NEVER AGAIN THE BURNING TIMES - Reader Responds, Part II
NEVER AGAIN THE BURNING TIMES - A Reader Responds, Part II
I am commenting specifically on chapters 5 & 6. Let me emphasize again, I am not a scholar- just a reader.
The question is asked and answered, through a survey and personal observance on the part of the author: “What kinds of individuals become Witches & Neopagans?” I discerned 10 characteristics of adherents to this religious direction:
(1) Fondness for nature
(2) Politically liberal (interestingly, of the 12 states showing no organized witches, 11 went Republican in the last election!)
(3) Feminist
(4) Open sexual preferences (38% other than heterosexual)
(5) Well-educated
(6) Lower-income
(7) Not materialistic
(8) Artistic/creative
(9) Environmentally conscious
(10) & nbsp; &n bsp; &nb sp; &nbs p; ; Very private
Let it be noted these tend to be characteristics of these folk; they are not definitive of the religion as such.
Chapter 11 seems, to me, to be a less than adequate attempt to show Wicca/Witchcraft as a great, historic, defining religion of mankind. A quote from p. 103 describes the message of the author: “…Present-day witchcraft…represents a resort to a magical philosophy that is quite ancient and has been significant in various historical periods of ideological transition in Western history.” I can accept that magic and religion have always been important aspects of human behavior. But I think it is a stretch to search history, find efforts and writings about magic, and decide to just claim them as part of a unified religious movement.
Some interesting quotes and points:
A string of occultic interests are listed on p. 54. Then the author writes, “The Neopagans express interest and belief in the full range of these occult phenomena, except Satanism."
The writer, many times, goes to great extent to disassociate Witchcraft from Satanism. But all of these other occultic practices and directions are encouraged. Yet, many of them are linked to Satanism and demonism. How can you “dance” so closely and yet never be connected?
“As one American witch said in response to the question, how does one become a witch? ‘Say you are a witch 3 times, & you are a witch’.”
Obviously a quite loosely knit community. I know a person can be a Christian and yet eschew the organized church. I do not think it is healthy, but it happens. I guess the same is true with Wicca, only such lone-ranger mentality is encouraged.
“…that individuals having unusual sexual preference are drawn to this uncritical religion.” – p. 62.
Where do you draw the line with morality? I know the Wiccan Rede is the standard. But, “Do unto others…” surely needs some qualification and direction. An “uncritical religion” sounds like the last verse of the Book of Judges. (Grab your Bible, non-wiccan version (!) & check it out)
“Dance implies rhythm, joy, & aesthetic enjoyment, & the taking of pleasure in the animal nature of the body….Fundamentalist Christians regard much of this as sinful.” – p. 65
Boy, you got us with that one! The old saying was, “A praying knee and a dancing foot don’t grow on the same leg.” I cut my spiritual teeth in a fundamentalist church, and they convinced me to never go to my High School proms or to any dances. I think they did me a disservice. Some dancing is inappropriate, of course. But, I know King David of the Bible danced before the Lord. I know the Psalms encourage us to worship the Lord with the dance. Some of our more progressive churches actually incorporate dancing as part of worship, dignified and appropriate.
Speaking of an early pagan leader named Bruno: “In the witch persecutions, he paid for his audacity with his life.” – p. 89
I do not believe God wants us to kill people on His behalf. And, by the way, I am opposed to the state-sponsored death penalty. Read about it on a previous post.
“…knowledge & skill of breaking & forging bonds…” – p. 95. Apparently, neopaganism teaches that power in life is gained through the breaking of bonds of attraction. “To be born you must die” is a quote on the same page. I ask, because I do not know, if this important concept could be practiced by breaking marital fidelity, family ties, and even bringing injury to the very ones who most love us?
The teaching of Jesus is that we must love Him more than anyone else, and he warns that such love can be a source of conflict in human relationships.
The witches described in this book do not seem to be scary people. They seem sincere, and sound like they would make good citizens and good neighbors. Heck, my neighborhood includes adherents of the Hindu religion, Sikhs, Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholics, non-believers, backsliders, and lots of different Baptists. I guess if they are not already living around here, there is room for witches also.
Fairmoon, the house next door is for sale. You can move here, as long as you don’t sacrifice my puppy dog (just kidding).
