New Salem Witch Trials exhibit re-examines the meaning of "witch"

[thomdunn]

Originally published at: New Salem Witch Trials exhibit re-examines the meaning of "witch" | Boing Boing

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[Brainspore]

@thomdunn

They call themselves neo-pagans, occultists, herbalists, healers and Wiccan high priestesses. Accompanying each of the 13 portraits is a short text explaining how each woman defines what it means to be a witch.

Of course it’s almost certain that none of the people condemned in Salem’s infamous Witch Trials identified as any of those things, much less as witches. They probably all identified as Christians, killed by other people who identified as Christians.

I haven’t read any credible accounts of people self-identifying as witches prior to the neopaganism/Wicca movements of the early 20th Century.

So it’s a bit of cosmic irony that Salem, by condemning people falsely accused of being witches, ultimately made itself into a real-life destination for people who DO think of themselves as witches.

[thomdunn]

@Brainspore

it’s a bit of cosmic irony that Salem, by condemning people falsely accused of being witches, ultimately made itself into a real-life destination for people who DO think of themselves as witches.

I also went to a great drag show in Salem a few weeks ago, so there’s that.

[anothernewbbaccount]

@thomdunn

a great drag show in Salem

And Salem Witch Trials is an anagram of Male’s Trial Switch

[GulliverFoyle]

@Brainspore

Of course it’s almost certain that none of the people condemned in Salem’s infamous Witch Trials identified as any of those things, much less as witches.

Yeah, I’m not thrilled about what was a human rights atrocity being appropriated by neo-pagans and Wiccans, but anything that sheds light on the evil that was the Salem Witch Trials and other similar witch hunts by bloodthirsty Puritan hypocrites is still a win.

[prooftheory]

The trials didn’t really ever stop happening.

QAnon accuses Michael Flynn of being a Satanist

#Pizzagate Is the ‘Satanic Panic’ of Our Age—but This Time, the President’s...

[LDoBe]

And Ironically enough, the Satanic Temple fights for human rights, religious freedom, bodily autonomy, and public health.

[prooftheory]

I think part of why the qnuts are using the term “luciferism” is to make it clear that they aren’t talking about those folks, even though I am sure they think that all satanists, witches etc. are also secretly eating children or whatever.

[LDoBe]

I’m one of those godless atheists myself, but I can’t manage fresh unbaptized baby, it doesn’t fit into my diet. I can only really go with the low cal baby skin as seasoning on things.

[anon94804983]

The various writers got it right most of the time, but

The words of Mary Esty, who was hung in the last group of murders

Meat and art is hung, people are hanged.

Witch trials were primarily a way for already wealthy landowners and the church (same thing, really) to steal property from less privileged folk, mostly women. Having them publicly executed provided extra-disgusting entertainment for the locals. Fucking appalling.

Does any organized religion on this planet not have a shitload of fucking appalling abuse for which it should atone?

[smulder]

The Witch Official Trailer #2 (2016) - Ralph Ineson, Anya Taylor-Joy Horror Movie HD

[anothernewbbaccount]

@prooftheory

the term “luciferism”

And then there’s this…
(Apologies - it is The Sun)

Couple win battle to name son Lucifer after registrar tried to bar them

And this, from just this week… (screenshotted because full article is behind paywall - and it is another Murdoch rag)

[thomdunn]

There’s probably something to be said about certain Wicca and Neo-Pagan traditions as appropriations of indigenous Gael/Celt/Britonnic traditions, too — but similarly, I’d rather stick it to the asshole Christians.

[GulliverFoyle]

@thomdunn

but similarly, I’d rather stick it to the asshole Christians.

Aye, though I personally use the term xtian for these assholes, people who claim to follow the teachings of Christ but are far more enamored with nailing others to a cross.