How many of you have "dabbled" in another religion? Perhaps the question should be: Does the word "dabble" bother you when referencing part of your spiritual quest, even if it was only short-lived? Well, I think we'd better get used to hearing that word because, thanks to comments made by U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell about her days dabbling in witchcraft, we're going to be hearing it for a while.
Others have replayed what she said, so I'll skip the details, which are few anyway. Suffice to say O'Donnell isn't a witch today. So why is this even a news story, you ask? Because O'Donnell carries her faith into her politics for everyone to see, and liberals are having a field day using her admission of exploring something as spooky-sounding as witchcraft as a weapon to bring her down: "See, we told you she's crazy!"
Although a liberal myself, I find I'm in the unlikely position of defending O'Donnell's spiritual experimentation. Don't we celebrate freedom of religion in this country? And with that comes the freedom not only to worship as we choose but also to check out how our neighbors worship and see if we like their way better. Obviously, O'Donnell's interest in witchcraft--or Wicca, as it is known today--didn't last, and it appears she was attracted to it because of a guy. I'm sure any number of us have visited a church or read a religious book because we wanted to impress a potential boyfriend or girlfriend.
But some people like Karl Rove are calling for O'Donnell to explain herself more thoroughly. What else can she say? And why should she say anything more? True, I'm not running for political office, but the twists and turns of our spiritual paths are really no one's business but our own. At least, that's the way it should be. But consider the troubles President Obama continues to face because of his father's Muslim faith and his own affiliation with the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Obama has said over and over that he's a Christian, but some refuse to believe it and attribute nefarious motives to whatever religion he "truly" practices.
While O'Donnell's revelation may embarrass her staunchly conservative followers and fill her detractors with glee, there is more going on here. Check out the comments on pagan blogs like The Wild Hunt or Pantheon, and there's obviously more at stake than just O'Donnell's political future. Practicing Wiccans and other pagans--a group I loosely lump myself into--are upset at how their faith is once again being portrayed in the media. Ask yourself: Do you ever hear of anyone "dabbling" in Episcopalianism? Any Jewish "dabbler" stories out there? But whenever someone shows an interest in an alternative spiritual path, it's considered "dabbling," which carries dismissive connotations. But those who try out various Christian or other mainstream faiths are "soul searching."
Also implied in O'Donnell's statements about her brief Wiccan past and the media's treatment of those comments is the opinion that anyone who would practice witchcraft or something like it is simply too silly to be in public office. Someone might want to tell Dan Halloran, a pagan who represents New York City's 19th district. From my own perspective, Wiccan and pagan beliefs are only silly to those who don't know what they're talking about, which appears to be the case with O'Donnell herself. She may have, indeed, been hanging out with some "questionable people," and they may have told her they were witches and worshipped Satan, but her passing experience resembles nothing of what I know about Wicca. A friend of mine from high school is today a practicing witch, and I had the honor of conducting her wedding in 2009--no blood or Satan in sight.
And if pagans aren't considered "silly," then we're "dangerous" or "Satanic." But these weapons are used against other faiths as well. Currently, Muslims are everyone's favorite bogeyman. And don't forget the questions former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney faced about his own Mormon faith when he ran for President in 2008.
When I left Christianity and turned toward a pagan spiritual path, word got back to me that someone whom I admire had dismissed it as a phase. Perhaps he considered me a "dabbler." I seriously doubt he would've had the same reaction had I simply moved my membership to another Baptist church in town. And here I am today an interfaith minister, what some might consider the ultimate "dabbler." But that choice reflects the twists and turns my spiritual life has taken, and offers me a way to both express the appreciation I have for all faiths and to serve those with an alternative approach to spirit.
In the end, I don't know what motivated O'Donnell to explore witchcraft or why she eventually turned to a conservative form of Christianity. Perhaps she needed to "dabble" a bit in order to find her way, and ultimately, her choice of faith needs to be respected. That same respect should be demanded by every person of faith, regardless of our choice of theology or practice, for it is the path itself--and the "dabbling" along the way--that are sacred.
Victoria Jones: Can Crazy Witch Christine Win Delaware? Maybe She Can!
FOXNews.com - O'Donnell: No Witchcraft Since High School
Bill Maher Airs Christine O'Donnell 'Witchcraft' Video - ABC News
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Rep. Pence: Christine O'Donnell Has 'Obligation to Explain ...
Christine O'Donnell on Hannity: Who doesn't regret the '80s?
Opinion: Navarrette: GOP isn't showing O'Donnell enough respect
Over the years, I have watched Conservative Fundamentalist evangelicals (I am not talking about all Christians here) who talk about other religions in derisive tones. They will often say "I used to be this, no I'm not. It was so Satanic and all these things of Satan happened" yadda, yadda, yadda bull crap. I think it was just one of those stories.
Having said that. I really don't care what she did in HIgh School or what she said she did . My concern is that O'Donnell seems to have a history of dishonesty and this story is the least of it. There is a complaint against her about how she spent her campaign funds. Ultimately that is much more an important issue than what she may or may not have done in High School.
Still it is important that pagan religions practitioners do take this moment to better educate people about their religious practices.
Her claim like many Teapublicans is that America is under assault. She and the Teapublicans have successfully created an atmosphere of paranoia and all Americans, people in foreign lands, all are left with a profound mentality of being in a continuous siege.
She demonizes s.e.x. She and others attack Obama as if he was some evil spirit who has invaded their body politic.
Their behavior models for what once were civil and well intentioned citizens that it is acceptable and normal to purge from society other people even unto death if they are an obstacle to Teapublican candidates and their agenda (aka fantasies) Armed and Dangerous, Don’t retreat Reload are examples.
Why demonize others? If your opponent is Satan, then anything you do to combat them is justified. If your enemy is demonic, any action against him is permissible as Roeder believed.
If she was only a witch I lament, but she and her fellow intolerant radicals should be questioned about which of their fellow Americans they view as and what justifies demonizing them. That list of course would be too long even if they single spaced it. To make it easier on all, I suggest they just write down those they won’t.
That aside, I would like to point out that while O'Donnell claimes to have "dabbled" in "witchcraft" please do not assume it was Wicca. Not all forms of witchcraft are related to the religion of Wicca.
The reality, however, is that as a Tea Party candidate much of her support is derived from fundamentalist christians. She is endorsed by Sarah Pailin. In pursuit of the religious values voting block, they have chosen to make religion a part of their political platform...and therein lies the problem. It is most certainly a form of "hypocrisy" that we frequently call out in the political realm when politicians choose to campaign on religion and moral issues that belong in the PERSONAL and not POLITICAL space. And yet do not reflect the personal choices and lifestyles embodied therein. If Ms. O'Donnell does not want her "dabbling" to be an issue, she should not choose to make religion a part of her campaign or platfrom and shouldn't seek votes by pandering to fundamentalists who want to revise history and establish an american theocracy.
And isn't the real point here that religion and politics should be widely separated one from the other.
Where was the outrage when Dennis K talked about being "VISITED" in a presidential debate? All that was missing was the tinfoil and yes - he wrote of this in detail in his little read book.
Oh the smell of hypocrisy in the evening
Kinda wish he'd given her more rope.
*Have* there been any, btw? It seems she said 'Satanic 'witch' ' about a 'picnic' and said some things about 'questionable characters.'
I know that a lot of people talking her talk like to claim Pagans are worshipping their Devil, (and in fact say 'Wicca' and 'Things we say are Satanic whether that's true or not' are synonymous, but I don't think she's actually made any connection in such a way, Mr. Isley, and I'm not in much of a hurry to assume she ever heard so much as a Blessed be in whatever incident she mentioned.
It has nothing to do with Wicca or Pagans: except that these kinds of confabulations: (Reality of her 'occult dabbling?' Probably a date with some kid at *most* scamming on her with heavy metal lyrics) ...are often applied to us by the same kind of people who casually claim things about blood and altars to their Satan, as well as claiming, oh, I dunno, 'Masturbation is adultery?'
Yeah, I'm sure we'll get a lot of silly questions, and a lot of right-wing churches will feel they need to redouble their usual rhetorical witch-hunts, but I think what this story is *really* about is that maybe people shouldn't be in such a hurry to vote based on a couple of 'family values' platitude speeches.
She will lose ...BIG.
The Right/FOX will take her under their wings.....and will claim that she is an other victim ( like SP) of the liberal anti women media.
She will get a gig at FOX...or writes a book and..of for sure...will rake in thousands of $ for speaking engagements.
well....at least she has not to embezzle any $ anymore.
I find this whole thing sad. I am a very open Pagan. I make my religion known, using pictures as my desktop background and wearing jewelry/talismans. I am very willing to tell people what they mean when they ask (and only when they ask, I don't believe in shoving it down their throats, most think it is just pretty jewelry and pictures). I have run into a few people who knew what the symbols were and shyly approached me about why I have them up. When I explain a look of ease comes over their face because they are closet Pagans. I guess I have been lucky so far but these people have ran into alot of opposition due to their religion. I have ran into a few people who think my Pentacles and Triskeles are "satanic" and I have to explain they are not since I dont believe in Satan. This woman's comments are completely unnecessary. She is only furthering the stigma people have against Pagans. She only futhers thoughts that we are evil, chicken slaughtering heathens (ok heathens maybe lol) who dabble in all that is evil. I can say, I only kill chickens when I want soup.
That's kind of the point.
What once was a bunch of kids are now possible senators and represenatives with a very long list of fellow groups of Americans they are or will demonize so as to justify their lack of governance and citizenship toward them.
Perhaps a reporter could ask these questions, except that she has now announced that she owes no explanations to anyone, and will only allow Fox entertainment to interview her..