Paganism, especially Wicca, has been a hot topic as of lately. One of the more recent topics of discussion included the federal government and the wives of deceased military personnel fighting over the right to show a Wiccan symbol on a headstone. However, the average topic you read about Paganism and Wicca speaks of such things as sacrifice, killing, and of course Satan worship. This is why it is not a shock to know that even the Washington Post has jumped on the non-Christian bashing bandwagon by allowing one of their religious contributors throw his Christianized "two cents" into the ring.
The question that is being brought up currently is whether Paganism will be able to run with the other "big dogs" of religion. Of course, when there are backwards thinking individuals such as Charles Colson, founder of the Prison Fellowship and "On Faith" contributor for the Washington Post, it may make Paganism's rise begin to decline once again; or at least shove more "witches" back into the broom closet from whence they emerged. In a nation of free speech and beliefs, it is hard to believe that such hatred and lies are allowed to be released into society about one religious group or another.
According to Mr. Colson, "Those who publicly identify themselves as pagans are at best a marginal number and are basically no different from dozens of other cults." He also has decided to lump Pagans and Witchcraft with nature worship and human sacrifice. People that are as close-minded as Mr. Colson should be pitied. After all, this is the 21st century and there are hundreds if not thousands of different beliefs and thought systems in the United States and around the world. It is extremely painful to know that people, like Mr. Colson, speak out on topics that they are not rightfully educated in only to leave it to educated writers to come forth and offer the truth.
So after several different new accusations against Pagans and other alternative religions, how will they be able to withstand the brow-beating and negativity? Well, there is an easy answer to this question. The "alternative" religions will be able to withstand the verbal abuse and public assumptions because they tend to be more peaceful, loving, and forgiving creatures. Everyone can recall certain passages from the Bible that tell us to "turn the other cheek" or "love thy neighbor". The funny thing about these sayings and passages is that the people that live by these laws are the "alternative" or "bad" religions. Pagans, Sikhs, Hindus, Wiccans, Druids, Buddhists, and many other "alternative" religious beliefs are based on the concept of not harming others both physically or verbally. So why is it that they are the ones that tend to get a bad wrap when it comes to things like this then? Well that really is the million dollar question isn't it?
In the end will Paganism and other alternative religions be able to weather through the extreme waves of persecution? That is something you have to ask yourself as a religious person, whether Christian or non-Christian. It is up to us as a nation to stand for the beliefs of everyone in this country, not just our own. Nowhere is it written that united we stand, but only if everyone believes the same way. The true saying is "United we stand, together we fall", and that is how it should be. So instead of living in the Segregated States of America, let's go back to living in the United States of America.
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