A warning to all openly practicing Wiccans, witches and pagans.

[William Knox]

Brothers and Sisters,

It is my hope that the following message will reach as many practitioners of witchcraft and contemporary paganism as possible. Any attention you can bring to this situation in your local area would be greatly appreciated.

I am extremely concerned at the potential for backlash resulting from the negative portrayal of witchcraft in the new WGN America show 'Salem', scheduled to premiere on Sunday, April 20th. I am particularly concerned given that Brannon Braga, the creator of the show, has publicly stated that he intentionally depicted the devil worshiping, blood soaked practices of the witches on his show as "grounded in nature", and this perspective may very well prove hazardous for those of us who practice nature based religions.

I believe it is very important that all openly practicing pagans be prepared to counter any negative public opinion targeting our community with positive educational messages and proactive interfaith outreach. The CPA has filed an official request with WGN America askig that they include a disclaimer somewhere in the show's credits informing their viewers that the witchcraft practices on the show in no way reflect the beliefs or real world practices of Wiccans, witches or other contemporary pagans.

The recently released trailer for 'Salem' can be viewed on the New York Post website at http://nypost.com/2014/01/23/in-salem-the-witches-are-real/ (please be aware that some of the images presented are graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers).

Brightest of Blessings,

Br. TW Knox, OSCM
Chancellor, The Contemporary Pagan Alliance

https://www.facebook.com/THECOPA

[2dsvz2rum4vc3]

Don't EVER confuse US and UK. Britain has a pagan heritage and culture, America does not and never did. Therein lies the issue.

[2dsvz2rum4vc3]

Rather missing the point, Soulfish. America was founded as a christian nation by a fundamental sect. Exactly what part did the original inhabitants play in that ?

[156sdevhgu30b]

I agree with you Soulfish

[156sdevhgu30b]

How does America *not* have a Pagan culture and heritage? You know that before the Europeans came over there were already people living in America? Pagan people. Indigenous people with their own beliefs, practices and ways, ways that are still alive today in many areas. How many of the European Pagan traditions have survived to this day? How many of them are recons or completely fabricated from a couple of stories, myths and dreams of perverts? 

[2dsvz2rum4vc3]

Are you claiming that the non-European population was significant in determining the culture of America ? Think about significant events that determined the heritage/culture of the US - land theft, attempted genocide, slavery, brutal civil war, segregation, etc.

In the UK, christianity was only ever skin deep and there are thriving pagan groups all over the UK. Similarly, elsewhere in northern Europe.