Following on from the Church thread and our conversations there?
Ok ? I am a witch. I am out of the (broom) closet. I thought long and hard before posting on the church thread, but did feel the need to correct some misconceptions about my religion (rose to that bait on a previous religious thread as well).
Even with the anonymity of our nicknames, I was wary of reactions. I have posted on previous threads that I am a pagan, but never that I was a Wiccan. It is an unfortunate fact in today?s society that I feel the need to not openly discuss my religious choice. I do wear a Pentacle around my neck in the way that many Christians wear crosses, and tend to leave it to the observant few to question me if they wish.
Ionesmum - ?Witch-hunts? still happen ? I have Wiccan friends who work in schools, hospitals and Social Services and they all keep their religion a secret ? not because they are ashamed but because they are only too aware of the reaction they will get if they are honest. In one case, someone decided to inform a friends employer that he was a Wiccan ? and he was hounded from his post and accused of child abuse! How extreme is that?
Fear is a terrible thing but it is often based in ignorance of the facts. The image of witches that is generally portrayed is one that the Christian Church invented (I am talking about the church as an establishment) many hundreds of years ago and had more to do with forming a patriarchal control over society than actual religious choice.
I expect that I have opened a real can of worms here ? and would not be at all surprised if I get no replies posted on this thread ? but since some of you have shown a genuine interest in my beliefs I am here if anyone wants to ask me questions or discuss this further. I am always up for a good theological argument