What’s up my peoples?
So last week I was tackling bisexuality. This week, I’m tackling
the religion that goes along with this symbol:
Picture of pentacle from netplaces.com
And that, my friends, is Wicca.
Now I know that at least one or two people who read this have
probably been raised to think that this is an evil symbol and an evil religion-
the path toward the devil himself.
While I can’t un-teach you, alter your beliefs or perhaps-
heaven forbid- shake your faith, I can do a little teaching of my own and bust
some myths for you.
When faced with someone who is Wiccan in your life- and
actually, this goes for anyone who is different from you, religion-wise,
sexuality-wise, politic-wise, etc. – here are basic ways to approach them respectfully:
Rule 1: If
they are wearing a symbol that you feel offends you or you don’t quite
understand, ASK THEM ABOUT IT. Ask them questions, but be nice
about it. Instead of “aren’t you afraid you’re gonna go to hell?” ask “What
does that symbol/phrase mean to you?” Phrasing matters.
Rule 2:
Remember that these people are not just the symbol they are wearing or what the
symbol represents. They are also friends, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers,
co-workers, mothers, fathers, students and, overall, human. Even if you two do not agree in the area in
question, you both are human and therefore are similar in that way and maybe
some other ways as well. Treat them as you would want to be treated or as you
would treat another family member, co-worker, human, etc.
Rule 3:
Taking this old-school- what your parents or family members might have told you
as you grew up- “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” If you
truly feel that you cannot find anything nice to say about whatever the person
“is” or the path that they are on and feel is right for them, don’t say
anything. Remember- you’re not perfect either and it is likely that people in
your life have also tolerated an aspect that is a part of who you are.
Rule 4: It
is possible to remain friends with (or related to) someone who lives
differently than you. See Rule 3. Even if you don’t agree with your
friend’s lifestyle, religion, sexuality, whatever, you can still be friends.
And anyone who is different in your family is still your family. If anything,
you don’t even have to address it all
the time. After all, this difference isn’t the only part of them. Also keep in
mind that if they are only recently coming out, they need support now more than
ever.
And finally
Rule 5: Keep in mind that every
person is not the same! Reasons for changing an aspect of a life varies
from person to person. What the subject at hand means to them also varies.
Also, people’s decisions and lifestyle choices do not ultimately determine what
they are like! I have met rude Christians, friendly Christians, friendly
Wiccans, shy Wiccans, shy homosexuals, abrupt homosexuals, loud Hindus, quiet
Hindus, etc. So ignore the stereotypes and get to know the person before deciding your feelings about them
or (worse) spreading rumors.
So those rules aren’t just for when you meet someone who practices
Wicca, those can be applied to for many things and to anyone who is different
from you.
Since this post is getting kind of long, I’ll end it here. I’ll
make this a multi-post because I’ve got more to say about this. Part two- in
which I’ll explain what this symbol means to me, the basics about Wicca in
general, and some myth-busting- will be up next Monday! Thanks for reading!
Nox,
~H.P. Echo~
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