I think a lot of people view old as equaling "credible". If belly dance is ancient Egyptian, Wicca is tied to an ancient Goddess religion, or tie them in with each other, somehow people feel like they have more credibility today.
I'm a Wiccan Belly Dancer who also likes history, so forcing facts to fit an agenda buggs me too. Our modern Wicca started with Gerald Gardner and modern Raks Sharki started with Badia Masabni. Yes, they pulled from older sources, but what we do today is directly related to their ideals.
I also think that worship/liturgical dances, of any kind, should be kept for that specific audience, and not presented to the unsuspecting public at large.
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