"Wiccan Ritual Killing"
Original Link: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-wiccan-ritual-killing-leaves-three-dead-pensacola-n404256
Our condolences go out to the family of those that ere killed in Pensacola FL. However, there were some egregious statements released to/ by the media. NBC released an article titled "Wiccan Ritual Killing". Escambia County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Andrew Hobbes made the statement that the triple homicide was "connected to some type of Wiccan ritual killing and possibly tied to the Blue Moon". Where the government is concerned Wicca is the all encompassing umbrella that covers legal religion/practices of Wiccans, Pagans, and Witches.
However, Wiccans, Pagans, and Witches are not the same at all. In fact they are very different. Of course this is a side note and not meant to take over the entire topic. So when Sgt. Andrew Hobbes implicated Wiccan practices, he did indeed implicate all of us under that umbrella. This is a false labeling, and prejudice against the Wiccan religion. Wicca is a peaceful earth-based religion, also based on creating positive change and healing for the world. The Wiccan Rede is 'Harm None, do what thee will".
As a Priestess I am disgusted that both NBC and the authorities of Pensacola are blindly assuming and labeling this horrific murder in this manner. It would be best not to implicate the Wiccan religion as a whole. It would be best to refer to this multiple homicide as 'Cult' activity. The idea that Wiccans are involved in such harmful Cult activities, is an egregious misconception.
A large company such as NBC should be more aware about releasing prejudicial and assumptive article titles. If one does their research on history, the Christians have caused more violence and murders than those that are linked to the Wiccan religion. However, that is not to say that I am implicating the Christian religion either. In fact, the majority of Wiccans/Pagans are very accepting of other religions, until they are persecuted by others. In the past, those murders that are supposedly linked to the Wiccan religion are false, and found to be directly tied to Cult activity rather than the Wiccan religion.
In fact, there is a vast difference between the insane actions of Cults, and the Wiccan religious practices. Also, it is a fact that Wiccans do not perform sacrificial rituals during any holiday or full moon. The Blue Moon is no exception to that fact. It has taken years for the Wiccan/Pagan communities to achieve respect, and clear so many misconceptions about our religions. It is egregious that these prejudicial statements were released without any exact evidence, or consultation of an Occult/Religious Professor or specialist. Until it is proven in solid, factual evidence, the article should be recanted. So Mote it Be.