What I do not get is WHY wiccans, pagans, witches, etc. are so misunderstood. I mean, why us? Why not vampires or werewolves or demons (though they are misunderstood). Why the wiccans, pagans and witches? I guess it's because many people are afraid of what they no nothing about. One time I saw a pentagram with the words "Love the Devil, worship Satan" written next to it, wiccans, pagans, and witches etc. are NOT devil worshipers. I believe that to be the most common misconception. Who else feels we are misunderstood to be devil worshipers, evil beings, and "uholy" when some of us are Christian (just some, but not me. I'm Wiccan all the way).??????????
Same reason people think Satanists sacrifice babies, Native Americans essentially have one religion, and Islam hates women.
There exists misinformation on the subjects and, in the case of things like sacrifice and woman-hate, supposed followers/practitioners who get things horrifically wrong. But even more than the misinformation, there exists a great lack accurate information which is truly publicly available. You can learn just about everything on Wicca from books and the internet, but only if you go searching for Wicca specifically, which rarely includes the average person. Plus, the people disposed against Wicca are all too happy to listen to the undisputed misinformation.
I in other words find the issue to be a chronic lack of positive publicity.
Ignorance--that's all it is. And the majority of people are ignorant about one thing or another. There is a difference between not knowing something and being ignorant. Ignorance, is assuming you know something you do not.
It's usually caused by someone "informing" another of a "fact" that has no truth to it and it being believed. With preachers telling entire communities (or even more on radios and public television) how evil the rest of the world is and how their path is the only good and holy path, and the preacher is believed to be a "man of god" therefore wise and knowledgeable, they spread ignorance even faster. And many will not be told differently once they have an opinion set on something.
As we have our beliefs so do others.. It is a ongoing misconception.. Everyone is entitlesd to believe we are what they envision, most of us are kind, healers, teachers and so fourth, as long as you stay strong in your beliefe and practice and be one with who you are, do not mind what others may think, you have been criticised and so fourth do not let it get to you , by putting negive thoughts or attention to all that we are paying attention and putting those negative and clashing vibrations out to the universe.. Be at piece dear one.. Ans enjoy and celebrate in who you are.. Blessed Be