Post by Eshna on May 15, 2002 9:25:01 GMT -5
Witchcraft!?!
Wicca, or as it is more commonly known Witchcraft, is seen as a very negitive and melevolent "art". In our history "wiccans" (the term given to "witches") have been hunted, attacked, beaten, burned and obviously murdered. Oddly, it is only the ignorance of those that judge Wicca and its users that illustrate any "evil". Though Wicca, as with all things, can be tainted or used for "bad" means, it is in essence and fact a religion built upon respect, love, light and peace.
Consider, if you will, the catholic religion... It is based upon respect for all life and forgiveness of wrongs. However, this faith has one of the most bloodied histories of all! It was this very "popular" and peaceful religion that lead the crusades. These crusades were wars of many years in which any who would not conform to the "proper" faith were called evil and then brought to so called justice through torture and murder. What propoganda!!! Quite sadly, things do not end there! It was this loving faith that began and maintained the prosecution of anything outside their laws and boudaries, mainly wicca and wiccans, though they are only a small percentage. How ironic that one should hate and fear the other to the point of war when both share similar, if not identical, values. These questions must be asked, though there may never be any answers... Why is a catholic healer called a miracle worker where as a healer who is not of that faith is called a witch and seen as evil? What right has anyone to judge the gifts of any other? Jesus, the supposed "Emmanuel of all", called upon his Lord when completing any "miracle". What is the difference in that from a wiccan who calls on "The Powers that Be" and/or the Elements for a spell of healing or some other means? The term "Powers that be" is only the title chosen to represent a diety or dieties that many wiccans "pray" to.
The only notable difference is that catholics which can preform such "skills" often turn to the "Father" for their power, strength and/or gift(s). However a wiccan often "channels" the elements, their spirit, planets, other people, the Powers that Be, etc... It is very sad that a person will judge another souly based on arrogance, ignorance and unrealible information. With all this in mind, a certain quote is in need of correction. It is said that "ignorance is bliss", that is obviously false.
It is Innocence that is truly bliss and ignorance is negitive. This statement is true because ignorance begets fear and this, hatered and that, vilence and chaos. How could anythingthat would incite such an outcome, even in the faintest detail, be bliss? It can not and thus, I re-itterate... The quote is in dire need of modification! That which is unknown to you should never be judged by you, remember this well.
To summerise, remain open minded until you can make a detailed study of that which you intend to judge. Until you are familiar with the object in question you have no reason to judge, ridicule and/or fear. The target of your judgment may very well be something of purity or decency. You can not know unless you learn and by judging you learn nothing.
In short, learn before you teach because any of the previously stated negitivities breed hate and from that only more "darkness" can be drawn.
Fighting for a future without Ignorance,
Eshna
Wicca, or as it is more commonly known Witchcraft, is seen as a very negitive and melevolent "art". In our history "wiccans" (the term given to "witches") have been hunted, attacked, beaten, burned and obviously murdered. Oddly, it is only the ignorance of those that judge Wicca and its users that illustrate any "evil". Though Wicca, as with all things, can be tainted or used for "bad" means, it is in essence and fact a religion built upon respect, love, light and peace.
Consider, if you will, the catholic religion... It is based upon respect for all life and forgiveness of wrongs. However, this faith has one of the most bloodied histories of all! It was this very "popular" and peaceful religion that lead the crusades. These crusades were wars of many years in which any who would not conform to the "proper" faith were called evil and then brought to so called justice through torture and murder. What propoganda!!! Quite sadly, things do not end there! It was this loving faith that began and maintained the prosecution of anything outside their laws and boudaries, mainly wicca and wiccans, though they are only a small percentage. How ironic that one should hate and fear the other to the point of war when both share similar, if not identical, values. These questions must be asked, though there may never be any answers... Why is a catholic healer called a miracle worker where as a healer who is not of that faith is called a witch and seen as evil? What right has anyone to judge the gifts of any other? Jesus, the supposed "Emmanuel of all", called upon his Lord when completing any "miracle". What is the difference in that from a wiccan who calls on "The Powers that Be" and/or the Elements for a spell of healing or some other means? The term "Powers that be" is only the title chosen to represent a diety or dieties that many wiccans "pray" to.
The only notable difference is that catholics which can preform such "skills" often turn to the "Father" for their power, strength and/or gift(s). However a wiccan often "channels" the elements, their spirit, planets, other people, the Powers that Be, etc... It is very sad that a person will judge another souly based on arrogance, ignorance and unrealible information. With all this in mind, a certain quote is in need of correction. It is said that "ignorance is bliss", that is obviously false.
It is Innocence that is truly bliss and ignorance is negitive. This statement is true because ignorance begets fear and this, hatered and that, vilence and chaos. How could anythingthat would incite such an outcome, even in the faintest detail, be bliss? It can not and thus, I re-itterate... The quote is in dire need of modification! That which is unknown to you should never be judged by you, remember this well.
To summerise, remain open minded until you can make a detailed study of that which you intend to judge. Until you are familiar with the object in question you have no reason to judge, ridicule and/or fear. The target of your judgment may very well be something of purity or decency. You can not know unless you learn and by judging you learn nothing.
In short, learn before you teach because any of the previously stated negitivities breed hate and from that only more "darkness" can be drawn.
Fighting for a future without Ignorance,
Eshna
