Just trying to learn

[The Mysterious]

Hello, friends!
When i was young and still in elementary school,
i and my class visited church, i think it was first "confirmation class" hour,
there confessor told us that it's everyone's own right to believe in what they want and we don't have to tell what we believe in or not.
Finland is a country where religion is free to choose (except satanism).
I am very proud of being a finnish man.

Still some of the finnish Christianity dare to call "Wicca" as
a part of satanist and devil serving, it's so wrong.
Some of them call aslo a heavy metalist people the same, it's just a hobby.
Though, i heard that some serve devil and perfom "satanism",
not most, very small minority only.

Not that i'd care, but if i am victim, curse them!

Blessed be all of us.

[bgruagach]

Originally Posted by The Mysterious

Hello, friends!
When i was young and still in elementary school,
i and my class visited church, i think it was first "confirmation class" hour,
there confessor told us that it's everyone's own right to believe in what they want and we don't have to tell what we believe in or not.
Finland is a country where religion is free to choose (except satanism).
I am very proud of being a finnish man.

Still some of the finnish Christianity dare to call "Wicca" as
a part of satanist and devil serving, it's so wrong.
Some of them call aslo a heavy metalist people the same, it's just a hobby.
Though, i heard that some serve devil and perfom "satanism",
not most, very small minority only.

Not that i'd care, but if i am victim, curse them!

Blessed be all of us.

If you were a victim of someone from any other religion, would you curse them too?

At one time it was common knowledge that witches were evil creatures, not really human at all, who flew through the air, made pacts with the devil, and ate human flesh (babies in particular.)

Modern witches have managed to get their side of the story out there and now there are fewer people who believe the old scary stories.

It's interesting that the exact same accusations about devil worship, cannibalism, etc. have been levelled at a number of different groups including Jews, and also Catholics! The people who were saying these things were just as sure they were correct as those people who said these things about witches and Pagans in general, and in our day and age, against Satanists.

The internet is a wonderful place because it's possible to do some quick searching and hear other sides to stories. The common version of something is rarely the only version. When we hear some of the other versions we have the opportunity to decide which side sounds more credible.

I'd recommend checking out the info on Satanism (and indeed, on any religion) at the wonderful interfaith website http://www.religioustolerance.org/ Just put "satanism" in their search box and you'll get some thought-provoking information.

(By the way, I'm Wiccan myself and not a Satanist.)

[suanni]

The internet is a wonderful place. I have learned so much in my search for knowledge. It was wonderful to find that I was not the only one with 'strange beliefs' and have 'met' so many wonderful people with the same beliefs. There is a kinda strength in numbers and knowing that you're not the only one.
I live in a small town and whilst I wouldn't say that the people are religious, they would view my different perspective on faith in a dim light. Slowly but surely I'm coming out about my beliefs, my faith structure. It was quite a surprise to me that even in my little corner of the world, through the Internet I found that I was not the only one in this town who had pagan beliefs.

I know how people view paganism in any format. Its the way they were taught. And bgruagach is so correct in that many 'mainstream' religions were considered to be Satanists at one time or another and were horribly executed for it. And its hard to explain to some that Satanism, IMO, is another form of Christianity, a perverted form of Christianity. It has little to do with paganism. I know some Satanists would argue upon this point but in my view, Satan is a Christian creation and the imagery and the concept of Hell is a blend of many pagan underworlds and gods.

(And I am not a Satanist either, I'm a Celtic pagan)