Fellow Wiccans, was I too harsh here?

Question

Hello, all:

Was my answer to this question too harsh?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071014165824AA6UQwr&r=w#MLBvDVTdVTmP4FU2ZLYg

I do have problems with the idea of someone (a) asking for help with a creative endeavor intended to make money without offering recompense for that help (which I think can be reasonably inferred here), and (b) asking for help from Wiccans with creating an entertainment concept that would almost certainly misrepresent the Wiccan faith. What do you think? Is there even an issue here?

Toadaly and Katia: I think you're both right. Unfortunately, once words are published to the internet (and emailed to the person who asked the question), they're no more possible to take back than the ringing of a bell.

Also, in spite of what you've pointed out, I do feel that perhaps hearing my response will make the person think a bit about what they're doing and why -- or at least, I hope so. Strangely enough, had the person said something like, "How can I find local Wiccans to talk to?", or "Who would be willing to advise me via email on some questions?", I wouldn't have reacted quite so adversely. His question, as stated, comes across to me as: "What SUPER KOOL SPESHUL POWERS could Wiccans have?" -- and thus as wanting to use our faith for the sake of entertainment.

Answer 1

Yes.

You may have problems with the idea of asking someone for help with a creative endeavor without offering recompense for that help, but you also didn't have to answer. Others did - and were happy to help without demanding a portion of the proceeds. You were free, at the message board, to politely decline to give such help by just walking away. As this person didn't come knocking on your door to ask face to face, you didn't have to respond at /all/, let alone with snarkiness.

Also, while you may take offense at any entertainment concept that misrepresents the Wiccan faith... well, that's your issue. I don't mind if someone distorts my faith for the purposes of a fictional story. That's the point of fiction. There's lots of witches and Wiccans who /like/ Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed and all those silly shows, despite the, uh, creative take on it.

And your faith is not the only one ever misrepresented in this world. Most people just deal with it.

Actually, in the field of fiction writing, authors often interview people in chosen lines of work for background information - and no, the people interviewed are not always compensated with money or a portion of the proceeds or anything. Lots of people are just plain nice and willing to help. Some aren't. Some don't have time. Some think it's silly. Some want to be paid. But plenty of people are willing to sit down and talk about their job, their faith, their hobby, or whatever, just for the love of it.

I'm one of them. And I'm a fiction writer. There is nothing wrong with asking for clarification, help, and information on something without offering money. If you're not comfortable with it, say 'no', or, on the internet, just don't answer the question. That sort of "you owe me if I'm gonna tell you anything" attitude will only drive people to do no research at all before putting pen to paper - and perhaps in something labeled 'nonfiction' on the bookshelf.

EDIT: That said, I agree with the poster above that suggested the original request was probably from some high school kid writing either for school or for fun. Professionals don't go to Yahoo! Answers for research no matter what.

Second EDIT: You're right - can't take back words on the internet, and everyone speaks harshly and without thinking. And... yeah. It's Yahoo Answers. You get a lot of nonsense here. ;-)

Answer 2

No, that's a valid reaction, although he probably was surprised. He probably thinks this does count as his own creative legwork. He wants a Wiccan in his story but doesn't know anything about it.

It's like the Wiccan thing is bling to help the saleability of his product, not because he's got any genuine interest or understanding of it. I mean, it'd be cool to include a Wiccan to show something about Wicca or to make some kind of point, but having a Wiccan just for the sake of having a Wiccan is a cheap trick. It would come off very hollow because he doesn't get the deeper meanings. That's why it would be a bad respresentation of you.

Answer 3

Crow, instead of going off on a rant this MAY have been an excellent opportunity to educate this person about the REAL aspects of Wicca. What we do and why we do it. With a GOOD knowledge base, this person may have decided to reconsider using a Wiccan in his/her story and found that it'd actually be boring to use. Never turn down an opportunity to set things intheir proper perspective about us. It can only help us out in the end. To go off on the person may havce simply left him/her feeling confused and provided NO help to either side in the issue.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 4

Was it too harsh? Perhaps a tad.
Would I have done the same thing? Probably.
It gets very frustrating some days here with the number of people here who think that this is a game, a joke, a fun little something we play around with. The way he asked it made it pretty clear he hadn't a clue what he was talking about and seemed to be looking for descriptions of our superpowers. The idea that Wicca is a religion doesn't appear to fit into his equation. (Can you imagine him asking how a Jew would fit into a paranormal investigation team?)

Answer 5

I think I can credit your answer to be somewhat my fault, seeing as I was the one who told him he should try posting that Q in M&F instead of alternative science to begin with... :-)

It's not unnatural to be distrustful of people attempting to portray Wiccans or witches in general in a book or movie. After watching the Craft and the Blair Witch Project 2, I can see why.

Answer 6

IT is pretty obvious since this person is asking this on YA that they either are a high school kid doing some kind of school movie project based on some Television show or that they are indulging themselves in some kind of fantasy. So don't be too hard on yourself. As far as creative endeavors are concerned, I am an author and I never give out plot ideas and such. The risk of having something worth while that would be stolen or messed with so I couldn't use it is too high. I usually won't even give out advise to someone who is trying to write something and is stuck. It just isn't worth the risk.....I think too much of my own creative abilities to cheapen them by slinging them out there. Just my thoughts on this.

Answer 7

I'm not a wiccan, but it seems kind of harsh. Why not just offer the services (for pay if it's a big job, or just for notoriety), without the attitude? After that, I sure wouldn't hire you for the job.

Answer 8

First off I don't think you are a cult.

Now, no you weren't wrong in your response. That is trivializing your faith. He only wanted help from you in order to satisfy a target market agenda. He doesn't really care who he gets help from. I wouldn't be surprised if he hired some paid actors to do it.

Don't let others make a mockery of your faith.

Edit:

It seems like he was "validating you" by asking you for help. But then you can tell that he was planning on "invalidating you" later on.

Answer 9

in our society, it seems that everything gets co-opted sooner or later, to the point where everything is just a fad, a trend to latch onto. People forget that some things may have value beyond the quick-fix.

you were not wrong one bit. the impression one gleans from reading the question you responded to seems no different than adding a "token Indian" into a Young Guns-ish "Western."

Answer 10

I think your answer was reasonable.