I am a wiccan. Since it is halloween my teacher brought up the topic of witchcraft and in a few words mocked my religon. he and the class laughed at it and then he said, "if any of you are wiccan, dont put a spell on me," laughing again. I am deeply offended. i know that the wiccan pyramid is to know to will and to be silent, so i wonder if i should or shouldn't say something about his comments. what should i do. Please no rude answers.
2006-10-31 04:18:26 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is a very difficult one to answer. My first "knee jerk" reaction was to have you report him to the school board for discussing religion in a negative way in class. But unfortunately this would probably only turn badly for yourself (rule of three). Perhaps you would do better if you could get your hands on a spare copy of "The Truth About Witchcraft Today" by Scott Cunningham and have it delivered to him with a brief note saying that his negative comment about the faith was noted and this might clear up his misunderstanding about our ways might serve your purpose better. If you are not able to perhaps you know an adult in the Craft who wouldn't mind addressing his oversight for you. I have to comment that it was far braver for you to be silent in class then to draw the unneeded attention to yourself by speaking.
Bright Blessings young one
Blessed Be )O(
p.s. Worse case, if you can, send me his email address and I will send him a respectful comment about his words. I don't want to harm him but I would be willing to correct his misunderstanding about us.
2006-10-31 04:32:08 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing offensive about it, he was making a joke about witchcraft – stupid thing is however the chances of anyone in your class being Wicca are slim (Wicca is initiate-only, and will normally only initiate over 18's).
Don't be so sensitive, if you are a Seeker or Neo-wicca then get used to it, there is nothing offensive about being a witch and nothing offensive about people talking about witchcraft or making little jokes. People do this about everything and mean nothing by it – if he was to turn around and say 'All Wicca are going to hell' then you'd have reason to be offended, but it sounds as though he was just making a joke, relax.
The "wiccan pyramid" no idea what you are talking about, but there is nothing to say someone who is Wicca or any other religion needs to be silent about anything. Freedom of religion means having the freedom to practice whatever religion you like, he is in no way shape or form infringing on this, to imply he is taking your freedom of religion is childish and overly politically correct, not to mention a knee jerk reaction to a perfectly innocent comment.
If you really believe that he said this to be offensive then have a word with him about it and tell him you are interested in Wicca, a Seeker or Neo-wicca, so to be more careful with his words in front of your classmates. If that does not end it then see someone further up.
I'll point this out to you now – If it was an innocent comment and you put in a complaint then it is morally wrong of you to do this, it could get him into trouble or cost him his job, all because you cannot take a small joking comment!
2006-10-31 05:02:38 · answer #2 · answered by Kasha 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The witches pyramid is talking about working magic not sitting back and allowing someone to talk smack about you. Does this teacher know you are wiccan? Are out about it? If not don't worry about because he probably did not know. If you are out then by all means have a little chat with your teacher and let him know you were offended by the remarks and that he should first educate himself about the religion before making any comments on the religion. Don't blow up at him because then he would have been the better person in the situation. Talk like a adult in a calm manner and also let him know about any books or websites he can read to educate himself. Good Luck!
2006-10-31 04:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by Nelly 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People don't understand us for the most part or have a very crooked view of Wiccans. Don't worry about what other people think. If you are strong in your beliefs, and you are comfortable, then it doesn't matter.
Everyone will have an opinion if you state that you are Wiccan. If you bring it up to your teacher or your class, you may be opening up a whole line of taunts and misunderstandings about yourself and your beliefs that you are not ready for yet.
I say to ignore them. While it was very rude, I'm sure your teacher didn't realize there would actually be anyone in the class that followed Wiccan beliefs. If it continues, then say something privately to them, but since it is Halloween, I'm guessing that it was a one time thing.
Blessed be.
2006-10-31 04:23:47 · answer #4 · answered by Heck if I know! 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I definately would not stand for that, you have this wiccan on your side. My advise would be to go up to him after class, privately and say yes I am wiccan, and i was deeply offended by what you said. But remind him that since he said it during class, it did shape views of other students, so let him that your fellow calss mate will have a VIEW of you from what HE said.
If he is not respectfull, remind him that hatecrimes ARE a fellony, and they don't just protect the races.
I'm sorry you experienced tha, I run into those people a lot, it is unerving, but our religion does hold wisdom, so use the wisdom of your ancestors to help through these biggot views, Blessed Be, and Happy Halloween :)
2006-10-31 04:52:14 · answer #5 · answered by danksprite420 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are ignorant. They just are. Im sorry for you as Im sure that was very upsetting! I am not Wiccan but I know people who are and I have respect for your beliefs. Im not answering on any Wiccian authority here. But, I think that what ever choice you make will be the right one. If you choose to let go and forgive the situation that is perfectly acceptable! However, you also have an opportunity to go to that teacher and educate him. You could ask for 10 min of class time and educate the class on your beliefs & explain how deeply rooted Wicca is in all the 'Christain' holidays & traditions. There is fasinating history there that everyone should know - in my opinion.
Be true to youreself is my advice in all matters, you can not go wrong from there!
Best of luck!
2006-10-31 04:37:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all public school isn't the place for that, you should be offended.
Freedom of religion comes with a few burdens, one of which are very small minded people. You can file a complaint if you want, thats up to you, do what you feel is best. It won't change the burdens of that freedom though. Since your religion is not one of the mainstream, you may have more to deal with than some. The fact is you have that freedom, and can practice your religion unashamed and with no one to answer to. Sadly enough, there is also the freedom of stupidity, but you already know that.
Whether you file the complaint or not, remember it's your right. Don't let it waste all your time, move past it quickly.
2006-10-31 04:33:02 · answer #7 · answered by Brad 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Knowledge is the key. Once a person knows the truth, it usually defuses the situation. As an example, I correct anyone who believes that Wiccans worship Satan at every opportunity. I let them know that to worship Satan you must first believe in an entity called Satan. That in fact, to be a Satanist, you must first be a Christian. One cannot conduct a Black Mass without first knowing what a White Mass is.
Give your teacher something to read on the subject. Let him/her know that you are Wiccan and that you found his/her remarks to be both ignorant of the subject in question, and insensitive. Offer the book in kindness, ask that he/she read it, then be willing to open the subject up for discussion with your fellow classmates in the classroom.
Knowledge is a powerful tool. Don't be afraid to use it.
2006-10-31 04:36:56 · answer #8 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I were you, I'd meet with the teacher after class -no audience--and tell him that you are wiccan and you were offended by his remarks.
Ask him why he felt it was ok to make any remarks about any religion in a secular environment.
If he apologizes, I would let it pass. Be the bigger person.
If he continues to make fun of you, go to the principal, and request to make a complaint for religious persecution. If that goes nowhere, go to the school lawyer, and make a complaint against them both.
You must know that making any kind of complaint will make the situation grow, so understand that it may be in your best interest to let it pass. If you are truly offended enough to fight about it, then go for it and damn the stink it will create.
Good luck.
2006-10-31 05:14:55 · answer #9 · answered by Lottie W 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is religious discrimination. Is he aware that you are Wiccan? If so, there may be a lawsuit there. Are you adult or still in high School. If you are still in High School you need to see what your parents think, and if they do not understand or approve of you being Wiccan, then there is not much you can do. But if you are an adult in collage, I say contact the ALCU.
2006-10-31 04:29:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋