I live in a world that the Christians have turned the word Witch into a bad name. I am scared to say in public or wear my pentacle out in public because I will most likely be jumped by a Christian who says that I am going to hell. My religious freedom is one of fear by Christians who used to burn my brothers and sisters for being who we are. What does being a Witch mean to me? My religion was considered the craft of the Wise. Many of us used to be advisers to kings and queens as well as healers with herbs.
Our knowledge was not evil, but one take on us is that we cast spells which must be evil. My God Pan was deemed the devil by Christians so even though I do not worship the concept of the Devil my God is subjected to being evil when the Pan is the Lord of the Wild in my Book. I worship Artemis as well as Brigit, and Selene.
My idea belief is even though I know my own Pagan ideas I do not force them upon others. I believe people should have the right to worship the way they want and find their own path because life is a journey of spirituality not a right to religion itself. Our ideas and beliefs within that journey is what makes our spirituality stronger as a learning tool to explain life itself.
I am not a evil witch I believe in the Fairies, as well as green magic, and understanding nature to live with nature itself. I believe in healing others through magic that are willing to accept the act of healing not forced upon. Yes I do invoke my God and I do take in the power of my Goddesses who represent more of the moon to me. To me it breaks down to the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
If I was to stand up and try to run for office Christians would not vote for me and many would claim I am a devil worshiper. When our Gods and Goddesses speak to us we do not go out and claim that it is Gods Authority. Heck half us witches will challenge our own Gods and Goddesses because we are not viewed by Gods Authority, but the right to make this world and realm a better place to live in. Yes there might be a after life we call summerland, but our goal is to better this earth not focus on just reaching the after life.
I have no religious freedom when it comes to my rituals we have to do them in private. I have been to skyclad events as well where I have been naked among other pagans. To us this is just ritual, but we have to hide our ways because they are not accepted among Christians who would take our children away from us for practicing our religion. The difference between what Kim Davis is calling religious freedom and what true religious freedom does not add up. By Christians view I should be burned at the stake if they keep their religious freedom and history has shown Christians will kill Witches because their bible tells them to.