Misconceptions of Paganism?

Question

Why do people still associate Paganism, Witchcraft, Druidism, Wicca and the like as being bad.

Why do they still associate us with the devil?

We all don't believe in the devil or satan.

Most of us have the tennant.

"do what thou will, and Harm NONE".

Im trying to start a pagan farm to help wayward kids. I visit nursing homes on my day off to help feed the elderly and talk with them. I donate time to Meals on Wheels for food for the elderly. Im thinking of donating my time to start a gymnastics club in a remote area of Australia so the kids have something to do on the weekends.

We aren't bad people. Most of us anyway....as there are always a few bad seeds in all religions.

Tolerance between all religions is what is needed. What pagans hate is people telling us we are wrong and need to convert.

Let us be, we recognise the validity of all religions. Recognise ours and leave us be.

Answer 1

I think a lot of people have watched too many hollywood movies. My mother studies all types of religions and you are so right about the devil, I tell people that real wiccans do not believe in such a thing. I am not pagan per say but I do accept all religions and do not look down on a person becuase of their beleifs. God(and/or the goddess) are our final judges and that is something personal. i will be glad when everyone sees past the "brand" of religion and straight into the heart of each of us individually.

Blessed Be!

Answer 2

Is this a question or a statement?

By the way, Paganism does not follow the Rede (harm none thingy). It's a Wiccan thing, and though Wicca is a form of Paganism, it doesn't represent the entire Pagan world. Another thing, you can just stay Paganism and Witchcraft. Wicca and Druidism are branches or Paganism.

Oh and some people associate us with an evil figure because when the witch trials were going on, it was really brought into the light that Chrisitians believed that magic that the clergy practice was God's magic and that anything outside the church was Satan's magic. There would barely be any discrimination if it hadn't been for those damn despots and Roman Catholic leaders who were threatened by the Enlightenment, religious reform, political opponents, etc.

Answer 3

Hi! Great question! I have to say that the one broad range of misconception I hear is that One person's way is better than another. I recently was told that I am not Pagan from a fellow Pagan, because this Sunday I'm getting married in a christian church, christian wedding..etc. I also get a lot of nagging because I believe that a Pagan can believe solely in Christ, and be Wiccan. There are just too many things to point out.

Answer 4

The people who associate Paganism with the devil believe that anything that is not associated with the Christian God is of Satan. Nothing is going to change that. You can quote the Rede till you're blue in the face, it isn't going to change their minds. Best to stop wasting time whining about it and demanding respect and focus on yourself and doing deeds that will make you worthy of earned respect.


By the way, the Rede is not a Pagan thing. It is a Wiccan thing. Not all Pagans are Wiccans, and we don't all believe in the Rede. Not trying to be mean but be careful about lumping all Pagans under that umbrella as some might take offense to it.

Answer 5

I agree with you....But you have to think, Christians believe that all who don't believe in their God are misled by their Satan. So, in their belief, we are of the devil regardless of if we believe it or not. And that's where the line becomes blurred and misconceptions are born...in that, they automatically believe that we worship something that doesn't exist to us...So it becomes blind ignorance. Universal religious tolerance I don't think will ever exist. Personally, I don't mind if a Christian believes that I'm being "misled by the devil". That's their belief and by respecting that, that's my religious tolerance. However, if someone says that I blatantly and knowingly worship the devil, I will calmly tell them that can't be because I don't believe a devil exists...

They are taught not to tolerate other religions no matter what they preach...It says so in the bible, which I have read. But I respect that. I follow what I will no matter what anyone says and will always turn the other cheek. I think tolerance of intolerance is what's really needed.

Answer 6

That is one of the greatest myths about religion I have ever encountered.

"We are owed tolerance and all religions are valid."

No one owes you tolerance. No one owes you recognition. No one owes you to believe that your religious beliefs are valid. No one has to agree with your beliefs or even consider them acceptable. That isn't freedom of religion; it's religious dictatorship.

"If you disagree with my religion, your religion is bad."

What an excuse for doing anything!

Now, to put things into perspective, I was familiar with New Age and Wicca before most people were aware they existed, or even called them "New Age". I know what you speak of, and I agree with that.

But no one owes you tolerance. They might be right! Maybe it is a tool of Satan? Who can be sure? Maybe they're deluded. Do you have proof? Do they?

Do they have to change their beliefs to make room for yours in their lives? Or do they have the right to say, "This is wrong, this is right?"

What right is it that gives people the idea they can tell others what to believe?

Keep loving others, but understand their rights. They have the freedom to disagree with you, to consider you evil, to believe the impossible.

In asking them to give your beliefs validity, you call one of their beliefs (that paganism is a tool of the devil) invalid. There's no easy way to do that and not be hypocritical. Just let them believe as they choose, as you do.

We all do, as do you.

Good luck with your efforts. I have a lot of experience in the field. I've also extensively studied Christianity and other religions over many years. If you ever need someone to bounce an idea off, let me know.

Note: tenet, not tennant. This is NOT a commentary on your opinion or views. I misspelled "error" today.

Answer 7

I never had any misconceptions about Paganism. I read "Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler. I wanted to be a Pagan but I couldn't find any around here. I probably didn't look hard enough. As to those with misconceptions, well some people are morons, that's just all that's to it.

Answer 8

Many can't accept another belief system when they were raised to believe that what their parents taught them is the "ONE TRUE BELIEF". They can't fathom the fact that their belief may not be true at all, and another one might be right, so to prove to themselves that theirs is right, they put down our beliefs, claiming it to be devil worship, simply because it is unusual to them. People are always afraid of what they don't understand. Unfortunatley, they can't leave us be. Some are so stubborn that they won't let up until they either get the crap kicked out of them, or are arrested for harassment. Tolerance would be nice, but unfortunatley we don't live in a perfect world and have to learn to tolerate the harassment from those who do not understand us and try to live our lives as peacefully as we can without giving in to the angry mob.

Answer 9

Actually, you're right.
As a Christian my mom always told me to be aware of what else is out there so that you aren't ignorant of other people's beliefs. I'm a Christian and although I don't agree with some religions, it's not Christ-like to judge someone else for believing in one that is not yours. In short, educating ourselves on other religions doesn't mean that we are converting, necesarily. It just means you're educating yourself on another religion.

Answer 10

Christians are the only ones who look down on Pagans (in my experience)....have a nice day...