It's almost a never ending struggle I swear. One day I hope people will finally understand.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
And it happens again!!
Once again, someone noticed our star my fiancé and I have in our apartment (it's a very small star, just a necklace actually) and immediately asked if we were atheists or devil worshippers.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Talking Down to Other Religions
It's common with anything. No matter what happens, someone always talks down to another religion.
Now then, I've known a few people who claim to be a witch, and when they meet somebody that is Christian or Catholic, even Atheist, they start to talk bad about their religion.
Why?
Because it's human nature to feel as if the choices you've made are the right one's. And if the people around you have chosen differently, then you want to talk bad about them. (Not everyone, but many people do this.)
It's not fun listening to other people talk bad about what you believe in. So why do many people do it, knowing they don't like it either?
It's just how people are. So what should you do when this happens?
-Don't argue with them.
-Don't try to fight about why they are wrong and you are right.
-Just listen to them, say ok, and excuse yourself.
It's much easier than arguing with them over a personal opinion. Nobody can help the way the feel about a certain topic. It's not their fault for not liking something, or not feeling the same way about something that you do.
Now then, I've known a few people who claim to be a witch, and when they meet somebody that is Christian or Catholic, even Atheist, they start to talk bad about their religion.
Why?
Because it's human nature to feel as if the choices you've made are the right one's. And if the people around you have chosen differently, then you want to talk bad about them. (Not everyone, but many people do this.)
It's not fun listening to other people talk bad about what you believe in. So why do many people do it, knowing they don't like it either?
It's just how people are. So what should you do when this happens?
-Don't argue with them.
-Don't try to fight about why they are wrong and you are right.
-Just listen to them, say ok, and excuse yourself.
It's much easier than arguing with them over a personal opinion. Nobody can help the way the feel about a certain topic. It's not their fault for not liking something, or not feeling the same way about something that you do.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Explaining Witchcraft to Non-Pagans
I'm going to be honest. It isn't exactly easy when someone that isn't a witch asks "well what is Paganism?"
Especially down here in the south.
Usually the typical description starts with "well...uh...it's not Devil Worshiping" or at least that's how it is here. Because that's how witchcraft is viewed here, as Devil Worshiping.
I try to always tell people that it's no different than their religion (which usually is Christianity) except for the fact that we have different gods and goddesses, as well as a different system for what happens when bad things are done.
Compared to Christianity, which uses the Ten Commandments as a guide for followers, Paganism has Karma. Instead of having to ask for forgiveness with prayer, we are responsible for what we do wrong.
Karma isn't only for wrong-doings, though. It also rewards those good-doings that we do. It's the Three-Fold Law.
Also when explaining it to others, I try to throw in at some point that spells are similar to prayers. One of the biggest differences would be usually when people pray, they are asking for something either for themselves or for somebody they know. While a typical spell is cast in order to say thanks to the gods and goddesses, help nature, or occasionally do selfish things, such as finding love or money. The last two are not wise to do a spell over, however. They can be bad, causing more harm than help in your life.
Other than those, there's not many differences that I can think of off the top of my head. If you come up with any, I will gladly use the advice.
Also, I'm posting a link to a book I read when I first started studying. It's a good sized book, but very helpful and stocked with information.
Especially down here in the south.
Usually the typical description starts with "well...uh...it's not Devil Worshiping" or at least that's how it is here. Because that's how witchcraft is viewed here, as Devil Worshiping.
I try to always tell people that it's no different than their religion (which usually is Christianity) except for the fact that we have different gods and goddesses, as well as a different system for what happens when bad things are done.
Compared to Christianity, which uses the Ten Commandments as a guide for followers, Paganism has Karma. Instead of having to ask for forgiveness with prayer, we are responsible for what we do wrong.
Karma isn't only for wrong-doings, though. It also rewards those good-doings that we do. It's the Three-Fold Law.
Also when explaining it to others, I try to throw in at some point that spells are similar to prayers. One of the biggest differences would be usually when people pray, they are asking for something either for themselves or for somebody they know. While a typical spell is cast in order to say thanks to the gods and goddesses, help nature, or occasionally do selfish things, such as finding love or money. The last two are not wise to do a spell over, however. They can be bad, causing more harm than help in your life.
Other than those, there's not many differences that I can think of off the top of my head. If you come up with any, I will gladly use the advice.
Also, I'm posting a link to a book I read when I first started studying. It's a good sized book, but very helpful and stocked with information.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Paganism v Wicca
So, I've been sitting here, jobless and broke, with nothing to do. I have no money, no gas in the car, no job, and I just don't know what to do. My bills are past due and it just seems like everything is falling apart all at once.
I created another blog for Non-Pagan readers. It's http://keepyourrelationshipsteady.blogspot.com
Because not everyone is Pagan, some people would just like to see some advice and help from a person's point of view.
Now then, I wrote for a bit on Tumblr about Wicca vs Paganism. At which point someone commented that I was confused between witchcraft which is Wicca and Paganism which is an Umbrella term.
No, I am not confused. I understand Paganism is an umbrella term, but Witchcraft is not just Wicca. Wicca which has only been around since the 1950's as a religion. Before that, Wicca was not named.
Since witchcraft has been around longer than Wicca, you cannot say somebody is wrong for the term they use. As I've said before, thanks to Hollywood, Wicca is a misleading name. Therefore, I say Pagan to avoid the young people who think "Sabrina the witch or The Craft". When Hollywood is no longer glamorizing Wicca and making it appear as "read this and you can change your boyfriend into a hottie", then I will feel more comfortable saying Wicca.
I created another blog for Non-Pagan readers. It's http://keepyourrelationshipsteady.blogspot.com
Because not everyone is Pagan, some people would just like to see some advice and help from a person's point of view.
Now then, I wrote for a bit on Tumblr about Wicca vs Paganism. At which point someone commented that I was confused between witchcraft which is Wicca and Paganism which is an Umbrella term.
No, I am not confused. I understand Paganism is an umbrella term, but Witchcraft is not just Wicca. Wicca which has only been around since the 1950's as a religion. Before that, Wicca was not named.
Since witchcraft has been around longer than Wicca, you cannot say somebody is wrong for the term they use. As I've said before, thanks to Hollywood, Wicca is a misleading name. Therefore, I say Pagan to avoid the young people who think "Sabrina the witch or The Craft". When Hollywood is no longer glamorizing Wicca and making it appear as "read this and you can change your boyfriend into a hottie", then I will feel more comfortable saying Wicca.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)