Non-Christians only: I was accused of being a witch.

[Valjean]

They think you're a witch? Threaten to turn the whole congregation into chickens. That should give them pause.

Wasn't Jesus subject to similar criticisms, even by his own family?
Didn't he say, in Matthew:
"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."
...and in Luke:
"Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets."

Biblical Christianity is generally critical of critcism: What Does the Bible Say About Criticizing Others?

 

[Subduction Zone]

They think you're a witch? Threaten to turn the whole congregation into chickens. That should give them pause.

Wasn't Jesus subject to similar criticisms, even by his own family?
Didn't he say, in Matthew:
"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."
...and in Luke:
"Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets."

Biblical Christianity is generally critical of critcism: What Does the Bible Say About Criticizing Others?

Doesn't work. People tend to get better.

 

[VoidCat]

Make sure your friend is safe even if she leaves the church. You ever heard of the YouTube Telltale? He was harassed by a group of Christians because he stood up for some rights I can't remember what the whole situation was. He ended up having to move states because folk were sending death threats to him and his daughter. I don't know what kind of christian church it is but if they were asking for your personal info they might be extremists and they mightve meant you harm. Your friend they may already know her info. So whatever happens make sure she isnt in any danger. Im reminded of Greg Locke's church and how he doxxed some people claiming they were witches and they had to go into hiding.

 

[Left Coast]

Peer pressure can make an involuntary act look as if it were voluntary. From the description I would say "No" even if no force or threats were used.

I suspected as much but wanted to confirm.

 

[Father Heathen]

Consider helping her reunite with a Christian community… and then telling her goodbye. She is probably better off without the anti-Christian dramatics.

Let’s be honest. You spend a lot of time obsessing over what you hate about Christians. Instead of focusing on and appreciating what is strong and beautiful about the culture… you’d rather look for the absolute worst examples to paint the entire group in the most negative light possible, probably because of your own painful experiences. Now, you are ruining her relationships with her religious community.

Let her go. It might be the best thing you can do for her. Then, reflect on how you feel about Christianity, or any religion. Instead of focusing on what you hate… let yourself see whatever strength, power, wisdom and beauty can be found. Maybe then you will find it easier to heal your obvious spiritual wounds, while moving forward upon whatever path you’ve set for yourself. Then, maybe after some self improvement and introspection, you can reach out again without being a destructive element in her life.

Those are my suggestions.

Victim blame much?

 

[ChristineM]

She is probably better off without the anti-Christian dramatics.

Looks more to me that the dramatics are coming from the Christian congregation

Let’s be honest. You spend a lot of time obsessing over what you hate about Christians.

There is a lot to dislike.

Instead of focusing on and appreciating what is strong and beautiful about the culture…

? What is strong and beautiful if you are not christian or do something that they don't believe

Now, you are ruining her relationships with her religious community.

Seems to me the congregation has ruined that relationship

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I was upset and frustrated when my friend informed me about the backlash she had been receiving and the accusations made against me because I had forewarned her not to discuss the séance or my helping her with her pastor or anyone else at her church. But she insisted that she hadn't told the pastor or anybody else at the church, and I sensed that she was being honest with me. There were four other people present at the séance, so we suspect it was one of them, or maybe more than one, who either let it slip accidentally or told it intentionally. My friend had kept her promise not to tell them that I'm a psychic medium before the séance began, but it didn't take them long to figure it out. I have gotten into the practice of not directly telling strangers that I'm a medium. If someone is perceptive enough to detect it and ask, though, I will be honest with them and ask them to keep it to themselves. But since I was preoccupied with what was going on before, during, and after the séance, I neglected to directly address that with the other guests.

I will humbly admit that was a mistake on my part, and it's on me. It is a valuable lesson learned to be more cautious in the future.

I called my friend at about 4:00 this morning because I was restless and worried about her and her family. She was glad I called, and she updated me on what was going on. She told me that she and her husband had finally agreed to stand their ground because they were fed up with it. She said that her husband had contacted the pastor directly and told him that they would report the harassment to the church hierarchy and then to the authorities if it didn't stop immediately. She said the pastor argued with her husband for a few minutes, but he firmly stood his ground, and the pastor seemed to realize that her husband meant it, so he begrudgingly relented and vowed that there wouldn't be any more contact between them and he would instruct the other members to cease "chastising" his wife. She also told me that her husband had warned the pastor to leave the psychic medium alone but didn't mention me by name. He told the pastor that we lived in a free nation and that the psychic medium has a right to live as they choose, whether either one of them agrees with it or not. Her husband said that the pastor had begrudgingly agreed not to pursue any retaliation against me either.

My friend and her husband feel somewhat relieved, as do I and my husband. I did promise my husband that I wouldn't participate in another séance like that with people I didn't know. My friend has profusely apologized to me, and she swore never to host another séance. I told her that I thought that was a very good idea. She apologized for not listening to me in the first place, but I told her that I understood her need to have closure about her sister's death. I will say that this whole experience was a lesson learned for us both.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Victim blame much?

My sentiments exactly. As I read the post, it seemed to me like this member was implying that it's my fault that I was threatened and that it's my fault that my friend and her family were being harassed by the pastor and other members of her former church.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Make sure your friend is safe even if she leaves the church. You ever heard of the YouTube Telltale? He was harassed by a group of Christians because he stood up for some rights I can't remember what the whole situation was. He ended up having to move states because folk were sending death threats to him and his daughter. I don't know what kind of christian church it is but if they were asking for your personal info they might be extremists and they mightve meant you harm. Your friend they may already know her info. So whatever happens make sure she isnt in any danger. Im reminded of Greg Locke's church and how he doxxed some people claiming they were witches and they had to go into hiding.

I'm sure that she and her family are safe now. She told me that she and her husband have taken some necessary precautions, but she didn't elaborate on what she meant, and I didn't ask. As of right now, I have resolved to let sleeping dogs lie, and I won't do anything or say more unless a problem arises. And if a problem arises in the near future, then my husband and I will deal with it together.

 

[Father Heathen]

My sentiments exactly. As I read the post, it seemed to me like this member was implying that it's my fault that I was threatened and that it's my fault that my friend and her family were being harassed by the pastor and other members of her former church.

Some people like being edgelord contrarians. Not much depth and not worth taking seriously.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I will say that it astonishes me that we're still hearing about actual witch hunts by Christians in the 21st century. It's also perplexing to me that I was at the center of one for almost a month and didn't even know it. I am, however, grateful to my friend and her husband (who are both genuine Christians) for protecting me from being hunted down and "confronted." My husband is grateful as well. I can't speak for anyone else, but this seems so crazy to me. The irony is that I do not practice witchcraft. I'm a Wiccan, but not a witch.

 

[JDMS]

Some people like being edgelord contrarians. Not much depth and not worth taking seriously.

I was about to reply using that exact word. It's certainly fitting.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

Whatever makes you think this? Doxing is extremely dangerous, these Xians are evil.

As someone with a not-insignificant social media presence, believe me I know. However I say "even if," because depending on the information, there might be nothing that they can do outside their echo chamber. Regardless, their friend withholding that information still shows integrity, even if it was harmless information.

 

[sun rise]

First, thanks for the detailed report. I was concerned. Among other things, having one's spouse stand up and take that kind of action is a wonderful marker for their relationship.

 

[Ashoka]

m reminded of Greg Locke's church and how he doxxed some people claiming they were witches and they had to go into hiding.

I can't stand that man. But, I digress.

 

[Sedim Haba]

As someone with a not-insignificant social media presence, believe me I know. However I say "even if," because depending on the information, there might be nothing that they can do outside their echo chamber. Regardless, their friend withholding that information still shows integrity, even if it was harmless information.

All you need is an address for 'Swatting', which often has fatal consequences.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I suppose ultimately it would depend on what she believes, if she still believes in Christianity or whatever denomination the church she was attending. I don't know if every Christian denomination believes in the same things, as some Christians I've known seem more tolerant in that regard. This sounds like some kind of dangerous bunch at that church, especially if they want to find out your name and confront you. This is the 21st century, not 17th century Salem, and yet there's literally people out there going on a witch hunt.

People are possibly getting sick of me mentioning this at this point, but hundreds of 'witches' are killed each year in Papua New Guinea (a 97% Christian country) to this very day.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

The irony is that I do not practice witchcraft. I'm a Wiccan, but not a witch.

From some points of view, it doesn't matter.
Put it this way, there are certain brands of monotheists who are sure my atheism means I worship the Devil. That's a waaaay less subtle contradiction, but there it is.

 

[Stevicus]

People are possibly getting sick of me mentioning this at this point, but hundreds of 'witches' are killed each year in Papua New Guinea (a 97% Christian country) to this very day.

That's horrifying. Does the government allow it, or don't they try to stop it?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

That's horrifying. Does the government allow it, or don't they try to stop it?

The country is a bit of a shambles, and there are a lot of remote villages where local customs supercede 'law'.

Papua New Guinea fails to end ‘evil’ of sorcery-related violence