WICCA MAKES HISTORY!!!

By Norm Vogel




In 1993, an event occurred that had profound religious significance for Witches everywhere. (No, I'm not talking about the Pope's US visit; do any of us really care about THAT?).


For the first time that I know of, a Christian minister gave a sermon entitled "The TRUTH About Witches" during a church service! And it WAS the Truth!!!


Here's what happened --


This profound event took place on Hallowe'en 1993 at Mt. Horeb United Methodist church, which is located in the sleepy little town of Warren, NJ.


Rev. Jane Bechle became the minister of my wife's Methodist church in July '93. I net her after services on Lughnasadh (which was on a Sunday), & she noticed my Pentagram. During our conversation, she mentioned that she had studied Wicca (under Starhawk!) in college & truly understands what it's all about. She said that was planning on giving a sermon that would explain it to people who wouldn't normally take the trouble to find out!


On Samhain, that talk became Reality. There were about 60-70 people in attendance, including 5 Witches, who heard had about the event. Rev. Bechle began by reciting an "Earth Prayer", thanking the Creator for all that It has given us; each line began with "Blessed Be...."! She then went on to talk about Hallowe'en, which she described as a "Cross Quarter Day" (!) & began telling the history of our Religion, and -- most importantly -- about the "Burning Times"!


One of the things she covered was how the Malleus Maleficarum, "one of the most despicable pieces of literature ever to find it's way on this planet"' was used to exterminate about 9 million women (& men) who were accused of being "witches" by a people who supposedly followed a "God of Love the Prince of Peace"! (WHEW!)


Even tho she didn't describe the actual torture, she didn't mince words, and (in effect) condemned the early Xian Church for it's intolerance, & urged Tolerance TODAY, "not only for Wiccans, but for the Gay Community". She also gave a basic explanation of Modern Witchcraft. I don't exaggerate in the slightest when I say that her sermon literally "took my breath away" A Witch who was sitting next to me remarked, "I'm trying hard not to cry!" Me, too!


There are some (many?) Witches who tend to sneer at "those F---'in Xians" & continually refer to the 9 - 13 million accused "witches" who died during the Burning Times. They've become "Pagan Fundamentalists" & expect tolerance from the Xians, but refuse to give it in return. They seem to pride themselves in their Gross Intolerance.


But, remember this: it wasn't present-day Xians who killed our ancestors (unless you bring reincarnation into it). This argument is just as ridiculous as one that some Blacks used to use in the 6O's: "We hate you, 'cos your ancestors made us slaves!" -- huh????


If you look at Xians today, you might find that most of 'em truly don't know what we do; they have a distorted idea (usually from their church or "Bible-Belt Fundies"), but if you take the trouble to explain our Ways, they usually say "I accept it, even tho it's not the way that I would worship".


I deeply admire Rev. Bechle, because it took an awful lot of guts to do what she did! Imagine the flack she must've gotten from her congregation, bishops, fellow clergy, etc, for daring to enlighten them about a religion that (traditionally) they have slandered for thousands of years! For daring to tell the Truth!!!


(In fact, at least one church member said "I don't feel that it was appropriate to talk about THAT in churchl'! Yes! Let's NOT enlighten anyone with the Truth! Let's keep 'em all in the Middle Ages Mentality!).


I'm not ashamed to say that I had tears in my eyes after her sermon; it was guite a moving experience, for on that day, our religion took "one small step'' toward becoming accepted.


It's people like her (and tolerant Witches) who will meet each other half-way, with understanding & tolerance, that will finally get our religion accepted in the world today.


Thank the Goddess for people like HER!!!! Blessed Be!



EPILOGUE:


About 6 months later, she couldn't "take" all the problems that were occuring. She left that church, and became a Unitarian Minister somewhere in Northern NJ, where she's happily serving the Creator that we ALL worship.