why are people so ignorant about the Pagan based religions or witchcraft?
107263
Well, you are certain to get a bunch of Christians jumping on this one, which may be an answer in itself.  Much ignorance is due to having a different point of view (usually christian, but perhaps other "standard" religions as well) that prevents you from seeking real facts.\n\nSecondly, the pagan mysteries have long protected themselves, hiding behind symbols, misdirection and so on, because of persecution.  Remember the burning times!  (i.e., the inquisition.)  Also, I think many modern pagans, witches, wicca, (use what term you will), believe that only a small percentage of people are capable of being a part of the pagan world: one might almost call it snobbery.  Think of Malfoy and his contempt for anyone who is not born a "pureblood" witch or wizard.  You think Rawlings pulled that out of pure imagination?\n\nThen there are those who are simply not ready to tell all they know.  (Where does AuntB93 fit in all this?)
822438
Wiccans are typically nature worshipping or Goddess/God worshipping people who believe that any harm they bring into the universe will be revisted upon themselves. Pagans can be anything from Wiccans to Druids to people who don't believe in a corporeal god. There's tons of info out on the web.
780196
The Christianity faith preaches to their members that the pagan belief is part of the Devil. Why? I'm not sure. The Christian faith used to have a mutual partnership with Pagan beliefs in the distant past, even accepting the pentagram. It could be that they don't want competition of a belief system that teaches inner strength and personal growth outside an organization (if their followers were to have strength and spirituality on their own, they wouldn't be able to profit from it through donations.)
424824
"Pagans" have a wide variety of beliefs, all of which do not include worshipping the God who has revealed Himself to mankind through His Son and the Bible as the One True God. As to Wiccans, they are one form of paganism. Here is a summary of their beliefs.\n\n\nWicca Spells - What is Wicca?\nWhat is Wicca and what are Wicca spells? While it is rooted in ancient pagan beliefs, the Wicca religion, as it is practiced now, is only about 50-years-old. Wicca is a belief system cobbled together in the 1940's and 1950's by Gerald Gardner from a variety of religious traditions and beliefs as well as Freemason rituals. Since Gardner published several books espousing his system of worship, many offshoots and variations of Wicca have sprung up. \n\nThere is no particular agreement between Wiccans, or "wise ones" concerning what they believe and worship. Some worship the "Goddess," some worship the "God," and some worship both. Others worship nature. Some Wiccans say they embrace Christian doctrine, while others reject it. Most promoters of Wicca believe in reincarnation. \n\nOne thing most Wiccans agree on is the fact that Satan is not a part of their pantheon and they vehemently deny Satan-worship as one of their practices. This is because they disavow the notion of moral absolutes. There is no such thing as good or evil, because it is all relative. Wiccans have only one law that they bind themselves to, called "The Rede." It simply states, "Do what ye will, harm ye none." In other words: "Do what ever you want to as long as no one gets hurt." The Three-fold Law governs consequences, and is a law of returns that states, "All good that a person does to another returns three-fold in this life; harm is also returned three-fold." \n\nWicca Spells - Mind Control\nWhat about Wicca spells? Not all Wiccans practice witchcraft (which they call "magick" to set themselves apart from illusionists and magicians). Magick is to Wicca what prayer is to Christianity. Wiccans claim that the practice of magick is simply using their minds to control matter, while Christians call upon God to heal people and to intervene and work in their lives. Because the Rede forbids harming others and the Three-fold Law sets forth consequences for those who do, Wiccans view themselves as "white witches" or "nature witches." \n\nWicca is basically a religion that is about minding your own business and living peaceably with your neighbors and environment. Wiccans are eager to draw parallels between themselves and biblical Christianity for the sake of earning credibility, but what does the Bible have to say about this religion? You won't find the word "wicca" in the Bible, so let's evaluate the beliefs in light of what God says about them. \n\nWicca spells are idolism - Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things, rather than the Creator…" Who wants to settle for second best? In Isaiah 40, God paints a very cool picture of how much greater the Creator is than His creation. If you are worshipping anything besides the Creator, you are just spinning your wheels.\n\n\nWicca spells bring false hope - Hebrews 9:27 says, "…Man is destined to die once, after that, to face judgment." God says we get one chance at life, and that is it. There are no do-overs. If we don't accept God's gift of Jesus in our lifetime, He judges us as unwilling to be in His presence, and we are sent to Hell. \n\n\nWicca spells bring disillusionment - Mark 7:8 says, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men". God is God, and we are not. We have a decision to make. Are we going to take God at His word and adopt His worldview, or not? Knowing God is hard work that takes a lot of discipline. Wicca is a religion that takes a pack of lies
489275
I agree with you. Some people have weak minds, and need religion to support them. For some of these people, it's a benefit, for others, a mental parasite. Some people have strong minds yet still hold religious notins dearly. That's the way things are.\n\nI have neither. I am an atheist and a satanist, so I am just giving my outsider's observations.
500825
Narrow-minded, perhaps, rather than hypocritical. There are Christians who are open minded and critical (and I mean 'critical' in the open sense of the word) about other religions.  In any religion, I think, you will find those who believe what they believe. It is right for them, so they have no need or desire to look at other religions.\n\nI don't see Pagans or Wiccans going door to door with grimoires in their hands, inviting people to the local sabat, though. (Actually, that conjured up a very amusing picture!). Nor is there the Islamic equivalent of Jehovah's Witness (I suppose, if there were, their magazine would be called Minaret).\n\nIt's part of Christian culture to 'preach the Gospel', so that is the way they tend to be.  Pagans tend to have chosen their religion as adults and after some searching, so I think you will find less narrow-mindedness amongst them, plenty of helpfulness to an honest enquirer but no proselytising.*\n\nThe important thing to say is: Don't vent useless anger on people you will never change. You are doing your energy more harm than theirs.  To put it another way, believe what you believe in the assurance that it is right for you.\n-----------------------------------\n* I am appalled at the number of people - Christians and otherwise, who think that Paganism is Devil Worship!
63682
Merry Meet!\nBecause they don't understand what you/we believe in. Unfortunately, there are so many religions, but if you research them, you will find that most religions follow a lot of the Pagan/Wiccan beliefs. Take a look at Christmas, for example. The first Christmas tree was used by Pagans as a Yule Tree in Germany. Prince Albert of Germany, Queen Victorias husband, made it popular when he set one up in Windsor Castle for his family.\nBlessed Be!
1151750
"Pagan" is hard to define; a lot of people think of it as "any religion that's not Christianity, Judaism or Islam." I don't think that's quite accurate, but it's okay to start with. \n\nSince your sister talked about a "Wiccaning" (not "wickening), she's talking about the pagan religion Wicca (and here's where I start quoting Wikipedia): Wicca is a religion, and although its adherents often identify as witches, Wicca and witchcraft are not necessarily the same thing.\n\nWiccans may worship a Goddess and/or a God; they observe the festivals of the eight Sabbats of the year and the full-moon Esbats; and they have a code of ethics that most live by. Wicca is thus generally considered to be distinct from witchcraft, which does not of itself imply any specific religious, ethical or ritual elements, and is practiced in various forms by people of many religions, as well as by atheists.\n\nWicca does, however, incorporate a specific form of witchcraft, with particular ritual forms, involving the casting of spells, herbalism, divination and other forms of magic. Wiccan ethics require that magical activities are limited to good purposes only.\n\nAccording to Gerald Gardner [the one who brough Wicca into modern public awareness], the religion derives from a secret but widespread witch-cult of early modern Europe, which incorporated all of the key religious beliefs and ideals and the distinctive ritual structures found in modern Wicca. While this historical interpretation is now much criticised, it makes it difficult to conclusively say whether Wicca is a religious form of witchcraft or a religion incorporating witchcraft.
1054334
I myself , as a pagan, have wondered that same question many times. the best thing I can think of is that even though we have advanced as a people, there are many who still hold true the values and mores taught to them by family members over the years. What can I say, old habits die hard. THink about it this way, if you are told something by your parents, who was by their parents, who was told by their parents, et cetera, it would be really hard for you to accept anything else.\n Back in merry old England (and the isles), pagans/wiccans were purseued by the Christans who were pretty much forcing everyone to their religion. When the elders of the villages wouldn't heed to the 'younger kids' wishes to converet to CHristianity, they would either fabricate or not totally investigate claims of demon worship, human sacrifice, and other such forms of obsene behavior.  I know that is just one such reason many people shun such religions. This ideology and way of thinking just kind of trickled down through generations, and just hasn't exactly gone away. \nThere are just so many reasons, and I just bearly scratched the surface. I just think that it all boils down to people not accepting what they don't understand and relgious zealots to willing to accept anything other than what they know/believe.
176887
I am very interested in Wicca but the reason there are so many Christian questions on here is because there are so many Christians that have strong beliefs and convictions that they will get on here and state them.  If more believers in Wicca were to post their opinions and beliefs on here, and offered up more information, people would have a chance to understand and talk.  You started out great with your question, but then you too ended it with a nasty comment.  My advice (which you can take or leave) if you want people to be more open to your beliefs, trying being more open to theirs.  You don't have to embrace beliefs, but be open to listening and accepting that is what they feel and believe.  If all religions did that, maybe there wouldn't be so many wars over religious beliefs!
730021
It depends upon your definition of Paganism and your idea at religion.  People like to have a community belief system - that much is evident by the number of belief systems this old earth has seen.  People like to add structure and milestones to their lives with religious rites of passage, etc.  \n\nPagans can be those who observe the old natural ways of times past or they can be defined as anyone who is not Christian, Jewish or Muslim.  Religion can be a spiritual practice as well as an organized church.  There is so much and so many shades of gray - why do we need to label and belittle everything different from ourselves?\n\nPeace!
160842
Wiccans and Pagans don't believe in sin.  We prefer to take responsibility for our own wrong doings.
521755
I have no idea, I didn't know that people assumed that. \nWhen I was a pagan, I went to meetings,gatherings, drumming circles,sacrid ceremonies and full moon ceremonies all the time.\n\nMany things are assumed about religions that we are not part of. When I was a pagan, I knew bits about Christianity, but it was nothing untill I actuially became a Christian.\nWhen you are a part of that culture or beleif or connected to that beleif spirituially, you understand it so much more. \n\nUntill you stand on that side of the fence, you cant really embrace the beleif. ( which is why so many people blindly assume things about pagans) I've heard it all. Not just from Christians. People think pagans sacrifice babies and eat animals ( I've heard weird things). I know this isnt true, and I correct them. Although I havent heard the not gathering for meetings thing.
902338
It is in the human's nature to fear what they don't understand. It is lack of exposure to differences and an ignorant attitude that create fear. Religions can foster this ignorance, yes.
190177
That's a bit ignorant of other's religions!!! JEEZ
494853
there are more of us than most people would like to think. I think it's because we are less dramatic, less hypocritical and more open minded than most. Most wiccans seem more at peace and have not the need to criticize or convert so as a more accepting religion we tend to be over looked. I like to believe that perhaps they will understand in the next life or perhaps the one after that. I mean they will understand when the Gods want them to, or not whatever.
343855
People are closed minded.  I am an atheist with one atheist friend and one pagan friend, and the rest of the people I associate are Christians, and I know how people must react when you say you are pagan, many people freak out when they find out I am an atheist.  They do because you are different, because you challenge their beliefs and make them wonder "hmm, is it really true?"  And so they resent you and I for that.