I have two pieces in this month’s issue of Witch Way Magazine. One is a ritual to say good-bye to a familiar that has passed on. This is so important in honoring the life of our pets.
The second is a philosophical piece about how Pagans and Christians need to love one another better, starting with us. To Christians the “evil Pagan” trope is still alive, unfortunately, but thanks to freedom of religion we have protections in the U.S. and the ability to combat lies that our faith is ungodly or “devil worship.”
Honoring the male and female aspect of our creators and worshipping in more physical ways (like meditation, ritual, and spellwork) is highly spiritual and incredibly enlighting for those who choose to. It is anything but evil when done with the proper intentions.
Just as there are a small portion of Christians who use their faith to harm others, there have been Pagans who have done the same. That happens in every group of people, sadly. BUT, thankfully, most people worship for their benefit and the benefit of others.
I plan to write a companion piece arguing why Christians should accept that the ancient Pagan religions are not evil and should be, at the very least, tolerated like Judism, Buddhism, and other religions. Especially being that Pagan customs from Celtic faiths are so similar to those of some Christian practices.
I know this will be a difficult undertaking. And getting anyone to publish it will be fun. But faith is made to enrich our lives, not divide. And so I will continue to focus on our similarities instead of falling for the hatred that breeds when we point fingers and villify other people’s beliefs.
Jessica Marie Baumgartner 
What a valuable reflection. I like how you promote respect and understanding between different beliefs. It’s a necessary message: faith should unite us, not separate us.