Before you come in here wanting to try and "save" or "convert" someone, please read the following letter: This post is reposted from the MicroSoftNetwork, with permission of the author (by way of Herb Mitchell in PODS.) I think it could be a welcome addition throughout PODS and the Internet... From: TheWayfairingOne Date: Sunday, August 18, 1996 11:21 AM To: Pagan/Wicca Subject: To the Christians Who Visit Our Grove (BBS) You may think that you are the first to visit our humble grove, to "witness" to us, to tell us of the "wrongness" of our ways. You may think that it is your place to "correct" us and "save" our souls. You may think that we're a bunch of "Satan loving" and "baby sacrificing" sinners. You may think that yours is the only "true" religion and that we need to be reminded of your "authority." We have had many come to our grove, most to preach. We have been told that your Jesus is the only savior, according to your Bible. We have been criticized for our loving, peaceful way. We don't accept your Bible as the only authority, nor do we accept your God's claim that He is the only God. (BTW, I, for one, have read the Bible 3 times, and was astounded by the murder, war, and destruction done in your God's name!) What about all the other religions in the World? What about all the atrocities performed in the name of your God and Christ? (If you need examples, I will gladly furnish them.) All we ask is that, if you visit our grove, you come in friendship, to listen and share, not preach and criticize. We don't go to your BBS or home and preach, condemn, criticize, abuse. You might even learn that we are real people, with the trials and tribulations of others. But, we also suffer because of our beliefs and have to deal with those who have no idea what we believe. I feel that this path we tread is a difficult one, and not one for the timid soul, because we have to choose to "stay in the closet" and not be true to ourselves, or to be public and suffer abuse from the ignorant. What if you were accused of sacrificing babies? Wouldn't you be horrified and hostile? What if you were told that your God and Jesus were "Satan"? What if you were judged and prejudiced because of ancient lies that have not, as of yet, been corrected? What if you were constantly told that the only way to "heaven" was through the Goddess, not your God and Jesus? (If "heaven" really was a place where everyone wears white robes and spends eternity singing praises to your God, I'm sorry but I, for one, would rather keep celebrating the Goddesses and Gods that touch my soul.) If you really want to know about our beliefs and our practices, just ask. You will find many different answers, but, at the heart, there is one thing that we all hold true: Love is ALL. Signed, ~Wayf PS - To those Christians who come to listen and share, welcome and pull up a chair! To those that have joined us in our conversations and treated us with respect, thank you. We appreciate you - if we haven't told you before. (end open letter)