I should probably point out at this point that Wiccans (well, at least those whom I’d met), consider this point of view utterly misguided and incredibly offensive.
That’s a bizarre thing to say. Is their offense evidence that I’m wrong? I don’t think so; I’d expect it whether or not they worship demons. Or should I believe something falsely because the truth is offensive? That would go against my values—and, dare I say it, the suggestion is offensive. ;) Or do you want me to lie so I’ll sound less offensive? That risks harm to me (it’s forbidden by the New Testament) and to them (if no one ever tells them the truth, they can’t learn), as well as not being any fun.
No one likes to be called a “demon-worshiper”,
What is true is already so, Owning up to it doesn’t make it worse. Not being open about it doesn’t make it go away.
especially when one is generally a nice person whose main tenet in life is a version of “do no harm”.
Nice people like that deserve truth, not lies, especially when eternity is at stake.
flat-out calling a whole group of people “demon-worshipers” tends to inflame passions rather quickly,
So does calling people Cthulhu-worshipers. But when you read that article, you agreed that it was apt, right? Because you think it’s true. You guys sure seem quick to tell me that my beliefs are offensive, but if I said the same to you, you’d understand why that’s beside the point. If Wiccans worship demons, I desire to believe that Wiccans worship demons; if Wiccans don’t worship demons, I desire to believe that Wiccans don’t worship demons. Sure, it’s offensive and un-PC. If you want me to stop believing it, tell me why you think it’s wrong.
If this weren’t Less Wrong, I’d just slink away now and pretend I never saw this, but:
I don’t understand this comment, but it sounds important. Where can I go and what can I read that will cause me to understand statements like this in the future?