Image: Ekaterina Belinskaya
“Since mankind’s dawn, a handful of oppressors have accepted the responsibility over our lives that we should have accepted for ourselves. By doing so, they took our power. By doing nothing, we gave it away. We’ve seen where their way leads, through camps and wars, towards the slaughterhouse.”
Alan Moore
I am ecstatic to be sitting in front of my computer with words ready to flow out of me, I have been unable to get anything more than a few sentences out since Retrograde started.
It felt like I was put on pause, thrown into a storm, unable to handle the waves of emotions or control my ways of communication. The topic for this post hit me out of nowhere this morning before dawn, as I was trying to get back to sleep. I had been thinking about the article I posted in regards to a group of Atheists bringing up a Lawsuit against the U.S Treasury to remove “In God We Trust” from our paper currency. The story was trending on Facebook, and as most of you know I love to check out the trending section.
Sharing a story such as this, especially when it was trending was not the best decision I have ever made.
I wrote an intro saying that I do not personally have a problem with the slogan being on our money, but my point of posting it was to open up a dialogue (I thought with my readership, didn’t realize the entire world would join in) and to say my piece that the Conservatives who said the suit was “without merit” were wrong; the suit does indeed have merit, whether it will actually go anywhere is another story.
The thread of comments proved to me that a majority of Christians have zero, and I mean zero tolerance for anything that is not “their way”. Within minutes that thread was full of bible verses, insults, verbal attacks, mockery, and people telling me “if you don’t like the laws here, then leave”. Firstly, “In God We Trust” is not a Law, let’s not even joke about shit like that. Secondly, the Cherokee blood in me, the fact that both my Grandfather’s served in the military (and my Grandmother), and losing someone in the Iraq war tell me that perhaps it is not I who should be “packing my suitcases” as my right to be here is well established; it’s them who need to leave, but, I as an American, would never tell anyone to leave this country. I especially would not do so primarily on the basis that we are different, otherwise the blood my family gave, all the way back to my Native Ancestors means nothing, and was in vain.
This country was built on the backs of Indigenous People of North America (Native Americans), Slaves (and not just African slaves, there were other ethnicities who experienced, and still experience slavery) and Immigrants who came by the boat load (literally) during the 19th century, specifically 1880-1920.
The Industrial Revolution had begun in the 1820’s, so there was an influx of demand because businessmen wanted to make profit off of this new wave of technology but there weren’t enough workers. By 1824 people of all ages were working in factories but they had no established rights, and the working conditions for many were appalling. It wasn’t until the larger waves of immigrants came did workers finally start striking, and creating Unions, the same Unions that protect millions of Americans today. It was Immigrants, primarily children, who helped give you that cushy pension when you retire.
Good ol’ right wingers should remember that when they turn Immigrants and Refugees away because…‘Merica.
Let me also just throw this out there, this is not a Christian nation. I agree that God is an umbrella term to some but to many it’s not. It is the Christian God, and I think having it on our currency doesn’t represent the melting pot, and multiculturalism that is America. Also, as I learned during the debate, the term itself was basically a “Fuck You” to the Russians (Soviet Union at that time) during the Cold War. We do not need to hold onto remnants of that time period.
The term was originally put on coins starting in the 1860’s, though that didn’t last long, I will link you to the full history at the bottom. It was not until 1956 that the slogan was reintroduced, and then modified again in 1957.
For 4 straights hours I sat there moderating this thread, having to ban many because they just couldn’t have an adult conversation. I was called a devil worshiper, people swore I was an atheist, and I was told that I couldn’t handle a challenging opinion; which is proven to be false by just glancing at that thread right now. Thing is, no one came there reading my introduction or bothered to ask me about my Philosophy, everyone came in with their false presumptions.
I am known for losing my cool, being passionate and a bit hot tempered, but for some reason I can control these aspects of myself much better when dealing with someone who is completely opposite of myself than I do when someone within my community shows their ignorance. I think that is an interesting thing to point out.
There is this misconception that a Witch—a Luciferian Witch at that, has to be a disrespectful person, that we have to be confrontational, that we cannot use logic, or have heated debates without insulting another. I used not one single insult towards an individual, or their belief throughout the entire thread, not once; yet the slurs and derogatory terms coming from people telling me to leave my country were of abundance, all coming from “good Christians”. I do not generalize, or at least I try not to, but to the masses “a Witch is a Witch is a Witch”. And, somehow all Witches are associated with no God, and being in cahoots with the Devil.
When in fact most Witches do not even believe in the Christian Devil. As for not having a God, that couldn’t be further from the truth in many cases. Most Witches do have a patron deity(s) that they pay their respects to, some even worshiping (depending on RHP or LHP). In my opinion Witches are some of the most spiritual beings in existence, but we are demonized, persecuted, and stigmatized. Even still, the Christians want to cry about their struggles, how they are under attack; last time I checked it was not Witches, or Luciferians who were instilling their beliefs on the general population, and Government.
As for the Satanic Temple, and certain Atheist groups who wish to push the limits, they are doing so to prove a point: we are not equal, Christians absolutely have the upper hand in this country, and the only ones denying that are THE CHRISTIANS!
“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
Malcolm X
Look at how Houston did not accept the Greater Church of Lucifer (regardless of how you feel about them) ; what about the protests in Detroit when the statue of Baphomet was erected, or the Satanic ritual that took place on Capitol grounds in Michigan?
Truth is, we are all Americans, not just the Christian Conservatives; they have this deluded mentality that any and every thing different from their belief is an infringement on their rights or somehow it lessens their ability to practice, believe, worship or pray. Referring back to the thread, a few Christians asked, “If Atheists have no religion, why are they so worried about ours”? My immediate thought was to ask them the same, “If your God and Religion are so great, why are you threatened by others not having a religion, or asking for equality”?
Of course I got no answer, but this type of religious extremism is a direct result of mass amounts of people believing that a book meant to be taken as a collection of allegories is factual. Christ is an Archetype of how one should conduct themselves, and yes connections can be made between Christ and Sun Gods throughout history, the fact remains that a majority of Christians do not acknowledge the connections, let alone the existence of anything other than their one God.
I will continue to say this, monotheism is a poison and until we start teaching truth instead of fables we will continue to suffer as a collective. I rarely see a Christian who is the embodiment of what it means to be Christ-like, in many cases it is the Witch, the Occultist, the Luciferian, the Satanist, or the Atheist who conduct themselves in a respectful manner, who treat others as equals, as fellow human beings, and not as “enemies to their cause”.
Humans crave more, they have been seeking the existence, or non-existence of Gods since the beginning of time; I will even go so far to say that an established personal Philosophy is a necessity but that is all that it is, personal. You cannot shove your belief down other people’s throat, especially when that belief is based upon words in a book claimed to be “God’s”.
Yet I get called crazy? Funny how that works.
If our currency should say anything, if there is to be any slogan attached to this once great country it should be, We The People, and that goes for ALL the people within these beautiful borders.
Resources:
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/industrialrev/a/indrevoverview.htm
https://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx
Thank you for your level minded thinking. No matter how people try to instigate you to react, as they themselves are already behaving. I appreciate your posts and look forward to each one. I am glad that you are not bullied or censored by those who would love to shut you out. It is that very narrow mindedness that first led me to look for other avenues for my beliefs. Anyways, I simply wanted to say thank you and to keep up the good work.
Just as you do not wish to be gauged by your fellow witches and satanists, Christians cannot all be lumped together. But to say there is a call for equality, is just laughable. The persecution is real. Perhaps some Christians seem so up in arms, because our faithn rights, and in several countries, our very lives are being threatened. Those who live by true Christian principles realize the benefits of such guidelines. And do not forget, history includes many charitable deeds and rescues, made by Christians.
It is hard to sit by, silent, as Christians are coming under attack. True Christians know that the Word of God is Alive, and applicable to our lives, as well as yours. But it is only tthrough receiving the Holy Spirit, that one can begin to truly understand the words of the Bible. And it is only throufh building and continuously maintaining a relationship with Christ, that will allow any of us who call ourselves His, to be effective in these dark and twisted days.
On behalf of those less seasoned Christians, I apologize for the attacks. As you know, passion is a strong sword…many do not practice using it and come out looking wild and wicked in battle.
No, I cannot be swayed, but not because of some programming or bandwagon mentality…it is because I know my God and I know He is good, and worthy of defense. He can show anyone His goodness…all they need do is ask.
Paying respects to lesser gods is child’s play, once you have recognized the One’s true holiness and power. He is to be revered. Every knee, brothers and sisters…every knee…
I was raised in a Catholic Church, and I know the bible very well. I personally did not choose to maintain that path for my personal Philosophy. Christians are most certainly being killed around the world especially in countries throughout Africa, and the Middle East, I agree with you there. My comment about monotheism goes for all Abrahamic faiths, not just yours. As for Christians in this country being persecuted for their faith, or being oppressed in any way shape or form, show me. There is a separation of Church and State for a reason so please do not use the rebuttal that “God” was removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, I am going to need more than that. I respect other faiths, have no problem with people believing in God, but when my quality of life is infringed upon because a Christian isn’t comfortable, I have a problem. I do not clump all Christians, or any group of people together, I did, and do make generalized statements saying “most” meaning “most that I have come in contact with”. Nowhere in this piece am I blaming ALL Christians. This was not an attack on your faith, not sure why you felt the need to come and defend it. I am also not trying to sway you, or any other Christian to change their belief. In your very comment you are telling me that Christ is the ONLY way, and that very mentality among extremist sects of Christians and Muslims is why we are in the predicament we are. Each religion has this crazy notion that their’s is the only way, that their God is the ONLY God and the ONLY way to Peace, or personal salvation is through this God , be it Allah, Yahweh, or any other name. The path to peace is through myself, not through a God. I can agree to disagree without putting my belief’s onto you. Funny how you can’t afford the same courtesy.
My only comment here is “Congress shall make NO LAW respecting a religion, nor prohibiting the free practice thereof.
Thank you for writing this fine essay.
It’s clearly not fair to hold every Christian responsible for every act of aggression or self-righteous bigotry committed by so-called Christians (just as it is not fair to do likewise with Muslims, Jews, Hindus or any other religious followers). However, Jaclyn raises a good point regarding the ONLY way, and also regarding persecution. I don’t doubt that Christians face persecution for their beliefs in some parts of the world, but there are many parts of the world where they do not, yet claim they do.
Just to clarify for anyone who may read this I don’t hold all Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Satanists, Witches etc. responsible for the actions of their peers; I prefer to deal with people as individuals because that is what we are. However, too many times there is a pattern of intolerance among the Christians I come across. These same Christians also like to talk about persecution when they have never personally experienced it because in the U.S there is no oppression of Christians.
As a fellow Witch I do hold Christians accountable for that which is spoken within their churches and for turning a blind eye to injustices. I do know that not all Christians do so and I do commend those who like Dr. King stand up for EVERYONE’S RIGHTS, not just their own. If you and other Christians feel the sting of this responsibility then there is a reason for that discomfort and you should look in a mirror to understand it. Think of it like this, if Christians are so oppressed in this country then why is it that all a politician has to say is that they are Christian and they get voted in by the hatred they spew out in the name of ‘God’ while saying that the Bible is more important that the US Constitution; how is it that Obama’s religion was so very important an issue for the first four years of his presidency. Would it have been so bad if he had been a Muslim President? How is it that during the 2012 VP Debates between Biden and Ryan that the primary question that arose was how either of these men were going to represent the CHRISTIANS of this nation? Yes, that one made me want to trash the TV, but it was an actual question. Why is Civil Rights still an issue for those who do not fit into a box of Christian, straight, white, and male? You will say, but this is not You. Just by you coming here without thought or the ability to see an issue from another point of view makes you a part of the problem. Yes, there are Christians in other countries who are oppressed, tortured, jailed, and murdered, but you are not living in one of those countries and I have yet to hear from one who does. If you are that concerned for them, then you do need to work to help them and others who are oppressed. Did you know that in Palestine that it’s not just Palestinian Muslims who are oppressed, there are Palestinian Jews and Christians who feel the yoke of apartheid in that occupied land. Yet, Christians are afraid to stand up against the oppressor. You don’t cry over con artists posing as television ministers raking in millions, living on compounds, owning airplanes and yachts. And not paying one penny in taxes. You don’t understand that you are raised with this mentality that everything a Christian does it okay because you are ‘chosen’ and not matter your faults all you have to do is say the name ‘Jesus’ and it gives you a free pass to get your way. It would be kind of nice if you surprised me by stopping and letting what I just wrote sink in and thus help you understand and be able to see the world from a non-Christian POV, but that’s a long shot, right? It would take you realizing that just because you are Christian should mean nothing. This might surprise you but my favorite book is that of Thomas, I find it to be closer to any teachings of Jesus than in the Bible. Remember this: (14) Jesus said to them: If you fast, you will put a sin to your charge; and if you pray, you will be condemned; and if you give alms, you will do harm to your inner spirits. And if you go into any land and walk about in the regions, if they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick among them. For what goes into your mouth will not defile you; but what comes out of your mouth, that is what will defile you. True Christianity is about what you do for others and how you serve your fellow human; not about what can be done for you.