed were 'witches'. In fact, the largest number of victims were Jews. Accused of witchcraft for not converting to Christianity. The rest of the numbers of victims were those teaching other Christian views, were considered 'heretics' for teaching philosophies the Church didn't want spread to the masses, or simply for monetary means for the states to gain an individual's personal property or to settle personal vendettas.

So darling...First of all I'm not a witch. And even if I was, I don't for a moment consider myself a victim or consider myself being prosecuted. You may need to throw yourself on a cross, but I don't.

Actually, pagans are still opressed, but the focus wasn't on them in Salem.

Let's get this cleared up: Approximately 75-85% of the country is christian. Our leaders are predominantly christian. Our strongest social commentators are predominantly christian. In fact, if you're not christian, that's a detriment were you to ever run for office. Proclaim yourself an atheist and you can kiss Congress goodbye. Christians are in power. You are not opressed.

When I meant the first Europeans in America, I was thinking of the Puritans, the ones who make Jerry Falwell look like a secular humanist. You're also forgetting all those religious awakenings that reinforced religion and kept it from fading away.

I don't view Pagans as being opressed. Misunderstood because many people are disinclined to learn about our ways when it's much easier to believe what some movie or t.v. show says is 'Pagan'. And of course, any documentaries done on a Pagan belief is done with interviews of those also buying into the media hype, just furthering the misunderstanding about those particular beliefs.

BUT, even though many may not know or are willing to learn about Paganism or it's own diversities, it doesn't keep my from having the right to practice my beliefs. I also do not have to worry about someone coming and dragging me out of my home, throwing me in jail, or torturing me for having my beliefs.

It's a two sided situation. Those screaming 'I'm being prosecuted' usually are being prosecuted. Because they approach the situation in a defensive manner and are willing to act towards another's misunderstanding in the same aggressive manner they are expecting to receive. In otherwords...They're already fighing a perceived battle before a battle has even begun.

True, our beliefs are in the minority of the religious spectrum. And collectively our voices are more quiet then those of the majority. BUT we're not looking to rule, just satisfied with our own little piece of the American dream.

Perhaps one day as our numbers grow, there will be Pagans in office. It's not an impossibility. But as it is, at this moment? There aren't any Pagans interested or even trying to attempt entering a political office. In whole, we're quite satisfied with just voting and doing our own bit quietly. So saying that by our non-intrest in joining campaigning is some way oppressive? That's kinda putting the cart before the horse. First you'd actually have to have one run, go by those results, before reaching any kind of conclusion about whether or not we're politically oppressed.

Are you deluded? Did I EVER claim to be oppressed?

And the original "immigrants" who came to America were escaping religious persecution. Duhhhh...

I actually know some who are still bent about Bush's comments about 'witches' he made during his first run at presidency...

Thing is, Bush is a Christian who believes the dogma of his teachings in that regards. It may have been poor taste to have said it publically about his disregard and dislike of a Pagan tradition...But it was his opinion. An uninformed one, but an opinion non-the-less.

The only problem I'll have with his opinion is if he tried to remove my rights to personal religious practices...He can hate the fact, vocalize the fact, all he wants that he wishes I didn't have it...But it's IF he actually tries to remove it that (and excuse the pun) all hell will break loose. ROTFLMAOL!!!

The salem witch trials were started because of ergot in thier grain, which is what LSD comes from. They were all tripping face which lead to odd behavior and the accusations.
There was one girl in Salem, that was a slave, that was practicing here native African tribal religion, which was preceived by the Puritans as witchcraft.
Here is one of the many links on this:

Ergot Poisoning (LSD) - the cause of the Salem Witch Trials - PBS Secrets of the Dead

Opressed might have been a strong word, because even though the label still carries something of a stigma and a lot of senators have been pushing for restrictions against Pagans (and even Bush said he didn't think witchcraft was a religion), there have been some big improvements. The Supreme Court has really came through in guaranteeing rights to Wiccans in particular, even if our elected officials will not.

I don't think pagans today are as protected as a member of the abrahamic religions, but not as looked down upon as much as an atheist.

Yep, I've read that thesis and actually agree with it as well. But also, there was a bit of attention getting on the girls' parts as well. And it just blew up from that point on. Then there were those from outside of the community who weren't affected by the grain, yet were also making the same accusations. Mainly to settle grudges or in hopes of prospering from it. It just simply became a 'jump on the band wagon' phenominon with some deadly results.

There were many factors in what happened. Not just the simple issue of the grain.