Oy Vey-ganism
Dear Long Island Press:
Thank you very much for your informative article “Religion: Other” [May 27] about paganism. My husband and I are practicing Catholics, and have encountered witches in our lives, as co-tenants in various apartments we have rented. What your article doesn’t say is that their casting of spells is not always innocent, and if they don’t like someone you had best beware. In our current apartment, there was a particularly spiteful witch living below us, and through intense prayer and blessings of the house (many of the prayers in Latin, derived from exorcism dogma) she finally moved out. In our opinion, witchery is not much different from the voodooism practiced by the Santeria and other feared “religions,” and it is fine if they keep it to themselves, but the very idea that they believe in casting spells is extremely creepy.
Also thank you for mentioning the Suffolk County towns that are a hotbed for witch activity. If you will recall, in the town of Northport many years ago there was a sensational ritual murder done by a young man practicing Satanism (I seem to recall his first name was Ricky), so we were not surprised to see Northport among the towns; however, the story of Sayville and its connection to the town of Salem, Mass. was very interesting and educational. How about a follow-up article (or a few rebuttal letters, which I am sure you will receive) about the negative side of paganism and witchery? As Americans, my husband and I totally believe in the First Amendment freedoms (for example, we support gay marriage) but when it comes to having pentagrams on tombstones and sorcery stores, we are very uncomfortable with this due to the negative energy it brings around. Don’t let the paganists kid you, their “religion” is not based on loving nature and certainly not on loving God, but on using evil divinations to exert control over those around them, and ultimately this power does come from the dark angel downstairs, though they never publicly admit to that.
Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous
Rego Park
Jaclyn Gallucci’s story on Long Island paganism [“Religion: Other,” May 27] brought followers of all kinds of religions to the Press website to voice their opinion. Here is a handful:
Terrific article. As a member of the LI pagan community it is a breath of fresh air to see a positive article on my faith. And it’s not even Halloween!
Amy
How can you defend witchcraft in the light of what the Bible says first to the Jew and then to the Christian, how that witchcraft is an abomination to the Lord, and rebellion is the sin of witchcraft?
“Spiritism” without the Holy Spirit is not spiritual at all. There is only one God, one Lord, one Body, one Baptism, one Spirit. He is also a Person. There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end are the ways of death. Narrow is the way that leads to life and few find it—Jesus Christ.
Corinne
I didn’t even realize there were so many places dedicated to Wicca on the Island. I am a general Pagan myself, but I wouldn’t mind going to these places and “talking shop” as it were with others. Wonderful article!
Tyrna
Thanks for a well-researched, well-thought out and moreover well-written article, that for a change wasn’t written during Samhain and Halloween…Kudos. As one of those healthy, married, professional witches (I’m a librarian) that are on line behind you at the store, I say thanks for reminding others that it’s the smile in my heart, not the pentacle on my finger, that should concern others.
Tanor Dracon Hearthfyre
