January News

Posted by owner on February 3, 2010

The new year brings more evidence that neopagan thought and occult religious ideas have infiltrated the mainstream of American life. Here are examples gleaned from news sources this January
Air Force Academy Goes The Second Mile

Following intense criticism for enthusiastic commitment to evangelical Christianity the Air Force Academy has officially emphasized religious tolerance. Official reports claimed that the “problem” has been resolved. Not the Air Force is going the second mile, adding an outdoor “worship circle” for those who follow “nature based” or “earth centered” [ie, pagan] faith. The circle overlooks the chapel and visitors center at the Colorado Springs campus, and joins other “sacred spaces” set aside for Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists.

Meeting a Need?

Hour long free programs the last Sunday and Tuesday of the month at the LifeTree Café in Colorado Springs explored the appeal of Wicca and witchcraft. A café representative explained, “there’s a lot of misinformation going around. We’ll hear from people who know the fadcts, and discover that the appeal is of Wiccan and Paganism.”

It’s Magick!

When Julee Higgenbotham fashioned rattles for the Parliament if World Religions to meet in Australia, she had “absolute faith” that one of them would end up in the hands of the Dalai Lama. How could anything else happen? After all, each had been blessed at pagan prayer circles in St Louis, where Julie lives. Sure enough, on the last day of the event the secretary of the Dalai Lama came to accept a shaker from the hands of a pagan from Missouri, wrapped in cloth and twine used at the Pagan Peace Ritual. Other shakers went to leaders of various African and aboriginal tribes. The article, in the January 12th St Louis Post Dispatch, reminds readers that “if enough people focus energy on a goal, good things can happen.”

Pro Witchcraft Novel

In a fiction book titled “Absolution” Canadian author Diana Gendends tells the tale of two girls growing up in Vancouver’s Lower Mainlands. Filled with “strange happenings, telepathic powers, astral travel, and spells that can both heal and paralyze,” the story is loosely based on the author’s own experience. Her hope is that those who read the book will “have a better understanding of Wicca, an ancient way of saying witchcraft.”

Child Sacrifice in Uganda

A BBC news investigative report on human sacrifice in Uganada concluded that the sacrifice of children is “more common than authorities have acknowledged.” One former witch-doctor, who now leads a crusade against child sacrifice, confessed to having murdered 70 persons, including his own son. The practice, which the government admits is on the increase, is linked to the belief that “witchcraft can help people get rich quickly.” One witchdoctor told the BBC, “they capture other people’s children. They bring the heart and the blood directly here to take to the spirits. They bring them in small tins and they place these objects under the tree from which the voices of the spirits are coming.” This particular witchdoctor related that clients come to him on an average of three a week, “with all that the spirits demand from them.”

UAB Exhibit Probes Harry Potter Magick

A traveling exhibit presented by the National Library of Medicine features exhibits that trace the concepts of magic underlying the Harry Potter books to typical “scientific” thinking during the 15th century. Books from University of Alabama at Birmingham collection of rare medical texts reflect some of courses taught at Hogworts, the witchcraft school featured in the Potter books.

Gang Religion Wins Hearing

A prisoner in Virginia has won the right to have his claim that the Virginia State Prison system must recognize Nation of Gods and Earths as a religion. Despite an affidavit filed by the prison department[s Gang Management Unit that the group is a “gang that promoted black supremacy and consistently recruits gang members,” the federal judge allowed the prisoner’s complaint to move forward.

Tract Publisher Labled “Intolerant”

When a FEDEX driver lefts a tract on a car featuring a pentagram and a sticker stating “Goddess Bless America,” the Wiccan owner of the vehicle, a Druid Priestess, complained to the company. The tract was produced by Chick Publications of California, a group called a “hate group” by the Southern Law Poverty Center in Montomery, Ala. The publisher denies
the changes, pointing out that as Christians they see those too whom their tracts speak as “lost,” not enemies. [Not having read any of the tracts, I make no judgment.] FedEx however as spoken to the driver about what they deem his “inappropriate” behavior.

Salem Witch Trades in Baggy Celtic Robes

Leanne Marrama, a member of Salem. Mass. Witch community traded in her baggy witches garment Friday, January 14th. She was given a makeover by the TV show “What Not to Wear,” that tossed out many of her garments. The replacements weren’t shown, though most likely they were black like the clothing rejected.

Psychic Children

A new book by UK resident Joanne Brocas, of Druid Temple Lane, Inverness, tells of her work with psychic youngsters. She’s been helping children “see into the spirit world” and claims that gifted children can talk with ghosts, help them cross over to “the other side,” foretell the future and even change the past. She’s also spoken to the Highland News Group and provided tips on how to recognize children with psychic gifts. The article featured in the Highland News failed to mention the publisher of her book.

Interfaith Series

The British Columbia Interfaith office is sponsoring a series of discussions led by representatives of Christian, Jewish, Wiccan, First Nation [Indian], and other religions. The Anglican chaplain of the University of Victoria, who also serves as a priest in local churches, commented on the surprise of people who discovered that “all priests are not conservative, and that a number of them express progressive views on faith.” The first session in the series featured a “noted filmmaker and spiritual activist” who showed his documentary, “First Light at Cinecenta.”
The Future of Business?

The “Klair Witch Project—Future Proofing Your Business,” has been launched! The project, designed to help businesses get a glimpse of the future and plan accordingly, doesn’t make projections based on data bases and spreadsheets. Their tools are a Crystal Ball, the latest edition scrying bowl, and a set of Cletic runes. One reader of the article asked, “How does one get in touch with them?”

Wicca Welcome in Episcopal Newsletter

The January newsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington featured an article titled Crone Power that included a rite for “croning” along with prayers to “Mothering God” and “Eternal Wisdom.” The author of the report on the article, Jeff Walton, notes that “practices drawn from or inspired by pagan belief, including witchcraft, are increasingly finding acceptance within the ranks of the Episcopal Church.” As additional evidence he sites the influence of the “reimagining” movement of the ‘90’s that encouraged worshippers to refer to God as a feminine deity known as Sophia, and the recent hosting of a Native American smudging ceremony at the National Cathedral during an interfaith conference.

Air Force Faiths

A recent study of the faiths held by airmen showed that 80% identified themselves as “Christian,” with 17% stating no religious preference. The breakdown also showed that the largest group in the remaining 3% identified themselves as Wiccans (1,434), followed by 1,271 Buddhists, 1,148 Jews, 678 Muslims, and 190 Hindus.

Wedding Opportunity

Jennifer and Kurt Harvilak of Westminster, Md, saw their outdoor wedding as an opportunity to educate guests about their pagan faith. Raised Catholic, Jennifer began exploring paganism after she met Kurt, who follows a Viking religion. Now she “venerates the gods and goddesses within nature,” and considers herself a Unversalist Unitarian Pagan. The extensive article in the Sunday, 24 January Carrol County Times goes into an extensive explanation of pagan beliefs and practices.

Bi-Polar Pagan Objects

When Jemma Hawkins’ health worker told her to put away objects reflecting her pagan faith, Jemma, of Stubbington, in the UK, objected. The health worker, who visited often since Jemma’s diagnosis in November to help her with her depression, was concerned about the possible impact of some of the objects on Jemma’s son, 10. The National Health Service agreed with Jemma. The “Living Dead” dolls on display can stay.

No Protection for Paganism?
In a case now before the 9th Circuit Court in California the California Department of Corrections is arguing against a suite filled by Patrick McCullum, who claims its unconstitutional to demy him a pagan chaplain. Currently only chaplains of five faiths [Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Native American] can serve in paid positions in the California prison system. Attorneys for the prison system and the National Legal Foundation are arguing that non-traditional faiths are not to be given equal constitutional protection, as the framers did not have them in mind when the equal protection clauses were written. The effect of a ruling for the prison system would in essence establish two classes of religions: “first class religions,” and “others” not viewed as worthy of full constitutional rights and protections.