Do any of the Pagans out there get nervous when someone asks them for a lighter?

There are still witch burnings usually in third world countries, but yes it still happens. In the US it has gotten much better, my life is much different from my GrandMa's or even my Moms lifetime. There is a bit more tolerance than there was but ignorance, intolerance and discrimination still are very widespread in the US.

Wow. Maybe you're experiences have been much different from mine, but it sure sounds like you're determined to be a victim. For starters, if you've been reading Ravenwolf, stop. She lies about witch persecution in such obviously inaccurate ways as to rewrite history by leaps and bounds. She loves making witches feel like picked on little worms).

I'm a witch, and I've dealt with very little hatred. First of all, don't go by what you read online. Remember that the nastiest, most hate-filled people yell the loudest. The vast majority of the modern world doesn't really care about witchcraft. A lot of people think we're flakes, but that's the strongest level of "hatred" I've ever come across. The people that whine that we're Satanists hate everyone else, too.

The "Burning Times" had nothing whatsoever to do with modern Pagans. The Pagans back then were hated, obviously, but the vast majority of people killed were Christians that people accused because they didn't like them. Historians say that Salem was caused by moldy bread that had the same effects as LSD. Do you actually believe that thousands of Pagans were hunted down and killed? Yeah, no. The people then weren't "our people." They were people who had beliefs that were reconstructed by modern people to create new traditions and religions.

Don't let yourself be deluded into thinking that we're perpetual victims. If you live in a developed country, it really isn't an issue.

Nope...religious tolerance is a joke to most religions! When most people say religious tolerance, they mean that you should be tolerant of THEIR religion:) That is the main reason I became Pagan...it is one of the few relgions that actually does teach respect for ALL people!

As for the lighter, if someone asks me, I'm more likely to give them a lecture on smoking! I'm an ayurvedic health counselor.

Yes... I have not heard a single story of a witch being burned at the stake recently so, I'd say things are better than they were.

I live near a lot of water, I am more concerned about sinking like a stone to prove my innocence lol

every Pagan I've ever met has been among the most laid-back, enjoyable people to associate with....only religious fundies seem to have a real problem with Pagans.....

I've been threatened... I'd like to see them try it though! :D

The sad thing is, as christianity declines, the fundamentalism is becoming more concentrated ie Fred Phelps.

No, more and more people are starting to accept Paganism as natural.

No, why would I?

At least they don't stone us anymore.