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Paganism in Utah

The church's newspaper is doing a story on Wicca in Utah? Not only that, but OUR own misperceptions and fears have forced them into secrecy?

I think I just popped a vein in my head.

Uh, Devin Felix, maybe it is because the predominant religion in the state sees Pagans and Wiccans for what they are. They don't follow the teachings of the LDS church. They don't follow teachings of Christianity. They don't recognize Jesus Christ as the son of God. They don't even recognize God as we do.

Maybe Pagans and Wiccans have a misperception of what most people actually do believe.

Witches? Wicca? When the headline said paganism in Utah I thought you were referring to the LDS conference protesters, as they are anything but Christian. But wait, I am insulting the Pagans by confusing them with the protesters, as the pagans are a much more civilized and kind group of people.

I thought this was a well written article. There really shouldn't be any reason for anyone to persecute someone because they are Wicca (or whatever other name they go by). I personally don't agree with their beliefs, but as long as they follow the laws of the land, they should be granted the same rights as anyone else. This article will hopefully educate those who may still hold unbased prejudices.

What ever happened to religious freedom? I thought our country was founded, in part, do to the religious stanglehold that the king of England had over the Church? One should be able to worship how they see fit, and just because one is not in lockstep with the accepted religion of a state, does not mean that they should be viewed as a freak.

Above. Haven't we learned anything in these hundreds of years? Don't people know yet that the people termed of "witches" killed by burning and such were just people that may have been different? We know now that Wiccans are people that worship Gods and Goddesses as was the original tradition. It makes sense to many people that know that deitys must be both genders or no gender at all. Did you know that the term "mother nature" and "mother earth" comes from these old religions?
I am a Christian in that I believe the teachings of Jesus, but I am a Pagan in that I don't worship traditionally and don't believe in the atonement rituals. I don't advertise this, but I know there are many of us. We are part of the human race and we are peaceful and loving. Please open your minds to the oldest religions on the earth.

Love one another. No exceptions.

Witches have no place in Utah. Period.

I have long held the view that Wiccan beliefs are sort of nerdy and weird, and this article has done little to change that. Of course, I understand that others feel that my own religious beliefs are nerdy and weird, as well, and that's fine. There is no harm in disagreeing, so long as we agree to peacefully disagree. To my Wiccan neighbors, I say: Lay in the dirt and sink roots into your yurt to your heart's content, and feel free to say a prayer to Little Bo Peep if it makes you happy. It doesn't make any sense to me at all, but I guess that's not really the point, anyway.

Love one another, yes. I still think it is kind of wierd. Good article.

I personally found this article fascinating. I knew little about pagan religions (not that I'm now an expert...) and realized that many of my ideas about pagans were wrong. Good job, DMN, for spreading knowledge!

All Israelite romances with paganism resulted in national destruction. I don't think a Christian people could expect a different result for our society. While freedom of conscience/freedom of religion must be upheld, does a Christian society have a responsibility to discourage paganism, earth worship, and goddess worship, as a matter of national self-preservation? I think it does. While I in no way advocate persecuting pagans--as that would be anti-Christian--I think we owe it to ourselves to ensure that paganism does not become fashionable, or even mildly accepted, among us. Action has consequences, as does inaction. We cannot pretend that paganism in our midst is not a problem, and that we can stand on the sidelines and do nothing about it. It is growing, and we must live our religion more fully, and teach and lead those who have been lead astray, in order to avoid the national consequences that will surely come if we allow it to promulgate among our people.

Witch hunters? Please.

My beef is with a newspaper that is owned by the LDS church printing a story on Pagans and Wiccans. You say to open our minds to the oldest religions on earth. Well, I believe my religion was in place before the earth.

I haven't said Wiccans don't have a right to practice their religion. I haven't called for the burning of witches. I haven't professed any of the sort.

I just think it is ODD that if you're LDS and you adhere to the teachings of the LDS church, that we're being spoon-fed warm stories on Paganism. Harmless? Hmmm...I highly doubt you'd be saying it was "harmless" if your own child left the church to become a practicing Wiccan.

Belief in this kind of religion will probably increase. Why? Well if Jesus doesn't show up soon (let's say the next 25 years...) then Christianity will go away, like the Greek and Roman religions. People still want answers and this kind of thing will get looked at more.

Why ask why anyone could believe in paganism! Ask why any sane person would believe in the cult of Mormonism?

Ignorance is sweet, sweet bliss for us Utahn's!

Did "Oh please" and "Still suffering from bigots" forget that their attitude toward people of other faiths are the same attitude that got Joseph Smith and others of the "predominate religion" killed. It is the same attitude that ran me out of the state by those who felt that if you aren't Utahn you aren't LDS. Even the bigoted remark made toward those who protest outside conference is as insensitive as any anti-pagan remark I have heard. Paganism has been recognized by the federl courts of this country as a legitimate religion with all the same rights and privileges under the Constitution as Christians (including LDS), Jews, Muslims, or any other religion that is practiced in this country. One might not like what they do, may find it repulsive even, but they are still Americans. You can study their religious bellliefs at BYU even. When all is said and done, let's all be better Aamericans.

I'm amazed at some of the ridiculous things you all feel you can post in this forum. Witches have no place in Utah, pagans vs. protesters, Church newspaper shouldn't print this, blah, blah, blah.

This country provides its citizens freedom of religion, so long as the practice of their religion does not infringe on the basic rights of others. That extends to everyone. Those of you who want to force your own beliefs on everyone else need to move to a country that believes in that sort of philosophy.

I was glad to see that at least one pagan was happy that the people of Utah were tolerant. Of all people, LDS in Utah should be tolerant. Those who are not, do not understand their own history.

Religions like these will flourish because they demand nothing. People flock to the easy.

Let's see: You should (or shouldn't) be a certain religion if you live in a certain place. Fly off the handle if someone related to you chooses to believe something different. How dare a Church newspaper let another religion tell their own story. There are some serious Golden Rule violations going on here. Personally, I'm glad my Irish pagan ancestors didn't slam the door on St. Patrick, but I respect their right to worship and have a voice. Some of these attitudes have no place anywhere.

There is no bias here. Witchcraft is not a legitimate religion. It belongs to the likes of Potter, etc...

Good article. And the comments are even better. It's important to see the ignorance behind belief systems, as demostrated by the posts above. Ephraim really cracks me up. That is one sick cowboy. And Floopster? It's rare to hear one so blatantly call for a newspaper to work as a veil.
There must be a Freudian in the group who can do a psycho-analitical reading on the bunch of us.