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Sarah Palin vs. Witchcraft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkViRp6W5oE (short version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkViRp6W5oE (long version / more informative) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/the-witch-hunter-anoints_b_128805.html (Huffington Post article)
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The links listed above are links to a video where Sarah Palin plays a central role in a church service where Witchcraft is denounced by Thomas Muthee (Kenyan "Witch Hunter"), who preaches at Sarah Palin's Pentecostal church in Wasilla, Alaska. This doesn't sit well with me, especially since I'm a Pagan who practices Witchcraft from time to time. I encourage anyone reading this who isn't a Pagan, to please read the rest of this post or research Paganism, Wicca, and/or Witchcraft on your own.
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People who practice Witchcraft are not devil worshippers nor are they evil. Most, if not all Pagans don't even believe in the devil. They do believe the Earth and Universe are sacred and we should honor and take care of them. The majority of Pagan and Wiccan practices/holidays follow the seasons (Equinox, Solstices, etc...).
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Witchcraft is a practice that many say falls under the umbrella of Paganism, which is a peaceful, Earth-Centered spirituality practice that includes many different traditions or "denominations". Others will tell you that Witchcraft is in a class of it's own.
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The word "Witch" has many different definitions. Some of which include, but are not limited to: "healer", "wise one", "cunning folk", and many others. Witches are many times compared to Shamans for they were usually the ones who did the healing and spirit work in their community or tribe.
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A practitioner of Witchcraft is called a "Witch". Do I consider myself to be a Witch? At times, yes. Witches don't have to be women; and male Witches are not called Warlocks. That's Hollywood talking! Wicca is many times called the "religion", where Witchcraft is more often called a "practice". It is also said that "not all Witches are Wiccan, but all Wiccans are Witches".
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Many Witches don't practice the traditional aspects that come with being Wiccan. Many Witches are happy just doing their own thing.
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The Church is who gave and continues to give Witches, Pagans, Wicca, etc... a bad name. Witches were held in very high esteem before Christianity. Things are getting better in certain areas of the world (including the USA), but when our highest elected officials do things like what Sarah Palin did, then the world (or at least the country) takes two steps back again.
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Paganism and Witches pre-date Christianity by thousands of years. Modern Paganism or "Neo-Paganism" itself doesn't pre-date Christianity, but many of the practices that we engage in are believed to be very similar to the practices that the ancient Pagans practiced.
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Wicca doesn't pre-date Christianity either, but Wiccan practitioners also have practices that date back to ancient times. Wicca became popular in 1954 by a man named Gerald Gardner. I posted a short version of the "Wiccan Rede", which is the standard that Wiccans are held to and many Pagans live by as well. Like many other religions and spiritualities, the Rede promotes a standard of "Harm None", "Love", and "Trust". Nothing evil about that.
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Pagans normally don't care what religion or spirituality you belong to. We just want to live in peace with everyone (of all faiths). If you can't do that, then do us all a favor and at least keep your hate to yourself. If we're going to make it as a nation and a people, then we must get along, accept each other (regardless of beliefs), and promote tolerance. Only then will the human race truly be able to rise up and do some good in this world.
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Brandon-
In response to assignment: Campaign 2008
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