MDS #10 “Religious discrimination and the misappropriation of symbols”, Meeting with Morgana Sythove

Description

Morgana Sythove of Pagan Federation International examines anti-pagan discrimination and the ways pagan, heathen and earth-centred traditions have been misunderstood, stigmatized or persecuted. Drawing on contemporary surveys and human-rights work, she discusses the history of “pagan” as a pejorative, the Inquisition and Doctrine of Discovery, modern accusations of witchcraft in Africa and Asia, faith-based abuse, and the disproportionate vulnerability of indigenous and marginalized communities. She also highlights the 2021 UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks.

The second part considers the misappropriation of religious and indigenous symbols and practices, from the swastika and runes to commercialized ritual traditions, neo-shamanism and modern far-right uses of pagan imagery. In the discussion, Sythove introduces contemporary Paganism and Wicca, earth-centred spirituality, the revival of Slavic and other European pagan traditions, ecological responsibility, and the importance of understanding symbols in their historical and religious contexts. Participants also explore religious freedom, cultural appropriation, suffering, nature, ritual and the role of dialogue in overcoming prejudice.