Little Witch and the Christian - (Intro)
by John


Introduction:

With a title like that, I *must* provide an introduction to explain this story.
 

Therefore, because of those who used my last story to help explain to loved ones what it was they converted to and because of those who asked that more be written upon that subject, I have produced the following dialogue. I am not a professional writer; rather, I am a Witch who saw the need described above and tried my best to attempt to address that need. The good parts, of course, are thanks to and a credit to my teachers and the Goddess and the God; the bad parts are mine alone.


John
Email: mailto:[email protected]
(please: no emails from minors, i.e. persons under age 18. thank you.)
 

Once upon a time, maybe a few months ago...

a Little Witch was at a wedding reception. There she stood.... she seemed little to others, but she was proud of the two and a half inches that put her over five feet tall ! She looked good, and she dressed well, especially so that night. It was a wedding ! Actually, this was only"a wedding!" for everyone else; she was the friend of a friend of the bride, and she only knew a few people. It was lovely, but after the wedding ceremony and supper, she was left pretty much to herself at one of the tables while most of the other guests mingled and danced. And with that, the reception went from 'lovely' to 'nice' to boring to *dull.* Quickly. So, she wished for *something* to happen that would be pleasant and interesting and maybe even lively.

(Be careful what you wish for... you just might get it!)

A moment or so later, three of the wedding guests needed a break from the dancing, came over to the somewhat remote table where the Little Witch was, and happily and courteously asked if they could join her table, to which the Little Witch agreeably acceded. After the usual pleasantries and statements about how nice the wedding was, the song changed and two of the guests, a couple, got up and went back to the dancing. And that left a nice looking, middle aged man and the Little Witch at a suddenly very large and empty table. After trying to shout over the music, the man and the Little Witch chuckled, and they changed their seats to be next to each other. It turned out that the nice man was also a friend of a friend (this time, of the groom), and after they mutually and obliquely established that neither of them was interested in anything more than nice conversation, the nice man and the Little Witch merrily chatted about work, gardening, the catered food and whatnot. And as the Little Witch picked up and began to eat a delicious chocolate chip cookie, she thought to herself about the conversation, 'what a *pleasant* thing to happen.' But, as soon as she thought that, the back of her mind reminded her that she had also asked for"interesting" and"lively." And before the Little Witch could think more about that, the nice man asked The Question:

"So, I hear you're a Witch?"

The sensation of a twenty-pound bag of potting soil falling on her gut quickly came and went. It was a testimony to the Little Witch's experience at living openly as a Witch ("out of the broom closet," as they say) that she didn't even think,"oh, s#t." Instead, the Little Witch automatically recovered from the shock and put on her armored smile that she kept for just such occasions, looked him in the eye, mentally said the Name of the Goddess and the God (half for strength, half as a kind of pagan Shema) and said in a friendly but firm tone,"Yes, I am a Witch."

And then, as often happens, came The Pause. The Little Witch had learned some time ago that one of three reactions came from people when she politely answered The Question by saying,"Yes, I am a Witch."

One response was horror. In the dialogue that typically followed, the Little Witch had to state the standard, true facts that she didn't worship satan, eat roasted children, blast crops or participate in wild orgies (she always tried not to smile at that one... not that she had ever been to a wild orgy but, hey, it could be better than watching the 11 o'clock news...), and that she was basically a normal person. Usually, the person recovered from their horror, perhaps after taking a mental nitroglycerin tablet, and it quickly ended. Sometimes there was an awkward smile and the odd attempt to tell her (for the good of her soul) that while she was a nice person and that Jesus loved her, she was going to burn in hell forever (to which the Little Witch often thought but only sometimes said,"Well, isn't that nice!" ... which is what young ladies from the American South used to be taught is a polite substitute for"f##k you."). Otherwise, the Little Witch saved her fights for supporting legal cases or campaigning in elections or responding to those in real danger, and she generally otherwise avoided fights that could benefit her (or the other person) nothing.

Response #2 by people, after the Little Witch stated that she is a Witch, was being dumfounded. After the obligatory pause, there was nervous laughter, often a lame attempt at humor, the occasional question about something ridiculous (love spells, turning men into little green frogs, winning the lottery, etc.) and a quick exit by the dumfounded ones. In a way, response #2 was the easiest, albeit loneliest, reaction to handle: the Little Witch gave a neutral smile and waited for the topic to change or the person to make an excuse and leave.

Then, there was Response #3. Sometimes it followed from responses 1 and 2; sometimes it came all on its own. The Pause was followed with a look of shock that quickly relaxed somewhat. Sometimes there was a statement that was becoming more and more common,"Oh is that like Wicca? I heard/read about that..." But usually, the third response was simply an expression of genuine interest. It was not a desire to be converted nor to convert the Little Witch from her religion. Rather, it was simply genuine interest in Witchcraft. Sometimes that interest was from an interest in religion in general; sometimes it came from an interest in psychic matters; sometimes it came from interest in knowing what exactly it was that a friend or relative was involved in. And sometimes, it as just an interest in anything strange or different. But, it was genuine interest.

So, the Little Witch kept her armored smile plastered on her face and wondered where the future of the conversation would be tonight: behind door #1, door #2 or door #3.

The nice man, after the Little Witch answered The Question by saying"Yes, I am a Witch," was at first taken aback ("Hmmm," she thought,"It could be any response). Then he looked a little flustered ("Aw," thought the Little Witch,"It's door #1"). But, then the man relaxed ("Hooray, maybe I won't be told that Jesus loves me and I'm going to hell, well isn't that nice..."). And then he cleared his throat and spoke.

He said,"I overheard one of the bridesmaids, telling someone that you were with the bride, mention in passing that you're a Witch. I was wondering if it was a joke or if was for real. I guess it's for real?"

Hmmm, the Little Witch thought, It still could be any door; time to find out.

"Yes, I really am a Witch," the Little Witch said, still keeping that armored smile plastered on her face. And then she added,"I'm sorry if I gave you a start; don't worry, we don't bite.

The man visibly relaxed at that point, lowered his gaze or a moment to his coffee cup, and looked up with a half bemused but half serious expression and said,"Do you mind talking about it? I've never met a Witch before but I've heard about it, and I'd like to know some more."

BINGO! Door #3. Little Witch also visibly relaxed.

"Sure," she said."What do you want to know?"

"Well, I 'm not sure exactly. I suppose everything." The man seemed a little flustered again, as if he was trying to find the right words but also as if there was a part of him that didn't want to find the right words. The Little Witch could pick up on this and how it indicated a struggle of some kind, but she didn't pry and she didn't press him. After a moment, he said,"My family is Christian," and he said his denomination."We've been Christian for years, for generations. Well, one of my cousin's kids came home from college and announced that he is a Witch." He paused."It was like a tornado going through our family. Some people felt like they had failed, others felt like they were betrayed; others thought my cousin's kid had gone crazy or was possessed or was smoking dope; and some others thought it was just a passing phase. I tried talking to him once; heck, I didn't know what it was about. By that time, he was angry at everyone and wouldn't talk about it much. I asked around, did some reading, and found out it was kind of a nature religion. But, like I said, the whole family is torn up over this. So, when I heard someone say that you're a Witch, I thought I could maybe ask you. Just what the heck is this?"

Little Witch paused. It was clear that this man was upset about a family problem that was not her business; however, it was also clear that he wanted to know what his cousin's son had 'gotten himself into.' So, she responded gingerly, and she spoke in a tone of empathy but also of firmness,"I can't do anything about your family. And, I don't know your cousin's son, so I can't talk about him. But, I'll be glad to talk with you about my religion."

The Christian man nodded and said,"Thank you. I would like that very much." He paused. Then he said,"Uhm ... so where do we begin?" The Little Witch smiled and said,"Well, why don't we begin at the beginning?" ...
 

"OK," said the Christian man."What exactly do you believe in?"

Little Witch laughed, and the man looked embarrassed and surprised. She quickly said in an apologetic tone,"I wasn't laughing at you; I'm sorry. But, that kind of summarizes a lot of the differences between our religions. Christianity is a doctrinal religion. Witchcraft isn't. Witchcraft is an experiential religion, not a doctrinal one. And that's because Witchcraft is a pagan religion." "What do you mean?" asked the man, relaxing a bit from his surprise.

"Well," paused the Little Witch,"Christianity starts with a doctrine, that is, a statement about what must be believed. Witchcraft and most other pagan religions don't do that. Sure, Witchcraft and every other religion have things which must be believed in order to be a member of that religion. But, with Witchcraft and other pagan religions, the belief part of the equation is not nearly as strongly emphasized as in Christianity."

"Could you give me an example to explain what you mean?" asked the Christian.

"Sure," said the Little Witch."In Buddhism, members must believe that right living and meditation are the two basic tools for the path in life, 'the middle path' as they call it. But, the bulk of the religion then focuses on how to do that. In Christianity, though, the point is often *what is believed*."

"Well, said the Christian cautiously,"as a Christian I find the point of my religious life is trying to live a Christian life."

"True," said the Little Witch,"but Christianity's emphasis on belief greatly determines that, and it does so to a much greater extent than other religions, including Witchcraft." The Little Witch paused and then continued,"What 'a Christian life' is depends greatly upon what a Christian believes: whether you *believe* and then follow the teachings of the pope and magisterium, whether you *believe* and then follow the teachings of the ecumenical councils, or whether you *believe* and then follow the teachings of the scriptures, as the three main branches of Christianity (Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism) respectively emphasize. But, in my religion and other pagan religions, the belief part is not nearly as important; it's just what allows the members of those religions to get on with their main areas of focus, which is usually ritual and/or lifestyle."

"Ok," said the Christian man,"But what's the point of noting that? How does that relate to Witchcraft being a religion and explaining what it is?"

"Well," said the Little Witch,"The first point is simply that not all religions treat 'belief' as strongly as Christianity. But, because Christianity is the most common religion in the U.S., and we are in the U.S., I have to begin my explanation of my religion by first noting that basic difference; otherwise, the rest of what I have to say might not make much sense."

"Oh, ok," said the Christian."Please continue."

And the Little Witch did."Since religions are so different but they are all religions, it's first useful to have a definition of religion that encompasses those differences but that is still meaningful and functional."

The Christian interrupted,"I agree, but what you said helps me see something else too. With all due respect, I just don't see 'Witchcraft' as a religion. I know that you keep referring to Witchcraft as your religion, and I know that *you* believe it is a religion. But, I don't. I mean, from what I've read and heard, it sounds like demons and spells or, on the flip side, a bunch of new age, nature-children-wannabe's who say 'nature is my church, sunshine is my god, and let's all be happy.' That just doesn't sound like a religion to me."

"That doesn't sound like a religion to me, either," said the Little Witch."Fortunately, that's not what Witchcraft is about. Yes, we do cast spells; no, we don't work with demons; and yes, it is a religion."

Little Witch paused, considering the problem before her: how to explain her religion in a way that made sense to someone who came from a religion that had a very, very different view of the world. Without going over those differences, the rest would make no sense.

The Little Witch said,"This is going to be difficult for me to explain, what Witchcraft is. And that's because Witchcraft is a pagan religion, and pagan religions see things very differently than Christianity does, or for that matter Judaism and Islam. I can say right now what we are: the mystical apprehension of and the magical interaction with the All, as all, in all, as the source and fullness and ending of all, and beyond all too, but especially through Nature. Or, I can put it into these words: Witchcraft is a magic-using, pagan religion which emphasizes Nature. Or I can say that Wicca is a magic using, nature-oriented, pagan religion and Witchcraft is a vocation which gives testimony of the truth of all Truth by mediating essence into form and form into essence, through the World Between the Worlds, for the good of all and for the harm of none and in accordance with free will. And, I could offer other attempts at definitions, too. But, I'm afraid they won't mean much to you anything unless you first see the pagan context in which Witches and other pagans understand reality. And because that is so different from how Jews, Christians and Muslims see reality and thus religion, I may need to take a few moments to describe it. So, may I give you the context first before I give you the specifics?"

The Christian thought and then said,"Sure, I'm interested. Because you're right: I don't appreciate the definitions of Witchcraft you just offered."

"Ok," said the Little Witch. She took a big sip of wedding punch and said,"Here we go!"

"Let's start with an anthropological definition of religion, since religion is found in all human societies but it varies so much."

"A religion is a social mechanism whereby individuals are related to each other and to the Divine (however Named or understood) and from that they are related back to the rest of the world. And, it has three defining characteristics: a creed, a code and a cultus."

"A cultus?" interjected the Christian man."Do you mean a cult?"

"No," said the Little Witch."The word 'cultus' is from Latin; it simply means 'who or what is worshipped.' A cult, on the other hand, is an organization that exerts totalitarian control over its members on supposedly religious grounds. Witchcraft is one of the most decentralized, heterodox religions around: we have no hierarchy or 'leader' that has any power to control its members, and aside from a couple of basic principles, Witches can and do think whatever they want."

"Oh, alright," said the Christian.

"So, back to the definition of religion, any religion has those three characteristics: a creed (what is believed), a code (how to behave, i.e. rituals, morals and ethics), and a cultus (who or how 'Ultimate Reality' is named and understood and worshipped).

"Let's first apply that to Christianity to illustrate the definition. Christianity's creed is basically the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the message of Jesus. Its code is basically the message of faith and loving kindness as taught by Jesus and the celebration of Eucharist or other fellowship on Sundays and holidays to commemorate Jesus. Its cultus is God, as the Trinity but with an obvious emphasis upon Jesus Christ. But, it all starts with the belief in Jesus and His message. I know I'm summarizing, but am I basically right?"

"Yes," said the Christian.

The Little Witch nodded and continued."Applying that definition to Judaism and Islam will produce similar results: a belief in God's intervention in human history through a prophet and the message of the prophet, a code based upon that message, and a cultus focused on God but also with great reverence for the prophet.

"I bring that up to contrast it with paganism. Again, since Witchcraft is a pagan religion, and since pagan religions are very different from Judaism, Christianity and Islam, it will be helpful in understanding Witchcraft if we first understand paganism.

"Paganism simply refers to those religions which are not Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Witchcraft is a pagan religion. So is Hinduism (800 million+ members), Buddhism, Taoism, various tribal religions and so on. And, though those religions are all very different, they all have enough in common when compared to Judaism, Christianity and Islam that they can be constructively referred to as 'paganism.'

"The first thing they have in common --and the first big difference between paganism and Judaism, Christianity and Islam-- is their kind of origin. Pagan religions are either organic, meaning they just grew up with a people, or they are founded. But, they usually do *not* have a prophet who is God's means of directly intervening into human history with a message from God that must be believed and obeyed."

The Christian took Little Witch's pause as a chance to ask a question."Don't pagan religions have lots of instances when the Gods --Apollo or Shiva or whatnot-- come to earth and give humanity messages?"

Impressed, the Little Witch answered,"Yes, but it's different from the Divine intervention found in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Those religions are all founded upon the direct intervention by God into human history, through prophets, who had messages from God which must be accepted and obeyed. "But, pagan religions do not have that kind of Divine intervention. In pagan religions, even when the Gods and Goddesses appear, Their appearances are not viewed as interventions which radically alter the rest of the flow of human history from one era into another; also, Their messages might have universal appeal but they are not to be universally believed in and obeyed. In pagan religions, Divine intervention is a part of religion but it is not the basis of religion.

"And that, in a way, summarizes the first main difference between pagan religions and Judaism, Christianity and Islam: the latter began and are based upon Divine revelation, the former are not."

The Christian took that in thoughtfully and said,"Well, if pagan religions are not based upon Divine revelation, what are they based upon?"

And the Little Witch responded,"Like I said before, many if not most pagan religions are (for lack of a better word) organic: they grew up with a people. Other pagan religions had founders. But, they were founders and teachers, not prophets; and they had teachings, not messages from God. The teachings should be followed, but belief in them was not absolutely central or critical to pagan religions.

"And," the Little Witch continued,"that is really the first major difference between paganism and non-pagan religions: their origins and what those origins mean. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the origins are also their three core beliefs: that God directly intervened in human affairs, that God used prophets (or Jesus) to do so, and that the contents of the messages that came from God through the prophets (or, for Christians, through Jesus) are to be accepted an obeyed. All three of those beliefs are absolutely central and critical to those religions. With paganism, those beliefs are neither central nor critical; they are, depending upon the pagan religion, secondary or optional or simply nonexistent.

"Ok," said the Christian."I understand that part: pagan religions don't require beliefs, specifically or much at all beyond a few basics. And that is due to the difference in origins between pagan religions and non-pagan religions --Judaism, Christianity and Islam-- which all have a prophet or Jesus who brought a message from God to the world. But why is that so important?"

Little Witch responded,"It's so important for two reasons. It effects everything else in the two sets of religions --pagan and non-pagan.

"But, more importantly, it highlights the basic difference between the two sets of religions in how they see the make-up of reality.

The Christian responded,"Ok, but I think we're just pushing the same question back a step. Why is a difference in how we see the world so very important?"

Little Witch paused. The point was crucial, but she didn't want to lose sight of the forest through all the philosophical trees. So, she gathered her thoughts for a moment and then spoke again.

"It's important, in my opinion, because first comes the experience of 'Ultimate Reality, ' which you call 'God' and which I call 'Goddess and God' and others call by other Names. But, that experience is too much for limited human minds to handle. So, those experiences with"Ultimate Reality' must necessarily be filtered through human minds and the views of the world which those human minds have. After that comes everything else in religion, as people try to make sense of it all."

"Hmm," said the Christian, pensively."I see what you are saying, though I would disagree too. As a Christian, I believe that God purposefully revealed Himself through Jesus; that wasn't the product of how people see the world; it was God's will and the basis for His whole message to the world."

"Agreed," said Little Witch,"for your religion. Other religions see things differently. And, my opinion --if first comes the experience of 'Ultimate Reality' which is then filtered through human minds and the views of the world held therein-- is simply my attempt to understand and explain the origins of the differences in the world's religions when they all seem to be pointing to the same 'Thing' -- 'God'.

"So, your view makes perfect sense from within Christianity. What I'm trying to do with the opinion I offered is to provide a perspective that can cover all religions, yours as well as mine, and which allow us to intelligently discuss both."

The Christian said,"Oh, ok; I see what you are saying. So, do all Witches believe what you just said?" "I don't know;" replied the Little Witch,"But what I just said is my opinion, offered for the sake of this conversation, so I could then tell you what Witches *do* 'believe.' I suppose you could call the opinion I offered 'believing anthropology': it's the perspective that I picked up from scholars of religions who try to examine **all** religions and explain the origins of their different concepts while acknowledging God too. And, it's in contrast to other scholars of religion who seem to willing and able to examine every aspect of religion --money, power, culture, anthropology, sociology, psychology, art, pre-scientific attempts to explain nature, etc. --- except God. I and other students of religions --professionals and amateurs like me-- think it's silly to try to discuss religions without including God, but we also see the need to try (as far as people can) to be objective too."

The Christian nodded that he understood, and then he interrupted the Little Witch just before she was about to speak, by saying,"So, do you think all religions are the same?"

"No," replied the Little Witch, "and yes. I think of them as roads.

The roads all end up at the same point, which you would call 'God, ' which I would call 'Goddess and God' and so on. And, it seems that all religions --roads-- start at the same point too: an experience or encounter with God. Furthermore, like all roads have similar construction --for example, flat, hard surfaces, etc. -- so religions all have similar construction too: they all have rites of passage for marking the stages of life, they all have rituals to relate people to each other and to the Divine and thence back to the rest of the world, through their shared creed, code and cultus, etc. So, in that sense, all roads are the same and all religions are the same. BUT, just like roads go through different countrysides and present different challenges and benefits and things to see or do along the way, so are religions very different as they make their journey through life from an encounter with the Divine to a greater encounter with the Divine. So, in that sense, religions are also very different. In other words, my opinion is that religions share the same essence but possess very different forms."

The Christian mulled that over, found it reasonable, and said, "Ok, for this discussion, I'll set aside my own particular view from within Christianity and look through the view of 'believing anthropology' for an objective perspective of all religions that also acknowledges God as central to religions. Now, through that view, what do I see about paganism and what does that in turn help me see about Witchcraft?"

Impressed again, the Little Witch responded, "The thing I want to help you see is how pagans ultimately tend to view reality, which is very different from how Christians see reality. A Christian has to understand that basic before understanding any pagan religion, including Witchcraft.

"And, in my opinion, the fundamental difference pagan religions (including Witchcraft) and non-pagans religions (including Christianity), and the thing which therefore gives rise to and shape to everything else in those religions, is how we see the make-up of reality, including 'God.'

"Non-pagan religions (including Christianity) believe that the make-up of reality is two-fold, God and Nature and that God and Nature are distinct. That comes from your encounter of the Divine through prophets and Jesus Who all had messages from God. In other words, the fact of a message implies a Messenger, and that in turn implies the view that the Messenger and the people getting the message are distinct. Put another way, there is God and there is the world; God might be everywhere in the world and God might be beyond the world too, but God is not the same as what you call 'the world' and what I call Nature. The technical name for that is 'dualism, ' and it is the fundamental way of seeing the world that non-pagans share."

"Agreed. And the view that pagans have is...?" asked the Christian.

Little Witch replied, "Pagan religions (including Witchcraft) --regardless of *how* or even *if* they acknowledge the Divine-- regard reality as one. In other words, for pagan 'All is One.' The technical name for that is monism, and there are *lots* of different schools of thought which try to interpret it. But the fundamental view of the world that pagans share is that 'All is One.'"

The Christian mulled this over for a moment and said, "OK, if pagans share the view that 'All is One' I have three questions: 1. Don't some pagans worship many Gods, not 'one'? 2. If God and Nature are one, is God the coffee cup?" pointing to his coffee mug, "and 3. How is this different in a practical sense?"

Impressed again, the Little Witch paused, ate a cookie and had some punch and the two of them laughed. It was a good conversation, even if it was a topic neither expected at a wedding reception!

After her refreshment, the Little Witch said, "Let's take those one at a time. Do some pagans worship many Gods and Goddesses? Sure. However, that's theology, not philosophy.

"What I was talking about earlier are two philosophies --technically 'metaphysics' or 'ontology'-- that are two ways to try to understand the make-up of reality. Dualism says everything is two: God and the world. Monism says everything is one: Nature.

"But, a philosophy of understanding the make-up of reality is *not* the same thing as 'theology.' Theology tries to describe the Divine. Theology and philosophy can overlap, but they are not the same things because they seek to answer different questions. And, the theologies within a religion (let alone across different religions) can vary enormously; yet, all those religions (and their different theologies) can nevertheless share the same fundamental way of seeing reality.

"For example, just consider the innumerable denominations of Christianity, which are at least partially based upon differing points of theology. Yet, all Christians share the same view of the make-up of reality: dualism, i.e. God and the world are distinct.

"For pagan examples, virtually all pagans share the same view of the make-up of reality: 'All is One.' But, there is an enormous variety of different pagan *theologies* (understandings of the Divine). There are pagans (Hindus, Buddhists, etc., and Witches) who don't believe in the Divine at all, and there are others who are agnostic; other pagans are polytheistic--believing in many Gods and Goddesses. And other pagans are pantheistic -- they believe that the One that is all reality is also the Divine. I could go on and on --animism is another popular pagan 'theology'-- but the point is this: these are theologies; they are not philosophies of the make-up of reality. So yes, pagans can worship many Deities or one Deity or no Deity or something else; the theologies of paganism vary. But, the philosophy (the metaphysics or ontology) of paganism tends to universally be monism: 'All is One.'"

"Ok, " said the Christian, "if monism means 'All is One' and if the Deities worshipped is variable, sometimes even optional, let me ask you this: to pagans, is God the coffee cup? I mean, if God isn't seen as separate from the world or perhaps even seen as God, what exactly do you worship? Or do you? Sorry, but I am confused." And the Christian was confused, and he asked the question seriously and respectfully because he was beginning to grasp just how different his point of view was from the pagan point of view.

And so the Little Witch responded, equally respectfully and seriously.

"To pagans, if All is One, is God the coffee cup? No, " said Little Witch. "To Pagans, the coffee cup is part of a whole, a unity, and that "Unity' is the only 'Thing' that exists. And that gets to the other part of your question, how pagans see 'God.' Like I mentioned before, there is an enormous variety of theology in pagan religions: some pagans see what you call 'God" as Person or Persons; others see 'It' in other ways. But for us that is not necessarily the main point of our religions. We don't start with a view that God is distinct from nature; we only see Nature. Nature might be inhabited by Gods and Goddesses, as some pagans believe, or it might be the same thing as "God" as the pantheists believe, or so on. But what we do tend to all agree on is that there is only One "Thing' --Nature or "the Universe" or however you term it. So, no, the coffee cup is not God, but the coffee cup is part of the One. And, depending upon the individual pagan or pagan religion or sect of paganism, that 'One" could contain Gods and Goddesses, or it is 'God, ' etc."

Little Witch continued. "I'm not a scientist, so I can't explain it in scientific terms. I suppose the best I can offer is an analogy. Suppose there is a lake, and in the lake are fish and plants and so on, and on the surface of the lake are some people sitting in a boat, and on the side of the lake there some plants growing, and the body of the lake is composed of water and dissolved in the water is oxygen and soil and so on. Now, those are lots of separate parts, but we still call it 'a lake' and think of it as one thing. Likewise, pagans look at reality and see lots of different parts, but we ultimately treat it as One. And, to pagans, God might the same as the lake in its totality or Gods and Goddesses might be seen as Beings Who live in the lake, etc. But for pagans, the starting point is seeing the lake as a whole, as One.

"For a Jew, Christian or Muslim, however, there would be the lake and everything in it, but there would also be God, separate and distinct from the lake (though everywhere in it too)."

The Christian thought for a moment and asked, "So, are you saying that pagans worship the earth.. or Nature..." and he smiled a little and he teased, " or 'the lake'?"

The Witch chuckled and then paused to try to find the words. "Some pagans do, most don't. Again, the earth, like the coffee cup, is part of the whole. It is the whole, the 'One", that we start from. However, that is still just our philosophy that we all share; we have many different theologies. So, pagans would all agree that the lake --that reality-- is one; that's monism, and that's the philosophy that all pagans pretty much share. That is how pagans see reality: 'All is One'. As for what should be worshipped --the whole thing, part of it, none of it, etc.-- that is theology and theology varies among pagan religions, among sects and traditions within pagan religions and among individual pagans.

"And that, " continued Little Witch, "also begins to answer your third question you asked earlier: what is the practical sense of our very different ways of seeing the world.

"For Jews, Muslims and especially Christians, having a personal relationship with God and worshipping God formally and through living life is central and critical. That's because God, in those religions, is seen as distinct from 'the world': He intervened in 'the world' through His prophets (or Jesus) for the purpose of conveying precisely that message: Know and Relate to Me. So, as a practical matter --in emphasis and in rituals and so on-- it is central and critical to Jews, Christians and Muslims to relate better to God, Who is seen as distinct from the rest of Nature.

"In paganism, while worship and even a personal relationship with a Deity can be very important, it is not central and critical like it is for Jews, Christians and Muslims. That follows from our view of reality, from our encounter with 'Ultimate Reality' -- namely, that 'All is One.' Therefore for pagans, what is central and critical is relating better to all of reality, which is seen as one.

The Little Witch paused, allowing that last sentence to sink it. She had a sip of punch and continued.

"Again, the main point of pagan religions it to better relate to all of reality. That is a very great --and practical-- difference from Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In those religions, the main point is to relate better to God. But, pagans don't see 'God" as distinct from the rest of reality. Therefore, for pagans, the main point is to better relate to all of reality.

"I know this is very different from Christianity, so allow me to give you an illustration.

"Let's say you went to India, which is over 80% pagan (Hindus, Jains, tribal religions, Buddhists, etc.) but which also has a large number of Muslims and some Christians too.

"And let's say you found two pagans (Hindus), one dedicated to the God Shiva and the other to the God Vishnu. If you asked them whether it's important to worship and have a personal relationship to their Gods, most likely that would both very strongly say yes. And, if you asked them about their theologies --how they understood their Gods-- you could get a variety of answers: some would say that Shiva or Vishnu was the only God; others would say that theirs was the most powerful God out of many; others would say that theirs is the best 'darshan' (Divine view) to the One Who is beyond the description of words, etc. BUT, if you asked them about how they see reality itself and what, therefore, is the point of religion, you would get a wide variety of answers that boiled down to this: 'All is One' and the point of religion is to better relate to the One. Obviously, I'm summarizing, but that's it in a nutshell.

"Now, still in India, if you asked a Muslim or a Christian about their religions, you would get very different answers: that God is distinct from the rest of reality ('creation') and that therefore the main objective is relating better to God, through a personal relationship with and worship of God.

"Thus for India, which was convenient because it has large numbers of pagans and non-pagans."

"But, the contrast holds up around the world. Yes, both views --monism (paganism) and dualism (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) encompass similar means to accomplish their goals: rituals, morals, etc. and often worship of and relationship to Deities. And, both start from an experience of Ultimate Reality, and both (like roads) end up at Ultimate Reality. But, each set of religions is very different; returning to the road analogy, they are two sets of roads. The dualistic 'roads' (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) go through life by better relating to God because they see reality dualistically: the 'world' and God. In contrast, though, the monistic (pagan) 'roads' (religions) go through the 'territory' of life by trying to relate to all of reality because it sees all of reality as One.

"So, you see, the basic difference between pagans and non-pagans is first in how they see the make-up of reality --monism and dualism--that, in turn, gives rise to the rest of their differences, especially in how those religions view the goal of religion: relating better to 'God' or relating better to 'All'. And that, to answer your question, is of enormous practical significance."

The Christian was impressed with the analysis, and he paused and considered it. And, while the thoughts all connected, there was still something that didn't connect.

So he said, "You make logical sense, but I still don't get it. I mean, how you can have a religion without God? Or, how can you have a religion where God might be the same as the universe or might just be a little part of the universe? I can see your logic; I can follow your thought. But, on a deeper level I just do not comprehend this."

The Little Witch paused too; that was a valid question. Indeed, it was a far deeper question than the surface of those words would seem.

So she said, "I'm going to pause for a moment from my rational explanation of paganism because you hit on something that isn't 'just' rational. It's far deeper and far more penetrating and far more profound than mere reason. Instead, I think it points to what I mentioned earlier; it is how religions get started, as a whole or in individual religious growth. And that is the basic, fundamental experience of 'Ultimate Reality' ('God').

"In my opinion, pagans and non-pagans experience the same 'Ultimate Realty.' But, we experience it differently, indeed, profoundly differently. And that, really, is why it's so difficult to comprehend a different religion: it's not about thoughts or creeds or doctrines, at least not at first. Instead, religion at its core is about the basic experience with 'Ultimate Reality' -- and we (pagans and non-pagans) just experience it differently.

"There's the tough nut to crack, " she added after a pause and a smile. "How do I put into words what is beyond putting into words? One top of that, there is no other experience in human life like an encounter with 'Ultimate Reality' (what you would call 'God'). So, there is no analogy I can draw.

"The best I can say is this:

"Basically, whether you were raised in it or because you converted, you practice Christianity --in a county and an era when you are free not to do so-- because you somehow experienced (in an instant or over time) 'Ultimate Reality' (God) as Jesus Christ. A similar basic experience of God-as-distinct-from-the-world is true for Muslims and, to a limited extent, for Jews (who are also a people as well as a religion).

"For pagans, that just isn't the case. Instead, we experience "Ultimate Reality' of course, and it's (in my opinion at least) the same 'Ultimate Reality' that you experience. But, our experience of the same 'Thing' is simply very, very different. Whether in an instant or over time, pagans simply have a different experience of 'Ultimate Reality' than non-pagans: we experience it as 'All is One.' It's really, in my opinion, that simple but that basic too."

The Christian thought and said, "Some in my religion would say you're simply not encountering God. They would say you're encountering the devil or delusion or maybe something that's just natural and certainly powerful, but not God."

The Little Witch paused so that she could frame her response properly. The Christian had spoken naturally and without any intention to offend or to challenge her. So, in an equally natural and respectful tone, she said,

"I suppose the issue is whether I can prove the validity of my religion.?

For many Christians and Muslims, today- but especially in the past-the answer was a certain no.

To them, anything but their way was not only the wrong way or the erroneous way, but also the evil way.

"Now, that kind of exclusivity wasn't only found in Christianity and Islam; there have been plenty of religions (pagan and non-pagan) and ideologies which felt that way too. And, of course, there were plenty of people in those religions who did not and do not feel that way.

"But, that view -- 'it's my religion's way or no way' -- has resulted over the last hundreds of years with millions of people being killed, tortured or otherwise persecuted: first the members of other religions, then the dissenters within the religion, then pretty much anyone else.

"Gradually, and very imperfectly, people figured out that it was in no one's best interest to kill over such differences, and the secular concept of freedom of religion was developed. And it is the freedom of religion that is the only functional or practical solution to the question you have raised: the validity of religions.

"So, if some people today believe that other religions are evil because they name, understand and worship God differently from their way, oh well; that's their problem: they cannot prove their position any more than anyone else. They can quote from their holy books, which only have authority (in countries with the freedom of religion) in the minds of the members of their own religions. They can quote miracle stories that, if people believe in them, are balanced by the miracle stories from other religions. They can quote morals and ethics and progress and other good things caused by their religions, but that can be balanced by the fact that all religions have had their share of good and progress as well as evil and regression. And so on.

"Sure, there are objective ways to describe religion: by numbers of adherents, by their rituals and holy books and what not, or more usefully by 'creed, ' 'code' and 'cultus.' But objective evidence can only be used to determine whether a spiritual movement is a religion; after that, I submit there is no objective way to prove whether a religion is *valid.*

"And, again, the millions of corpses of people who died because 'it was their way or no way' --each religion claiming that-- tends, I think, to support my view: objective evidence can only show whether a spiritual movement is a religion, but it cannot thereafter show whether a religion is *valid.

"As for me, I know what my religion is about, and though I use different names and concepts and practices than Christians and other religions, I think I'm dealing with the same "God' that everyone else is.

"And as for the differences between religions, I think they are not because of demons or delusion; rather, I think (once again) it's because God is a whole lot bigger than any human mind or religion.

"But, my opinion aside, here is a fact that comes from history: the only solution that **works** regarding religious validity is the freedom of religion."

The Christian took this all in and was impressed. He also agreed. And, as a veteran, his agreement about the freedom of religion was more than just his intellectual opinion.

He said so to the Witch. But he also had some more questions ...

The Little Witch had a sip of punch and anticipated some of those questions. "So, she said,

"I'm not saying that pagans are better than non-pagans; I'm not saying Witches are better than Christians. I am saying, though, that our experiences of 'God' are both valid, and thus so are the religions we construct based upon those experiences. And it precisely because of the mystery that there is one 'Ultimate Reality' but profoundly different experiences of it that gives rise to profoundly different religions.

"Also, I'm not saying I'm somehow deprived of hearing or understanding 'the truth.' Christians do a very good job of making sure that **everyone** hears their 'Good News.' All I can say is that I have heard it, understood it and rejected it; their understanding of Truth is not my understanding of Truth."

The Little Witch set down the cookie and looked in the eyes of the mildly shocked Christian. She added, "I don't mean that flippantly, either. Speaking for myself, I have tried very, very hard to see Truth as Christians teach, but what Christianity teaches is simply *not* how I **experience** reality --including what you call 'God'-- through my senses, through my psyche, in my bones and in my gut and in my soul.

"And, I also know that some think: 'Hey, it's *this* way, --truth is truth-- whether you like it or not.' And all I can respond is saying: Truth is a lot bigger than any human mind or religion, and therefore any religion is potentially accurate but always incomplete. Hence, one way of seeing a little bit of Truth may not agree with how all of my senses and reason and being are detecting a little bit of Truth."

The Christian, who had been listening to her very carefully, jumped in and said with the hopeful tone of the heartfelt witness, "But the Bible --"

And the Little Witch interjected, "--means nothing to me."

There was a silence, and it was awkward.

The Witch broke it by saying, "I regard the Bible as the holy book of the Christians. As such, I respect it. Also, there is plenty for anyone, regardless of religion, to learn from it: history, morals, concepts about reality and about 'God, ' etc. And, I personally regard Christianity as a true path to the Divine, when the teachings of Jesus are truly followed.

"But, as I was saying generally a few minutes ago: a holy book only carries authority (in a society with the freedom of religion) in the minds of the people who belong to the religion which has that holy book. I'm a pagan; the Bible isn't a pagan holy book. Moreover, I'm a Witch; Witchcraft doesn't *have* a holy book, let alone the Bible. So, as a Witch and as a pagan, the Bible and arguments based upon the Bible simply do not carry any authority for me. It's the same reason why the Koran, the holy book of the Muslims, doesn't carry any authority for you, a Christian: the Koran is simply not part of the Christian religion. Likewise, the Bible just isn't part of my religion."

The Christian understood what she was saying, and he kept listening. The Little Witch continued.

"I also realize that most Christians believe it is their duty to share their religions with others and that they often feel or believe that if the right argument is made or if the right scripture is quoted or if enough prayers are made or if **something** is done, any person will 'see the Light' and become a Christian.

"But, that is just not true. Most pagans, including most Witches, will never become Christians. And there is a very simple reason for that. We don't believe in Christianity; we do believe in our religions. It really is as simple as that.

"Likewise, Christians just don't believe in Witchcraft... or Islam or Hinduism or any other religion. Christians believe in Christianity! And, because it's impossible for objective evidence to show whether a religion is valid (it can only show whether a religion exists), I again think that the only solution that *works* is the freedom of religion."

5.

The Little Witch paused and sipped some punch; the Christian sipped some coffee and was pensive for a moment. Then he said,

"Well, everything you said is logical and it makes sense. I'm sorry that you won't become a Christian, but if you don't believe in it, you don't believe in it, and that's that."

"I am curious, " the Christian added after a pause, "about something I picked up on this when I first tried talking to my cousin's son and then when I did some reading about Witchcraft. There seems to be a lot of anger against Christianity and Christians among Witches. You don't seem to be that way, so I actually feel comfortable talking to you. But ..." and his voice trailed off and he looked at her, with a mixture of guarded curiosity and simply being guarded.

The Little Witch nodded to signal she knew what he was referring to, pointed to her full mouth, and they both smiled. Then she finished munching her cookie and said,

5.A

"There is an enormous amount of hostility --anger, resentment, contempt-- felt by many Witches toward Christianity.

"The reasoning behind it is this: from the time when the Roman Emperors outlawed every religion except Christianity (by about the year 400) till Europe and European based nations adopted secular governments (roughly the late 1700s till the early 1900s), Christianity was the state religion throughout what is now called 'Western Civilization.' In fact, during those 1500 years, Western Civilization called itself and thought of itself as 'Christendom.' And during that time, it was generally illegal to be a pagan or anything else but a good Christian because the Christians who held power said so and because the Christians they ruled over agreed.

"And during that time --1500 hundred years, in Europe and wherever European civilization spread-- pagans, Jews, Muslims and Christian dissenters were robbed, raped, imprisoned, tortured, and murdered. And throughout all of this and more, this religious persecution was done in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ ... and all for the 'good' of the victims' souls.

"A lot of pagans don't like that; and, as pagans, a lot of Witches don't like that either. And so they are angry with Christianity."

The Christian thought on that and had to agree with the presentation of history. But he added, "You don't seem angry, though."

And the Little Witch replied, "I get angry when I think about it. But I also get angry when I think about any religious persecution. There's blood on everyone's holy symbols. That doesn't excuse what was done. But, it doesn't mean any one religion is purer than the others.

"The non-pagans --Jews in their antiquity, but especially Christians and Muslims throughout most of their histories-- have committed abominations in the Name of God.

"But pagans too have committed abominations in the name of God: pagan Incans, pagan Aztecs, pagan Canaanites, pagan Celts, pagan Hindus, the list goes on and on of pagan religions which committed human sacrifice and other abominations in the name of God, pagan-style.
 

"So, when I look at all of it --the whole bloody, savage mess that was and sometimes is today religious persecution-- I have to conclude it goes back to what Voltaire said,

'Absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

To them, anything but their way was not only the wrong way or the erroneous way, but also the evil way.

That can certainly be seen when religion and the State combine; it can also be seen when an ideology acts anthropologically like a religion (as did fascism and Communism in some countries) and combines with the power of the State. Either way, when the spiritual and emotional power of religion is combined with the secular power of the State, it can produce unholy results of blood, ashes and horror. That happens regardless of religion, so, like I said, there's blood on everyone's holy symbols.

"And that is why, getting back to an earlier point, I think that the freedom of religion (and maintaining a separation of religion and the State) is the only solution that *works* when dealing with the issue of the validity of religions.

"Specifically, that is why so many American pagans --as well as other non-Christian Americans-- are so sensitive to anything that seems to corrode the separation of religion and the State. That includes supposedly 'harmless' things like prayer or 'a moment of silence' in public schools. For many Christians, it must seem not only harmless but also wholesome. For the rest of us, though, it doesn't seem wholesome or harmless at all.

"On the one hand, Christians are the dominant religion in America, and Christians feel it their duty to convert everybody; ok, that's the Christian religion.

"BUT, Christians have a long (1500 years) history of using the State to make **everybody** Christian, even if it takes time and a few seemingly 'harmless' steps to do so. Also, Christians have a (1500 years) history of committing bloodthirsty, savage abominations against those who do not become Christians (and fellow Christians who dissent). The fact that other religions have behaved with equal wickedness neither denies nor diminishes the record of Christian abominations, done in the name of Christ and through the explicit or tacit support of the State.

"So, when non-Christians think about all this and then see that it is the Christians in America who most strongly advocate for prayer or 'a moment of silence' in the public schools, well.... to this non-Christian and most others too, it looks like just a step or two removed from Christians (consciously or unconsciously) trying to foist their religion upon the rest of us, through the agency and the authority and the might of the State and (of course) out of Christian consideration for the good of our souls.

"To which, we say 'No thanks.' Pagans and other non-Christians had enough (1500 years' worth) of Christian consideration for the good of our souls in the ash heaps of the auto de fe's, the torture pits of the Inquisition, and the gallows of the Witch Hunts of Christian Europe.. and even that 'little incident' in Salem town, Massachusetts, USA.

"So, we say 'Raise your Christian kids as Christians at home, in your churches and in all your other private associations; let the rest of us likewise privately raise our kids in our religions; and let the State (including public schools) be separated from religion.' And, overall, we otherwise tend to favor *very* strongly the separation of religion and the State, especially **church** and state, because we have known what happens without that kind of separation."

The Christian thought on that; while he might not agree with it all, it certainly did make sense from that point of view. He also thought about bringing up how such persecution couldn't happen here or in modern times; however, he quickly recalled racism here and what Christian Serbs had been doing quite recently to Muslims in Yugoslavia... and he decided not bring up the point after all.

However, he was still curious about something else, and it was clear that he could talk with the Little Witch about hard issues without having to worry about the conversation becoming irate. So he said,

"I agree with you about 'all religions have blood on their holy symbols' and thus the need for the freedom of religion and the separation of Church and State. And, I can see why people who were victims of persecution would be angry about that. But, I haven't persecuted anyone, and no one I know of has *persecuted* anyone in America on the basis of religion. So, given that, I don't understand the hostility toward Christianity I've encountered when I attempted to learn more about Witchcraft."

And the Little Witch, likewise impressed with the Christian's decorum and intelligence, responded,

"You're absolutely right. And so, with disgust and of course only speaking for myself, I have to say this: I think the hostility toward Christianity that some, not all, Witches express boils down to hypocrisy, foolishness or pathetic group dynamics.

"The hypocrisy is clear: pagans in history have been just as bloodthirsty and savage as Christians, and Christians have been just as saintly as pagans. So, in my opinion, there's no room for this kind of 'we are better than you are' criticism, either way. Again, the only practical solution is to live in the present but to remember the past and to prevent the evils of the past from recurring; as far as religion goes, that means vigorously maintaining the freedom of religion, especially through maintaining the separation of religion and the State.

"The foolishness is from the context of the Threefold Rule. The 'Threefold Rule' is Witchcraft's version of 'what goes around comes around' or 'you are what is in your heart.' Basically, we believe that everything people do comes back to them, somehow, someway, three times as much as what they sent out. So, if people focus on hate and breathe hate --in magic, in prayer or in the rest of life-- they will inevitably become hate. I'm not talking about remembering the past and learning from the past and preventing the past from occurring again -- I'm talking about *hate.* In those Witches who detest Christianity, such hate can be naked, but I have observed that it is often either thinly disguised as contempt or that it easily proceeds from contempt. However that hate takes form, it's the same thing: hate. So, when I consider the hate that some Witches have for Christianity, and when I consider the Threefold Rule, I have to shake my head at their foolishness: by the hateful focus of their wills, they become what they condemn.

"But, I suspect that a lot of the anger or contempt felt toward Christianity by some Witches is not actually hatred. Instead, I think a lot of it is merely a pathetic example of group dynamics.

"Groups, especially small groups or groups that *feel* small and vulnerable, can give themselves definition and a kind of confidence by defining another group --the ever present 'them' -- as the enemy. It's basically tearing down another to make ones' self feel big. I think that's part of it.

"I also wonder if part of this is because some of the American 'Witches' who seem to cry the loudest against Christianity are simply just misfits in most areas of normal American life. Perhaps when these misfits finally find a way of feeling accepted (sadly, sometimes through the Craft of the Wise, which therefore sometimes appears as the Craft of the Goofballs), perhaps they project their resentments from having been misfits onto the most convenient target and symbol for what they failed to 'fit into': the dominant religion in America which is also the origin of much of American culture, Christianity.

"I especially have to wonder along those lines when I consider that most Witches in America are *not* from family traditions of Witchcraft; rather, most American Witches are converts. And what's more, it seems that many (not all, but many) American Witches are converts from being either nominally or actually Christian. Thus, not only have most American Witches not been victims of *real* religious persecution (I'm not talking about an odd look or even discrimination, I mean *persecution*), the ancestors of many if not most America Witches were Christians ... who in their day probably approved of some religious persecutions.

"So, when I consider all this, I have to wonder. And when I hear some of the shrillest cries of 'Never Again the Burning Times' by modern American Witches, I frankly have to wonder if some --not all, maybe not many, but definitely some-- are crying out. 1) because some love to hate and thus they shall threefold become that hate, 2) because some have taken the fact of historical persecution of others and transformed it into a way of defining 'us' by hating 'them' or 3) because some are misfits who have taken the historical fact of religious persecution of others and transformed it into their very own myth of victimization, which also and not coincidentally transforms themselves from misfits into martyrs (who aren't even dead yet!). Again, it's not all American Witches I wonder about, but I do wonder about some of them.

"But, when I think about the real bloodshed and the real ashes and the real horror of the real persecutions --done *by* all religions (pagans included) and done *against* all religions (pagans included), thus mocking the very Names of God that supposedly were being served-- it makes me want to weep for *all* the fallen. It especially makes me want to weep and pray for all those who won't know God because they (understandably) can't see God past all corpses piled up in the Names of God. And, it makes me want to *work* to make sure it (religious persecution) never happens again.

"And after thinking about *that* -- the real persecutions and the real ramifications -- all this other nonsense (and the smarmy, anti-Christian bigotry it hides beneath) just makes me want to vomit."

The Little Witch paused and then concluded,

"Like I said, I'm not talking about most Witches. And, I'm not saying this to please you or any other Christians. And, again, I'm not referring to remembering the past and learning from the past and working to prevent the evils of the past from recurring. I'm not talking about any of that.

"Instead, you said you encountered hostility toward Christianity by Witches, when in good faith you sought to learn about my religion: maybe in reading, maybe in an online chatroom, maybe in conversation or in attending a pagan fair. And, you wanted to know why you encountered animosity, and what I just told you is my explanation. It's not a defense nor an excuse, and it's nothing but my opinion, but it is an explanation.

"And, sadly, this is *not* the first time I've had to say as much to people who sincerely tried to learn about how we see God --not to convert us but just to learn about us-- but who instead only learned that they were despised by some of us.

"I can't speak for all Witches, but I myself do apologize to you for those 'Witches' and for the *soiled* presentation of my religion, Witchcraft, that they gave you by their hatred and by their contempt. Maybe I'm the weirdo, but I have this funny idea that people can live among each other without butchering each other, not by concealed animosity nor by self-deprecation but by and through respect."

The Christian took this all in. It was his turn to chew on a cookie reflectively, and he took a moment to wash it down with some coffee that the caterer's staff had thoughtfully brought. "Look, " he said kindly, "I'm a grown man; I have a thick skin and if some people want to be jerks, that's their problem. But I appreciate the sentiment, and I thank you."

The Christian ate another cookie and said,

"Let's get back to the religion part. You've told me about paganism and its general world outlook. You've also told me that it is a valid religious outlook but that the only way by which to practically solve the question of religious *validity* is through the freedom of religion. I agree strongly with that last part, by the way: plenty of Christians died from persecution too: often by other Christians who didn't consider one version or another of Christianity to be valid. And, I can see that pagan religions are all based on sensing 'All is One' rather than as 'God and the world' and that's just the way you see things. OK.

"But, " the Christian continued, "and I say this with all due respect, it seems like a step backwards. If you see 'All is One, ' relating better to 'the All' makes sense, and that is what you told me paganism is about. But, Judaism, Christianity and Islam all try to tell people that there not many Gods but rather there is only one God; that God isn't the world around them but instead the Creator of the world around them, and that God can and should be approached by people as a Person Who cares very greatly about the welfare of people and therefore the conduct of people. All that seems to be a step forward; 'All is One' seems to be a step backwards. Isn't it?"

The Little Witch was impressed with the question. She gathered her words and here is what she said:

"There are, I think two parts to that.

"If you see or believe in God as separate from the world, of course paganism would seem to be a step backwards. Equally of course, pagans don't see God as separate from the world, so we don't see paganism as a step backwards.'

"But, the meat of your question, perhaps, was more about the development of religion. Specifically, it seemed to be about the development in religion of morals and ethics and personal satisfaction within a religious context --that God can be related to as a Person and vice versa.

"And, because such a development occurred within Judaism, Christianity and Islam, perhaps it seems that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are therefore more advanced than paganism.

"Well, I think on the one hand that Judaism, Christianity and Islam *were* more advanced than much of the paganism they encountered. Aside from religious wars and persecutions and associating a religion with a more advanced civilization (and, yes, all of that is a *big* aside), Christianity and Islam were successful because ... a lot of pagans converted to those religions.

"If that had not been the case, if the pagan religions of Europe and the Roman Empire had merely been overwhelmed by force and not by superior religions, more than a just a few families of pagans would have survived. Instead, many pagans would have remained pagan; whether underground or in ghettoes or occasionally free or mostly persecuted, they would have *existed* in more than a bare handful of families. The history of the Jews under Christian and Muslim rule shows as much.

"But, the pagans of the Roman Empire and Europe did not (with a very few exceptions) remain pagan; over time, they overwhelmingly --almost totally-- became Christians or Muslims. Given that scenario, and given that some (a very few) pagans did not convert, and given also that the Jews in Europe and the Roman Empire did not convert (even though they were frequently under every kind of enticement and pressure to do so), given all those things, I must therefore conclude that the pagans of the Roman Empire and Europe converted to Christianity and Islam for a reason. And aside from persecutions or association of a religion with an advanced civilization (a key factor in the conversions of some of the Germanic and Slavic tribes), the basic reason for those conversions (in my opinion) was the superior moral, ethical and personal dimensions to religion that Christianity and Islam offered.

"But, " the Little Witch continued, "I suspect that something else would have happened first in what was the Roman Empire and Europe if Christianity and Islam had not been superior religions in morals, ethics and giving personal satisfaction in a religious context. The pagans, being at first and for a long time afterwards the majority, simply would not have converted.

"And that leads me to South and East Asia. It was all pagan there before Christianity and Islam. Since Christianity and Islam emerged, many pagan peoples in South and East Asia were exposed to Christianity and Islam. However, most of them did not convert to those religions. The Hindus of India, the Taoists and Confucians of China (before the Communists persecuted them), the Buddhists throughout East Asia --have by and large *remained* pagan.

"Given all that (and I know that I'm summarizing), the question is why? Why did the pagans of East and South Asia remain pagan when other pagans (in, for example, the Roman Empire or in Europe) converted to Christianity and Islam?

"In my opinion, the pagans of East and South Asia overwhelmingly remained pagan because they already had what Christianity and Islam offered. They had already developed morals, ethics and personal satisfaction in a religious context. They did so in pagan forms, and they did so independently of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. For example, Buddhism and Jainism are their own religions, but they began as reforms of Hinduism, precisely along these lines. Taoism especially but also Confucianism to an extent taught these features too. And Hinduism, aside from the reforms that became independent religions, also developed those same features of morals, ethics and personal satisfaction in a religious context, especially through the development of loving devotion (bhakti), which can be seen in the 'Bhaghavad Gita' or in personal devotion to particular Gods or Goddesses.

"Again, I am summarizing. But, I think --though this is just my own thought-- that the big difference ultimately between the pagans who became Christians and Muslims and those who stayed pagan boils down to whether the pagans already had what the Christians and Muslims offered: morals, ethics and personal satisfaction in a religious context.

"Therefore what your question addressed is, in my opinion, simply a stage in the development of religion as a whole and not just the product of one religion or another. Again, that stage in the development of religion --emphasizing the importance of morals, ethics and personal satisfaction in a religious setting-- was not just in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. That stage of development also occurred independently in some pagan places too. And, in my opinion, those are not coincidentally the places which have overwhelmingly remained pagan despite long, abundant and 'zealous' exposure to Christianity and Islam."

The Little Witch paused and added, "But, that brings us back full circle, doesn't it? Your religion and Judaism and Islam all begin with the perception of God as distinct from the rest of reality (dualism). That's because those religions all have a historical perspective: at such and such a point in human history, God intervened and gave a message. Hence, there was a time before that message and a time after that message, and the time after is seen as hopefully a period of progress along the lines of that message.

"Now, pagans also have the concepts of progress and history, though they are not (in a religious sense) nearly as important. We *don't* have a message given to us by God (which, by the way is why pagans --Witches included-- generally do not proselytize: we don't have a message or 'good news' that we are told by God to spread). Instead, we see "All is One' and God as either the same as that or as part of that, but not as distinct from that. So, we see the linear aspect of time, but we also see the circular notion of it too; in short, we see time or progress as part of the whole.

"Thus, while you might see paganism as a step backwards and monotheism as a step forwards, we tend to see them all as steps in a spiral --going 'up' or 'forward', yes, but mostly also going round and round and making up a part of what is the Divine dance between humanity and the Divine -- which itself is actually the One, and the One is dancing for the joy of life and existence that It is.

The Christian, who had been deeply following the Little Witch's presentation, was startled by the poetry and said, "Did you come up with that metaphor?"

And the Witch smiled and said "No, I learned it from Hinduism and its common art-form of the dancing Shiva. The Christian's cross represents the gist of Christianity --the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who was sent by God (Who is distinct from the world) with a message of salvation for the world. In the Shiva tradition of Hinduism, the God Shiva is seen as a 'darshan' (Divine view) of All --the 'All is One' that paganism sees-- and Shiva dances for the joy of life and all existence which He Is. I suppose in those two images can be seen a summary non-paganism on the one hand and paganism on the other: different views, different forms, but each symbol contains the same essence of existence as experienced through human life when consciously united to the Divine --birth, life, suffering, duty, death (in many senses) and resurrection (in many senses too) and glimpses through that matrix to what is beyond yet also one."

The Christian mulled that over and mentally reminded himself to get online and look up a 'dancing Shiva' one of these days and take a look for himself. But, he glanced at his watch and also looked around and saw that his friends (the couple he had come with) were making 'getting ready to go' motions. The Little Witch noticed that, and they were both surprised. The time they had spent together seemed to have flown, but it was actually now getting late. So, they started to say their goodbyes, thanking each other for the lovely conversation and so on.

But then the Christian said, "You know, you never did tell me about Witchcraft."

And the Little Witch said with a smile, "Yes I have. I've been telling you about it all this time."

And the Christian said, "You've told me about paganism and the pagan point of view and lots of things in between, many of which were profound and represented a truly different way of seeing reality than I as a Christian had considered. But, you haven't told me about Witchcraft itself."

And the Little Witch said, "If you understand what I've told you, the essence of paganism, the rest is simply the forms that make up different pagan religions. Those forms are of course important because they define one pagan religion from another... Witchcraft, say, from Hinduism. You can read about those anywhere. But, if you don't understand the essence of paganism, you can't really understand or appreciate the forms of paganism."

"Fair enough, " said the Christian, "but ..."

The Little Witch smiled and said, "Listen."

"Witchcraft, like any religion, has a creed (what is believed) and a code (what behavior is expected) and a cultus (who or what is worshipped).

"Our creed isn't formally set down or in a holy book. It is instead how we understand a way of experiencing reality: the magical experience of the unity of reality. It starts with knowing, in our bones and in our spirits, that 'All is One'. That's the monism that all pagans have in common. But, we also experience everything as interconnected. And, Witches also experience that --by *and* through (by means of) that interconnection-- we can cause change. That, in a very small nutshell, is magic. It's a natural process because all there is, is Nature. So, when magic works, it does so in natural ways: no special effects or other nonsense. It isn't a substitute for science, technology, mundane work or prayer; and it is sometimes similar to these; but it is neither a synonym for these. Magic is a unique process, and while there are many ways and schools of thought about how to conduct this process, its essence is the same: the craft of causing change by and through the interconnectedness of all. Or, at least that's my definition. But, regardless of definition, it is the craft of magic that is the 'craft' of "Witchcraft.' However, Witchcraft isn't just magic; it is a religion too. So, all our magic (whether 'trivial' or 'momentous' or for a 'practical' or a 'spiritual' goal) is a religious act too. That, more or less, is the 'creed' that all Witches believe, though it can and is stated in many different ways.

"And because there is only Nature and because our corner of Nature is this earth, our 'code' is first to mark --as our holy days-- the changes of the seasons of this earth and the phases of the earth's moon. That helps keep things in perspective as well as practically uniting us in our otherwise varied traditions. And because everything is interconnected, we teach the Golden Rule (the 'Rede' we call it) as Moral Law and the Threefold Rule (what goes around comes around, three times as much) as Natural Law; and the two of them together are the basis for our ethics. And so we live our lives, in harmony with Nature and Nature's rhythms, for the good of all and for the harm of none and in accordance with free will. Or, at least, that's how we *should* live... because that's our code.

"And our 'cultus' --who or what we worship-- really varies among traditions and among individuals. Remember that to us, theology is variable and optional because we are based upon not a doctrine or even an experience that God is distinct from 'the world." Rather, we are based on an experience that 'All is One' in a specific sense of magical interconnectedness. That said, we tend to call this 'All is One' as 'Goddess and God' -- out of respect for balance and respect for both women and men. After that, the theologies vary. Some Witches pantheisiticly understand the Goddess and the God as a metaphor for 'All is One." Others use 'Goddess' and 'God' and other Names polytheisticly. Some are agnostics; some are atheists, and so on. But though the Names and concepts can vary, it tends to boil down to this: Witchcraft is the mystical apprehension of and magical interaction with the All, as all, in all, as the source and fullness and ending of all, and as 'beyond' all too. That is our 'cultus.'

"And, that is also who and what we are. Again, I'm summarizing. But, Witchcraft has a creed and a code and a cultus, and through those factors we are related to each other and to the Divine --the All-- and back again to the rest of Nature. Thus, we are a religion. And on the level of strictly religion, Witchcraft (especially in its most modern form, 'Wicca') is a magic using, pagan religion.

"In its fullest sense, however, Witchcraft is a vocation which seeks to give testimony of the truth of all Truth --Essence as well as Form, the unseen as well as the seen-- and to be of service thereby: to mankind, to Nature, to the worlds, and to the World Between the Worlds (a metaphor for free will and its consequences, a reality where Form and Essence meet)."

The Little Witch concluded,

"Through these basics and the many details, we truly do practice a religion. A pagan religion. That is the essence. What I just told you is a definition of Witchcraft: my attempt to define its essence; the rest is forms which you can learn if you wish. But you wouldn't have been able to understand or appreciate them till you understood and appreciated the context of paganism, the view and the experience and the ramifications of 'All is One.'

"And is you hadn't understood all of that --the pagan context for Witchcraft and then the 'essence' of Witchcraft (regardless of its many forms)-- you wouldn't have understood what I'm about to say either:

"Witchcraft is the mystical apprehension of and magical interaction with the All, as all, in all, as the source and fullness and ending of all, and as 'beyond' all too, but especially as Nature. In its latest form, Wicca, it is a religion; as a craft, Witchcraft, it is a vocation; overall, though, it is perennial."

The Christian's friends were waving at him now, and he really had to go; he got up and was about to say goodbye and trying at the same time to digest this. But an understanding clicked in his mind, and he turned and looked at her and said, "Like the dancing Shiva?"

And the Little Witch ... --who for an instant suddenly didn't seem little at all but who, for an instant as if his eyes had briefly lost focus, seemed to soar from the core of the earth to beyond the point of twilight and who stood in betwixt the possible and the actual, between essence and form, fully in neither but also in both, in a place not a place, the World Between the Worlds--

.... said, "not this, not that; but yes; Blessed Be!



 

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