Topic > Neo-Paganism: Modern Witches - 723

Neo-Paganism: Modern Witches The growing practice of neo-paganism in America has made many heads spin. The misinterpretation of religion has led much of society to label people who practice this religion as “witches,” who perform sacrifices, engage in orgies and dark magic. It took years for the Neopagans to clear up these ridiculous rumors. Neopagans do not worship Satan. They don't even acknowledge its existence. None of them are evil deities, not even remotely similar to Satan. It is still frowned upon in most countries, perhaps due to its bohemianism in the worship of the Christian God. Through ethnography, researchers are able to show the rest of society that there is no need to hide their animals or local virgins from this community of people. Neopagans are a group of faiths that bring ancient pagan and magical traditions to the modern era; including primarily Wicca, Druidry, Asatru, Shamanism, Neo-Native Americans and many more. It is an umbrella term for various beliefs with many elements in common. Some neopagans find no conflict in practicing neopaganism alongside another faith, such as Christianity or Judaism. Some believe in a Supreme Being. Many believe in duality; God and Goddess. Many believe that there are countless superior beings, gods and goddesses, in the cosmos and in nature; God is everything and in everyone; all are one God. The Great Mother Earth, is highly revered. Divinity is immanent and can manifest in anyone at any time through different methods. "Evil" is imbalance. Many believe that there is no such thing as evil but rather that people sometimes make mistakes. The wrong result is when we forget that we are one with the universal spirit. Most simply believe that it is necessary to love and respect nature,...... middle of paper... it would be a question of presenting this type of experience, Magliocco's own way of seeing them and recording them gives them credit in their own right. In short, it allows Magliocco to take the subject's opinions seriously, a vital component of this type of ethnography. If subjects see her as a threat and as a non-believer, there will be no knowledge gained through the research experience. The Hopi say, "The spirits of the buffalo and the many Native Americans killed in the North American holocaust will return, are returning, to the bodies of white people. They believe this is why the neopagan community is developing and there are so many environmentalists and academics who work with nature and spirit. The energies are gathering and the Earth is calling these groups to its aid. I believe there is a bit of neo-paganism in all of us if we look closely enough.