I can't believe that residents actually "called police on Halloween after seeing people in robes performing a candlelight ceremony next to the tower". People are supposed to have religious freedom here in the U.S.

Witches wouldn't tell you you're going to Hell, they don't believe in it.

Wicca was not around before Christianity, that was the Witches, Druids, Celts, etc. "All Wiccans are Witches, but not all Witches are Wiccan." -Danjia Water Fae in her article "So...Your Friend Is a Witch" on witchvox.com Wicca appeared in the 40's and 50's.

I'll have to kick in a few sheckels for the TV. Got enought beer.

I have tolerance… unless it is slammed down my throat! As for being “righteous” you seem to have enough of that for all of us.

Scooby- I’m sorry to hear that this happened to you. I agree I would rather not know what a person’s faith/religion is because it’s not about that for me… it’s about the person.

Gazettefan- Not going to be too big of a TV for $500. smackers I’d opt for the beer and I don’t even drink lol.

HotFlashes- I am accusing you of being a hypocrite because you rail on Christians for being intolerant yet you show no tolerance yourself. Don't be so righteous.

Scooby- I'm sorry your faith in Christianity was shattered because of the behavior of others.

Christians are by no means perfect people. Not all Christians who share their faith are not trying to be judgmental. Many just feel the need to share. I agree that many Christians come across as intolerant and many use the hellfire and brimstone approach to evangelism. I can see that many of you think that I am guilty of that as well. I apologize if that is how it appears. I know very well the teachings of my Savior and the last thing I want to convey is that His disciples are angry, intolerant and judgmental. Christians are supposed to manifest the characteristics of Christ. If I've turned you from the truth I apologize. If I've made you feel condemned I apologize as well. If I've caused to you question what you currently believe and maybe sparked you to ask the question "why" then that, I believe, is a good thing.

I'm thinking of a big giant TV or a ton of beer.

I couldn't agree more with hotflashes. I know so many "Christians" and any one that is not of their faith is doomed to burn in hell for eternity. Now would that be a loving way to live life always judging others? I don't care what faith a person is if they are a good person and live a decent life that is the main thing. I was a Christian and after seeing the behavior of many of these faiths I have washed my hands of it. Just disgusting. I definitely lean toward the Wiccan/Nature based faiths now!

Happypants, don’t even attempt to make me out to sound like an idiot because I am the furthest thing from one. You mention that you are not accepting of the Wiccan faith/beliefs (lets use this shall we since this IS supposed to be the topic here) and then in the same token you mention “challenging someone else’s faith” my question to this is WHY??? Why do you feel the need to challenge them? Why can you not just accept what others believe and roll with it???

When I mentioned that I have never known a Wiccan to try to force their beliefs down my throat… this is a true statement. Yet on the same token I have had my share of Christians telling me it is their way or no way at all. Much like you have come off as on this thread. *don’t even try to deny this*.

I take extreme offense that you had the gall to call me a hypocrite!!! I am the furthest from this! Don’t think that because I have an opinion that this makes me a hypocrite. I’m calling it like a see it and from what I have read here you have come across as someone who believe that if we do not agree with your way of looking at things we are all doomed!

Just callin it like a see it!

LOL gazettefan – keep that gift card and buy yourself something nice, all things happen for a reason, you’re mojo will be just fine lol.

Do I get to keep my 500 hundred dollar gift card?

werpknarly- Explain yourself. That doesn't make sense. 'm the only one who quoted the Bible; "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:4

What was distorted? How do you interpret this scripture?

A buddhist gave me a 500 hundred dollar gift card the other day. Given that I'm a materialist/maximal-realist, I hope it doesn't mess up my mojo.

it interesting/sad how people qoute the bible to justify actions that are contrary to the teaching of jesus..

lakennedy- I guess everyone's opinion is OK except mine? Thanks.

Kid- if you really want to discuss this, we can bring it offline. Shoot me an email if you are really curious.

Scratch the earlier post. Happypants is definitley more terrifying than any Magick practicing witches we'd see in Whtiewater.

so you acknowledge that 'faith is a personal choice' but 'not everyone is right'. if 'there is only one way', please explain how your way is the right way??

kid- my point was to prove that there is such thing as absolute truth. People argue that "Hey, whatever you want to believe, man! If you say Buddah is the way, ok! If someone else says Allah is the way, great! If you choose to view Mother Nature as the answer to it all or if you believe we evolved from apes the right on!

I am saying that this is not the case. There is absolute truth. Not everyone is right. There is only one way.

no it doesnt make sense happy. at all. please explain. how is anything, LOGICALLY proven by a statement of your individual beliefs??

This is sounding like it came right out of the Royal Purple.... UWW campus paper.

warm- you wrote "Ever get the feeling that Ted Sullivan wrote this article purposely just to rile up this type of conversation?" I totally agree. This was the focus of my original post. I am sorry if my post was "dizzying". Perhaps you just cannot follow the logic of the argument regarding absolute truth.

thekid3477- yeah. I said that Absolute truth does exist, logically proved by the statement: "There exists an absolute truth." Make sense?

nurse4u- I wholeheartedly agree that everyone has a choice to believe ehat they want. If I chose to believe that my shoe is divine and holy then so be it. But, just because I say it and personally believe it doesn't mean it is true.

hotflashes- you sound about as intolerant towards Christians as I am being made out to be towards other religions. Can someone say hypocrite?

Faith is a personal choice. I do not condemn someone for the choice they make regarding it. I do however, have the right to share my beliefs. Justr because I am not accepting of or even challenge someone elses faith does not make me judgemental towards that person.

I’m new here, hello everyone. This is why I don’t practice a specific religion. It is people like “Happypants” that scare me into the realization of just how much hatred there really is in this world. I have never met one person that studies Wicca that has made me feel this way – heck I don’t even realize they are Wiccan unless the subject comes up, in other words their beliefs are not pushed on me.

I have always found them to be very loving and caring people. Like someone mentioned earlier unlike some Christians (not saying all… ok well maybe 95% of them) have this notion that if you do not follow their path you will go straight to the depths of hell…. Aren’t we already living there???

oops typo. meant "country."

Happypants-
I feel that religion is a belief shared by many people who express similar ideas. Everyone has that choice here in the USA to practice the religion that they want. It is our Constitutional Right to practice and express that belief without hatred or persecution.
Whether a religion is good/bad as you claim that I said, is not up to me to say. I do not have the authority to make that kinda call, and neither do you. Everyone has the Right to Freedom of Religion.
Do not judge or prosecute. Their are many views and religions, and that is what makes our country a great nation. Our diversity is the foundation that our contry was built upon.

happypants: did you say something about logic in yo last post??

Hey, has anyone seen Criss Angel walk on water or levitate over the Luxor? Very mind blowing!

Do we have nothing of importance to write about anymore?

HappyPants - what church do you preach in? That last post of your's was completely dizzying - grammatically speaking. We get it - you want everyone to believe as you. It's not going to happen. Get over it.

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Ever get the feeling that Ted Sullivan wrote this article purposely just to rile up this type of conversation?

ok, now that was uncalled for, why must someone jump right to the conclusion that it is only Christians that are debating this? ...im not happy to see that an (im assuming educated and intelligent) person such as myself and others on this comment board would simply jump to calling others "idiots". This is why society at large is having trouble accepting us. While i myself am Pagan, i wouldn't simply place the blame on Christians. It could have been someone who was not himself Christian (be it that he was Muslim, Jewish, or part of any other world religion). Even the very guy who was responsible for the crime in the article above was Christian (or not) i wouldn't jump to blame ALL christians or even call some Christians idiots. Every religion has different representations (ex. Fanatical Conservative, Liberal) just as Paganism and Christianity.

I accept all people for who they are. However, this idea that there are no absolutes and that everyone can decide for themselves what is true is ignorant. It is ignorant because the truth has yet to be revealed therefore there is a lack of knowledge.

Some might argue against absolute truth saying it does not exist and those that say it does exist are just intolerant. Absolute truth does exist, logically proved by the statement: "There exists an absolute truth." Suppose we claim this to be false, that is, that there is no such thing as absolute truth. By making that assertion, we claim that the sentence "There exists no absolute truth" is absolutely true. That statement is self-contradictory, so its negation is true: “There exists an absolute truth.”

"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:4

Just to those that are idiots among the Christians: It's spelled Magick. And leave our religion alone until you've studied it.

thats funny. 'false religion'. religion is ALL beleifs, what makes one false, and one not false?? cuz YOU believe it??

I always said there was nothing worse than a religious fanatic and after reading some of the comments I know why. Why is it anyone that doesn't beleive as you do become labeled bad/evil. If you actually read up on what the Wiccans follow it is not unlike the 10 commandments at all. They respect and revere nature and as they say "do harm to none". They believe doing something bad to another person comes back to you 3 fold in misfortune. They don't really believe in the devil as that is more of a Christian idea. How many Wiccans have come beating on your door telling you if you fail to follow their beliefs you will go to hell?? Now if that is loving and kind I say forget it!

this is very simple...all this is, is another guy in a drunken stupor doing something stupid and getting punished for it. Regardless of the rumors of witchcraft around the tower (wether true or false)I see no reason to put any more hype into it than there already is. Furthermore if there WERE witches at the tower (on the night the legend says) they were probably just Pagans who found a nice secluded place so that they wouldn't be discovered or offend anyone and worship in peace.

hgpamy- yes; I meant "hate the sin and love the sinner". Just because I speak my conviction does not mean that I am not being "loving" towards someone. I sense maybe some Holy Spirit conviction going on here? You bring up some GREAT points and I appreciate them. I don't think I am trying to scare anyone by what I wrote. If I see someone putting forth what I believe are false beliefs then I feel compelled to offer my perspective.

Ooooohhhh, witches. Way cool. I haven’t been to a good witch burning in ages. Have they scheduled any yet? Or is it strictly necessary to go through the formality of having a trial before finding the suspects guilty and stoking up a roaring good fire? I hear there’s been a plague of newts in Whitewater, proof positive of a witch infestation. Remember, is she weighs the same as a duck . . . she’s made of wood . . . and therefore . . . a witch!!!

happypants..... did you mean love the sinner, hate the sin. You might want to consider "loving" the sinners before placing such strong statements on the blog. True as they may be, they are from the Bible and how do you back it up?? Other than just showing they are in the Bible?? When many nonchristians read words/statements like those of the christians on this blog they are turned off by the mere thought of christianity. The "scare" tactic doesn't work very well. Think it through and how did Jesus stump the multitudes?? Questions.....Get us thinking. It gets me thinking. Many people like a good discussion, most people are repulsed by threats, scares and fingerpointing words. It only closes the mind.

I know many people who call themselves "Witches" and they are wonderful people. Paganism is an earth-based religion and most "Witches" follow a European path, not much different than Native American spirituality. The term "Wicca" came about in the 60's or 70's but is based on what we believe are ancient European religious practices which pre-date Christianity. There is nothing scary about modern day Witches or Pagans. They are just regular folk who are very in tune with nature, history and their own spirituality.

Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary is a wonderful, wise woman who does amazing things for the Pagan community. She was at Beloit College's "Roman Holiday" this Spring and although the weather was chilly, had a great turn out for her ritual celebrating Spring.

Not everyone is Christian and those who are not are not evil, just different. Ask questions. We're not going to hex you for doing so...hahaha ;)

nurse4u- Wicca may have been around longer than Christianity but that has nothing to do with it's merit as a religion. Are you implying that since it so old, it must be good?

Ever since the fall of Lucifer from heaven to earth, evil has reared it's ugly head and unfortunately manifests itself in false religions such as Wicca.

I am a Christian and am a strong believer in love the sin, hate the sinner. Actually, my heart breaks for those who are deceived into thinking there is another way.

Got this from a magazine publication....."The largest Witchcraft-Pagan organization is the Church of Circle Wicca, based in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, and founded in 1975 by Selena Fox and Jim Alan." Based in Wisconsin, nice. By the way I found out that Wicca witches "are forbidden to do curses". But there are other "witches" out there that do.

Are you serious?....And what makes you think that the Harry Potter shield charm works??? That is so funny. Use movie character lingo. LOL Maybe you could get out your lucky rabbit's foot too. LOL. So what do you think is behind the witch/wicca stuff anyways?? And Harry potter stuff too?? Just magic?? What makes magic, magic??

Wicca is a religion that has been around before christianity began. Modern reconstruction has evolved the religion. It is not "evil", mostly based on nature.
The watertower is the one near Starin Park correct?
I can't believe I lived there for years without hearing all of this!

hgpamy:
If someone tried to curse me, I would say "Protego!" (Harry Potter shield charm)

Well I am wondering for those of you who think that Foxyrousch (or whatever their username was) is more scarey than the witches.....what makes her/he more scarey?? If you did a search on witches and "wicca" you would find it to be very real and there are alot of practicing "witches" everywhere. There seems to be one in downtown Janesville with their weather vane and flag on top of their very purple house facing the courthouse. If you were to come face to face with one and they approached you and "cursed" you or tried to talk to you about their group what exactly would you do or say?? Just wondering.

I am a UWW alum. There are tunnels that connect some houses on Main St. I have seen the entrance to one of the tunnels though have never gone into it (it was boarded up enough so that the roomies and I couldn't).

Yay for spooky ghost stories. I hope they talk about the Walworth County big foot next!

Wow! What a timely article (insert sarcasm here). The movie hasn't even started filming yet (the director on YouTube states it is a pre-production trailer) and it isn't even Halloween.

I enjoy reading Gazetteextra.com for it's humorous content. I get real news from other sources.

I watched the video and i do not beleive it is whitewater, wis they are talking about. I think it is somewhere else, the scene they show of the fire is not really a picture of the building that burnt in whitewater. i could be wrong but i dont recognise anything in the viveo and i lived there for about 18 years

From what I remember, the fence curve in to keep the witches in. Eeery, yes, but to each their own beliefs.

The book Weird Wisconsin talks about Whitewater's spooky past. Check out the book. It's a good read!

I lived in Whitewater and had family & friends there & I heard some stuff about witches but everyone always was dismissive about it. Interesting urban legend!

foxyrousch - I noticed that you are capping numerous words (yelling in a sense), which is what many people will do, to get their point across. What if there are those in this forum who do not happen to worship Christ - then what? You may as well preach to the wall next to you.

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Many people consider themselves to be "witches" in this world the problem with that is that society has no idea what that term means. The word "witch" is derived from the word "wicca". The majority of these people are no different from anyone else: they are peaceful, caring, family-oriented individuals. I could elaborate further but I won't simply because it seems that if everyone is not worshipping the same as you, foxy, I'm sure your thoughts are that they will all burn in hell. This is typical.

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It isn't the 'witches' of the world that I am worried about, foxy; it is the people such as yourself. I cannot imagine living with such burning judgmental hatred.

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It's funny how a few hardcore Christians cannot remember some of the sweetest words of the good book: "Judge ye not lest ye not be judged."

I think foxyrousch is a little scarier than any witch that's up in Whitewater.
Interesting story.
Maybe we should have a Ouija Board/blog meeting up there sometime...anyone in? Foxyrousch, Billyray?
lol.

my wife is a witch

Amen, BillyRay!! Revenge is mine "SAITH THE LORD!" God will handle Satan...we are to focus ONLY on Jesus! We are to focus on the LIGHT (JESUS)... and God will take care of Satan in HIS own time. God doesn't let Satan do anymore to man than man can handle...and God protects HIS children! AMEN!! Do not EVER play around with occult of ANY kind, the BIBLE says to stay away from it! I'm on the Lord's Side...are you?? Choose the right "SIDE" before it's too late!!

There are three cemetaries in WW so the odds of them forming a triangle of some sort don't seem that staggering.
Like several of the rest of you I am a UW-W graduate. I once lived in a house on the corner of Main and Cottage and there were weird witch like symbols painted on the floor of the attic. Nothing strange ever happened while I was living there. I'd heard that on ocassion for no obvious reason the telephone company's system would go goofey. The old telephone company offices were located in what had been the Morris Pratt Institute on the corner of Freemont and Center. The water tower thing, the death book and tunnels are news to me. I'd never heard those parts of the legend.

4Real: That's one I remember. And the tower in Starin Park was called the witch tower.

whydoyouask – I thought the same thing about the title of the post. I met my ex-wife at UW-W and wondered if the article was about her and her friends.

Sorry, I misread the title of this post ... I was here to comment on the indifferent attitudes of UW-W co-eds ....

:)

Beloit College too has this type of legend.
It is said that if one lays on the mounds on campus you can feel them quake.

I had a prof back in the 60's there who certainly fit the bill. Go Warhawks!

I, too am a UWW grad. There is also the story about how the barbed wire that encircled the water tower faced in and not out. As if it were there to keep something in, and not keep curious college kids out... :-)

Thanks for the good laugh, Billy Ray. (rolls eyes)
I also graduated from UWW and this is the first I've ever heard of this. I'll probably watch the movie ... sounds interesting.

I new of a Church Youth Group back in the 80's that went up their to "battle" satan through spiritual warfare. Pray against the evil spirits of the witches. The Pastor ended up with cancer, 3 of the teens ended up with different forms of cancer. 2 have since died (Brain Tumor and Liver Cancer) in their late 20's or early 30's. There was only like 8 of them up at the water tower on Halloween that night. Those odds just don't seem to add up. The spirit realm is real. I don't challenge Satan on any front. The battle belongs to the Lord. We are victorious because of what Jesus did on the Cross; therefore, I don't need to worry about what the enemy (Satan) can do. I focus on the Lord and he takes care of the enemy.

The Legend of the Witches of Whitewater continue.... of course, it also borders the UWW campus. EEE RRR YYYY!!

Yes, I am happy to be a UWW graduate! No, I don't believe in that stuff.