1.30.2007
Tyra's Witchcraft Adventure!
You would think that with all the Wiccans on reality programs nowadays that it would be passe' for a morning talk-show host to feature them (as was somewhat common in the eighties). But yesterday Tyra Banks, apparently low on women who can't choose which guy to marry and frumpy housewives who need a fashion makeover, decided to trot out some Pagans for the studio audience.
"Tyra's role as talk show host is to educate and enlighten people about topics that are either relevant to our lives, or just too noteworthy to ignore. But at the beginning of this episode, Tyra admitted she had some reluctance about covering this particular subject. The topic was witchcraft, and the occult, controversial practices are more common than you might think. Tyra revealed more than 400,000 people in the U.S. claimed to practice witchcraft, and she introduced us to proponents of various intriguing, yet forbidden, traditions who wanted to shatter misconceptions about their craft."
Phew! Thats a relief. She is here to shatter misconceptions! To educate and enlighten us on these misunderstood faiths. Maybe she got Margot Adler to come on the show? Perhaps some elders in the Pagan community like Ray Buckland, Starhawk, or Isaac Bonewits?
"She welcomed Fiona Horne, an Australian singer/songwriter who practiced Wicca. Fiona had written eight books about the subject and was a star both inside and outside of the pagan world..."
Fionna "Mad Mad House" Horne? That was the expert? Ok, calm down, it can't be that bad. Joining Fiona on stage was model Wrenna Monet, and "Brandy" (if that is her real name) an African-American Witch who has faced suspension at her job for bringing tarot cards to work.
Brandy, Wrenna Monet, and Fiona Horne
So maybe the show will be a little fluffy, but it can be too bad. Wait, she is introducing a feature on another aspect of modern Witchcraft. Maybe now we'll get some good educational content.
"But on the opposing side were "dark witches." Jymie and Vicky were dark witches that owned America's oldest occult shop. Jymie described dark witches as neutral, neither good nor bad. They had their own faith system and moral compass, but she warned that you should not cross them. Jymie explained that the main difference between dark witches and white witches was that white witches did not acknowledge the dark side and tended to live in a fantasy world."
Oh no. Please tell me they aren't going to do or say anything embarrassing.
"While Tyra's cameras filmed one of their ceremonies, Richard described their ritual of blood letting as a way to cleanse oneself of fear and hatred. Jymie talked about some items from her curious collection of relics, such as the last breath from a murderer and the burnt remains of a rapist. She said owning them helped cleanse the world of their negative energy."
Last. Breath. Of. A. Murderer. Why? Have I offended the gods that such torment is visited upon me? At least Tyra isn't confusing Satanists with Wiccans and Witches.
"This brought us to Tyra's next guests, Stanton and Szandora, two members of the Church of Satan. Stanton was literally born into Satanism, as the first child born in the church founded by his grandfather. Stanton revealed that Satanism was half anti-religion and half underground art, comprised of creative people such as musicians and artists. According to him, Satanists were not devil worshipers. Instead, they are people who embraced self-expression, individuality and indulgence. He noted that the best spokesperson for the practice was shock rocker Marilyn Manson."
Keep in mind that the title for this program is "Mysterious Lives of Witches", not "Mysterious Lives of Witches and Two Satanists". Man, this is like a bad flashback to the eighties. All we need now is a born-again saved from the terrors of Paganism.
"We learned how some individuals turn to witchcraft, but has anyone switched back to Christianity? This was a path Sarah took when she realized that white witchcraft was not what it appeared to be...She became a solitary practitioner and felt she had more control over her life as a witch. She explained how she lost control when she believed her spirit guide started leading her to ruin. She talked about the day she attempted suicide and how she found Christianity at college. Through her religious roommates, Sarah got in touch with God. She ended up burning all of her Wicca paraphernalia and never looked back. Sarah now believes that all witchcraft leads to was a dangerous place."
I believe that Tyra has achieved the hat-trick of bad talk shows about "the occult". Witch, Satanist, Born-Again Christian! Please my brothers and sisters in modern Paganism. Unless its Oprah, do NOT go on a morning talk-show. Don't! I know you'll try to rationalize it by thinking that the show producers will get someone worse if you don't go, but you are NO MATCH for them. You will only look stupid, and the show ALWAYS has the last word.
Labels: Christianity, Fiona Horne, Paganism, Pain, Satanism, Tyra Banks, Wicca, Witchcraft
Comments:
Ah yes I too had HIGH hopes, and should have known better. I was really hoping for her to shed light on the subject and Not treat it as she did, I was really disappointed.
that episode was a big let down. What was with the misleading music and images? a bleeding pentagram?
Actually the first group were WICCANS...I was a ceremonialist..try not to get us confused. As far as representing CEREMONIALISTS...I did a good job...probably not what you neo wiccie poos wanted but then I don't care for that religion and it's sheep. For the people yelling for Buckland and Starhawk...again WICCAN! Not all pagans are Wiccan. I was representing elder religions and not tree hugging, bunny fluffing Wiccans.
I'm a born-again Christian, who happens to look like a goth or a witch... LOL, or so some people have told me. Hoping to speak on behalf of other Christians, who are genuine believers of Jesus Christ, I would like to maintain that there are those of us who do not fear other people's 'religious' or 'spiritual' practices, whether they be white or dark witches, hardcore satanists, Muslim, Christian or other religious denominational groups, that participate in relious-based ritual. We may not agree with those practices, but we do not respond in fear, nor do we respond negatively with our lips or encourage adverserial action. Instead, we choose Christ-like behaviour: Quiet reflection, understanding, self-control, wisdom & truth, but above all, the exhibition of true love. I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the practice of true Christianity, especially among Christians & those who have been raised Christian, but have had negative experiences surrounding faith & practice. Unfortunately, most nominal Christians have chosen to respond in fear, as a knee-jerk response to the unknown, instead of employing true love & understanding. Such fear-based responses are what continues to fuel the fire of negative misconceptions about Christianity. In my life, I have found that true spiritual worship of the Creator has nothing to do with 'religious' practice of any sort, or having membership in, or participating in any type of ritualistic practice or group, whether it is white or dark witchcraft or even Christian inspired positive or negative energy ritual. True Christianity has nothing to do with 'ritual', but everything to do with emptying yourself of seeking control or power of any kind. This action alone brings true freedom & personal power. Freedom from the attachment to all ritual acts unclogs the mind, allows the Spirit of God to flow meaningfully, deeply, personally. The false pretense that true worship has to do with participation in groups or ritual begins to wane... becomes useless, insignificant, unnecessary. True and powerful communication between the individual and God (who is neither male nor female) has to do with this: "You [God] do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
I don't think people quite understand this concept at all when it comes to personal freedom, strength & power. From my own experience, pursuing ritualistic witchcraft from an early age has became meaningless, rather a burden, or distraction from true spiritual expression; a hidden cage, and a movement towards the invitation of unseen spiritual forces to come into my life and employ their powers of manipulation over me. These forces are not just 'metaphorical', but as real as the natural world. Those who engage in any 'ritual' practice or attempt to control these forces have unwittingly put themselves into a cage, and in a very unique position... thinking that what they are doing is right and good. This is great personal deception.
Where there is freedom from such things, there is clarity of mind... freedom of true worship... freedom from becoming a puppet of spiritual forces.
This has been my experience as a child of the Most High, an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
Mare.
"...but has anyone switched back to Christianity?"
Classic. Because everyone everywhere starts out Christian until they state otherwise.
Having watched the show, I think the only complaint I could really have was that Tyra seemed to agree with the Born-again Christian, instead of treating all faiths equally and showing no preference.
Also, I don't think it was such a bad thing that she mixed Witches with Satanists because her main audience probably gets them confused all the time! At least they got the basic misconceptions cleared up!
I just saw the Tyra show and found your webpage. As someone who is, for the most part, apathetic, I think you should know that the Tyra show did a lot more for your religion than you realize.
Tyra and Sarah came off as biased and judgemental, while everyone else...Satanists, white witches, dark witches...came off as patient and tolerant.
While you worry about your supersticians being misreprisented... Over 20,000 people have been kiled in the last ten years not for being witches, but being acused of which craft.
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_petraitis/witch_killers.shtml
Some perspective please.
Post a Comment
Ah yes I too had HIGH hopes, and should have known better. I was really hoping for her to shed light on the subject and Not treat it as she did, I was really disappointed.
that episode was a big let down. What was with the misleading music and images? a bleeding pentagram?
Actually the first group were WICCANS...I was a ceremonialist..try not to get us confused. As far as representing CEREMONIALISTS...I did a good job...probably not what you neo wiccie poos wanted but then I don't care for that religion and it's sheep. For the people yelling for Buckland and Starhawk...again WICCAN! Not all pagans are Wiccan. I was representing elder religions and not tree hugging, bunny fluffing Wiccans.
I'm a born-again Christian, who happens to look like a goth or a witch... LOL, or so some people have told me. Hoping to speak on behalf of other Christians, who are genuine believers of Jesus Christ, I would like to maintain that there are those of us who do not fear other people's 'religious' or 'spiritual' practices, whether they be white or dark witches, hardcore satanists, Muslim, Christian or other religious denominational groups, that participate in relious-based ritual. We may not agree with those practices, but we do not respond in fear, nor do we respond negatively with our lips or encourage adverserial action. Instead, we choose Christ-like behaviour: Quiet reflection, understanding, self-control, wisdom & truth, but above all, the exhibition of true love. I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the practice of true Christianity, especially among Christians & those who have been raised Christian, but have had negative experiences surrounding faith & practice. Unfortunately, most nominal Christians have chosen to respond in fear, as a knee-jerk response to the unknown, instead of employing true love & understanding. Such fear-based responses are what continues to fuel the fire of negative misconceptions about Christianity. In my life, I have found that true spiritual worship of the Creator has nothing to do with 'religious' practice of any sort, or having membership in, or participating in any type of ritualistic practice or group, whether it is white or dark witchcraft or even Christian inspired positive or negative energy ritual. True Christianity has nothing to do with 'ritual', but everything to do with emptying yourself of seeking control or power of any kind. This action alone brings true freedom & personal power. Freedom from the attachment to all ritual acts unclogs the mind, allows the Spirit of God to flow meaningfully, deeply, personally. The false pretense that true worship has to do with participation in groups or ritual begins to wane... becomes useless, insignificant, unnecessary. True and powerful communication between the individual and God (who is neither male nor female) has to do with this: "You [God] do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
I don't think people quite understand this concept at all when it comes to personal freedom, strength & power. From my own experience, pursuing ritualistic witchcraft from an early age has became meaningless, rather a burden, or distraction from true spiritual expression; a hidden cage, and a movement towards the invitation of unseen spiritual forces to come into my life and employ their powers of manipulation over me. These forces are not just 'metaphorical', but as real as the natural world. Those who engage in any 'ritual' practice or attempt to control these forces have unwittingly put themselves into a cage, and in a very unique position... thinking that what they are doing is right and good. This is great personal deception.
Where there is freedom from such things, there is clarity of mind... freedom of true worship... freedom from becoming a puppet of spiritual forces.
This has been my experience as a child of the Most High, an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
Mare.
"...but has anyone switched back to Christianity?"
Classic. Because everyone everywhere starts out Christian until they state otherwise.
Having watched the show, I think the only complaint I could really have was that Tyra seemed to agree with the Born-again Christian, instead of treating all faiths equally and showing no preference.
Also, I don't think it was such a bad thing that she mixed Witches with Satanists because her main audience probably gets them confused all the time! At least they got the basic misconceptions cleared up!
I just saw the Tyra show and found your webpage. As someone who is, for the most part, apathetic, I think you should know that the Tyra show did a lot more for your religion than you realize.
Tyra and Sarah came off as biased and judgemental, while everyone else...Satanists, white witches, dark witches...came off as patient and tolerant.
While you worry about your supersticians being misreprisented... Over 20,000 people have been kiled in the last ten years not for being witches, but being acused of which craft.
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_petraitis/witch_killers.shtml
Some perspective please.
Links to this post:
