Can y'all do me a favor? I know we pagans tend to have a good sense of humor over our religion, we laugh along at the green warty witches during Halloween, and try to be politely quiet when "witch" is substituted for "bitch" to make it a more socially acceptable insult, but can someone let me know when the world is ready for me to speak up about how I feel when I see the phrase "witch hunt" thrown around in the media? There's history there that stings. Also, kind of threatening.
@danialexis Good point.
@tippitiwichet *slaps broomstick* this baby can fit so many pithy sayings in it π
You'll have to take that complaint to Caligula, he's the one who keeps tossing it around.
You'll have to take a number, the people who want to complain about "Kung Flu" and CHYna Virus" are ahead of you.
@mcfate There are so many numbers ahead of me. And rightfully so. Sigh.
@tippitiwichet Is it at all helpful to remember that generally when people talk about a "witch hunt" it's because they understand that it meant false accusation and persecution of practitioners of natural medicine/magic?
I don't think I know anyone who thinks it is a good thing.
But PLEASE speak up. Your faith and practice deserve respect.
@stueytheround Some, but with the world the way it is, I'm constantly reminded that the past can repeat itself. That might be the PTSD from when they were looking for rope and lighter fluid while I had people standing above me forcing me to remain seated on the floor though. I mean, I know I'm primed to be sensitive on the subject, but also, that was in the 90s. The political environment is less "other" friendly here in the bible belt. And I'm to stubborn to go back in the broom closet.
@tippitiwichet Know that you have an ally in me. β€οΈ
@stueytheround Right back atcha! π€
@tippitiwichet they will always hunt for witches. But they will not always catch them. And for everyone of us that slips away unscathed, but a witness, we taught the next generation how to do the same. Now we are so numerous we overwhelm their numbers, live in their society, care for them and their businesses and children. They may want to destroy us. But they are dependent on us. We are the ones who do not need them. And we certainly don't need to be afraid of them. We have each other.
@vo1de I understand your message. I get that this pattern exists for a reason. But I also see a lot of "them", and I do want to stop and point out that when "Christians" tried to set me on fire, it was Christians who saved me (and I needed their help, I could not escape on my own), so be careful in who your "them" is. I feel dependent on people like @stueytheround to keep me out of an echo chamber spiritually, to help me understand the metaphors that churn in the human spirit, and find truth.
@tippitiwichet @stueytheround that's just a general overall, we are the daughters of the witches you didn't burn kinda thing. But irl. It's not that easy. Obviously. Im still terrified of some of those people. But when I do the whole us vs them, I'm talking directly about people who attempt to harm other people, and people who choose to protect other people from harm. It's not really about religion or philosophy for me. But I do see those who "hunt witches" as "not people" in general. Sorry.
@vo1de Some of "them" are also a part of the each other we have, in other words.
@vo1de and you have those of "us" who will gladly stand between oppressor and oppressed. @tippitiwichet
@tippitiwichet The world will never be ready for that, so you may as well do it now.