From a Neo Pagan
As a NeoPagan myself, I must say I was less than pleased about Judi McLeod’s article on Wicca gaining an increasing presence in Wal-Mart. Ms. McLeod demonstrates the ignorance and fear that practitioners of our religion have been weathering since we first came public after England abolished its anti-witchcraft laws. First of all, her reference to “Dead Peasant Life Insurance” is a total nonsequitor and seems to draw comparison to highly immoral financial practices and the tolerance of alternative religious practices (something which seems to greatly upset Ms. McLeod). This obvious logical fallacy has no place in what is essentially a rant against Wicca. Judging from the overwhelming ignorance of Wicca in this article I am certain the author didn’t actually bother to READ any of the books she vilifies. A writer actually reading on a subject beforehand? Surely not. And after a very brief (and sarcastic) run-down of the few books on this wonderful and beautiful religion she laments there is only *one* ANTI-Wicca book. I would love to see the reaction on Ms. McLeod’s face were I to suggest that the Christian books that she apparently browses with such fervor were to be put alongside books with warnings of Christian brainwashing and the evils of religious intolerance. I’m sorry if the thought of having to share Wal-Mart with people of other religious beliefs is a chilling one to the author, sorry that in today’s world people are still raised to be hateful and persecute those who believe in a different version of what is ultimately unknowable.
