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| If you guessed Fox, you'd be correct. |
It's not like Fox has a particularly clean and sporting reputation. Public opinion holds that Fox News is not true educational journalism but simply entertainment, and I'd have to concur - especially after an article appeared on MediaMatters.org about a trio of hosts stereotyping and attacking Wiccans.
Here's the video proof.
Not only do they repeatedly refer to Wicca as "Wiccanism," but suddenly jump from a figure of 20% (which accounts for the eight standard Wiccan sabbats) to 20 holidays. They continue to stereotype what a standard Wiccan is like, calling us "compulsive Dungeons and Dragons players" or "middle-aged, twice-divorced older [women] living in a rural area." Neither of which I fall under.
Apparently we also "like a lot of incense." Guilty as charged there.
Because it's Fox News, I take it with a grain of salt. In truth, this elaborates on a much larger story and a step forward for Wiccans taking place in my own state. The University of Missouri recently added eight Wiccan and Pagan holidays to their student calendar. Teachers are being asked to refrain from handing out tests on sabbats so as to accommodate Wiccans and Pagans in the classroom. When it comes to religious equality, I'd have to give my state a good pat on the back there.
Some notes after this entry was written:
It seems that MediaMatters.org has taken down the original article. You can find a Google cache of the article here.
Should the video stop working, since I did essentially bum it from their website, there is an alternative version uploaded to Youtube by Marick. You can find that here.
Finally, there is a petition going around demanding that Fox News apologize to Pagans and Wiccans. Sign that petition here.
The took the article down
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,72791,00.html here is part of one article on it
Deletethey took it down out of 'fear'.. too late.
DeleteHere is their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/FOX-Friends-Weekend/529802693713350
DeleteTucker Swanson McNear Carlson is the asshole who took things too far. I hope he gets some SERIOUS backlash over the statements he made. Thank you for not letting this disappear!
DeleteThank you so much for letting me know! I've edited the entry to reflect that.
DeleteHere is the webcache "snapshot" of the article from mediamatters.org
Deletehttp://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Amediamatters.org%2Fblog%2F2013%2F02%2F17%2Ffox-news-attacks-wiccans%2F192713
Thank you for posting this! They did take the article down but thanks to you the video lives :) They won't bury this condemning evidence so easily.
ReplyDeleteThey have also taken down the comments on their facebook page, so.. I put it out on my twitter page.. they can't 'force' me to take it off either.
DeletePost this link on any place you can get the word out on.
I have also sent a private message to Selena, So I expect there will be something said if enough pagans sign the petition and watch FoxNews drown in their own stupidity.
Blessings
MediaMatters.org did take the article down. Fortunately, the video is still working. Someone actually uploaded it to Youtube, so we have a permanent back-up.
DeleteIf i hear wiccanism, again....
ReplyDeleteI nearly spewed all over my screen!
DeleteWhy did they take the article down?
ReplyDeleteThey took it down because the site got bombarded by comments.
DeleteWell, they DID ask if anybody who knew a Wiccan would write and let them know... ;-)
DeleteMy pagan ancestors did not relinquish their spiritual beliefs from gentle spiritual admonition.They were tortured, dispossesed slaughtered and enslaved.Not the proper target of ridicule!
ReplyDeletehttp://mediamatters.org/embed/static/clips/2013/02/17/28929/fnc-fnf-20130217-wiccan
Deletereally!!!!!People fox news is a American channel, we live in America were we are free to practice any religion we choose, as are the Amish,Jewish,Prodesent,Cathlic,Jaohva Witness,The Bretheran. Minnenites ect.......what becuase there is no one book that has it in black white,and Red you are not a religion that falls under the freedom of reliogn act!!!! I don't think so.And you reporters I dont think you thought at all about what you were saying other then talking out your ass!
DeleteI agree thoughly
DeleteI see they didn't comment about christmas/yule and the pine tree in the living room. Just halloween/Samhain a time to cleanse. Well I have been divorsed ONCE I'm older wiser, but I am also married to a mennonite we discuse beliefs often.Its called freedom to choose. Yes I have incense!
DeleteSign this petition and DEMAND Fox News Apologize....
ReplyDeletehttp://witchywords.blogspot.com/2013/02/news-station-attacks-wiccans.html
And what would an apology from FOX accomplish?
DeleteSigned An apology will at least make them think twice about slamming a group as a whole. They would never dream of doing that to Muslims, Jewish etc. Why? Because the would stand up together about it and so should we!
DeleteThankyou so much for posting this!!! We were searching everywhere, they actually took the article down!! There is also a petition going around facebook: http://www.causes.com/actions/1733105-demand-fox-news-apologize-to-pagans-and-wiccans
ReplyDeleteThe goal has been reached, but we are still signing! They need to know how many of us there truly are! We ARE a large number of the population! There are most definitely NOT more Zoroastrians here than there are pagans! There are MILLIONS of us!!! Goddess Bless, brothers and sisters, Stay Strong! )O(
Thank you for the link to the petition! It has been added to the journal entry.
DeleteOOooppps, Heres the link to the petition:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.causes.com/actions/1733105-demand-fox-news-apologize-to-pagans-and-wiccans
Thank you for posting this :) I've already emailed the news station and corrected their errors. I've also signed a petition demanding they apologize.
ReplyDeletethese anchors are pure asshole and ignorants
ReplyDeleteThey should be ashamed of themselves. We should pay them a visit at the studio, with our robes and let them know who we really are. Stupid media and those who run it.
ReplyDeleteThey should be embarrassed! We are everywhere and they're idiots for not doing their before having an offensive public conversation about people they clearly don't know! The lack of good judgment is appalling.
ReplyDeleteFaux News is a scam. Fuck them
ReplyDeleteThis is a disgrace to our way of belief. If we said the things your news caster said about us about christian's or jewish people.. Everyone would be out to hunt us down.. We do not worship the devil nor believe in him. We are all about the EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To say that most Wiccan's are women twice divorce is sexist and hurtful to all women out there weather they are Wiccan or not.. Fox New needs to make those three News Caster's give a Public on Air Live Apology.. We the people of American Deserve this... Oh and Wiccan is covered undered the 2nd and 14th amendment act.
ReplyDeleteIs there anyway to download this fox is trying to get this taken off the web. We need to make sure that doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteWow. Damn.
ReplyDeleteYou are a goddess saving this video!!!!!! Thank you!!! All the proof I have of it is playing it during my rant video on YT :)
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing is the ignorant and stupid watch Fox News religiously (no pun intended) and it makes the ignorant and stupid even more ignorant and stupid by spreading lies and stereotypes. Marick is right, we can't let Fox News try to save their ass by deleting the footage from the internet; they need to start paying a high price for their idiocy.
ReplyDeleteSorry..I'm one of those who does watch FOX news..at least part time. I did not see this item...ad I seen it I would have contacted them. I happen to be Christian, but have had good friends who are/were Wiccan, as well as some who are profezsed atheists, and many other belif systems. I sort of resent being labeled as dumb or ignorant because I watch FOX news part of the time...I don't agree with all they say, but can't handle the extreme drivel of MSM. By the way, I also watch CCTV & RT and LINK TV channels as well as many others...and check many many sites on the net also.
DeleteI think im going to vomit..................
ReplyDeleteNothing like making false statements. Maybe they should have researched before they opened their mouths!
ReplyDeleteHalloween isn't our most sacred holiday! Samhain, which falls on Oct.31 is our New Year. It's a time when we honor our dead. Halloween which is a short form of All Hallows Eve, is a Christian holiday.
ReplyDeleteIf we said the kinds of things about the Christianity these "newscasters" said about Wicca and Paganism, we would be vilified.
I want to be pissed. I really do. But it's Fox News. If I got pissed every time they lied about me (a pagan AND a liberal Democrat) I'd be writing angry letters every second of the day. I understand feeling offended but the best advice I ever got about gossip was CONSIDER ThE SOURCE.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much how I wrote the article. Like I said, take it with a grain of salt and realize that the underlying story is beautiful - a step forward for Pagans and Wiccans everywhere when a school decides to include our sabbats on the calendar.
DeleteFox is notorious for reporting bull#@$& .. and by the way .. Yes indeed Mr Ahole - you are most certainly a bigot!
ReplyDeleteYou would think with them working in the news they would know how to research what they are talking about.
ReplyDelete"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." --Gandhi
ReplyDeleteIf i said that crap about Chirstianity I would be buring on a cross right now
ReplyDeleteIf ignorance is bliss.They must feel orgasmic.
ReplyDeleteTheir ignorance is shown even further by saying the words "Pagans and Wiccans" because, Wiccans ARE Pagans. In fact, any religion other than Christianity, can technically be considered a Pagan religion. As for their comments about "Christian holidays". Every holiday we have now, be it Christmas, Easter and so forth were ALL originally derived from ancient Celtic holidays and then altered to suit the changing times and that IS documented fact. Maybe these morons should read some ancient history books before opening their mouths and looking like total idiots on national television.
ReplyDeleteI saved it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlXEGy20yTc
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I've added this link to the article should the video go down. You've been credited.
DeleteThe article has NOT been taken down. I found it quite easily. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/17/university-missouri-guide-asks-professors-to-accommodate-wiccan-pagan-holidays/
ReplyDeleteThe article taken down that everyone is referencing is the original MediaMatters.org article where I first heard about the incident.
DeleteMIDDLE AGED TWICE DIVORCED OLDER WOMEN??? WHO ARE MID-WIVES AND LIKE TO BURN INCENSE??? ..omg!! WHAT PLANET IS THIS PERSON FROM?? what era is he from??? HOW THAT WOMAN COULD KEEP FROM SLAPPING HIS FACE IS BEYOND ME!!!
ReplyDeleteTwice divorced middle age woman living in a rural area? I am 36 with two Master degrees working on. PhD born in Boston, MA. Never married. Single mother of an Autistic son. I followed my path decades ago despite having a Protestant mother and Catholic father into the loving embrace of My Goddess. My beliefs are no less than thiers.
ReplyDeleteTheir boss is @rupertmurdoch on Twitter. Why not drop him a message?
ReplyDeletethere are sooooo many damn things with this broadcoast--I don't know where to begin!!....FIRST THEY CALL THEM JOURNALISTS!! THAT'S THEIR FIRST ERROR!! a journalist RESEARCHES WHAT THEY BROADCAST..This is just cheap shots!!..DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS?? I just can't get over that sexist statement...twice divorced middle aged woman living in a rural area as a mid-wife...the condescendence is TOO MUCH!! get back in your time machine and return to the 50's and beyond!
ReplyDeleteHOW DARE FOX PUT DOWN THE WICCAN FAITH. I AM WICCAN, I AM NOT TWICE DIVORCED, I DO NOT PLAY DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS. I LIVE IN THE CITY. I AM A BUSINESS OWNER. YES I DO ENJOY INCENSE. I OWN A METAPHYSICAL GIFT SHOP AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT WICCA IS AND WHAT IS FALSE. WE OFFER CLASSES ON ALL TYPES OF BELIEF SYSTEMS. WE OFFER PSYCHIC READINGS. WE TEACH ABOUT THE GOD AND GODDESS. WE LIVE BY THE RULE TO HARM NO ONE. CAN THE GOOD CHRISTIANS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT. THEY ARE SO BUSY CONDEMNING OTHERS THAT DON'T AGREE WITH THEM. THAT IS NOT HARMING NO ONE. WE TEACH ABOUT LOVE. JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEMS. MAYBE IF THESE REPORTS SHOULD REALLY DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT THEIR TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTH AND CONDEMN AN ENTIRE GROUP OF PEOPLE. I HAVE BEEN WICCAN SINCE I WAS 12 YEARS OLD. I AM NOW 54. I WAS EDUCATED IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND DID ALL MY RESEARCH PAPERS ON ALL BELIEF SYSTEMS, AND WICCA SEEMS CLOSEST TO WHAT I TRULY BELIEVED. MAYBE YOU NEED TO DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK AS I KNOW I'VE DONE MINE.
ReplyDeleteokay...let them have their way...take all the paganism out of the world!! guess what's left?? NOT CHRISTRIANITY! that's for damn sure!!...HE'S YELLING ABOUT BEING ABLE TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!! that's a laugh!! CHRISTMAS IS REALLY A PAGAN HOLIDAY!!. Jesus Christ was NOT born december 25th.....HE WAS NOT EVEN BORN IN DECEMBER..!! Christmas is a cover up for celebrating the winter soltice...!! YOU DIDN'T DO YOUR HOMEWORK---!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the video. The one on media matters is currently 404
ReplyDeleteone I don't do it for the holiday 2 I am not a twice divorced single mother and 3 I am very offended by this crap we are a peaceful people who just want to be accepted pagans were around long time we don't judge you so what gives you the right to judge us we don't go door to door trying to force our religion on people and we don't talk junk about other religion so what gives you the right to do and say hurtful things what we belief !!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGeez, we should be having so much fun... ^^
ReplyDeleteComplete idiots!!! How offensive.
ReplyDeleteThis is a travesty! We have been persecuted for centuries because of christianity. They took most of our holidays and made them "christian holidays", then they burned us and murdered us. Now they want to try to publicly ridicule us? This is an injustice for everyone whom is not of the "Christian" faith. What are they going to bring back the holocaust and try the Jews here? They of course rounded up all the muslims after 9/11. They want all our Sabbats and to take some of our symbols so they try to oust us by saying we are bad people. They are the bad closed minded people who are teaching the children intolerance.
ReplyDeleteI am highly offended by Fox News. First off I am not a twice divorced middle-aged midwife, second we don't have 20 holidays, and third we DO make up more of the population than many people know and why don't they know you ask......because of stupid ignorance and smut lies from people like fox news. It's people's ignorance and lack of research that keeps getting us persecuted. Hello this is 2013 and we as Americans have the right to practice any religion we see fit under the constitution. We would be HUNTED down and burnt if we were to say anything at all about another persons religion, so WE don't have to let them talk down to us and make fun and lie, those things are hurtful and unnecessary.I hope that they are made to apologize. If they didn't want to do the research to cover the story properly then they should have found someone that was willing to do the job and do it right. People really need to stop and think before they open their mouth and insert their foot, and in doing so trample on someone else's beliefs and rights to them.
ReplyDeleteBrightest Blessings
)O(
I am pagan and I am married to a Southern Baptist. He is fine with it and we often discuss it. He was even out raged when I showed him the video. He wants to know how they are not out on their butts after something like that.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is Catholic and we have a very healthy relationship, both together and with our individual religions, so I can empathize. My husband also took a deep offense to this video until I reminded him that it's Fox News. The real story is behind the video: the university that added the sabbats to the student calendar. That's a beautiful step forward.
DeleteHere's the article that was taken down.
ReplyDeletehttp://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Amediamatters.org%2Fblog%2F2013%2F02%2F17%2Ffox-news-attacks-wiccans%2F192713
Thank you for nabbing the cached version! I've added it to the article.
DeleteI am an agnostic and largely a sceptic but my love is a proud Witch and that video made me want to tear TC's head from his shoulders.
ReplyDeleteBut then again this is the network that touts ignorance as a virtue.
By the way, I wonder if they ate their god this past Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDrather be a Wiccan, than idiots like these guys, and they are getting paid. Making fun of someone's religion isn't right, no matter what it is. Show why fox news is called the idiots show, it fits. Oh yeah, christians make fun of everyone, even themselves, ever seen more than one church in a town, they can't get along with each other....tee hee..give me the witches anyday.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone found a way to e-mail or contact them? I for one am not middle aged - yet - I've NEVER been married... waiting for the right one believe it or not. I've been Wiccan since I was a teenager. The only decent thing they said is that we are peaceful earth loving people. Otherwise it is clear they didn't do their research AT ALL. 20 holidays! Yes I know all my holidays cause we have 8 Sabbats. 20 holidays still isn't right if you counted the full moon rituals. I don't have a problem with Merry Christmas I have a problem with jerks who get offended when I say anything OTHER THAN Merry Christmas. My boyfriend is Catholic and we have no issues with religious differences. He goes to Mass every Sunday and I host Sabbats with my Pagan friends.
ReplyDeleteAt least on the bright side this is one of the first times such an ignorant news organization said even 1 nice thing about us. Its better than the 100% fear mongering we've seen in the past. Still not enough mind you but hey I will take whatever crappy victories I can get. And kudos to the school for taking our holidays into account.
Has Witchvox seen this? If not they would be VERY interested.
If what was said in this clip was said against Blacks, Gays, Christians, Women, Jews or even Muslims there would a picketing in the streets in front of the Fox News station. I am offended, not because they are exercising their right to free speech, but that they are spreading ignorance with misinformation on Pagan/Wicca religions in a setting where they are expected to be informed and politically correct. Being on national TV one would hope the journalists who discuss topics would do so in a non-judgmental, professional manner and not with sarcastic mockery. He also claims there are more believers in Zoroastrianism today than in Pagan/Wicca. "There about about 11,000 Zoroastrians live in the United States, 6,000 in Canada, 5,000 in England, 2,700 in Australia and 2,200 in the Gulf nations, according to the Fezana Journal survey." They too are considered followers of the Pagan Ideals. He claims this as fact when we have no way of knowing how many of us there are simply because most are in the closet due to this type of ignorance. Our numbers matter not. What does matter is if you are doing a report on the Missouri School honoring Wicca Holidays, research what it is you claim to be in “the-know” about. This segment is offensive and a revisal on what Wicca is needs better reporting. We are not a bunch of frumpy 40+ mid-wives sitting around playing D&D and inhaling incense all day
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. If you replaced the terms Wiccan, Pagan and "wiccanism" ( whatever the hell that is ) with Jewish or Homosexual, that story would have NEVER hit the air.
DeleteIt saddens me that this continues and that so many people in power stand by and allow it. Unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me.
Here is a petition to sign demanding Fox apologize;
ReplyDeletehttp://www.causes.com/actions/1733105-demand-fox-news-apologize-to-pagans-and-wiccans?ctm=more_from_cause#
The petition is already linked in the blog entry.
DeleteAs it currently the # of signatures has now risen over 10,000 and climbing rapidly.
ReplyDeleteI'm a "fundie Christian". I didn't watch the video. I'll give it this. I do not believe as y'all do. One of my best and most trusted friends is a wiccan. I would rather have someone believe in something rather than nothing. My Bible says "judge not...". What that really means if you judge the condition of someone's soul, you are in danger of having yours judged. I know I want mercy and not judgement. That puts me in the position of not judging. Period. It also says "let he who is without sin cast the first stone". By that standard, I have no room to go anywhere near a stone. I'm sorry that y'all are being persecuted. Please remember that not all of us are them.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is Catholic. Believe me when I say I have absolutely nothing against Christianity and I apologize for anyone who has said anything against it here in the blog. The comments do not always reflect my views. I also don't believe it has much to do with the segment above; that is a result of misinformation alone. That being said, we definitely appreciate your support!
DeleteWow, why not try to get your facts first before saying unintelligent things about a belief and culture you so apparently know nothing about. I think I am actually embarrassed for you! Unbelievable...small minded and sophomoric responses.
ReplyDeleteI'm not Wiccan, but I have plenty of friends who identify as either Wiccan or just pagan. I HAD to say something about this, because the sad truth is that there were two segments on this and BOTH were filled with hatred, ignorance, and just plain stupidity.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-lbVv9dZB0
I really enjoyed your video. Thank you so much for passing on more information, particularly as someone of differing faith. It's well appreciated within the Pagan and Wiccan community.
DeleteThis so falls under freedom of religion. I am in between two different religions myself. Buddhism and Wiccan...... I know they are two different religions but I feel that I shouldn't have to choose just one. They coincide as far as I'm concerned. Just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean you can mock it
ReplyDeleteIf you're finding yourself heavily wanting to combine both religions, Eclecticism might be the way to go for you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclecticism#Religion
DeleteWell, even a French like me knows one thing about Foxnews:
ReplyDeleteit's all misinformation!
I posted on this too at my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://blausternschlonge.wordpress.com/2013/02/19/why-cant-fox-news-just-google-wicca-for-15-minutes-before-they-open-their-mouths-on-the-subject/
and would like to add yours as a link especially with the 85 comments that were made there! thank you.
Thank you for the link back! It's much appreciated.
DeleteI must say that this is another reason I quit watching the news. I am a Pagan who has been following this path for nearly 8 years now and I have been serving in the U.S. Military for 5 years. I have found that most, not all, but most, of the people who have something bad to say about any Pagan religion know next to nothing about them.
ReplyDeleteAnd, usually, those people don't even know enough their own religion to hold their own in an argument about religion. Thanks for posting this thread Marietta, Blessed Be.
I discussed this horrible broadcast on my blog, too, after a college friend of mine sent me a link to his video commentary on the broadcast. The whole thing sickens me...but what I think is almost worse are Tucker Carlson's so-called apologies. He told the site FishbowlDC "I probably was unduly harsh. As far as I know, most Wiccans are peaceful taxpayers. I’ve never been mugged by one anyway. So I apologize for hurting anyone’s feelings." Later via Twitter he said "To Wiccans and pagans: Sorry for my pointlessly nasty remarks. Your holidays still confuse me, but you seem like nice people." Talk about a slap in the face! He's sorry for hurting feelings and for the tone of his remarks, but he is NOT sorry for furthering stereotypes and for contributing to bad journalism. Jerk.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in case you don’t feel like going to Missouri’s guide and crunching numbers, the U Missouri guide lists a total of 47 religious holidays. Only eight of those (or 17%, not 20%) are Pagan/Wiccan holidays, and a full 25 (or 53%) are Christian, Jewish, and Islamic holidays. Moreover, 11 of those holidays are exclusively Jewish and another 11 are some iteration of Christian. Tammy Bruce claimed that Pagan holidays outnumbered those of all the other religions on that list. vShe also implied a holiday called “The Festival of Pan” occurs on that list. It doesn't.
at least he admitted that he was pointlessly nasty.
Deletei just got done watching this rather degrading video and i really and pray to the earth mother that these idiots loose there jobs over this
ReplyDeleteFox News is neither fair nor balanced and is a show for Right Wingers who wouldn't have been called conservatives 50 years ago. They hire models instead of journalists to entertain than actually report actual news or investigative reporting.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how the right wing gets math wrong if they go from 20% of 47 = 20. Apparently everyone involved in fact checking at Fox news is an idiot when it comes to doing fractions and percentages. Even if we rounded up to 50 as easier to deal with, that would make 10 holidays. The other holidays of the big 3 religions in America being 25/47 or a bit over half should have been also shown as a comparison.
ReplyDeleteTucker Carlson is an effete snob anyway. Someone probably told him he was smart when he was 3 years old and has been thinking this despite all evidence to the contrary ever since.
They just dont understand what wicca is and who we really are and had no right to make fun of us.
ReplyDeleteWe can't demand an apology. After all, a forced apology is nothing more than a lie and in fact, not an apology at all. I'm proud of the school that added some of our holidays to the calander. That is the real story here. And for the record im 23, happily married to my first husband, i dont play D&D, I live in a beautiful neighborhood, graduated from both, high school and college and I only burn incense during rituals. Bite me fox news!
ReplyDeletei just got done watching this rather degrading video and i really and pray to the earth mother that these idiots loose there jobs over this.
ReplyDelete