Let us not fight over religious beliefs! And why are we witches still being prosecuted?

Question

I have been of the Wicca religion for a couple years now and feel that this is my true path. I also believe that all religions are true for those people that truly believe in them. so just answer me this, why do religions prosecute and degrade eachother?

I do call myself a witch.

yes, I mean persecuted, and I believe that I am still being persecuted because of the area I live in and the high number of people in my area that believe that thier religion is the one true one... I live in Utah

Answer 1

As a former Mormon and practicting Wicca a totally undertand. I get it form my family daily. I think it is Fear more then anything, You would think that Mormons would not prosecute other due there faith becaues of their history.


Blessed Be )O(

Answer 2

Well, I don't believe people are being persecuted in America... NOT to that extreme anyway. When someone says "persecution"... I think of Hitler and the Concentration Camps... or the Inquisitions, where people were dragged from their homes and burned alive or hanged because of differences. That is true persecution. But I do understand where you are coming from. I'm a Pagan in a very Christian Conservative area. Many of my neighbors know I am a Pagan (and leave Jesus videos on my front porch quite often). I'm looked down on, usually pointed at in the stores or they simply stick their nose in the air and walk on... I've lived here for almost 18 yrs now and nothing has happened beyond the glares and snide remarks. I know a lot worse happens elsewhere in America... but, like I said, I don't consider even getting tires slashed persecution... Unlike in South Africa where they will drag you out to a field and beat you to death if they think you're a witch. Or in Mexico, where back in 1994 they burned a family alive because someone in their church said they were witches and casting spells on Christians.

The only, solid reason I can find as to Why... those people are insecure. Superstition plays a huge part in places like Africa and even remote parts of Mexico... but overall it is because those people are insecure in their own faith and in themselves, that they have to attack something that is different. There is no good reasoning they can give for being violent... I'm sure they will give many reasons, all of which will be dragged from the Bible to justify their actions (shame they don't realize, that does not justify their actions)... but there isn't any good reason to attack a person just because they are different.

Answer 3

For the same reason some people prosecute and degrade each other. If you saw a guy take off a shoe and start smacking his 3 year old son on the head for peeing in his pants again, would you degrade the guy? Would you prosecute him? I would. If a Christian sees a person going the wrong way in their religious beliefs, I think they have a responsibility to help that person. To be sure, there are right and wrong ways of doing things and the Christian (anyone for that matter) needs to approach the person in a respectful way. I don't think a Christian thinks he or she, is better than another, they just want to help. Maybe your question could be answered that it's the MANNER the prosecution is done.

Answer 4

*looks around*

Who's persecuting you, exactly?

*crickets chirp*

Bud, as far as I see, there are just a few trolls who are going to tell you that you're hell bound and will likely report you. If that's your idea of persecution, I don't know what to tell you.

I don't see the torches or the angry mobs.

See, there's a difference between persecution and someone telling you that they believe that your religion is objectively wrong and that there are some consequences that will result. Persecution is rooted in the latter, but it also carries with it the additional condition that someone has to try to restrict your freedoms upon that basis.

As far as I can tell, the worst thing we pagans have got going is that we can't seem to get a pentacle on a gravestone. Bad enough, yeah. Civil rights violation? Definitely. But I think the courts will work that bad boy out.

Meanwhile, you just have to accept that sincere Christians and Muslims are going to believe that those outside of their religion (particularly polytheists) are Satanically deluded.

To which I say,"Hail Satan."

Long live the King,

Lazarus

Answer 5

Do you mean persecuted? I've been of the Wicca faith for over a decade, and nobody has persecuted me, and LOTS of people know about my religion. I think it's all in the eyes, really. People look me in the eyes and they can just tell that even though I believe in peace and tolerance, I wouldn't hesitate to deliver the smack down (verbally or otherwise) if somebody messed with me.

I also have the confident attitude that people will accept me exactly as I am, no matter what. What you expect of people is usually what they will deliver to you.

Answer 6

It is most often Christians who are persecuted. You will also find that it has mostly been the state, rather than other religions, who have done the persecuting. I don't deny that people who call themselves Christians have also persecuted others, but I don't really think that just because it was done in the name of Christianity necessarily means that God approves of it.

The reasoning you have presented, though, is internally contradictory. "Relative truth" - that one thing is true for one person and another thing is true for another person - is a concept that contradicts itself. If two people jump off a building and one believes he can fly and another believes he will fall to the ground, they will both still fall to the ground. Truth exists externally to people's conceptions of what it might be. Saying "this path is true for me and that path is true for you" makes no sense. There cannot be more than one truth, because the different beliefs that people have are contradictory in many places. They can't both be right.

Answer 7

When I figure it out, you will be the first to know. I may not agree with your beliefs, but who am I to say it is wrong? No one but God has the right to determine who will be punished for worshiping "incorrectly" (If there is such a thing.)

By the way, I am Mormon (LDS), true followers of our fath respect your right to worship as you choose. We have what is known as the Articles of Faith. They all begin with the words "We believe..." followed by something we believe to be true. However, the one that has to do with religious beliefs begins with "We claim..." I have posted it in it's entirety below:

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

This means that we are not to persecute you for your beliefs.

Answer 8

I agree that we should not fight. I'm also sorry you're being persecuted.

I'm a witch in the Bible belt but I don't announce it to anyone, and I've yet to be persecuted. Amazingly, I am often asked to divine, cast spells, and create charms for many otherwise "devout" Christians.

Naturally, barring they don't ask for a curse or something to force one person's will on another, I happily comply. I do find that rather amusing though.

Answer 9

D - different i'm quite delicate sharing my beliefs with others. notwithstanding, i trust no neee to promote it. If it comes up obviously in verbal change, then i am going to communicate it. IF we enter a religious communicate, i am going to honestly aspect out it. yet merely because you aspect out God or faith would not unavoidably mean i am going to aspect out my faith. it would want to fullyyt matter upon the context. operating example, if we narrowly neglected being in an twist of destiny and also you stated "God ought to were searching for us!" there is not any rationalization for me to contradict or debate you on the point. that would want to easily be rude on my aspect and searching for an challenge.

Answer 10

Witches get pointed at because it is thought to be satanic. You have movies to blame for that. I am Christian and if I knew what your religion was all about, maybe it would be a much more respected and accepted religion in our community.

I think that the reason why religions have these so called clashes is because of, lack of knowledge about other religions and what they are all about.