In respect to paranormal activity, do wiccans have a bad rap?

Question

i'm not trying to be bigoted, but it seems every time i watch a special on the paranormal its some moron messing with Ouija bored and the other half is about how some person practicing wicca was either not so nice or a newb and screwd up.

so what i specifically want to know is do newbs often s***w up or is that just a popular misconception?

Answer 1

Yes. If Wiccans were predominantly men, there wouldn't be an issue.

Answer 2

I believe it is our own misconception of the religion that causes this.

Wicca practitioners often get a bad rap because of the lack of understanding. People think it is all spells and satanic worship when in turn it is an earthly religion that does not show any bias.

By the way even though Paranormal State is Christian belief based the do have a pagan that works with them on almost all cases.

Answer 3

I don't think Wiccans have a bad rap at all.  Wicca is a Pagan Religion and they worship their own way just like every other religion.  I don't think that the newbs have researched their religion or gotten with their minister to learn the safe practice of their worship.

Answer 4

h**l yes! we get a bad rap. Hollywood depicts us as green, warty and evil. some mainstream religions call us heathens and devil worshipers. and i saw a girl earlier today answer a question saying that witches are slaves of satan! most people are sheep and immediately believe whatever the popular perception is at the time, without ever researching the subject on their own. a lot of people don't look into the religious aspects or beliefs, they just go buy a book about some spells and start f-ing around. these people are not Wiccan, they are random people that want to have "magikal powers" unfortunately Wiccans are judged by the actions of these people.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what their beliefs are yet.

Answer 6

It does seem as though certain symbols (pentacle, goddess symbol) are shown in a negative light more often than not.

As soon as the words Pentagram and Witch are used in a show, the likely hood of them being used with negative connotation is about 90%. There are some shows that explain the correct meanings, but very few.

Since Wicca/Paganism/Druidism are all Nature based religions and not at all "evil," I would love to see them being used in shows showing the positives of such religions and lifestyles.

Answer 7

First, of course Wicca is an Earth religion and of course it is all good just like Christianity is good and no harm has ever been done in the name of the Christian God or Christ.

Wicca just like any other religion can be represented in a bad way by it's user. However, I suspect shows like Paranormal State having a very strong Christian bias would blame Wicca (or any other non-christian religion) for any reported paranormal activity. This is because all religions not christian are evil by the christian standards, trees may have spirits but they are evil demons hiding in them and pretending to care about the trees, yada yada.

Messing up a Wicca prayer is as unlikely to cause anything paranormal as missing a Hail Mary while praying the rosary (Catholic) is to cause demons to rise up in the church and descend into h**l with you.

I'm sure that all people mess up in all religions, so what? nothing becomes of this, it is intent and belief not perfect words, symbols, or anything else that has the power of any supernatural being (assuming the existence of God and/or spirits, powers of any kind).

Psi

Answer 8

Yes, I think they do.  But like you said, there are some bad seeds out there that are corrupting the good ones just by association.

I believe there is a misconception there & it possibly starts from whom ever taught them.  

Those that use a ouija board during an investigation, well that is just a bad practice.  You see, just because you practice wiccan that does not mean you are vulnerable to brining in evil spirits as well.

Maybe if some change their teachings, things won't be as harsh.

Answer 9

Every religion HAS its bad seeds.  Wicca is a religion with 2 faces.  Good and Bad.  Black and white.  Those who practice black magic, recieve black magic.  And those who practice white magic, recieve white magic.  It is as simple as that.  Those who practice white magic do get the bad rap because we as a whole society are taught the things that scared our elders so that what they believe are "set in stone".  Don't get me wrong.  I am a christian and do not practice wicca.  But those that I know who do practice it, are great people who do good for people.

Answer 10

Both I and my partner are pagan. It is a very accepting, earth based religion. Yes there are those who think it is a fast road to riches, but these people are often dissapointed. There are many who have bothered to read about other religions - and wish to point out errors on R&S, just as there are Christians who won't read anything else.

Wicca is accepted as the face of those practicing the craft, but is not the only path. Because the wise man and women of the village were responsible for hatches, matches, and dispatches, they knew the face of death; how to cure, and kill - if it eased suffering. Their magic foretold of good crops or bad, of abundance and starvation; and through psychic work, could predict the death of animals or people.

In the years of Christianity - these people were seen to cause death by merely fortelling events - and were cruely tortured and killed - often without evidence.

This is where the bad reputation came from. - fear from the Church.

We do not use Ouija. It is the same as opening any portal (there are others). I do not feel the need to meddle in other dimensions.

Most problems have actually been caused by kids playing with them - many of whom are Christian. If they were Wiccan or of Pagan upbringing - they would know better. Leaving doors open instead of closing them behind you - only invites trouble.

.. And yes - we all s***w up from time to time.- Usually only the once though. It's called learning.