The Bright Side of Witch Burning
Godcast II “The Bright Side of Witch Burning” can be downloaded for free by clicking the DOWN arrow on the SoundCloud player below. Continue to scroll down to view the tracklist and read the full story of what inspired this installment of the Godcast series.
Godcast 2 – THE BRIGHT SIDE OF WITCH BURNING
Yesterday Casey Anthony was found innocent of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony. The “not guilty” verdict resulted in a public outcry, reminiscent of the O.J. Simpson trial back in 1995, as people chastised the jury’s decision and collectively expressed their terminal cynicism toward the US judicial system. All of this happening just ONE day after the 4th of July, a day in which true-blue American’s celebrate their independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain by shooting bottle rockets at one another’s faces. Fore-shame, America! FORE…SHAME!
According to everything I’ve been taught about our justice system, a person is to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Well…not just guilty, but “guilty beyond reasonable doubt.” The State does not have the right to convict anyone, let alone kill them, just because popular opinion screams for it. Refer to the Salem Witch Trials if you want to see how a system of that sort can go horribly awry. Admittedly, our current justice system fails us from time to time, and in extreme cases it actually puts innocent people to death. It’s kind of embarrassing being the only western nation that still implements the death penalty, especially since recent advancements in forensics science has proven that innocent people have been killed in the name of “justice.” By my standards, that is a much worse scenario than the possibility of setting a guilty person free. In the case of Casey Anthony, it is quite possible that she has literally gotten away with murder, but if that’s true then it is not a fault of America’s judicial system. It is a fault of the prosecutors who were unable to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
I am happy to see that some semblance of justice still exists in our court system; a system that should not ever be swayed by appeals to emotion. I am not glad that a potential murderer has been let off the hook (not that I really believe she is off the hook,) but at least an important principle has been upheld. Yes, it is true that the prosecutors proved beyond reasonable doubt that Casey is a horrible mother and an overall disgusting person opinion opinion opinion, but homicide was never proven. They really fudged up, guys.
The Casey Anthony verdict happened on the heals of actual “witch burnings” that are currently taking place in the African country of Kenya. Despite mainstream media’s lack of coverage of this story, I think it’s important to bring it to your attention and draw the connections between the two. These horrific executions were the impetus to my new Godcast mix even before the Anthony trial entered my consciousness. While caught in a YouTube trap, I stumbled upon a witch burning video which reminded me that human lives are still senselessly extinguished in the name of God(s.) I wish I hadn’t seen that video, and I don’t dare share it with you now, but if you’re curious about the details of what’s happening then a simple google search will bear many results.
The gist of the story is that “Christians” in Kenya are hunting down women who are suspected of practicing witchcraft. Thanks to the power and influence of superstition, these women are targeted, rounded up, beaten into submission, placed into a pile of brush and then set aflame. Public opinion (i.e. “common sense”) along with fear of the unknown are used as justifications for these grotesque public executions. If you know about American history at all, then I don’t have to explain to you that our hands are not clean in regard to this sort of thing. “Been there…done that.”
The witch burnings in Kenya have strengthened my conviction that our judicial system absolutely did NOT fail in regard to Casey Anthony’s trial. If she is guilty of her alleged crime, then, I repeat, it is the prosecutors who failed in proving so. Sure, Nancy Grace may have been left with blue balls after soaking her stakes in gasoline for the past two months, and somewhere in Florida votes are still being counted, but I’m proud of the fact that 12 jurors made a decision based on the evidence that was provided to them rather than acting on public opinion or their feeeeeeeelings. If you’re a religious person who is bent out of shape about the outcome of this particular trial, then I recommend that you look on the bright side: If Casey Anthony is guilty then (as you understand it) she will ultimately be judged by the highest authority. Which means…(as you understand it)…she’ll burn in hell for all of eternity. Eeeek! Seriously, all you’re left to do now is show some compassion.
<3
“The Bright Side of Witch Burning” is the second installment of Sage Francis’ “Godcast” podcast series. As the title of this mix suggests, the GODCAST has a religious theme, but the main objective is to share some treats that Uncle Sage has cherry picked out of his personal playlist for your listening pleasure. This collection of music is is peppered with exclusive mixes and religulous dialogue mash-ups. The tracklist is posted below, but please feel free to point out what’s what and who’s who in the comments section of the sound wave.
TRACKLIST:
Blood Vs. Water
God Listens to Slayer
Set Off the Seance
Slow Dance with the Devil in the Pale Moonlight
Everything is Fine in Heaven
Mantra of the Moron
The Lord is Not Your Shepard
RSVP
Whistle While You Witch Burn
Help My Unbelief
Wicked Witchcraft
The Devil is Dope
Bucket Headfuck
The Broccoli Express
Man’s Will to Survive
Why We Still Got Monkeys?
Righteous Holy Faithiest
The Devil Changed my Baby’s Mind
Individual Vs. The Collective
Ain’t the Devil Happy
Many thanks to Jack Oliver for the artwork!
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b says
BENNY TREVINO says
right on!!! cant wait to share this
Gonzo says
The Kenyan Witch hunts took place in '08...
fish says
look at more than the first three google results and you will find that witch hunts have been taking place as recently as last month...i hope 'gonzo' isn't a reference to journalism.
brianne says
thanks - coffee and godcast - my mind and body are awake.
Jamie says
Does it matter if the witch trials took place in '08, they still happened and what makes you think that isn't still going on because even if it isn't, there is still something as equally horrific taking place somewhere in the world. People should focus on the injustice of that.
Jimmygoose.com says
Dude...well said...well done...a masterpiece delivered in time for all those who are outraged over this. At least some people still know whats right and wrong in this country and not to just join the ranks and place death on someone without a reasonable doubt that they are in fact the ones who did it. I give you credit in taking a stand on an issue where you know giving your opinion runs the risk of gaining enemies. Never change. You are inspirational. Thanks!
Nilotic says
Word. I've seen my fair share of videos of people being burned to death and also public executions. The world is definitely fucked up, but this is nothing new. The death penalty is not the only part of the American legal system that's skewed beyond all hope of repair.
I'm pro-life all the way! When it comes to abortion and the death penalty.
sage says
B,
The video I saw was uploaded in 2011 which made me think it happened this year. However, I am searching for stories now and the most recent ones I'm coming across are from 2009. As far as an archaic practice such as witch burning goes, I think 2009 falls under the definition of "recent." However, I may have been mistaken about just how recent. Still looking.
rap legend Jesse Dan says
My friend wrote this book, published last year:
http://www.amazon.ca/Spellbound-Inside-Africas-Witch-Camps/dp/1439120501
Jayna says
Funny, Sage, that you would equate religious or Christian persons would be mad about the verdict, when their basis is forgiveness, sparing lives and leaving judgment to a higher power. Did you poll all those making a public outcry? The reality is that true Christians are not offering public opinion and are silently lifting prayers of healing for that family which will never be the same without that little girl and will be branded for life due to publicity. That's what true Christians do. And those "Christians" in Kenya.... are people who have lived in a barbaric environment for so many generations- their concept of Christianity has not yet been allowed to mature, come full circle and tolerate other beliefs as we have in America. Missionaries who came to teach Christianity in Kenya by no means facilitated complete or perfect converts.
sage says
Jayna,
It's cute that you feel like you speak for "all" Christians. I certainly didn't do that. Nor did I equate religious people with being mad about the verdict. If I did do that, please point out the exact section of writing because I'd like to review it. Perhaps I missed something or voiced my opinion incorrectly. I highly doubt it, but I'd like to see how your delusion of reference applies in this instance. What I believe (know) I said, and what I still maintain, is that if you, or any religious person, believes in the concept of hell then you shouldn't complain about injustice. This woman will suffer eternally in the pits of a hellish hell. Cripes, that's almost impossible to imagine, eh?! Nevertheless, all we can do is feel bad for the lost soul. As for what you said about Kenyan Christians' concept of Christianity not being as mature as yours, that's a whole other discussion for another time.
Jayna says
Sage:
I don't try to speak for all Christians, nor do I try to speak for all Americans, nor do I think they all are in outrage about this trial verdict, as you portray. Neither does the American media represent all American public opinion, just a small segment or whatever they want to promote for the day. But here's your quote: "If you’re a religious person who is bent out of shape about the outcome of this particular trial, then I recommend...."
Why aim your comment at the religious? By definition of religion, they should already know through their faith that they are not the final judge of anything. If they are Christian, by the definition of Christian, they would already know the young Mom will face a higher judgement. Unless you've got lots of folks close to you claiming religion who's attitudes are far from their faith.
I do agree that in our history, as in all matters science, religion, social development, laws,etc. we haven't always known or practiced the ideals, but I don't know that as a country we are alone in that, or that we should be so collectively critical of ourselves as a nation.
Jayna says
It's cool...........
musiccitizens says
"The Bright Side of Witch Burning" is the second installment of Sage Francis' "Godcast" podcast series. As the title of this mix suggests, the GODCAST has a religious theme, but the main objective is to share some treats that Uncle Sage has cherry picked out of his personal playlist for your listening pleasure.
read says
I drop a comment each time I appreciate a post on a site or I have something to
add to the discussion. Usually it's a result of the sincerness
displayed in the post I looked at. And after this post The Bright
Side of Witch Burning | Strange Famous Records.
I was excited enough to post a commenta response :
-) I do have 2 questions for you if it's okay.
Could it be simply me or does it seem like some of the responses appear as if they
are left by brain dead people? :-P And, if you are writing at additional
online social sites, I'd like to keep up with you. Would you list all of
your community pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter
feed?
Would you please cite the sources concerning the witch burnings this year?