No, you’re not getting two thoughts of the today, I swear. This image just went well with what I wanted to talk to you about today. The WOTC was formed fifteen years ago this May. I was asked by several individuals to start a real witchcraft site. Whether I have did that or not I will leave that up to you to decide. Of course, I agreed, there was such a need. So I gathered up some other interested parties who wanted to make it happen and we got busy. We decided if we were going to make such a site, it would not only be a witchcraft site but also a safe haven from the mundane. We wouldn’t turn anyone away ever, we would accept all Paths, Traditions, and Religions that wanted to join us. I preached religious tolerance and I still do to this day. A witch preaching, sort of funny, huh? You should know by now, I love to throw curve balls, lol!
By seriously, we have grown and become what we are because of the Goddess’ help and your help. I have always said the WOTC would be nothing without you. That is very true, you make up the heart and soul of this site. Without you, we are nothing. As we continue to grow, I feel at times it is necessary to go back and reflect on why the WOTC was formed. Not only being a witchcraft site and safe haven from the outside, it was formed where like-minded individuals could meet, make friends and learn about other Traditions, Paths and Religions. The WOTC has turned into a very diverse group and truthfully I am proud of that. Individuals feel comfortable enough to call this place home when they are on the net. Which makes me very proud, I love and respect each and everyone of you.
As we continue to grow and have new people join us, I want everyone to remember one thing. It is simple and it is one of the foundations the WOTC was built on, that is to respect each other’s Religion, Path, or Tradition. You would be surprised at how many different Paths, Traditions and Religions are here. We are here to learn from each other. We are here to co-exist and again, respect each other. I cannot emphasis respecting each other’s various Traditions enough. You might not believe as another does in this group, but don’t tell them their wrong or that ain’t right. It is their Path, take time to learn from them. I know on occasions certain material might pop up that some of you don’t agree with but there are others who are wanting it. Be considerate of them. We have white witches, gray witches, black witches, Vodou practitioners, Hoodoo practitioners, Santerian practitioners, Celtic practitioners, Catholics, Christians, Baptists and who know what else here.
We have grown because everyone that visits here knows this is a safe haven and their religious beliefs will be respected. I am interested in several different traditions but I know the majority of you wouldn’t want to hear about them. I respect you enough that I don’t post my interests. I post what I feel like most of you want to read and learn from. I have never once told anyone who expressed a different belief from myself that they were wrong. I don’t expect any of our members to do so either.
The WOTC is a very religious tolerance group. Respect each others’ different beliefs. Learn from them. We have to learn about each other in order to co-exist. We have to co-exist because we have to work together to accomplish the WOTC’s goal. That goal is to put Witchcraft back into the mainstream religions of the day. We can’t expect the world to respect us, if we don’t respect each other. We can’t expect the world to accept us, if all they see is us fighting or bickering with each other. Remember this when you run across someone whose beliefs are just a tadbit different from yours. Instead of telling them they are wrong or that ain’t right, stop to think their beliefs are different from yours. Try to learn from them. I can guarantee you no one will push their beliefs down your throat. That is not what we are about, never have been and never will be.
All I ask is that each of us respect each others’ beliefs and be accepting. You might be surprised by what this site actually holds with all these members. Think about all the knowledge that is just sitting here waiting to be tapped into. It doesn’t hurt to learn about others beliefs that is the only way we learn and become accepting. I always said you had to know about the Dark side of magick and as you can imagine I had several to disagree with me. But it was simple, you learn about it, you can recognize it and if the need arises you can defend against it. I finally made people see that and most of them agreed with me after thinking it over. But back to the matter at hand, there is a wealth of knowledge here just with the members alone. Take time to learn about each other, respect their views and opinions. We can have discussion, express our point of view, that is how you learn from each other. I never want to hear someone telling another member of this site, that they are wrong.
What it all boils down too, is the WOTC is a place individuals can freely express their beliefs and their opinions. Again, I will ask you to respect each others’ beliefs and traditions. I shouldn’t even be having to make this speech but things do occur and some need to be reminded what the WOTC and me, being the zoo-keeper, are all about.
Thank you for making the WOTC what it is. Let us continue to work and move our effort forward for the glory of our Goddess and remove the tarnish that others have put on our religion.
I love each and everyone of my brothers & sisters in the Craft,
Lady of the Abyss
Witches Of The Craft® 
Dear Lady of the Abyss,
BRAVO! About a week ago, I gave this same speach, to my followers, I really can’t stand the infighting and finger pointing , I pointed out that as a community, we have fought to gain the respect of others, but how could others respect us, and accept us, if we are not respecting each other? Thank you for posting this article.
.
I didn’t attend the Memorial service for My HP, recently because I was so upset, her family who over the years were estranged from her due to religious differences, they being Southern Baptist, she Wiccan, they came forward, and disregarded her wishes, holding a memorial, and stating if you attend, you may not wear your Pentagran, or any Pagan jewlery, if you have any tattoos, reflecting your beleifes they must be covered, proper funneral atire,only, ie, no robes, you may not refer to her by her coven name only her”Christian” name, only a very select knew of her name, there could be no mention ,of Wicca, or any other Pagan references,or her Pagan life, teachings, her store, and absolutely no white flowers! If you broke any one of these rules you would be removed…..
This woman dedicated her life to teaching acceptance, and understanding, tolerance, and respect, and this, was done, I couldn’t go and watch this happen, she was given a Christian, burial, too, no Pagans allowed…
Things like this and the pointing of fingers and disrespecting someone else’s path need to stop, and it needs to stop with-in our Pagan community as well, or else, were no better than those outside our community, I believe it can only happen thru education, and with people such as yourself, willing to take a stand.
Thank you, for all you do in your daily works to promote our community…
Brightest Blessings to you…
NANCY
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It is nice to know that I am not the only one having to give these speeches. It is a shame we have too, but people being people, we occasionally have too. I am sorry to hear about your HP. I have left instructions on how I want to be buried and I told mine if they didn’t honor my wishes, I would come back and haunt them. But it is awful for the family not to respect her wishes and refuse her brothers and sisters entrance to say their farewells, I don’t understand that at all. Just remember she is in a much better place. She can hear you and it is not to late to say your good-byes to her. I have had a few of my family members disown me because of my beliefs. I guess I am a big asshole, I throw their doctrine right back in their face. Shut one up by bringing up the line, “thy shall not suffer a witch to live.” This family member had turned into a die-hard Baptist. I asked them if they were familiar with that line. Of course, they were. Then I ask them, did they know who they shouldn’t suffer to live? That person didn’t know what to say but they are more accepting than they use to be.
No matter how hard we try, we will always run into an occasion brick wall. We have always been painted as the bad people, horrible, baby snatchers, devil worshipers. I keep thinking we are making progress till I hear a story like yours. Then I realize we still have a long way to go. I don’t know if people will ever become truly accepting of us or not. I do know we can fight amongst ourselves and then have to fight the world also. That would destroy us. No one can win a fight when fighting on two different fronts. We have to unite and become accepting of each other. Then we can take on the world.
I do know we have made some progress. I only hope we can keep up the momentum. Again, I am so very sorry about what happened with your HP. That is pitiful and so heart-breaking.
Have a great day and a very blessed week, dear sister,
Lady A
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Beautiful written. I love this website. It gives me strength when I have the blue and excellent advise!
Thank you for taking time to share important facts and your knowledge!
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Reblogged this on hocuspocus13 and commented:
jinxx⛄xoxo
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