Just Ignore It - It Will Go Away
A person on one of the mailing lists I'm on, posted a story about a Michigan man who is running for governor on a platform of impaling various and sundry criminal types. He calls himself a "satanic priest" and claims that the Christian God is his mortal enemy. He says he is running on behalf of the "Vamypres, Witches and Pagans" ticket.
The person who posted the article wanted to know what we should "do" about this man. Someone else posted that we should do nothing, and he would just fade away.
Guess what? I disagree. I've had quite enough of those who have decided to use our choice of religion as a marketing stunt, deliberately denigrating and making a joke out of what we hold sacred. I would guess that the majority of the American public believes that Wiccans are somehow associated with people like this "Michigan Impaler," since we already know that they believe we are satanists and anti-Christian.
I feel it is almost a sacred duty to stand up and say that these wackos do NOT speak for us, that we do NOT agree with them, and they should NOT associate nutjobs with us. There are ways to do this that do not make us look as screechy or whiney as those who use our religion in vain. Let me provide a short example.
When you see a story or article about a whackjob claiming silly religious exemption from things, or touting Wicca or Paganism for illegal or unsavory acts, write a letter to the editor of the publication where you saw it, or to the author. Tell them, respectfully and without rancor, that you, as a Wiccan, do not agree with the statements made, and that the abhorrent behavior is NOT a part of our religion. Don't call names, engage in personal attacks, or otherwise stray from the focus of your annoyance, which should be the misuse of our religion. Remember that the reason you are writing is to separate "us" from "them" in the eyes of the general public.
If only one reader sees this and then says to themselves "Not ALL Wiccans are like THAT one" we have served to educate at least that one individual. Who knows, that person's vote may tip a balance someday towards understanding rather than knee-jerk reactions when people hear the word "Wicca."