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I'm sorry, but I need to bring this up.

My family is conservatives. We always vote Republican on every election. My parents are always talking about the negative effects that medicare has brought on doctors today. We think Social Security is the government's worst idea ever. We're supporters of the war and we still believe that the greatest president was Ronald Regan.

But I've been listening to the news and I hear alot about this issue involving a soldier from Iraq who was Wiccan. Wicca is an earth-based paganism religion which believes in reincarnation that started becoming big in the 60s. They have no belief of Heaven or Hell, though some sects do talk of a place called the 'Summerlands', a border between two lives where you can meet up with loved ones before leaving. Some Wiccans are practitioners of witchcraft, though not the type you maybe thinking of. These witches say prayers at a candle-lit alter to the 5 elements---fire, earth, water, air, and spirit. Their deities can vary from just the elements, to a lady, to a lady and lord, and to a lord and three ladies. It has no written language and has been proclaimed a religion.

However, two widows whose husbands were of Wiccan religion wanted their husbands' graves to be marked with Wiccan symbols. At first, the government refused, so the women filed lawsuits. To settle it, the Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to add the Wiccan pentacle to a list of approved religious symbols that it will engrave on veterans’ headstones. Thirty-eight religious symbols are already on the approved list. (Including the symbol of an atom for Aethiests).

Many people do not recognize Wicca as a religion. The Bush family, for one. I am Wiccan--though my parents are both Christian. I found that the religion called to me and I preferred not to have a religion that kept on saying I was impure. I do not worship the devil. I do not run around stark naked under the moon. I'm just a normal kid, like anyone else. Yet, when I go to forums that mention this event, I constantly receive words such as "WICCANS BURN IN HELL!! WITCHCRAFT IS EVIL!! GO ******** THE DEVIL, WITCH!!"

Most of these comments come from Christians who vote Republican. I for one, really do think that it is wrong that we are being discriminated far worse than Islam was right after 9/11. While they could keep their rights, we are still having to fight for ours. Please, please try and understand that this IS a religion. And that we're normal people. We are mothers, fathers, children, CEOs, lawyers, and friends. We're just like you only we believe in something else. It is no different than a Christian being friends with a Jew or an Aethiest. We're of every orientation, straight, bi, or gay. We're young and old. We are people. We deserve the same rights as everyone else.

I'm sorry, but what exactly makes my belief false?
stare

Funny thing 'bout religion.

It's one of those things which are hard to prove true/false. Sort of a lack of empirical evidence or objective standards by which to test whether it is true/false.

Probably why I generally shy away from these kinds of topics.

And hope that this thread doesn't get ugly. confused

That's kinda my viewpoint too. Wiccans are constantly having to defend the legitimacy of the religion. Well, how exactly are you supposed to prove a belief? We're faithful people. We're very spiritual and in touch with our religion. And we never feel the need to recruit or bring down other religions. Though, we do feel like Christians tend to attack us the most. (Though with good reason.) But that doesn't seem to be enough for people.

How is that any different from any other religion? and my statement was serious. Why do you find it so offensive that Christians believe that you're going to burn in Hell unless you're worried that they're right?

In the christian religion (Of which I am a bit of a zealot) it is considered that all who do not have the forgiveness of Jesus go to hell. That is just how the religion works.

Hi. or should I say Merry Meet, I just wanted to say...Don't let them get to you if you can. I know easier said then done...

You say you do not practice any ritual skyclad, or worship the devil, I know that is just false rumors. Just curious are you a Solitare or are you a member of a coven yet. Hope you have a good mentor to help guide you, books don't always cut it.

Anyway just a good luck and a little heads-up from a conservative Christian that has no problem with you practicing your religion as long as you let me practice mine.

Well good luck and God Bless! Also Merry Part until we meet again.

all i have to say is im a reoublican and i respect your personal beliefs...