Why are pagans/witch's shunned by society still today?

Answer 1

I myself , as a pagan, have wondered that same question many times. the best thing I can think of is that even though we have advanced as a people, there are many who still hold true the values and mores taught to them by family members over the years. What can I say, old habits die hard. THink about it this way, if you are told something by your parents, who was by their parents, who was told by their parents, et cetera, it would be really hard for you to accept anything else.
Back in merry old England (and the isles), pagans/wiccans were purseued by the Christans who were pretty much forcing everyone to their religion. When the elders of the villages wouldn't heed to the 'younger kids' wishes to converet to CHristianity, they would either fabricate or not totally investigate claims of demon worship, human sacrifice, and other such forms of obsene behavior. I know that is just one such reason many people shun such religions. This ideology and way of thinking just kind of trickled down through generations, and just hasn't exactly gone away.
There are just so many reasons, and I just bearly scratched the surface. I just think that it all boils down to people not accepting what they don't understand and relgious zealots to willing to accept anything other than what they know/believe.

Answer 2

Mostly because people fear what they don't understand, especially if it's different. Partly because historically, pagans and witches were persecuted by the Christian church. (This isn't bashing - most religions or cultures have engaged in eradication of the "enemy" at some point in time.) Partly because there are some who call themselves pagan or Wiccan for attention's sake and to excuse outlandish behavior. And partly because there are a great number of misconceptions that still exist regarding what pagans and Wiccans believe.

Answer 3

Because people are afraid of the unknown. Perhaps they portray narrow minded points of view because they are uneducated on the issue. I mean come on, Islam is less shunned than pagan/witches. How crazy is that. I believe ignorance plays a huge role in peoples' irrational fears.

Answer 4

There is still a misconception that Pagan's are doing evil or worship Satan. The wiccians follow one rule and that is "Do as thou will, but harm none." Harm none means never casting spells on someone without the person's permission. That includes spells that may be helpful to them. The problem comes where people think we worship the Christian figure of Satan. We don't even believe in Heaven or Hell and therefore we don't believe in Satan. The problem is that many people follow what has been told to them and not what actually is.

Answer 5

Shunned? I don't think so, maybe in your area because there are still a lot of ignorant fundamentalist of whatever religion. But partly, culture and the media controllers has to have some manipulation in this since it does not conform with their beliefs, and of course, commerce or business has something to do with it too,if it will be profitable or not or is it politically feasible.
At present, many so called christian literature mistakenly deemed that witches are devil worshippers, or maybe they deliberately cover up the truth because it may appeal many of their adherents to change their religion back to the Old Religion, which is matriarchal or women power against patriarchal or macho mentality.
Fortunate for the craft at present because the media is tolerant for this practice, such movie as THE HARRY POTTER, THE CRAFT,(PERFECT MAGIC ? sandra bullocks) are in "good propaganda". unlike compared to the muslims which are mostly depected as villains against the current US administration or the deteriorating moral values of the western culture.
Nope, THE CRAFT is not shunned anymore. Just see how the new age concept is accepted, crystal powers, herbs and natural healings, reincarnation, environmentalism,astrology and the likes are proliferating. Aren't this in the domain of the CRAFT? Only bad thing here is satanism, the inverted cross, anarchism,body mutilation , man for himself, hedonism, fight of the fittest,narcism are rampant and are thought to be same with the craft.
WICCE or the wise one is a practical concept, but which I, for now, can't understand and accept fully yet because I think the philosophy here is to fulfill your material needs first before spiritual needs. I also observed from the personality of my classmates (i studied the craft for a time) that they have problems which are materialistic in nature, mostly about wealth, love and learning spells for material gains..But they are nice, cool, good, decent individuals compared with so called christians (not the majority i hope). I even got acquianted with a young beautiful high priestess (she claims) who value morality and sex so much higly that I came to respect her. Although, i also have mediated between bicca or witch war between some, maybe business oriented, and some of them really project an image of mystery or weirdness by putting on black outfits including their nail polish and lipstick.
well, just like any religion,there are 'holys' and wicked.I opted to maintain myself in the state of "Islam" as I consider it factual compared to others,by now...Blessed be!!!

Answer 6

Interesting question considering we live in the most free society on the planet. The only other time in history when pagans enjoyed such freedom to worship was back when they were busy oppressing and slaughtering Christians.

Answer 7

Before Christianity everyone was "pagan". Today's people are Christian because their ancestors were skewered on the sword of the lord...people are scared they'll go to a painful hellish death if they don't shun the people next door.

Answer 8

Because peple often degrade things they do not understand.
Paganism is a religion just like Christanity, being a pagan believer doesn't always mean you are a witch.

Answer 9

Because throughout history they have been portrayed as 'devil worshipers' or those who follow the devil. I don't necessarily see them as being shunned, just not understood. The majority of society does not understand what they are all about, therefore creating this historical misinterpretation.

Answer 10

People fear what they don't understand. They 'know' you are different and to some even 'evil'. They fail to realize that we live our lives like everyone else. We have jobs, we go to school/college, we have families, pets etc.. I could pass you on a street and you would have no clue I am a Wiccan.. you would not be able to tell by sight.

We are stereotyped; someday through education and increased tolerance that will change.