Fox:
A week or more ago, Fox News talked about University of Missouri for having Pagan/Wiccan holidays requested as a day for not to plan exams. There is a guide that contains all of the holidays for people to be informed. I think it's great for others to read and maybe learn a little something, and the teachers can respect other people's religion, that isn't the majority. Now you probably think, if they just talked about that, what is so bad? Personally they stuck their foot in their mouth by almost bashing on the religion itself.
They state that "The bad thing of Wicca is of course that it is Witchcraft." First thing wrong with that, not all Pagans are Wiccans, not all Pagans or Wiccans are Witches, and not all Witches are Pagans or Wiccans. For the Wiccans that are Witches, Witchcraft isn't bad. If you use magick for evil, then yeah, that isn't a good thing. However, everything has a good and bad side. To ride something off you know nothing about as bad, isn't a very nice thing or smart thing to do. In this case you'll look like an idiot to the people who do understand.
Next they state that the upside of being a Pagan/Wiccan is how many holidays we have. That 20% of the school's holidays are Pagan/Wiccan. There are 8 Pagan/Wiccan holidays, not including the Full Moons that not all Pagans/Wiccans celebrate all of the time. In the book there are 8 Pagan/Wiccan holidays. But wait, you said it takes up 20% of the holidays in the guide, right? Yes I did.
Lets do a little math: There are 47 holidays in the guide, and 8 Pagan holidays. 47*.20= 9.4. 9.4 doesn't equal 8, now does it? 47*X=8, divide by 47, times 100 = 17.02%. They really make it sound bad, but there are 5 Hindu Holidays (10.64%), 1 Sikh (2.13%), 3 Buddhism (6.38%), 2 Shinto (4.26%), 3 Baha'i (6.38%), 3 Islamic (6.38%), 11 Catholic/Christian (23.40%), and 11 Jewish (23.40%). Do to rounding it only equals 99.99%. Christian and Jewish are the ones with the most holidays. Why is it a big deal that Pagans have 8 (3 less)? Maybe if they did math they would understand it isn't such a big deal.
Why can't we all coexist?
Another statement you can't say Merry Christmas to people without people feeling that you are pushing the Christian religion. People can say what they want, and people can feel what they want. I've said happy Yule to a few people in a store, and they corrected me saying it is Merry Christmas (then I pointed out Yule is sooner, and explained the holiday). I've also been given weird looks by telling people merry met, and blessed be. So Merry Christmas's reactions aren't as bad as some of the things I have said (out of politeness) to others. The Christians I do know don't care what other people think, it is Christmas for them, and they are going to say Merry Christmas! There is nothing wrong with that. Have you ever stated anything holiday related and gotten a weird reaction? Please share in the comments below!
"You get 20 holidays if you are Wiccan. That's the one to go with, right?....If you are going to pick one, pick the one with the most holidays." We've already established there are only 8 holidays. They should really brush up on facts, if they are sharing things with a bunch of viewers who might not know the real ones. Religions aren't picked based on how many days you could call into work, and call it a holiday based off your religion. They are picked because you believe in it. If the days off are the only reason you switched, not many people will respect you, from your lack of morals. I mean really? Why would someone do that?
"Except any religion who's most sacred day is Halloween, I just can't take seriously." O.O When I first heard that, I just paused the video, and starred at the screen. First it isn't Halloween, it is Samhain. Samhain is the 'new year' for Pagans/Wiccans, is usually celebrated Oct.31st and Nov.1st, and is the day we celebrate and honor our ancestors. If you can't take a religion seriously because they respect the dead, then I could never take you seriously and I would think you wouldn't celebrate or honor your dead at all. All Saints Day was originally May 13th, starting in 609. In 835, it was moved to November 1st in order to convert more people from the Celtic/Pagan/Wiccan traditions to Christianity by Pope Gregory IV.
They also said that Halloween is the Pagan side....The Pagan side? There aren't sides, there is two different beliefs/tradition. Both have the same holidays. Just like Christianity has Lutherans and Catholics. It's like Paganism is similar to Christianity. lO.Ol
"How many Pagans can name every holiday?" There's 8: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltaine, Litha, Lughnasadh, and Mabon. I did that with only questioning, and double checking spelling. I'm pretty sure Pagans/Wiccans know their holidays, just like Christians. It is not that complicated.
They did state that Pagans/Wiccans are of the earth; commented how we say that we are harmless, peacefully, and don't do anything bad. Which is the only thing I haven't disagreed with.
They continue to state that the only Wiccans/Pagans they know tend to play "compulsive deep dungeons and dragons player, or a middle age twice divorced old women living in a rural area who works as a mid wife." I have yet to be married, I don't live in a rural area, I don't work as a mid wife, and I've never played deep dungeons and dragons, but I am Pagan! That is really bad stereo typing. There is no logic to it. I'm glad we aren't the stereotypical witch with green skin and warts. Just wow!
Then they added we like a lot of incense A lot is too much. However, I do like it. It smells good, and gives it gives off a soothing feel that is nice at home. I know none Pagans/Wiccans that use incense too.
Sites:
The Guide link is for the guide of the University so you can see the holidays they have listed, and learn more about them. Fox is for this section, it is a YouTube video. & Friends is a YouTube video I cover in part II. Humors Approach is a funny video I found of commentary from a Pagan/Wiccan (not sure which and don't want to accidentally state the wrong thing). He gives good information in a good humorous why. Informative is another long video that goes over a lot more information. I think it is really good to take the time to watch. It is down in a (what seems like) an unbiased manner. The last link, Petition, is of the petition people signed for them to do a formal apology. Though it is closed, I think if nothing is done, maybe more people will support and redo the petition.
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