Happy Samhain!

I was approached this afternoon by a college student bearing pamphlets. Immediately I thought...damn political campaigns! To my pleasant surprise it was the local pagan student organization distributing information regarding the origins of Halloween and debunking some of the stereotypical myths that surround modern day witches. Personally, I find Wiccan and the pagan religions fascinating. I think I had to have been a rebel in a past life because I really get a kick out of going against the norm. If someone says, "this is how it's supposed to be, it's the only way" my response is "Oh really! Wanna bet??" Ha! There is no one right way!

Back to the pamphlet...I learned something very interesting in reading the information he gave me. Now, I had written a paper during college on Wiccan and the role modern day witches play in society so I have more background knowledge than some. So it was very nice to learn something new, especially when it appeals to my anthropological side. What did I learn? Apparently, when Christian missionaries were trying to convert pagans, they got crafty in their methods.. In 601 AD, the pope told his missionaries to use pagan customs in their conversion attempts, rather than preaching against them. If the people worship a tree, then consecrate the tree and let them continue to worship it. Thus, over time, those people were converted by assimilation. Also, the stereotypical myths regarding witches are they they worship Satan. There is no Satan in Wicca. Therefore if there is no belief in it, then they obviously can't be Satanists, can they? :P~~~~~ on you! Ha ha!

I told a coworker that early Christian missionaries were "crafty little devils". Hee hee! Devils, get it?....Ok, I'll quit now.

I may have to check out this group at their regular meeting times. I'm really curious now!