She’s a Witch!

While this is not technically violence, this is a form of discrimination against pagans and witches: the way that some Christians will feel the need to show them the “right” path. Such a view is patronizing and discriminatory. It allows them to feel superior because they have the correct religion while pagans and witches are backwards and must be shown the “truth” (9) or that without a “doctrine or text to protect them, they may soon find themselves opening the door of the devil” (6). Perhaps the most infuriating response that Christians have for pagans and witches is their need to pray for “the Lord” to give them strength to help them “renounce their former ways of life” (2). Such views perpetuate violence and dehumanize pagans and witches. It makes it okay for such violence and discrimination to happen to them because their religion is not a real religion since it does “lead to a knowledge of God through Jesus” (8).

Witchcraft and paganism are often treated as though they are evil and should be feared. This is perpetuated by people defining both terms as something evil and associated with the devil or calling them idolators and other names that make them evil and inhuman. If they can be dehumanized then, violence against them and trying to convert them is acceptable. How they are viewed is also acceptable since they are not acting like other humans do because of some evilness that has given them power. Such negative connotations are placed on these two words when it is not necessary. This is another instance where people do not want to delve further and learn about something that may change their views and prove them wrong.

Works Cited

1. Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon; Witches, Druids, goddess-worshippers and other pagans in America today. Boston: Beacon Press, 1986.
2. Bass, Dave. “Drawing Down the Moon.” Christianity Today 29 Apr 5 (1991): 14-19.
3. Bivins, Jason. “Religious and Legal Others: Identity, Law and Representation in American Christian Right and Neopagan Cultural Conflicts.” Culture an Religion 6 (2005): 31-56.
4. Hume, Lynne. “Witchcraft and the Law in Australia.” Journal of Church and State 37 (1995): 135-150.
5. Marcus, Joel. “Idolatry in the New Testament.” Interpretation 2006: 152-164.
6. Scruton, Roger. “Bibles and Broomsticks.” National Review 51 (1999): 44-45.
7. Stein, Hannes. “Return of the Gods.” First things 97 (1999): 34-38.
8. Wilkinson, Loren. “The Bewitching Charms of Neopaganism.” Christianity Today 43 (1999): 54-60.
9. “Year of the Neopagan.” Christianity Today 39 (1995): 88.