Dispelling Misconceptions for Good

By Ginger Strivelli and Beth Langley

Witches are not evil and do not worship the devil(called Satan by Christians)! Pagans have hundreds of Gods and hundreds of Goddesses and not one single devil. "The Devil" was invented by the Christians within the last two thousand years. Paganism is well over two million years old. In prehistoric times everyone on the planet was a pagan. Every tribe in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Australia worshipped the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and the forces of Mother Nature. Only in Earth's most recent history has the concept of a single God versus the Devil been adopted.

Witches are not amoral. We do not force our will upon others. We do not work "Black magic". We do not do animal or human sacrifices!!! We worship Life and Fertility as the most sacred gifts from the Gods.

Most Witches do not condone, promote or support drug use, promiscuity, infidelity, or manipulation. The APA does not agree with the policies of covens or other pagan groups that perpetuate this misconception. We do not campaign for legalizing drugs, requiring ritual nudity/sexual contact or otherwise fulfilling personal needs for power and control in the name of religon. Certainly consenting adults may choose these behaviors, and the APA recognizes their right to do so. However, the APA and many other pagans worldwide revere nature, respect the Earth and each other; value "family"(however one defines the term!) and simply want to practice their beleifs without persecution.

Many witches practice as "solitaries"-----meaning they practice their beleifs primarily alone, rather than in a coven or group. Solitary Wiccans/witches do not follow strict hierarchal caste systems. This is why the A.P.A. does not have any "High Priestess" there are no low Priestesses so there can be no high priestesses. Some traditions, such as the Gardnerians and Alexandrians, do observe this sort of hierarchy but these are modern movements within "The Old Religion" of Paganism. In ancient times, there is no evidence of degrees of initiation. Thus the APA strives to be a support network for those pagans who do not find a coven meets their needs.

This Halloween season, be kind to a witch! We're nicer than you might think!