Pagan Author Responds to Sarah Palin
Sunday October 12, 2008
This is awesome. Deborah Blake, author of Circle, Coven and Grove and Everyday Witch A - Z, has posted a YouTube video response to the news that Sarah Palin went and got herself all good and blessed-up against witchcraft. Check out A Shout-Out To Sarah Palin from an Everyday Witch.
Know what I love about this the most? Blake is a Really Normal Pagan. There's no foot-stomping, no shouting, no "oh ur so meen u Christian hockey mom oppressor!" histrionics. Kudos to Deborah Blake for stepping up and putting a positive face on a witch's response to Palin.
Know what I love about this the most? Blake is a Really Normal Pagan. There's no foot-stomping, no shouting, no "oh ur so meen u Christian hockey mom oppressor!" histrionics. Kudos to Deborah Blake for stepping up and putting a positive face on a witch's response to Palin.
Comments
Bravo, bravo, bravo! I am continually frustrated beyond screaming that the ‘alternative religions’ are either completely ignored or outright slandered by the majority of political representatives (Bush Jr. was one of the worst offenders). Palin seems to have taken this to a whole new level… it makes me want to do harm, save for the creed, of course. I commend Deborah to the highest degree for a) being brave enough to leave this message, and b) doing it so tactifully & gracefully. Beautiful!
OK, I can see wanting to comment on this to Palin but does anyone take the time to think she was doing this to not insult a visitor to Alaska from Africa as the Gov of the state? Also, just because they called the evil a “witch” does not mean wiccans. . . They deal more with Shamanistic stuff there and I don’t think their definition of a “witch” is the same as ours. . . Native Americans called folks that used magic for evil “witch” too. . . it is just a word folks, and they use it differently than we do. . . .
As a witch I did not take any insult to this. It was a tribal medicine man casting a protection spell from evil and she was humoring him. Get over it folks.
Too bad we don’t investigate Obama to the same depth we do the McCain side. I want all the FACTs for election day, not just the ones Obama likes. . .
Very well said.
I also didn’t really think anything of it. Different culture, different definition. Also, having been a fundamentalist, I am now not too terribly judgemental. We don’t change people’s opinions by preaching, but by actions. I didn’t see the response piece, but I don’t need to. Tolerance and Diversity..are beautiful ideals.
If you didn’t see the response piece, how do you know what I said? I’m not judging Palin, just reassuring her that witches mean her no harm (albeit in a funny way).
And I don’t think that anyone would think that specifically asking to be protected from any group (whether they be African shamans or American Witches) is a sign of either open-minded acceptance or good judgement. I would certainly go out of my way to welcome someone from another country, but I wouldn’t let them say sacred words over me that I didn’t believe in. Does anyone really think that Palin (a strong believer in her own way) would allow that either? Not me. What’s more, you has admitted publicly (and proudly) to asking to be protected from Witches. Sorry, but she really did mean us.
bless her plain palin shoud be rename pain in the rear end.
her daughter is just as evil as her
hallowen comming up i wonder what theses two be wearing when they go trick or treating
all answers welcom
The only problem with “letting it go” … it doesn’t help the stereotypes that are out there. We know, we can see the difference in culture … but most born-again Christians don’t or won’t. Did that woman who the holy man ran out of the village desreve to be ran out?
Different cultures aside … we all know when we speak of God, or Alah, the Great Spirit (whatever), we are all talking about the same ONE. Too many people in other religions don’t see it that way and continue to divide us.
I say we need to continue the discussion.
I don’t believe Palin asked to be protected from witchcraft.
I would be amazed if she had spun around and slugged the guy for mentioning it.
But, yeah, for the most part the response was ok.
I don’t think much of Palin but people are accusing her of being all sorts of stuff she just isn’t.
FWIW, I’m voting NOTA for POTUS this year.
JD: Do you really think people like Palin and that witch doctor make a distinction between hoodoo witches, Wiccans, pagans, or anyone else who is not their brand of Christian?
Poor Sarah Palin and family. How difficult it must be to be so closed minded to SO many issues, not just this one. She is teaching her children to carry on the same traditional opinions. I thought we were supposed to teach our children, tolerence, open thinking and informed criteria and then and ONLY then make a wise decision of your opinions. So sorry that she and her family are so afraid of the unknown…maybe a littled education would help her and her family realize that witchcraft is a beautiful nature based religion/path that states clearly “And harm none.”
what JD said!
GeckoRoamin is right. Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians do not make distinctions. Any magical workings are evil in their estimation, because their philosophy is that only God (as they interpret God, of course!) should be in control of the world and the individuals in it. They take a verse from the Old Testament that admonishes not to consult witches or try to contact the dead, and decide that applies to everyone else as well as themselves. Anything that is not their brand of Christianity is false, and anything that is contrary to what they’ve been taught qualifies as “evil” and therefore dangerous.
It wouldn’t be so bad if these beliefs just stay within the confines of their religion, but they keep trying to impose them on the rest of American society. That is why we should not brush these things off but speak up for our civil rights — not as a minority that is under attack but as Americans who demand separation of church and state as our Constitution dictates.
Deborah Blake - I saw the piece a few days ago when you first mentioned it. I thought it was awesome… funny, and I agree wholeheartedly!
Witch means witch no matter where you are. The only difference is what you believe. If you are taught that witches are evil, then that’s what you will believe.
Witch means ‘wise one’ or ‘wise woman’? yes??? Witches were the ones the people went to to be healed…
No one thought of a witch being evil until christians labeled them evil.
JD,
Sarah Palin knew exactly what she was doing. She wouldn’t allow someone to do something to her in a religious way that she herself did not agree with! She is as intolerant as they come!
Also… I don’t understand what you mean when you say, ““witch” does not mean wiccans”… wiccans are witches, with perhaps a new age twist… and Native Americans, always had/have a ‘wise one’ in the tribe, who were often refered to as witches or shamans or medicine men, who were the tribes healers - not evil-doers!
I’m sorry guys, I see Palin and her “kind” as a serious threat. With McCain at the jumping off point, we could possible end up with her as the leader of this country….dear Goddess save us!
Oh goddess save ME from this liberal paranoia when it comes to the conservatives. Why do you all feel that christians and conservatives need to pat you on the head and validate you? I’ve been a pagan all my life, my grandfather was an Apache Shaman, and I don’t find this Palin thing offensive. I find it offensive that because I’m pagan, I’m suppose to vote for Obama. Well as a Marine and a conservative, HE SCARES THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS out of me. Palin is the only reason I’m voting for McCain. Frankly there are no good candidates and not likely to be for a long time.
Wow. So glad to see that there are pagans who are conservative as well. The close-mindedness goes both ways I can tell you.
KUDOS, DEBORAH! I’m just an ordinary, every-day witch in Boise, Idaho - - haaaaaa, yes, there are witches “out yander” in the west….Your words are WELL spoken. I have not heard her response - - Guess I will have to do that. BB! )O(
Thank you Mommeemarine - thank you for your service and your willingness to stand up for being conservative! I totally agree - I didn’t realize so many people live in glass houses!!!! The great thing about this country is that you don’t have to agree with everything or anything another person believes. But….it seems many here have forgotten the tolerance they should have. Unless you witnessed this exchange - you shouldn’t be judging any of it!!!! And Palin is a citizen who has the same rights as you!
Once again Deborah,
Thank you. You know how to put Witchcraft and the way people think or say about Witch’s in the right perspective. I’m very proud for all that you do in such a respectful and professional way. I sincerely respect and appreciate all that you do.
Blessings,
Cindy
And I am equally offended that, because my husband is a soldier and we’re from a small town, we’re supposed to vote for McCain with the ‘real’ Americans. Am I baffled by your decision to vote for McCain? Sure. But I am also baffled by people who like black licorice.
Take from that what you will.