From the slightly-older-but-still-relevant Pagan Wiccan news files, the folks at WitchSchool are settling into their new digs in Rossville, Illinois. A story from USA Today points out that not everyone is welcoming the new residents. You may recall that last year, WitchSchool set up shop in nearby Hoopeston, and shortly thereafter was offered up for sale on E-bay. The school was originally founded by Ed Hubbard, and functions primarily as an online education service for Wiccans and Pagans. I've never taken any of their classes, so I can't speak one way or another for the validity of the education, but they've got nearly 200,000 registered members.
Anyway, what I find interesting is that there are a few people in Rossville who feel they should have been consulted as to whether or not the witches were allowed to move there. Hello?
At what point do neighbors get to decide who has permission to move in? Unless you're part of a private community -- which Rossville isn't -- how on earth do you become entitled to decide who lives there? Mayor Terry Prillaman seems to be a good sport, though. He said to those with such concerns, "I told them, 'I don't remember voting on you coming into town... back in the 1920s, there was quite a presence here of the Ku Klux Klan. What do you suppose people were saying back then?"
Rossville has a population of about 1200 people, and many of the downtown shops are vacant. ConAgra is the biggest employer in the area. WitchSchool employs five full-time people to fill orders for products and send out lesson plans. CEO Donald Lewis says the business pays property taxes, collects sales taxes and uses city-owned water and gas systems. Not only that, they're filling a storefront that was empty not too long ago.
Youth pastor Andy Thomas from the Rossville Church of Christ is worried that WitchSchool will try to convert the local kids. Thomas says it's not his goal to run the witches out of town, but that "our ultimate goal would be to convert them to Christianity... if that doesn't happen, I don't know what will be next."
Here's a friendly suggestion for what could be next, Pastor Andy. Maybe you could just mind your own business, and let people live their lives?
Anyway, what I find interesting is that there are a few people in Rossville who feel they should have been consulted as to whether or not the witches were allowed to move there. Hello?
At what point do neighbors get to decide who has permission to move in? Unless you're part of a private community -- which Rossville isn't -- how on earth do you become entitled to decide who lives there? Mayor Terry Prillaman seems to be a good sport, though. He said to those with such concerns, "I told them, 'I don't remember voting on you coming into town... back in the 1920s, there was quite a presence here of the Ku Klux Klan. What do you suppose people were saying back then?"
Rossville has a population of about 1200 people, and many of the downtown shops are vacant. ConAgra is the biggest employer in the area. WitchSchool employs five full-time people to fill orders for products and send out lesson plans. CEO Donald Lewis says the business pays property taxes, collects sales taxes and uses city-owned water and gas systems. Not only that, they're filling a storefront that was empty not too long ago.
Youth pastor Andy Thomas from the Rossville Church of Christ is worried that WitchSchool will try to convert the local kids. Thomas says it's not his goal to run the witches out of town, but that "our ultimate goal would be to convert them to Christianity... if that doesn't happen, I don't know what will be next."
Here's a friendly suggestion for what could be next, Pastor Andy. Maybe you could just mind your own business, and let people live their lives?
I am Wiccan I have been for the last 28 years.
If the Christians would mind their own business and leave people to live their lives as each of us should be allowed. The world would be a much better place.
From reading this article it looks like the Christians want to convert. They want everyone to be Converted to Christianity even if it make a person very unhappy.
I have the understand that the Christian Bible has a passage “do on to other as you would have them do to you”.
So if they aren’t wanting the Witches to convert the local kids then why are they wanting to convert the Witches to Christianity.
Doesn’t that go against what the bible says.
When I was younger I was forced to follow the Christian faith. Anytime I asked question about other faith was told that those others would never get in to heaven.
So you put fear in to small children to follow Christianity. I see that as abuse.
Christian need to just step off their soapbox and leave everyone to make their own choice.
The United States was founded on Freedom. One of those Freedoms was Freedom of Religion.
Give it up not everyone wants to be a Christian.
I am Wiccan I have been for the last 18 years. I need to edit the years on this. it isn’t 28 but 18
If the Christians would mind their own business and leave people to live their lives as each of us should be allowed. The world would be a much better place.
From reading this article it looks like the Christians want to convert. They want everyone to be Converted to Christianity even if it make a person very unhappy.
I have the understand that the Christian Bible has a passage “do on to other as you would have them do to you”.
So if they aren’t wanting the Witches to convert the local kids then why are they wanting to convert the Witches to Christianity.
Doesn’t that go against what the bible says.
When I was younger I was forced to follow the Christian faith. Anytime I asked question about other faith was told that those others would never get in to heaven.
So you put fear in to small children to follow Christianity. I see that as abuse.
Christian need to just step off their soapbox and leave everyone to make their own choice.
The United States was founded on Freedom. One of those Freedoms was Freedom of Religion.
Give it up not everyone wants to be a Christian.
Why are Christians so afraid of Pagans? If they have all the answers, as they believe, why would anyone want to be anything else?
Is it because we Pagans (I’m a Wiccan) have come to our religion by thought, study and personal growth, “inner Knowledge” and full understanding of what it actually means to be responsible for our own morality?
Is it really so attractive to others?
For goodness sake, ( – for Goddess’ Sake) let people live their own lives! Pagans are NOT evangelical! I have some great Christian friends with whom I am “out”. No-one tries to convert anyone, and a Catholic friend told me her Priest had joked from the pulpit about a man seeing lots of people in Heaven from all faiths. When he asked what was the purpose of a high-walled enclosure, he was told by God “That’s for the Catholics – they think they’re the only ones up here!”
If a priest can joke about this sort of thing, it shows that not everyone is as narrrow minded about other faiths as this Preacher clearly is !
There is hope, I suppose, but how dare he question the rights of people to live where they chose? After all, the Pagan business owners are butting growth into the local economy.
Hi, I think I have it fixed right! Please check out the link to make sure it is ok!
http://beltaneandbroomsticks.net/category/egyptian-magick/
I had a hard time finding the exact url though… I hope the one I linked is ok? If not, please let me know!
Quote by Paganwiccan:
“Pastor Andy. Maybe you could just mind your own business, and let people live their lives?”
———————–
See, the problem with that is there’s no money in being quiet and letting people be. By creating this media mess, Pastor Thomas is getting national (international?) renown, speaking gigs on TV, and other money-making deals. I can’t imagine his flock is flourishing in a town of 1200 people, which speaks directly to Pastor Andy’s personal income potential.
I pray to the Gods and Goddess’ that these narrow minded people become more open every day. It bothers me to my very core that people are so quick to judge.
Hmmmmmmm…..Hey Pastor Thomas, doesn’t your religion teach tolerance? Wasn’t Jesus crucified because the Romans were so quick to judge him? Your religion says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” and then there are your ten commandments. Ours says “Do as ye will an harm ye none.” Why is it that your God had to break it down for you? Our Dieties didn’t have to go that far….they knew we’d get it!!!!
I don’t know if christians know this or not, but it is pagan customs that have helped christians to develope their customs…Holidays such as Christmas, easter and thanksgiving and halloween are good examples of what christians adopted from the “old ways” long time ago…I was born into a wicca and was raised to “ye harm none and to what ye will and to ever mind the power of three and so blessed be…” I have also read and studied the bible and that translates into “do onto others as they would do onto you”…Also ” Do not Judge our fellow brothers and sisters” For that is God’s job, not humans…When are christians ever gonna learn to not be hypocritical?Let God do his/hers job and mind your own business, try being a little bit more open-minded about the acceptance of others ie.: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things i can and the knowledge to know the difference”…Wiccans do NOT convert others, wiccans do not force their beliefs onto others, and wiccans are very accepting of others and know when to back off. If a “Witchschool” wants to open up there, they can. If witches want to open a coven, they can. It’s a religion and it’s anybodies right to believe what they want. Maybe this preacher needs to do his homework before opening up his mouth…And maybe christians need to start being accountable for their own morality and not clutch onto their god so much…If god wants someone to be christian wouldn’t he/she guide that person into christianity? Only if you really believe…See, in Wicca we listen to ourselves and our hearts, cuz we believe and actually understand our religion…We don’t need the satisfaction of converting.Spirituality is very personal…”judge notless ye be judged thyself”…Can we all just get along…? This is a very sad thing and the reason why we always fight, have wars and descriminate…For those of us that mind ourselves we get crucified, just like jesus did, symbolic speaking…
After reading this I went to the Rossville C of C website. I was(somewhat) surprised to see a link for “Witchcraft”. I’m assuming an attempt to “educate” the community. Nothing I had not been taught as a Christian growing up. Looking back it made me even more sure of my decision to change paths. After years of being told “because I said so”, or “that’s just the way it is”, the Bible says clearly, “to search and learn for yourself, not to take someones word for something”. That’s what I did. For years I looked, studied, asked…..now I’m where I personally belong. If more Christians were to question, and not just “do as they’re told” they too would probably see things differently. This country was built on the basis of religious tolerance. It’s time we started seeing some of that. I was always told that “Christians will be the ones persecuted”, but it seems to me that Christians are the ones DOING the persecuting. Blessed Be
The way I see it, we are all afraid of what is new and different at first and Pastor Thomas is only feeling that sentiment. The workers at WitchSchool and the managers need to perhaps show local people around their operation show that it is using local resources to answer the call from thousands of people around the world and that Rossville will gain nothing negative from their presence in the town. There has been enough daft things said about our community in the press and online that people who don’t have an experience of Pagans are generally wary at first. It’s not just Paganism. Many people in my area would be just as wary of a new mosque or synagogue in the village as WitchSchool premises, something new and different generally always provokes fear, until they are made to understand and appreciate the differences and benefits.
I think that once the local people realise that WitchSchool is not there to convert anyone and it is doing a positive service to the neighbourhood by filling an empty property and using local resources, bringing money back into the community, that Rossville will come to be proud of the industry infrastructure WitchSchool will bring!
Pastor Thomas does not need to waste his time and energy on trying to convert the workers at WitchSchool, perhaps he would be better served minding his own business and doing what he does best…presumably as a youth pastor, this means teaching kids about the positives of Christianity…like doing unto others as you would have done unto yourself, or turning the other cheek when someone wrongs you…instead of promoting crusades against anyone who believes in something different.
I’m a lifetime member and feel that I have a home at Witchschool. This country is founded on freedom of religion…all forms of religions!
I would hate to think what the youth pastor’s next step would be. Burning at the stake? I think he has forgotten that in the USA, we have the freedom of religion. I think it’s wonderful that there is a school and it’s benefitting the community in which it is based.
Hopefully this experience will help open his mind and heart to those who do not follow his ways, but their own.
Live and let live
Replace “witches” with “Jews” or “African-Americans” and see just how far we’ve NOT come in 50 years. We still have a long way to go in convincing diehards that our religion is legitimate and we are Americans with the same set of rights and freedoms as anyone else. I’m sad, but not surprised.
The unfortunate thing is that since Christians believe in the Great Commission to go out and spread all their news, it’s impossible for them not to at least try to convert people. As much as we may not like it, that’s a part of their conception of their religious duties. It only really becomes a problem when they become annoying about it, because there are many ways to spread their beliefs beside shouting that you must believe in Jesus or go to hell.
That said, if he will emphasize that he will not be happy if they do not convert and is afraid that they will try to convert his flock, I have two things to say. First of all, if you think that the mere presence of a completely different religion in your community will pull away your members, you clearly don’t have much faith in the way you are teaching. Second, pull your head out of your ass and learn about what you’re so afraid of. Then maybe you won’t sound like a paranoid ignoramus.
lol, the Christians are so “happy and safe” in their religion.I think that they have quotas to fill before they can get to Heaven. I also think that they feel by allowing someone else to have a different choice (in religion) they will upset their God.One of my duaghers told me that she is only concerned with my choice because, when we all pass on, they will be in a different heaven(?).I told it was o.k. because they could come to our “heaven”,we let everyone in.
Here they (Christians) go again. They just can’t stand it when someone believes differently than they do, look at alll the “holy”wars they have fought, and all the people that have died, in the name of their religion, and the spreading of it. They won’t “live and let live”, they aren’t happy until everyone is just like them, there are a few good christians, but when you get them in a group, they are nothing but trouble!! I came from a “christian” family, and they were a large reason why I found a better path!!
I was raised Christian and left because of people like these. They only give Christian love to those that THEY feel “deserve” it. If they really believed and lived what their bible tells them, they would not judge others and would love others as Christ said too. They would follow their own Golden Rule and the commandments.
Christians try to convert EVERYONE, so why are they so afraid of others trying to convert them? Who made them the ones to determine what religion was right and which wasn’t? There are many, many Christian schools and they teach their religion to the kids daily. Why is it such a terrible thing for pagans and witches to have the same for their kids? Why indoctrinate our kids with Christianity if we don’t want them to be?
Religious freedom means freedom for ALL religions. Schools are for those that want to learn, and the choices should be more and varied.
Christians are not the end all, be all. They just think they are. If they would pull their heads out and really look into what we believe, they would see how closely their own paths follow ours. But then, they couldn’t complain, and try to take away our freedoms. . . It brings to mind….. the burning times.
Oh, BRO-THER…
OK, as usual, you’ve beat me to most of my points, but ALSO as usual, I have one to add:
Does this town NOT realize that it is an INTERNET business, and most likely they will not be drawing wiccans/pagans to their town by the thousands? What do they think it is, WITCHSTOCK? LOL!
I highly doubt that 5 people running an INTERNET business in their town is going to be its downfall…what WILL be is the continuance of attitudes such as these.
Blessed Be to you all!
I am not A wiccan yet. I do study the ways of this wicca. I just got back from a four day wision quest and I feel that what ever people what to belive let them. I to was raised to belive in nothing but the ways of the way of Christ. I found new hope in the Indian ways and the wiccan wats. These people need to let these people be and mind their own busness. Blessed Be to All
People like the pastor and the people complaining about “not getting a say” are the type of people that had me losing any semblance of faith in humanity before I was ten. The saddest thing is, they won’t ever listen to logic because, as all of you have said, it’s easier for them to keep their heads up their asses, ignorant to everything and even flying in the face of their own God’s wishes just to feel better about themselves.
The mayor seems like a nice enough man, though, and since mayors are elected, I would hope that reflects upon the majority of the town. It’s just such a pity the minorities always seem to be louder and more obnoxious than anyone else.
The reason why christians are afraid of Wicca/Pagan is because we follow the true path. I have studied all different eligions in the past 27yrs on this land. And they all point to the same person just with a different name, different way of worship, different aspect of how it helps our inner self. The christians them self can’t agree on which bible to read from. Catholics have one totally different bible then the common folks. And even those bibles are not even completed right. Read the Lost Books of the Bible. They are Pagan rites and worship. What Jesus did back in his time if done now would be called ures or rites. Christains are scared that the common man will wake up and really see the truth in the higher spirit.
“Here’s a friendly suggestion for what could be next, Pastor Andy. Maybe you could just mind your own business, and let people live their lives?” — Patti
AMEN!
…er…
blessed be!
I took a look at the Rossville Church of Christ website, with special attention to the link Engaging Contemporary Witchcraft: A “Christian Strategy” of Truth and Grace. I don’t believe there is any hope of meaningful dialog with them, as there is no room for mutual respect of each other’s beliefs.
I was brought up attending Church of Christ as a child. My mother and her family were reared in Church of Christ. These are always small churches, totally dependent upon the memebers. Believe me, that pastor isn’t feeling the economic crunch of his community. They really do take care of their own.
Church of Christ takes a very literal view of the New Testament. They do NOT follow anything the Bible says if it is in the Old Testament. Literally, only the New Testament, however, they always have and carry around the full Bible.
Church of Christ also feels that somewhere in the New Testament it states that if someone does not convert to Christianity, then you, doing your duty as a good Christian, will totally and completely ostracize (not speak to or have anything to do with) that person who will not convert in a timely manner. Even if it is a family member. Period. There are no exceptions, otherwise, you will not be doing your Christian duty. And that might jepardize your chances of getting into heaven.
Often, Church of Christ members are racist, even though this is not stated in their beliefs. They do believe that each race should stick to their own race. However, race is not an issue when it comes to helping others in need, because, well, they wouldn’t want to jepardize their chances of getting to heaven.
My mother, a widow, married a member of the Church of Christ, who was divorced. Their policy is to not speak to those who are divorced because it is wrong. This also means that if you are divorced, you never remarry. However, instead of “not speaking” to my step-father, his family and at least 3 churches in three different states, refused to speak to my mother because she married him! Isn’t that a twist! But they still spoke to him. never did understand that one.
Anyways, my brother now knows I am Wiccan, thanks to MySpace. I guess I am now on his list of those to not speak to. And my sister, who was accepting of my being Wiccan, has suddenly decided to also not speak to me, even though she is not Church of Christ.
I think those people in Rossville won’t do anything more. If no one converts, they will all move away. That is just how they are.
v_v *just shakes head*
Why do the people always worry that Wiccans will try to convert their children but feel it’s perfectly acceptable to try to convert Wiccan children? I live in small town with the same problem – my neighbors actually put up a fence so I couldn’t see their kids – guess that way I can’t eat them either (grins)?!
I have been a Methodist, a Mormon, gone to the Church of Christ, and been dumped by my best friend 45 odd years ago because she was converting to be a Cathlic and was not allowed to have a “friend” who was unclean because they had a “bun in the oven” and was not married. They were married and moved to Texas (I feel sorry for Texas) and I have never been talked to from either of them again. I do not feel the lose now but still hurt because of being dumped like that for that reason.
I have a son-in-law who says this country was founded by Christians for Christians I have tried to talk to him about that but as you all have said Christians just shut their eyes to what they don’t want to know about anything unless it helps get them into their Heaven. I have been upset about the public schools now throwing out the holidays because of religion. I think the kids will make up their own minds about everything, I know my five grandchildren who live in my daughter and son-in-laws house are smart enough even at 12 years and younger will know just from living in their house and asking questions, which at least my son-in-law answers as honestly as he can. I believe that everyone should believe in whatever makes them feel the best. I do not talk religion not politics with my son-in-law and he doesn’t deny that there are other religions besides his.
I studied for a year on the net with WitchSchool and had some questions that I needed answered from other places but they did teach me a lot.
Blessed Be to All
Hi,
Witch School in Rossville is really received a lot of support from the local government. Let me state clearly that the City Government is not nvolved in this.
The hidden arguement underneath this is that there is a side street of the main street that has every single store boarded up. We are working to purchase them (but no one wants to loan the Witches money. The stores range from 20,00o USD to 40,000 USD.
And there are a lot more than 5 Wiccans at Witch School and in Rossville. Only five work for the school directly.
So yes Pastor Andy is Worried that we are moving in, buying the exceptionally cheap property, establishing Internet Businesses to bring in our income from outside of town and attract people. And his fear is well founded in the sense that yes, we are doing that.
Our goal is nothing less than a real Pagan community, ne with grocery stores, cleaners and not just metaphysical shops and woo-woo stores. We can not grow until we have a way to be part of the natural community, and people like Pastor Andy locally and hundreds like him nationally fear this above all other things. What we need to do is the very thing they are afraid we will do, and that is Open Minds to greater possibilities.
So we are in the process of developing a community, with a Shareholder company (WSI has 110 Shareholders currently) and focus on working everyday to teach.
We have come a long way since our first chatroom on About.com
Blessings
Ed
I am catholic but my boyfriend is wiccan and it does not bother me in any way. People should try to understand wicca before they try to pass judgement on wicca. My family feels the same as i do. I feel this way my belives are my own and his are his own. I will never try to change him nor will he try to change me.
I have been reading up on wicca to try to better understand of his region. I have not seen anything in what i have read that would be hurtful to me or my family in anyway.
So I do agree with all of you that Pastor Andy needs to mind his own business and maybe learn about wicca before judging wicca
Yo, “Pastor”! TWO WORDS: FIRST AMENDMENT!!!!
No one had any obligation to notify you people that WitchSchool was moving into town. No one there is a sexual predator.
People are afraid of what they do not understand. For anyone outside anything to do with witchcraft they close their mind, unlike most witches who study all other religions to make an intelligent choice. If you are part of a coven or a solitary it is a personal choice to belong. People follow a religion because most are taught to. People follow the craft because they have choosen it by research. We are not told what to believe in and what to think, are own heart and mind tells us. The debate on religion has been going on for thousands of years and will continue to do so. People in the craft do not recruit as with other religions. We do not go to a place on a special day of the week to practice our beliefs, our church is all around us everyday. We worship as with other religions but in our own way, and with sincere meaning for this is what we have choosen to do, not what we are told to do. If the other religions would research as we have they may find they have another choice other then the one they have been told to take. The word Witchcraft alone brings pictures of the Hollywood version and sheer fright. We are friends, neighbors, co-workers, and business owners and you don’t even know it. We don’t go around boasting our religion, it is where it should be personal and private. Please do not try to convert us, as we do not try to convert you, it is an intelligent choice we have made that is of our heart. Our religion is not to be kept in a box but to be open minded enough to go outside the box. As you have worship and prayers and rituals we have the same thing, but in our own way. It doesn’t really matter how to get to the end of the road as long as you get there. We choice to do it a little differently most. Don’t be afraid, do a little research on all religions you may be surprised and learn a little in the process. You can’t listen to one person on one day and expect to learn all you need to. It takes parcipation on your part to learn more.
The Christian religion has a right to speak to their beliefs and educate people to turn away from the Wiccans. Most of you are pleading your right to freedom of religion. Let me refer to freedom of speech!
Preach it Andy!!
would be nice if everyone got the facts straight. Especially the writer of this article.
Andy – if you dispute any of the statements made, you’re more than welcome to say so. No one is stopping you. If there’s an error in the article, feel free to correct it. The only time I’ll prevent anyone from sharing their thoughts here is if they’re prosetylizing and trying to preach to my readers, or if they insist on using excessive profanity. There are plenty of Christians who do post here, and we all get along just fine.
Kevin – no one is trying to keep you from sharing your beliefs. However, you have to extend that same right to others. You seem to think the Wiccans are asking for some sort of special treatment, when what they’re asking for is the same rights to worship that you and your friends have. You don’t get to decide who moves into your community just because you think their religion is evil.
patti
The people in Rossville can relax. Sincere Wicca does not actively recruit others into their ranks nor do they ever recruit minor children without parental permission and oversight.