Why do people assume that because you hold beliefs different to theirs ..?

Question

..that you are uneducated? your mental health is suffering etc?

I am Wiccan and a Witch.. I am actually rather intelligent and well educated as most Pagans actually are. I chose my path after years of looking into various ones and am far from ignorant, which also applies to many Wiccans and other Pagans. Just because you are shallow and ignorant, why assume everyone else is?

No.. I'm just sick of people assuming completely wrong and very derogatory things about me simply because I am Wiccan.

Err Gaz.. Pagans and Wiccans don't preach or try to convert. We will answer a question on our faith but don't go around shouting it at people! General ignorance strikes again!

Just to claify, I was not for one moment suggesting that anyone who isn't Pagan is shallow and ignorant , but that those who call people who hold ANY BELIEF different from their own stuipd , uneducated , mental etc..are shallow and ignorant.

I don't think anyones beliefs are more valid than others..thats kind of my point!

Answer 1

Hi there Serephina......I know exactly where you are coming from!!!! I believe in live and let live. Religions, for want of a better word, are, in their basic form, belief systems. People are entitled to believe in what they want to believe in. I am sick and tired of those who make false judgements and accusations.
The trouble is, there will always be the ignorant bigots who cannot comprehend anything that is contrary to their beliefs, so, in their ignorance and fear, they mock them. They are the ones who are un-educated!
I am not particularly religious. I have come to the conclusion that the majority of religions are hypocritical, and have been the cause of more trouble than good. I tend to agree with Marx who said that religion is 'opium of the masses.' But this does not mean to say that I mock others for their beliefs, that is their business. I have my own ideas on what I choose to believe and on how I wish to live my life. However, I have been ridiculed many times for what I believe in, and for the person that I am.
Like you, I am educated, but I do not feel that this is completely the issue here. I implement alot of psychology, and I have changed my way of thinking. I do not allow the shallow and ignorant to affect me any more. One of my philosophies is: 'The people that matter don't mind, and the people that mind don't matter!'
Just you carry on embracing the fact that you are a wiccan and a witch......to hell with the low lives who judge without just cause!
I wish you all the best! :o)

Answer 2

serephina, Hi I agree with you. I actually hold a couple of degrees and come from an educated family. My mother was of gypsy origin and handed to me many spiritual beliefs and traditions - such as card reading (52 playing cards) and a healthy respect for the spirit world and other people's customs. My great grandmother was an australian Aboriginal and again I have have a heritage thick in spiritual views. When I talk with people I often get the impression and I am often told that I am uneducated or that I have mental health issues and need to see a psych? Why becuase my beliefs and openness to other beliefs are different from other people. I am appalled that other people christians, muslims, budists etc feel it necessary to tell me that not only are my practices wrong and against God but I will be going to hell and so will my children. what on earth gives these people the god given right to belittle my views and practices. The people I have met who are Pagans and Wiccans are multi talented and highly educated and are well versed in any of the popular religious beliefs of today but have chosen a spiritual path that is suitable and appropriate to them.

I find it appalling that if I tell people what my views are they look at me aghast when my beliefs are simply about being a good person, respecting mother nature and attempting to make this world a better place and in comparison to some people who adopt double standards and are hypocrits. I agree wiht you that some not all people are very ignorant and intolerant and I feel sorry for their children who have such role models of intolerance and hyprocracy.

Answer 3

Sorry, but as an agnostic (and infidel) I have to ask you how many Wiccan men and women are teaching in our universities?
Believers spend so much "intellectual" energy on unverified thinking that they rarely seem to take the time out to learn about space or engineering or medicine (though you guys are a bit mad for that one aren't you), ie the modern "arts". I quite like the concept of paganism because at least it is a "local" faith and has strong links with the environment. But all faiths ask for the suspension of intellect somewhere along the line. Hmmm. Not sure about this. I'm against religion but some religions seem more brutal than others. I never knock Judaism as enough people have done that. Paganism is in the same boat, really. If it ain't christian its evil, kinda thing. So I'll drift off now having been wistfully sceptical rather than confrontationally critical. I'll have to ponder this some more.

Answer 4

Because they think they have the "One True Religion" and that you must be uneducated or crazy not to believe as they do. I believe it is what is known as solipsism, they are projecting their way of thinking onto you.

In all likelihood they themselves have never studied any comparative religions, so often times you'll find they'll make wild assumptions about yours. Yesterday I got some hate-mail from someone telling me that the comic book character I worshiped was lame. It took me a minute to figure out that they were referring to Thor which is one of the Norse Gods I honor and pray to. It made me laugh, but still. Unfortunately most folks are not familiar with Paganism or what we believe.

Answer 5

If it feels right for you, fine.
Peoples beliefs are their own choice, I think it only becomes a problem, when those beliefs are forced down other peoples necks!
That's when wars start!

Lets all try to be more tolerant of each other, and try to do some good in this world, as there is enough bad in it already!

Answer 6

Well done for that and im not patronising you. It is assumed every is ignorant of some form of belief system, all i can say at least you found one which appeals to you, i myself am still looking where i want to plant my beliefs, but all beliefs are pagan, some got to where they are now through strength of arms.

Answer 7

It would never occur to me to think that of anyone, everyone is entitled to believe what they want to. What a miserable, bland and dull world we would have if we were all the same! Variety is the spice of life. Having differences makes people far more interesting to know and to talk to, and there is much that we can learn from each other.

Answer 8

Because there are alot of very ignorant people in society who do not have the intelligence to learn or seek knowledge in other peoples beliefs. These people tend to judge and ridicule and make fun of what they don't understand.

Answer 9

Actually I am Roman Catholic and a lay person. I am very well educated as ALL Catholics actually are, and quite modest.

I mean I know God exists! Common sense!

This is not rocket science, but basic laws of science that states for every action there is a reaction! God is the First Action.

Given this very rudimentary law of physic why would Pagans deny the nature they adore?!

Answer 10

They anticipate so because they locate it incomprehensible to be in a position to make helpful selections without being instructed to by technique of a higher authority. homicide is inaccurate and the regulation tells me that by technique of charging me for against the law, and if the regulation did not state so, the overall public of human beings (aetheists protected) nonetheless would not do it. My factor being those who choose you do not recognize that all of us stay interior an same society with the exact same regulations and those are what concerns maximum.