About.com Paganism / Wiccan

UNL Settles Lawsuit

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:31:13 +0000

About a year ago, we saw the case of Jane Doe, the University of Nebraska employee who claimed she was fired for being a witch. The woman, who was hired in February 2007, received satisfactory performance reviews at work. When her employer found out she was a member of the Reclaiming tradition of witchcraft, she was fired and replaced. She originally filed a complaint with the Nebraska Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which "found reasonable cause to believe religious discrimination had taken place."

Now, the university has settled out of court for $40,000. Attorney David Buntain said the university made the offer "solely to compromise the claim ... without admitting the validity of plaintiff's contention or any allegations of wrongdoing by the defendants." The plaintiff's attorneys will take a quarter of her settlement. The article does not state whether or not Jane Doe will be reinstated at her job, which was one of the requests in the original suit.

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

UNL Settles Lawsuit originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 18:31:13.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

"Agora" Finds US Distributor

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:55:21 +0000

The film Agora, starring sci-fi darling Rachel Weisz, has finally found a distrubutor in the United States. The movie tells the story of Hypatia, an enlightened philosopher who lives in Roman-governed Alexandria. As Christianity moves in, shoving the old Pagan ways aside, Hypatia faces the violence of her own world, and the powerlessness of human reason in the face of political change.

Agora, directed by Alejandro Amenabar, has been breaking box-office records in Spain, but American companies were reluctant to stake their claims on something so intellectual and heavy. After all, there are no sparkly vampires or car chases, so despite a good showing in Cannes, the movie basically sat on a shelf for several months. Now Newmarket Films has picked up the U.S. rights, and hopefully it should be available for American viewers some time early next year.

This is one of those movies that I'll probably have to go see alone, because none of my friends are likely to sit through a 2 1/2 hour drama about religion, history, reason, politics, and an intellectual woman who is passionate about both astronomy and the two men in her life. But I'm looking forward to it, and I hear that Weisz' performance is just stunning. Here's hoping Newmarket follows through!

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

"Agora" Finds US Distributor originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 17:55:21.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Should Public School Use Church Facility?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:25:38 +0000

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently filed a complaint against a high school in Enfield, Connecticut, because the district uses local churches for graduation ceremonies. Instead, the ACLU wants the schools to hold the events at a secular location, and they're threatening to file a lawsuit if that doesn't happen.

The group says that "graduating students, their families and other guests are unconstitutionally and "coercively subjected to religious messages as the price of attending high school commencement," and that "students and family members of minority religions, as well as those who do not subscribe to any religion at all, are immersed in a religious environment of a faith not their own."

This is an ongoing issue in many parts of the United States. Churches typically have large facilities, and can accomodate more people that the standard high school gym or auditorium setting. My teenage daughter will be graduating in 2010, and there are approximately 800 kids walking the stage that day to collect diplomas. Factor in the notion that each will invite five to ten parents, siblings, and grandparents. Our school district doesn't have a facility that can accomodate that capacity, so guess where our graduation ceremony is held each year?

The uber-fundamentalist World Harvest Baptist Church, home of evangelist Rod Parsley (and yes, he lives about five minutes away from me in a heavily gated compound).

Now, I live just outside a major metropolitan area with several universities and event centers. I find it hard to believe that no one could come up with a better location that World Harvest -- then again, it's a whole lot closer than anything else. Do I feel like my religious rights will be infringed upon next June when I have to walk into WHBC to watch my kid graduate? Not particularly, truth be told, because I know that even though there will be religious iconography all over the place, I'm there for a graduation ceremony, not a church service. Do I think it would be better to have it in a secular location? Absolutely, but logistically speaking, in my community, I don't know if it's possible.

What about the rest of you folks? Does your local high school have graduation ceremonies in a church or other relgious facility because of space constraints? Is it possible for them to hold it elsewhere, or are you in a community in which the church is the biggest place around?

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

Should Public School Use Church Facility? originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 09:25:38.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Wild Hunt Winter Pledge Drive

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:43:31 +0000

It's no secret that About.com is owned by the New York Times Company, which is why we have advertisers all over the place. Their money helps keep the site free for readers (yes, Virginia, that's why you keep seeing those ads for the Mormon Church). However, the Wild Hunt, which is one of the best resources on the Internet for Pagan news, runs strictly on donations. Jason Pitzl-Waters has put out a call for pledges, and I strongly encourage everyone to go help him out. Even if all you can spare is $5, every little bit helps keep the Wild Hunt ad-free and running daily: The Wild Hunt Winter Pledge Drive

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

Wild Hunt Winter Pledge Drive originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 09:43:31.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

ACLU: Bibles Passed Out in Schools

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:34:40 +0000

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says that school officials in Cheatham County, Tennessee, have not only encouraged prayer at school events, but they've also deliberately tried to promote their own religious beliefs. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of four anonymous students, stating that "a planned prayer took place at graduation; that the Gideons International were allowed to speak to classes and distribute Bibles; that a cross hangs in a classroom; and that a history teacher" was permitted to teach that America is a "Christian nation."

The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the schools to prevent them from continuing these activities. Attorney George Barrett says that the schools' actions discourage students who may have "divergent views." School board attorneys say they have not yet looked into the allegations that the board endorsed or approved the religious actions by schools.

You can read the full text of the complaint here: Doe v. Cheatham County BOE

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

ACLU: Bibles Passed Out in Schools originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 09:34:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Group Boycotts Gap Over Inclusive Ad

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:46:15 +0000

So the other day we talked about the Liberty Counsel's increasingly ridiculous "Naughty or Nice" list, which encourages the faithful to boycott retailers who use the generic word "holidays" in their December advertising, rather than the more demonination-specific "Christmas." Now, the American Family Association is going after the Gap. Why?

Because Gap's super-annoying-yet-still-marginally-cute, Glee-inspired holiday commercial, Happy Whateveryouwannakah, features the line "Go Christmas, Go Hannukah, Go Kwanzaa, Go Solstice!" AFA representative Randy Sharp says the line is just plain offensive.

A Gap rep says their brand "is and has always been an inclusive, accessible brand in which everyone can participate and we embrace diversity across all of our customers, and more importantly respect their beliefs as individuals."

You know, I'm not sure how exactly one can come to the conclusion that inclusiveness is offensive. Really, AFA guys, you're not the only ones who have a December holiday. Even kindergarteners know how to share. Then again, when you're looking at things through the Dominant Religion Lens Filter, I suppose it's really easy to play the victim card. And seriously, is there anyone who's forgotten that Christmas falls on the 25th?

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

Group Boycotts Gap Over Inclusive Ad originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 19:46:15.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

School Internet Policy Questioned

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:58:05 +0000

Here's an interesting story out of Indianapolis. It seems that the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is questioning the Indianapolis school district's Internet use policy, saying that certain restrictions are in fact in violation of the First Amendment. In response to complaints, FFRF has filed a complaint saying that the public school district's "censorship of web content that promotes or provides information about atheistic views... which also censors Wicca, Witchcraft, voodoo rituals or any other for of mysticism, is unlawful" in that it creates discrimination against certain religious viewpoints.

The district's Internet policy does not prohibit access to websites that reference Christianity or Judaism. You can read a copy of the entire policy here: Indy Schools Internet Filtering Policy

What intrigues me is that there are thirty-odd categories of websites that are filtered out by the district's servers. Many of them seem logical - after all, you don't want some fifteen-year-old surfing for porn while he's supposed to be in study hall. However, a few raise some red flags. Under "Alternative Spirituality/Beliefs", the policy reads, "Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism... This category includes sites which discuss or deal with paranormal or unexplained events." So, in addition to students not being able to acces About Pagan/Wiccan, they also can't read about paranormal stuff.

It should also be noted that sites that "provide information, support, or cater to one's sexual orientation or gender identity" are blocked. That means if you're a gay, lesbian, bi or transgender student, you're out of luck if you want to find information on the school's computers.

Now, I get at least a dozen emails a week from students who are interested in information on Wicca and modern Paganism because they want to do a report on it. It seems pretty sad that these kids can't access the information they need, but they'd be able to access a site with Christian information on it. Really, if the school district doesn't want kids reading about one religion, they should block access to websites about all religions.

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

School Internet Policy Questioned originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 11:58:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Leonid Meteor Shower on Nov. 17

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:29:05 +0000

National Geographic has a neat piece about the upcoming Leonid meteor shower, in which you might be able to see anywhere from 30 to 300 shooting stars an hour. Viewers in North America and Europe won't be able to see much when the shower peaks around 445 pm, but scientists say if you go out about twelve hours earlier -- yes, between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. -- you might be able to catch a glimpse. Observers in Asia will probably get the best view.

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

Leonid Meteor Shower on Nov. 17 originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 17:29:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Reader FAQ: Body Fluids in Magic

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:23:41 +0000

A reader writes into the magical e-mail bag, with some concerns about a spell she's read about. She says, "I read about a spell that involves using my own menstrual blood. This is disgusting. Do I have to use it? And do people still use gross stuff like that in spells in 2009?"

Well, first of all, that "gross stuff" comes out of our bodies, and has done so for thousands of years. It's not really all that squicky - in fact, when it first comes out, it's pretty sterile, but that's neither here nor there. Your original question, about "do I have to use it" has a very easy answer -- and that is, "Not if you think it's disgusting."

The second part of your question, about whether people still use bodily fluids in spellwork, can be answered with a "Yes, some folks do." Although it's not used in every single magical tradition, there are a number of trads where the use of body fluids is considered perfectly normal and acceptable. Human fluids, be they blood, semen, urine, or whatever else you can think of, have long been viewed as having some pretty potent magical properties. If you look back at magical practice through history, the use of bodily fluids is nearly universal.

However, if you think it's repuslive, I'd simply recommend you don't use it. For more information on the use of bodily fluids in magic, read on: Body Fluids in Magical Practice.

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

Reader FAQ: Body Fluids in Magic originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 17:23:41.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Lakota Tribe Files Suit in Sedona Case

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:37:52 +0000

Remember the horrific case last month of the Sedona sweatlodge in which three people died? Now a Lakota tribe has filed a lawsuit against the United States, the state of Arizona, James Arthur Ray and the Angel Valley Retreat Center. The complaint states that Lakota ceremonies are sacred, and as such, should never have been appropriated by Ray or anyone else who's not Lakota.

The suit cites the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which says, "if bad men among the whites or other people subject to the authority of the United States shall commit any wrong upon the person or the property of the Indians, the United States will (...) proceed at once to cause the offender to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States, and also reimburse the injured person for the loss sustained."

The lawsuit also charges Ray with committing fraud by "impersonating [an] Indian," and says he "must be held responsible for causing the deaths of the victims and injuries of the survivors, and for the destruction of evidence through the dismantling of the sweat lodge."

In addition to the lawsuit, a number of Native American leaders have gotten together to form the Council of Indigenous Traditional Healers, in hopes that they can "provide guidance and oversight in regards to sacred healing ceremonies." Council members say their goal is not to shut down healing centers that are non-native, but instead to protect people, and make sure that native ceremonies are being performed safely, by those who are qualified to run them.

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!

Lakota Tribe Files Suit in Sedona Case originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 16:37:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this