Witches, Pagans, Wiccans: should I give up trying to get Christians to understand us?

Question

Truly, I feel tired and discouraged right now. Most of those Christians! They never listen. They will never try to understand that Witches are good people. I have asked many different nicely phrased questions trying to get them to see the possibility that a Witch might not be evil and might not do evil. They are so stubborn. Friends...all of you out there who are my contacts and know my questions...should I give up?

come on guys, the idiots are ganging up on me, they are even trying to claim there are no Witches! Talk to me friends, and Christians, if you don't mind, this question was not for you! You don't even have the common courtesy to pass on answering a question that was specifically not addressed to you!

Answer 1

Blessings and peace to you at this time Morgana...take a moment and relax and breathe.
Remember, our serenity level is directly proportionate to our expectations. I think that it is unrealistic to think that our way of life and our beliefs will be validated and well received by all. Especially after centuries of conditioned ignorance!

Know that I admire your persistence and your way of wording your questions so as not to belittle or put down anyone else or their beliefs.That shows tolerance and respect... it is something that we strive for and you are an excellent example of that!
Note as well, that I will continue to love and support you through all of this, regardless if you stop your questions or not. But know as well, that we ask to gain knowledge... not to simply get validation or acceptance.
It is my thought that we should do what we can to make the world a better place, and i have no doubt that you are doing your part.
Just remember, what others think about you is none of your business! And just because our path is right for us, does not mean it is right for others. For we are truly blessed.

Blessings and Love
)O(
Trinity

Answer 2

I maybe a Christian... but o well :P I think do what you want about debating. I used to argue EVERY LITTLE THING amoung everyone (Christians, aithiests, pegan, and others). But i've finaly came to the realization that it's actualy pretty stupid. Trying to change someone's firm beliefs is like trying to stop a semi with your bare hands, and even if you manage to atleast slightly change it, they probably won't admit it. Now it is different if the person ASKS you for some information or something (unless they are looking for an answer limited to their own beliefs, in which case it isn't a good question). But if you really want to argue it, maybe you should come up with a different name than witch? Through media, most of us have been instilled with the thought of a witch being a green skinned lady concocting evil magical potions, and while we might not conciously think it, it's probably in the back of your mind. Then there are all the evil codoning from the witch hunts. Granted witches aren't always bad/evil (just like the rest of us :)). besides i never liked the idea of cataglorizing people, like Christian, nerd, jock, Taoist, ect. Because I'm a Christian, but I certainly don't agree with everything my Church says... and then i agree with that of other religions.

Answer 3

Why do you want them to understand in the first place?

Christianity is exclusive, and the only purpose a Christian might have to understand would be to try to find fault or to convince you that you are wrong. There can be no serious dialog or understanding on the part of a religion that is built on exclusive access to the truth.

To the idiots that claim there are no witches, one might as rationally say there are no Christians, Atheists, Buddhists or any other religious or philosophical group. It is sheer idiocy.

Answer 4

This can be considered a cop out, but the problem is that that the word "witch" is too loaded with negative history, kind of like the "n-word" (yeah, I'm black if that's what you're now wondering).
I have a Christian background, and I do still believe some of it, but I also have pagan/Wiccan friends. And their practices are often more in line with shamanism than what is traditionally thought of as witchcraft these days. When most Christians hear the word "witchcraft" the mental image it brings up is more in line with Satanism than Wiccanism. Wicca doesn't even believe in Satan.
Try comparing yourself to "shaman" instead of "witch" and I can almost gaurantee you that their reaction won't be half as negative, simply because the images associated with it aren't as negative. The fundamentalist though will still think you're a heathen steeped in sin, but at least maybe they'll stop accusing you of trying to eat their children. And if you're not white, they'll even pity you as just misguided and ignorant (I've seen this first hand) ;) .

Answer 5

if you are coming up against a brick wall when you try to educate certain people, then i would presume that they are not yet ready for the information you are giving!

i am a hedgewitch.

yes, witches DO exist!!!

if people fear or hate or despise that, then so be it.

it is their ignorance.

we love you Lady M, and those of us fortunate enough to know other good witches will celebrate that fact with you!

yes, there are stubborn folk out there. i wonder what they would think if they knew that some of us and our ancestors were the 'wise women'/'changelings'/witches' in the villages and communities of their ancestors; that if we had not used our cures upon their relatives, that they may not have survived, and therefore some of those who write on this site or walk upon the earth today, may not be here as a result?

happy ponderings, relax now, as i have a sense that your energies are required elsewhere, not spent upon the ignorant!

love and light

blessed be

)o(

Answer 6

<--- Very Happy Pagan Here

I wouldn't give up completely. You have to realize that this is the ONLY reality our Christian neighbors have ever known. They haven't made the break, and then the leap, that we have. It is a very scary thing. When I started picking apart my Christian faith, I ended up not being able to put it back together again. I could no longer get it to work or make sense. I "killed" my god and had nothing to replace him with. That was a very dark time.

If it was that difficult for me, imagine how one of your Christians must feel about wrapping their brain around the idea that there could be other realities. That could be scarier than going to hell for believing in witchcraft or witches.

Be patient, be diligent, and with one person at time, be a living example of what you believe. Then if they want to know why you are so centered and happy, you can tell them!

Answer 7

i am no authority and i can only tell you about my beliefs. the simplified version of my beliefs is this: ultimately, everything around us including our bodies and a good deal of what we call our soul, is an illusion. what i believe to be truly real is the single source from which all things come and a small bit of what we call our soul. do not confuse this single source with how you percieve of god. it is not the same thing. it is not some being that is all knowing or all powerful or even marginally concerned with our lives. it's not even a being. it's just the source and everything else is an emanation from it. i believe the purpose of life is simply to live. we are here for the experience so that we can contribute that experience to the source. i believe that when we die our bodies go into the ground and rejoin the earth. our soul and our energy fade back into the universal flow of energy which eventually returns to the source. i believe that god is man. i interpret that as meaning that for all intents and purposes there is no higher being that i must fear and be in subjugation to. there is no god out there judging my actions and i am the only one responsible for what i do. i am my only master. i believe that any spirit, demon, ethereal being, etc is an archetype and is merely a part of myself. i believe in magick as an art form and a "science" that i use to bend the energies of this world to my will. my will, however, cannot infringe or take away someone esles will. doing so is not doing my true will. it would be unethical in my eyes. so, yeah, that's the simple version of what i believe.

Answer 8

Of course the Xtians are not going to pass on the chance to belittle, demoralize, and say we do not exist. They have to be 'them'. I know you have tried sarcasm, presenting them with facts, and just about everything else that could possibly be done, without the one thing that might actually work. Someone would have to go back in time and stop the mis-translation of their sacred little book. Instead of 'not suffering a Witch to live' it would be as it was, a 'drug-user'. Then MAYBE the brainwashing wouldn't be there, or at least not as bad.
)o( Blessed Be!

Answer 9

Lady Morgana,
The frustration that comes from the ignorance of these people can often be overwhelming. It would be so much easier to give up, but I believe you are making a difference. Even if you only educated one Christian with your well thought out questions, you have still made a great difference in the understanding of this mostly intolerant group.
Just remember that each time you try all your brothers and sisters are here supporting you in spirit. Remember the adversity that Morgana Le Fey and he sisters must have faced, not to mention those who came after her. Be thankful that in most cases we are no longer having to die for what we believe. At least we no longer have to fear the flames that our brothers and sisters did.
All I can give you now is my support, my friendship, positive energies and blessings.
Oh and of course huggs
{{{{{Lady Morgan}}}}
Blessings!

Answer 10

No. Dont give up Lady, Christians fear what they dont understand. Keep telling them and they will come to an understanding...eventually.... that Pagans and Witches, Wiccans etc.. are not evil. Just different.