I don't remember being "taught to fear witches", probably because I was born in 1973 and not 1573; but setting that aside... no, it's not odd at all. Were witches to exist, it would make perfect sense to fear them more than their opponents, just as we would fear Dracula more than Van Helsing
Conditioning people from childhood to believe in things that don't make sense, to suspend disbelief in the name of "faith", to accept what the nice man at the front of the room says as "truth", and to severely punish kids for not complying, creates ideal conditions for full control over the people.
The men (and women) who persecuted witches were likely feared more than the people who were accused. Deflection is a common defense mechanism, especially when your reputation depends on it. Blame others to save yourself. Isn't that what Trump (and everyone else in the Epstein files) is doing.
It's likely the persecutors were more feared than witches, and in any case, there WERE no witches: such creatures never existed. But if they DID exist, it's not at all obvious you should fear the persecutors more; indeed, "persecutors" would be the wrong word.
I suppose your comment on deflection is true enough, although its relevance eludes me. Definitely have no idea why you mentioned Donald Trump or Epstein.
I read (decades ago) that accusations often came after accusers had themselves been accused of a variety of misconducts. Trump/Epstein because their nefarious relationship needs to be kept front and center until justice is served.
