Q of the Day: How to Deal With The Ignorant

My teaching schedule, now compounded by a theatre schedule, has been keeping me away from the blog these past couple of weeks, and that may well be the case until May or June. However, I definitely wanted to address an emailed question from a Christian asking for suggestions on how to deal with a friend who constantly insults Christianity, spreads bad information about it, and tries converting Christians to Wicca.

Unfortunately, some people are so wrapped up in their hate that you can't reason with them. I've had people tell me that the reason they are Wiccan is "because I hate Christianity." It's a nonsensical answer that indicates their complete lack of knowledge about Wicca, but it does indicate an unfortunate mindset that exists out there.

I can offer a couple of suggestions. The first to explain to him how offensive you find his behavior. This won't deal with what he may be preaching elsewhere, but it might make your friendship bearable again. Point out that you respect him enough to not try converting him or badmouthing his faith, and that it is reasonable to expect the same respect in return. If he's unwilling to grant even that level of respect, is this even really a friendship?

As far as stopping the nonsense, ask him where he gets his information and start educating yourself on those sources. If it's from a book on Wicca, ask what evidence the author gives for that information...because generally Wiccan authors don't cite sources at all and thus make really lousy sources for any historical claims. Ask for specific historical instances of claims he is making. If he can't answer, the question comes back to "then why are you so sure it happened?" Ask about the author's credentials. If the writer isn't a historian, why does he trust that they know more about history than historians?

And if he's make claims about "ancient Wicca," ask him what he thinks of Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton. It's not about Christianity, but is IS about where Wicca came from. Hutton is both a Wiccan and a professor of history, so its hard to argue that he shouldn't be a good source.

Without knowing the specific pieces of nonsense this friend is spewing, I can only give general suggestions. In general, fight ignorance with information.