| Throughout history humans have been afraid of what | | | | multiplied. Therefore, only positive and loving energy |
| they do not understand. Rather than researching, | | | | is used in spells. |
| asking questions and trying to understand another | | | | What about devil worship and animal sacrifice? It is |
| person's viewpoint, many times we harshly judge a | | | | really strange that people think of Polytheistic people |
| matter and exclude those who believe differently | | | | as devil worshipers since they do not believe in Satan |
| than we do. | | | | or the devil. They commonly love and honor animals |
| Halloween has just passed and I'm reminded of | | | | to the point that many are vegetarians because they |
| people who do not celebrate the occasion because | | | | do not wish to kill an animal for food. Therefore, it is |
| they feel it is a Pagan holiday or that it is "of the | | | | certain that they do not harm or sacrifice animals in |
| devil." If people only knew how many Pagan | | | | religious rituals. On the other hand, the U.S. is the |
| traditions are hidden throughout the Bible perhaps | | | | world's leader in animal sacrifice as we daily slaughter |
| they wouldn't be so judgmental or afraid of Paganism. | | | | animals through the poultry and cattle industries in the |
| I'd like to address some of the fears and give a | | | | name of money and self-indulgence. |
| factual overview of Paganism. | | | | What about worshipping other gods? Identifying an |
| What about witches? The wise woman or wise man | | | | attribute and calling it a deity doesn't make it greater |
| of the old European village was a respected healer, | | | | than the source from which it came. It remains a |
| midwife, or herbalist called a shaman. Today we have | | | | corresponding and substantial part of its Creator. |
| doctors and pharmacists who serve in these | | | | Monotheistic people have personified the names, |
| capacities. They are invokers of energy and | | | | attributes and characteristics of God, i.e.: |
| distributors of power. They may conduct healing or | | | | Jehovah-Jireh means God, the Provider, |
| worship rituals using stones, oil, candles, fire, herbs, | | | | Jehovah-Shalom means the God of Peace, |
| water, incense, statues, tarot cards or other tangible | | | | Jehovah-Rapha means God, the Healer. Monotheism |
| objects to invoke Divine energies in an attempt to | | | | recognizes Arch-Angels such as Michael, the |
| co-create a situation that betters their life, or the life | | | | protector, or Raphael, the healer, as angelic helpers |
| of a loved one. The intent is never to harm another | | | | of God. |
| person. The idea that witches are evil came from the | | | | The deities of polytheism are helpers of Mother |
| Christian myths created by political figures who | | | | Goddess. The worship of these deities is usually |
| violently opposed the traditions of old Rome. | | | | nothing more than asking for assistance with a |
| Sound familiar? The Jews used stone altars, burned | | | | problem or releasing worries by placing the situation in |
| animals as sacrifice and used incense in the temple | | | | the hands of a higher power. Polytheistic people will |
| rituals. The priests' robes contained divination tools | | | | sometimes make an offering by pouring wine on the |
| (Urim and Thummin) used to predict and discern the | | | | ground, or leaving food on the altar or a coin upon |
| will of God for the nation. Monotheistic religions today | | | | the earth as a thank you gift. Monotheistic people |
| anoint people with oil, and use water in purification | | | | give a tithe to the church or make charitable |
| rituals such as baptism. If you have ever worn a | | | | donations as a way of expressing gratitude. |
| cross pendant, or placed a picture of Jesus or Mary | | | | How accepting are you of other religions? Are you |
| on your wall you understand the symbolism, comfort | | | | willing to be led in a prayer which invokes the love of |
| and power that icons and tangible objects bring to | | | | Mother Goddess as well as in a prayer with the |
| spiritual practices. | | | | traditional ending "in Jesus' name"? If you ask your |
| What about witchcraft and casting evil spells? There | | | | neighbor to attend your church, would you attend a |
| are those in both Monotheistic and Polytheistic circles | | | | Pagan drum circle with her in return? |
| who harm others with their behavior, but to say that | | | | Man looks on the outward appearance, but God |
| all Polytheistic people are evil is like saying all priests | | | | Goddess looks at the intention of our heart. Most of |
| are child molesters. The intent of a Wiccan witch is | | | | our fears and judgments are a result of ignorance or |
| much the same as that of a Christian prayer warrior: | | | | a lack of understanding possibly due to the |
| to improve conditions on the planet or in the lives of | | | | vocabulary terms we use to define our beliefs. In the |
| others. They are both intercessors for the good of | | | | end, we are all seeking to feel closely connected with |
| humanity. Modern witches have a strict belief in the | | | | our Creator no matter what name we give him or |
| Law of Return and Karma or sowing and reaping- | | | | her. |
| what one sends out into the world will return | | | | |