The Daily Apostate

Indian seer donates blood to create awareness

2010-08-19T05:15:00.000-05:00

This is a short piece that simply states how a seer in India, named Chandrashekhar Swami, donated blood at a clinic. This doesn't seem to be a very exciting story to American eyes, but I wanted to point out that this is a good thing. To embrace spirituality and live out it's principles is good, and there is certainly a lot we can learn from people practicing indigenous faiths around the world. However, it is also very nice to see a person who will do more than simply blindly follow and encourage others to drop needless superstitions that hurt themselves and others in the long run. In a country with as many health care and poverty issues as India, I'm sure that this may be especially important. I will probably never meet this man, or even see his name in the media again, but I laud his efforts.

The Times of India
Full article

Shadow Stonehenge discovered at historic site

2010-08-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

This is kind of old news by now, but in case you haven't heard, there was a secondary ceremonial site located almost 3,000 feet from Stonehenge, the famed monument in southern England. British archaeologists say that it is the first significant discovery in the area surrounding Stonehenge in fifty years. It has two entrances, one at the north-east, and the other at the southwest of the circle which contained a burial mound as well. The site was not found by digging but rather through subterranean scanning technology. It's detailed uses are obviously not known, but it's archaeological implications are huge.

NPR
Full article

Stone age dwelling Britain's oldest surviving house

2010-08-18T05:15:00.004-05:00

An ancient dwelling, dating back as far as 8500 B.C. has been found by a team of archaeologists from the Universities of Manchester and York in Yorkshire County in the United Kingdom. It is a rare find that hints at having been rebuilt several times. It may be so old that the house may have been built when the British Isles were still part of the European mainland. A few artifacts have been found as well, the most interesting of which, are the tops of deer skulls which may have been used as masks. While this suggests ritual activities, it is far too early to begin speculating on the function of the space, or very much else detail for that matter. There are a couple of pictures included in the original article, which is linked to at the bottom of this entry.

CBS News
Full article

Virginia woman fights 'fortune teller' label

2010-08-18T05:00:00.002-05:00

In Chesterfield County, Va., it is apparently required to submit five references to the chief of police to ask for a business license if you are going into business as a fortune teller. When one woman, Patricia Moore-King wanted to open a business as a spiritual counselor, she was denied on the basis that she had to go the route of setting up as a fortune teller. This eventually led to her suing the county, claiming religious discrimination because of the fortune teller label.

This is an interesting case because to most people this would probably seem a trivial difference between titles, if they recognized any at all. Most Pagans would see the difference, I think. A fortune teller uses methods of divination to attempt to forecast future events. A spiritual counselor uses divination methods, perhaps even the same ones, to communicate with deities or spirits to attempt to find solutions to the client's problems. I wonder however, what would be said if charismatic and evangelical spiritual leaders of the Christian faith were made to file for a business license as fortune tellers for offering services where people claimed revelations from the Christian god and spoke in tongues, for instance. It will be interesting to see if Ms. Moore-King gets very far with this lawsuit.

The Washington Post
Full article

Is America ready for a Hindu sweetheart?

2010-08-17T05:15:00.001-05:00

The Washington Post reports in the column, On Faith, that Julia Roberts has recently made public that she and her family are practicing Hindus. This seems to be a recent development tied in with her role in the movie adaptation of the book, 'Eat, Pray, Love.' Roberts is certainly not the first celebrity to garner attention for proclaiming a faith that is seen as outside the mainstream by Western society. Examples range from Richard Gere, a practicing Buddhist, to more infamous examples, such as Scientologist Tom Cruise and Madonna's practice of Kaballah.

What is interesting is that Julia Roberts has, for a couple of decades, inhabited a particular role in American pop culture: That of "America's sweetheart." While someone like Madonna can practice Kaballah without raising too many eyebrows, and Buddhism is viewed as eccentric, if not largely benevolent, in the West, Hinduism is dotted by a landscape of religious practice that most Protestant Americans would not be comfortable with. It is distinguished with a rich, full history and practice including temples, chanting, material offerings, etc. that, at least on the surface, appear to be very alien to most of Christendom. The comments at the bottom of the column seem to take the stance that this is all irrelevant. I'm not so sure that it is as irrelevant as it first seems. When Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010, won her current title, she was immediately put on display for public scrutiny because of her heritage linking her with Islam. Granted, there is a quite a bit of Islamophobia currently present in our culture for various reasons. However, the same could be said for laying flowers down at the feet of deities who most Protestant Americans would view as polytheistic in nature, despite the monotheistic self-identification of Hindus.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and if there is any backlash for her apparent conversion. If there isn't, then maybe we are ready for more spiritual diversity, even among the places we most expect people to fit a particular mold.

The Washington Post
Full article

Tunnel might provide insight into pre-Hispanic culture

2010-08-17T05:00:00.006-05:00

Teotihuacan is a site in Mexico that has seen nearly a century's worth of archaeological exploration, and still very little understanding of the culture and civilization that flourished there. The city itself may have housed as many as 100,000 people, and by the time the Aztecs found it in the 1300s, it was already deserted. One of the central mysteries that remains is the identity of it's rulers. Virtually nothing is known about them, and several expeditions have hoped to turn up the burial sites of these rulers and returned empty handed. This is most peculiar in light of the fact that they are the only pre-Hispanic civilization that deified their rulers, and did not have so much as a depiction of these rulers.

Recently though, the ground began to sink at the foot of the Temple of Quetzacoatl, leading researchers to dig there. After eight months, it has finally been confirmed to be a tunnel that may very well lead to an underground complex of burial chambers answering these questions once and for all. However, it will be another two months of digging before these tunnels are ready to be entered by archaeologists.

San Francisco Chronicle
Full article

The loss of a leader: Isaac Bonewits

2010-08-16T05:00:00.002-05:00

When I was much younger, I happened upon a few articles by Isaac Bonewits. I was, at the time, far more interested in Wicca, and having come from a Catholic background, was convinced that what I needed to do most was to recreate some sort of impervious belief system that could withstand the onslaught of competing ideologies. I ignored the writings of this man, and the writings of many others. Tried as I might, the systems always failed. How could one face the obvious archaeological implications? How could the myth of the humans who had no idea of the male role in procreation stand against modern anthropological findings? The answer was simply that they could not. Not knowing how to deal with this, I found comfort in the most basic of religious principles, housed in the construct of the Catholicism that I had grown up with, simple devotion. For a while, I knew not who to address my prayers to other than the Great Mother. For me, She was the Moon. And, for a time, I became the most simple of Pagans, truly worshiping what I found in nature. There were certainly worse things to be than a moon worshiper. And sometimes, I still address my prayers to Her, for She sustained me for so long.

After a while though, I longed for more. When I did not find it in Wicca, I began to question whether I had even found the right path, and began to look elsewhere. When I found Druidism, and ADF, I suddenly was able to grasp the idea of a tangible, realistic Pagan worldview and worship, and at the same time let go of what I thought was the necessity of dualism. I was able to let go of the longing to find the one true path, and was able to embrace a spirituality teeming with presence and interaction. I always wanted to meet Isaac in person and tell him how grateful I was to have found what he had started. I knew that I was simply one among many, but I was overflowing with gratitude. I also understood the great idea. I understood that not only were we bringing back the idea of daring to worship the old Gods, but that we were bringing the discussion of Them back into the mainstream as had not been done in a very long time. I wish that I could tell him this in person, but I hope that he somehow knows the implications of the work he accomplished in life. May the Gods and Ancestors guide and bless him and his family.

Isaac Bonewits Memorial on the ADF website
The Wild Hunt posts on the passing of Isaac Bonewits
NPR's Margot Adler remembers Isaac Bonewits

Prehistoric skeleton can stay in museum despite Druid anger

2010-04-20T05:15:00.001-05:00

The Council of British Druid Orders had recently out in a request with English Heritage, an advisory that reports to the British Parliament. COBDO had requested that the neolithic remains of a human, originally found in 1929, not be placed in Keiller in Avebury, but rather reburied for spiritual reasons. English Heritage rejected this request stating that the benefits coming from the research and study of the remains "far outweighed" the harm done. This is a similar situation that has arisen many times within the field of archaeology. It most notably happens with the disturbance of American Indian graves in America, but also around the world. I am always a little bit torn as a Druid, and as someone who does venerate my ancestors, but as an anthropologist, I have to agree with English Heritage. I'd be curious to know what other Pagans, especially Druids, thought about this though.

Telegraph
Full article

Derry, U.K. couples seeking Pagan weddings

2010-04-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

The Pagan Federation of Northern Ireland is pushing for the legal recognition of Pagan wedding ceremonies in Derry, and across northern Ireland. They point to the legal recognition for Pagan weddings already granted in the southern republic. Not much information is available to how this effort is going, but I am glad that someone is at least pushing for it.

Derry Journal
Full article

Inca skeletons show evidence of Spanish brutality

2010-04-12T05:15:00.000-05:00

Well known by now, is the fact that the conquering European explorers were extremely violent in dealing with the people of the new world. The finding of a mass grave of nearly 258 Inca in Peru and dating to the early 16th century however, is unique, because it gives a glimpse into the conquest of the Inca, which is not as written down in as much detail as the conquest of the Aztec, for example. The findings were originally reported in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, and details some of the damage in the various skeletons due to rather painful deaths.

WIRED
Full article

Tibetan artist turns Hulk and Spider-Man into Himalayan heroes

2010-04-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

A Tibetan artist by the name of Gade has created art works depicting commonly known commercial and super hero characters, such as Mickey Mouse and the Incredible Hulk, as Buddhas. It looks really fantastic, and is interesting since the case has been made so many times before that comic book heroes are almost a kind of modern mythology. The original article has the pictures attached.

io9
Full article

This article was brought to my attention by my good friend Jenny Hanniver.

Re: Paganism vs. the Gospel

2010-04-05T05:15:00.004-05:00

Chuck Colson, writing for The Christian Post, writes of a murder-suicide in southern Pakistan, which was carried out by a father, killing his three daughters and himself, and intended as a human sacrifice to the Hindu deity Kali. Colson goes on to explain that this does not represent all Hindus, but rather a paradigm by which Hinduism, and larger Paganism, operates. Colson writes,

"What is representative, however, is their belief that worship largely consists in appeasing the deity. In order to obtain favor, the worshipper must offer the proper sacrifice. Get it wrong and your prayers aren't answered. Or worse."

What is strange here is that Colson seems to think that Christianity offers up a juxtaposition on an adherent's view of divinity, as presented here. As countless people the world over are now aware, through the centuries-long work of zealous missionaries, if we do not adhere to a strict set of morals, thereby sacrificing certain pleasures and behaviors, our prayers will not only not be answered, we will go to a place of eternal suffering. Or worse, indeed, Mr. Colson.

Further, sacrifice is understood in many Pagan and animistic religions to not be exclusively represented by blood, if blood is involved at all, and as maintaining a good relationship with the deity. As a friend, or a family member. I do feel personally obligated to make offerings to my Gods, but not because they will smite me, or send me to hell as with the Christian god, but because it represents a commitment to the philosophies and values they represent, as well as their influence in my life.

Colson goes on to say that,

"It [Christianity] revealed a God who was neither remote nor capricious. He wasn't driven by human-like appetites and petty emotions. He is motivated by love for His people and the good of His worshippers... This God desires 'mercy, not sacrifice,' and to prove how much He meant it, He sacrificed his only Son so as to render all other sacrifices unnecessary."

The beginning of this section is one of the most perplexing as Colson asserts that, unlike the Gods, the god of Abraham and Moses is immune to the need for sacrifice, and the resulting petty reactions of the Pagan Gods. This is is perplexing for two reasons, at least. For one, we clearly see otherwise in the book of Exodus where Yahweh himself speaks,

"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;" (Exodus 20:5)

If self-described jealousy of a resource that is supposedly unneeded, and the subsequent generation-reaching revenge are not indicative of petty appetites and emotions, then I don't have any idea what is, to be quite frank.

Secondly, if Yahweh was seeking a sacrifice, for unknown reasons, unneeded as they are, that would conquer death, why was death not enough? Why did Jesus not die an old man, warm in his bed? What was the purpose of torturing this man with the worst devices we have, both societal and physical? What was the purpose of executing him in one of the worst ways humans have ever devised? Was it simply less dramatic for him to die of an illness and rise again? If this god has no bloodlust, why was there so much present for this sacrifice that he supposedly has no appetite for?

Colson goes on to assert that Christianity reshaped the Western world in the best of ways, following the Christian-imposed assumption that followers of Gods before Christianity's adherents were superstitious savages, he states,

"The idea of man made in God's image revolutionized ideas about human life and ethics and provided a whole new way of seeing life in the Western world... How ironic that we in the post-Christian West are exchanging belief in the 'personal, benevolent God' of Christianity for a sanitized paganism. Whether it's 'new age' mumbo jumbo or Wicca for Dummies, we have forgotten the dread these beliefs caused our ancestors and the awful things it made them do."

What is so ironic here is that despite all of the horrors that have been committed in the name of various Pagan gods, the very values that we, even as a modern society, cherish about the sanctity of human life and ethics, disintegrated with the advent of Christianity in Europe, and the tight grip the Church would exercise over all of the Western world, including the outright destruction of all civil liberties. These values would not return until that hold loosened centuries later, and had to be rethought and invented as secular to evade the still-looming influence of the Church, and Christianity as a whole.

For all of these atrocities, Pagan worshipers knew they were killing people, goats, plants, and bad habits for their Gods. Colson seems to be unaware that when Crusaders waged war in the name of the Christian god, when the Inquisition burned any man, woman, or child who questioned the Church's authority in the name of Yahweh, and when the United States military inscribes weapons used to kill people of other religions with Biblical quotes, this is the very definition and nature of human sacrifice. I can not, and will not, condone human sacrifice, but to blame the Gods for violence and play at the innocence of Yahweh and his followers, given the mirroring track record, is a slight to my Gods that I had to answer.

Colson writes this slandering of the Gods, and does nothing to emulate the teachings of Jesus himself, to essentially say Happy Easter. Many praises to Eostre. Many praises.

The Christian Post
Full article

U.S. film producer supplies the magic to save occult bookshop

2010-04-05T05:00:00.001-05:00

Opened in 1897, Watkins Books is the oldest operating esoteric bookstore in London. When it recently faced closing, American film maker, Etan Ifield, bought the business and made sure it stayed open. Many in the magic-practicing community breathed a sigh of relief, as its history goes far back entertaining guests such as Aleister Crowley and W.B. Yeats. Waktins plans on increasing the diversity of their stock and improving their online presence to ensure the survival and growth of the business. The link for the store's Web site is also included below.

West End Extra
Full article

Watkins Bookstore

Zeus: The excitement of Greek mythology in comic form

2010-04-01T05:15:00.000-05:00

Whether you are a comic book fan, or if you love mythology, or both, this comic may be right up your alley. It is called Zeus. It chronicles Greek mythology with all of the dark twists and turns it takes. The second installment is due out soon, and focuses on Athena. It sounds very promising. I am not a huge comic book fan myself, but I will probably give this a shot anyway. If you are interested, the full article from BoingBoing has an excerpt from the comic book. It looks very good.

BoingBoing
Full article
This article was brought to my attention by my good friend, Jenny Hanniver.

Neighbors protest California Hindu temple expansion

2010-04-01T05:00:00.001-05:00

This is a very short article. It goes over the controversy surrounding the expansion of a Hindu temple in a small town in northern California. I will say that it is of due note that the complaints regarding the expansion are actually aimed towards very practical problems. Issues are taken with noise complaints and parking difficulties. The complaints have, however, caused the already approved expansion to be delayed. The temple leaders have stated that the expansion would actually alleviate these problems. I must say that I do wonder if these problems would seem so large if this were a more mainstream religion in America.

San Jose Mercury News
Full article

Killing the Buddha

2010-03-31T05:15:00.000-05:00

I ran into an article that mentioned the site, Killing the Buddha, where the writer was very pleased to be reading a piece about Hinduism that made sense to her, as a Hindu. Killing the Buddha is billed in its official Manifesto as being a site where you can discuss and read about religion as someone not necessarily religious, but definitely interested in religion in many of its varieties in, and impacts on, culture. The site is named after a Zen parable illustrating the difference between attaining Nirvana, and wanting to. It is this same feeling that the site seems to embody. The Manifesto alone has the effect of making you excited to pursue knowledge and an exchange of ideas about a subject that many find fascinating, but distant due to the emotional, political, and societal charges that it carries. I recommend a look through if you enjoy reading about religion at all.

CNNGo
Full article

Bahrain to criminalize sorcery, witchcraft

2010-03-31T05:00:00.001-05:00

The Saudi Arabian laws against witchcraft and sorcery are well known, and widely criticized for not only their obvious limits to freedom of religion, but also for the vagueness of the law that effectively allows the Saudi religious police to prosecute any esoteric, non-Islamic practice. Bahrain, a small island country to the east of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, is also expected to enact such laws in the near future. Islam, like all the Abrahamic faiths, is opposed to sorcery and witchcraft, but fails to define these things beyond religious practices other than their own. It's disheartening to watch, even from the other side of the world, people being instructed as to what is appropriate spiritual practice, and what is not.

Maktoob News
Full article

Out of ruins, Haiti’s visionaries

2010-03-30T05:15:00.000-05:00

This article highlights the loss of traditional Haitian Vodou art after the catastrophic earthquake that hit the island in January. It tracks not only the art that was lost, but also what is being done to preserve what is left and the knowledge to continue the practice. It is an excellent portrait of Haitian Vodou art as it moves around the island and into refuge in the United States. It also gives a brief, but informative synopsis of the two major art movements in the past century on the island, as they relate to Vodou art. It makes me feel hopeful for the people of Haiti when I see this community in particular, which has almost never been given any more consideration than a bad joke by most of Western society, pick itself back up and ensure the continuation of their traditions.

New Straits Times
Full article

Ancient Egyptian 'door to afterlife' found

2010-03-30T05:00:00.001-05:00

Archaeologists have discovered a tomb in Luxor, for an ancient Egyptian official named User, who served under Queen Hatshepsut. In the tomb was a door to the afterlife, a slab of pink granite nearly six feet tall, which was believed to be a doorway for the spirit to travel to the afterlife and back again. It has numerous religious carvings and outlines the life of User. It is significant because not only does User warrant great respect shown by the fact that he was buried near the royal tombs, but also by the fact that he seems to have been venerated after his death at a site further south.

The Huffington Post
Full article
This article was brought to my attention by my good friend, Alli.

Albuquerque, N.M., police charge Wiccan in murder investigation

2010-03-29T05:15:00.000-05:00

This particular story has been reported on a couple of different news sources. Because of the very nature of the story, let me begin by saying that one thing that all news sources seem to be consistent with is the fact that there are many things unknown about this case. The reports are so conflicting that the victim's surname is spelled as "Leyva" by one source, and "Leyba" by another. It begins on a hiking trail in Albuquerque, N.M., and things get convoluted right from the start.

The New York Daily News reports that Angela Sanford and Joel Leyva entered the trail, and Sanford claims that Leyva tied her arms. The News then reports that Sanford claims she came free of the ropes, pretended to be seduced, stabbed him three times, and ran to ask for help from a hiker. The News notes that Leyva had actually been stabbed about 10 more times than Sanford reported, and that none of the witnesses recall seeing her, or hearing her cry for help. They also note that her clothes were found folded near the victim's body, but I would think this would be consistent with her claims, rather than being contrary to.

KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reports earlier than the New York Daily News on the matter and states that police arrived because they had been told by others that a woman was being assaulted on a bike trail, which would mean that witnesses did, in fact, here cries for help, or were somehow informed of what was going on. KOAT then reports that Sanford states she had her arms tied and freed herself, after which both Sanford and Leyva remove their clothing, and Sanford stabbed Leyva a number of times with, "a Wiccan dagger she always carries with her."

The fact that very few things about these different versions of the story add up is a given. However, what bothers me the most is the next thing that appears in both reports on the case. Surprise, surprise! The journalists both point out, and sensationalize, the fact that the woman in question is Wiccan. KOAT goes so far as to quote a law enforcement officer associated with the case as concerned that the murder falls so close to the date of the solstice, by which I can only assume he means the Equinox, as we are now at a point on the calendar equidistant from either this past Winter Solstice, or the upcoming Summer Solstice. In the end, we aren't getting a whole lot of reliable information, but Kris Bradly, the Domestic Witchery Examiner does list some of the contact information for KOAT and the local law enforcement. I think it is especially disconcerting that the aforementioned news sources would use people's religious beliefs to stir fervor. I'm disappointed, but not surprised, I guess.

Domestic Witchery Examiner
Full article

KOAT-TV
Full article

New York Daily News
Full article

"Goddess" glacier melting in war-torn Kashmir

2010-03-29T05:00:00.002-05:00

The Kashmir region of the Himalayas, which has been fought over by Pakistan and India for many years, has reached a state of relative peace. As a result, scientists are now able to return to the area and study many of the glaciers in the Himalayan region. One such glacier, Kolahoi, is called Gwash Brani, meaning goddess of light, by locals because of the region's dependence on seasonal runoffs from the glacier. Due to climate change, however, the glacier is rapidly decreasing in size, and is already producing less runoff, causing serious problems for farmers and herders. It is interesting in the article to read how the people of the region talk about the glacier with a sense of familiarity and affection, and it is also very sad to watch the source they rely on to be declining.

National Geographic
Full article

Mexican police ask spirits to guard them in drug war

2010-03-23T05:15:00.000-05:00

Most people have now read about the escalating drug wars in Mexico by this point. The reports are not good. As this article points out, nearly 19,000 people have been killed in the past three years alone. There are fears that it will spread into the United States, and the Mexican police are caught between the rival drug gangs and Mexican army. Corruption is widespread, and is many times forced onto those involved. With all of the fear, and the very real dangers associated with being a police officer in Mexico right now, many officers have turned towards practices from Mexican witchcraft, or Afro-Caribbean religions. They have also turned to La Santisima Muerte, whom I have written about before.

Many of the officers who have survived attacks from gang members attribute their safety to the spirits who they make offerings to. Added to this is the fact that many of the drug gangs themselves are using witchcraft and magical practices to curse police officers and other officials. When questioned about the subject, they seem to be very unapologetic about it, such as the case of one former officer from Tijuana, when he says,

"Sometimes a man needs another type of faith"

What is also very interesting is that the article notes that many of the police superiors give silent approval of these practices.

Reuters
Full article

New Jersey State Board of Education approves Pagan/Wiccan holidays

2010-03-23T05:00:00.001-05:00

The Domestic Witchery Examiner, Kris Bradley, reports that the New Jersey Board of Education has added the Wiccan sabbats, which are very frequently observed in one form or another by other Pagans, to the state's official religious holidays for schools. It tracks the efforts of one parent and her daughter, and the pretty amazing show that the Pagan community made in that area to have the holidays recognized. As someone who lives in Texas, I am somewhat jealous of their Board of Education.

Domestic Witchery Examiner
Full article

The oldest trees on the planet

2010-03-22T05:15:00.000-05:00

This piece is actually a slideshow of pictures of some of the oldest trees in the world, from every inhabited continent. Perhaps this will interest the Druids more than anyone else in the crowd, but it is a great collection for people who love trees and natural wonders.

WIRED
Full article

40,000-year-old tools found at construction site

2010-03-22T05:00:00.002-05:00

A team of archaeologists have found a site in Tasmania with tools which may date as far back as 40,000 years old. This is far older than previously believed to be possible for the region, which is very deep in the southern hemisphere. This site is also hotly debated in Australia because it sits in the middle of a planned highway. The government has made plans to build a bridge over the archaeological site, but researchers and the Aborigines have made many demonstrations to protect the site and have the road rerouted entirely, claiming that to have the bridge over the site would disturb what is perhaps the most significant archaeological find for their people in quite some time.

AOL News
Full article

Contested gravesite at Israeli hospital may have belonged to pagans

2010-03-16T05:15:00.000-05:00

The Barzilai Medical Center in Israel was scheduled to have a new wing built. This was delayed "indefinitely" when there was a burial site discovered during the digging however. First reports indicated that the burial was a Jewish burial site, and so the construction was going to be added to a different side of the Center rather than as originally planned. However, there are now reports arguing that the bodies at the site are those of early Pagan worshipers, and there has erupted a political battle over whether to move the burial site, or to leave it as it is. Neither side is reported to believe that the burial site should remain undisturbed if it is Pagan, but they simply disagree as to whether the site is Pagan or Jewish. To complicate matters further, economics play a clear role in this because the government's medical system would have to pay an additional NIS 160 million. This may be cause for the push to relocate the site. Different portions of the national ministry have now also attempted to block each other's powers in deciding the matter.

It's an interesting situation where the attitudes demeaning the older religion play such a significant role. I suppose we could also claim this in disrupting other sites such as this all over the world for archaeological purposes, but the difference is that archaeology seeks to understand, and, very frequently, document and preserve the ideas of the culture. This seems to be more of a political power play that doesn't specify where the bones will go when they are "relocated," rather than arguing for the preservation of the site by collecting the artifacts for a cultural institution, for example. This is also worrisome.

Haaretz Newspaper
Full article

Let women MPs monitor law banning branding of females as witches

2010-03-16T05:00:00.001-05:00

Due to the witch hunts in rural India, where as many as 2,500 women and girls have been accused of witchcraft and are beaten tortured and lynched in the past 15 years, India's Supreme Court suggested that the Bench enact legislation to ensure that more women are elected in order to monitor the implementation of the laws protecting women in these areas. It is important to point out that the laws intended to protect women from these forms of accusations, and punish the perpetrators, already exist. However, the local police agencies are very frequently said to be lax in enforcing them, if they enforce them at all. Victims are usually ignored. The idea then, is to ensure that there will be a larger voice for women in their government, against this type of violence. The Bench apparently declined to entertain the possibility, as their work load was too heavy, and they did not want to create more laws to enforce already existing ones. They state that it is simply the job of the police to enforce them. I agree. If they do not do this, it is also your job to tell them to do it, though.

Full article

In the land of the kami

2010-03-15T05:15:00.001-05:00

I must admit that my own knowledge is missing a large portion of Asian culture and history, and largely due to my own interests, what I read, and post about, is largely referencing European and African spiritual practices. When I happened upon this article concerning the nature and history of Shinto in Japan, it was very informative to say the least. It explained much in the way of the nature of the kami, so frequently translated as Gods in English, that I otherwise no nothing about. It is an interesting read for those of my readers who are interested in Asian cultures, and especially if you don't know very much. It's a very good read, and I encourage you to take a look at it.

The Japan Times
Full article

Beheaded Vikings found at Olympic site

2010-03-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

While digging near the site that will host the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth, England, construction crews discovered a mass grave of 51 skeletal remains that predate the Norman conquest of England. It has been determined that they were Vikings caught and executed by the Anglo-Saxons. It is a unique find because it is not very often that definitive evidence is found dating remains to this time period and showing them to be Vikings. It is also extremely uncommon to find mass graves in England. Archaeologist hope to find more details about the lives of the men with further study of the remains.

CNN
Full article

Warning: Ancient sex on show in Paris

2010-03-12T05:15:00.000-06:00

The Quai Branley museum in Paris is hosting an exhibit on the ancient Peruvian culture called the Moche. It is a somewhat graphic exhibit involving art pieces showing graphic sexual imagery, ranging from fellatio to functional anatomy on pitchers for example. The curator points out that the images are more than what they first appear to be. The images were meant to mirror rituals and ceremonies involving human sacrifice that were intended to bridge the gap between ideas of death and life. They tell the story of sexualized rituals, but also of how an elite class in a fairly advanced society used values and ritual to control a population. As the curator points out,

You control sexuality, you control access to it, and in the process you give yourself power over groups, over people and you embed this power into values and you disseminate the values as being part of the population... The population accept this because they believe it's part of their values. They don't think they are being controlled.

This is something that we as a people should always be aware of whenever new or old ideas are being presented to us. These ideas can form powerful tools that oppressed people can use to rise up, but they can just as easily be used by the oppressors themselves.

The Associated Press via Google News
Full article

Chief exorcist says Devil is in Vatican

2010-03-12T05:00:00.002-06:00

With all of the scandal that has recently been brought to light in the Catholic Church, it is no wonder that the chief exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, believes that the devil is alive and well, perhaps especially in the Vatican. Amorth goes on to explain that he believes that the devil is available to possess, not only individuals, but entire groups of people and populations. The article is hardly worth mentioning as Amorth makes wild claims that he has performed over 70,000 exorcisms, and that iron spikes and glass shards are able to be ejected from the mouths of victims of possession. This is not to dismiss it entirely, but I seriously doubt the frequency of such occasions, even in the most severe cases of possession. However, it is not within the realm of this blog to worry about another religion's stance on these matters until it is attempting to hinder the freedom of worship of any group, but especially a nature-based or polytheistic spirituality.

What caught my attention was a note at the bottom about the Harry Potter books. As has been typical for a number of years now, the church has denounced the books. What was interesting however, was this tidbit in the story,

He also condemned the Harry Potter books, saying they were dangerous because they dabbled in the occult and failed to draw a clear distinction between "the Satanic art" of black magic and benevolent white magic.

I was raised Catholic and am somewhat familiar with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and have never run into a distinction, let alone any small toleration, of magic in any form, benevolent or otherwise. I'm not entirely sure how to interpret this, or the implications of the distinction, if indeed there is one for the Church. I also wonder how then it justifies the demonization of indigenous religious systems around the world. I will certainly keep an eye out for information pertaining to this, and if anyone else runs into any information, please pass it along.

The Telegraph
Full article

Voodoo practitioners shrug off blame for Haitian quake

2010-03-11T05:30:00.000-06:00

It had recently been reported by The Associated Press that there was an attack on Voodoo practitioners in the days following the Haitian earthquake. This worried me for the future of the traditional religion of Haiti and how it would fare in light of the escalating tensions and massive destruction facing the nation.

A new report from The Telegraph elaborates on many of the reasons why Voodoo would be stigmatized. For one, the people who typically are devotees fall largely into the stigmatized poor who make up the majority of the island's population. Further, it was used by two of the worst dictators the nation has seen in recent memory. With so much destruction this very easily creates a need for a scapegoat. Many are directly blaming Haiti's Voodoo practicing population. The practitioners themselves are acutely aware of the tension and blame that is placed on them, but they state that the disaster was simply a natural one. However, there is the very real manifestation of the blame in the attacks that were mentioned earlier. Out of those attacks is born this response, as described in the article,

Max Beauvoir, supreme head of Haitian Voodoo, said two days afterwards that a repeat of the violence would lead to "open war," with his followers told to meet aggression with aggression.

The article makes sure to state that this has not yet happened. I hope it does not, as the last thing this nation needs is more death. Perhaps I speak as a devotee of Morrigu, but I admire the strength they show when the whole world seems to stand against them. I admire their bravery, and I admire their faith. The article begins with a description of a ritual meant to bless the dead and in turn, the survivors. It is made somewhat dramatic for the readership, but towards the end it notes that several of the priests plan for larger, and more public ceremonies. I can only wish and pray for their safety, and stand back in admiration.

The Telegraph
Full article

Aztec New Year: Centro Mayapan celebrates forgotten culture

2010-03-11T05:15:00.002-06:00

Several organizations will be gathering in El Paso, Texas, to celebrate the Aztec New Year this year. There will be a series of activities, dances, and panel discussions, among other things that will help to dispel myths about Aztec culture and inform on the history of the people. It is also intended to dispel the rising myth of an apocalyptic 2012. If you are in El Paso, or even nearby, it sounds absolutely fascinating, and is probably a lot of fun! It always makes me at least a little bit happy when indigenous people reclaim their heritage, or simply refuse to stop living it. The details are here, and the article here gives an overview of what one can expect at the celebration.

Aztec New Year
Celebracion del Año Nuevo Azteca
Centro Mayapan, 2101 Myrtle
Sunday, March 14, 1-4 p.m.
Free, For info call (915) 532-6200

What's Up!
Full article

The Daily Apostate is now on Facebook!

2010-03-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

Now, ladies and gentlemen, you can become a fan of The Daily Apostate's page on Facebook. I've recently joined that giant nook on the Web and you can say hi, post links, or even have discussions. I'm sure you all already know all of this, so without further ado...

John

Facebook page

Toy maker targets young girls with occult board game

2010-03-10T05:15:00.000-06:00

This article on what appears to be largely a conservative Christian Web site, warns of the dangers of Ouija boards. It is a common belief held that it is dangerous. I do agree with the site on one point: That magical tools, whether masterfully created or mass produced for entertainment value, can be subject to certain dangers. However, that being said, and as someone who has studied many magical traditions, I am doubtful of the overwhelming occult powers that these people seem to think this board game has. What really has them in an uproar this time is that Hasbro has come out with a pink edition of the game. This is really interesting because it is more than likely intended to target young girls who might play the game at slumber parties and the like.

The connection between the occult and the feminine is so remarkably old, and so frequently demonized by those who wish to suppress women and feminine spirituality, that even though we are talking about the Ouija board for crying out loud, it does strike me as slightly demeaning. One commenter on the site even states, "Hey whats ever happened with standard girls games like MYTERY DATE shouldnt girls be just playing at having a future boyfreind and not dabbling in the occult[?]" I suppose what upsets me the most is that the idea of a woman having power, especially spiritual power, is treated so diabolically by them. The commenter above, whether they realize it or not, seems to think that women are creatures whose sole concern is finding a man that will complete them somehow, rather than a whole individual on their own who can find her own destiny, spiritual or otherwise. The Ouija Board is a bad example of this. It really is. It is a parlor game. There are some useful applications for spirit boards, but the board game itself is a bad example. Still, the attitude alone speaks volumes to me.

The New American
Full article

Teen to wed schoolgirl in Pagan ceremony

2010-03-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

It seems that in Australia, a teenage bride and groom intend on hand-fasting. Both sets of parents seem to be in support of this, and the bride's mother would officiate. To the young couple, I say congratulations. I wish you the best. Your picture on the article is absolutely adorable.

What strikes me about this story though, is that unlike America, again we find that freedom of religion is not a guarantee. This is not to say that our country is perfect, or immune to bigotry. I think anyone actually living in America knows better than that. Still, as a gay man, I am not used to seeing anyone striving to not acknowledge a heterosexual couple's marriage due to religious background. One of the main party leaders though, Reverend Fred Nile of the Christian Democrat Party, does just that. Not only does he assert that pains must be taken to ensure that handfastings not be considered "genuine weddings," he also points out that his party will attempt to stop Pagan weddings, and "Wicca activities." What about worship? Is casting a circle a "Wicca activity?" Is divination? Is prayer? How dare you! Rev. Nile, I urge you to not only show tolerance, but perhaps keep your nose deeply buried in your own affairs.

Southern Star
Full article

Zeus and Sons (Comic)

2010-03-09T05:15:00.000-06:00

I ran across this comic on the Web and immediately fell in love with it. If you like irreverant humor about the Greek gods, you are in for a treat. It's the retelling of Greek myths with a touch of modernity. Much in the way of sexual humor and still sticking to the main storyline. It seems pretty new. I'd give it a spin. May not be appropriate for work though, just fyi.

Zeus and Sons

Walsh Library acquires collection of Afro-Latin religious books and artifacts

2010-03-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

Fordham University in New York City has recently been gifted with a collection of artifacts from Afro Caribbean religious practices. The collection includes candles, cards, and rare books. It is seen as especially pertinent by the university since it is a window into Latino spiritual practices which are so prevalent in New York City. The collection itself sounds very impressive, unfortunately the cards that are pictured seem somewhat common to me, having grown up seeing them. The article also gives a short history of Afro-Caribbean traditions.

Fordham University
Full article

Review: "Occult America"

2010-03-08T05:15:00.003-06:00

Ed Conroy of the San Antonio Express-News reviewed a book recently. I think I might go grab a copy. It's called "Occult America: The Secret History of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation," and it sounds fantastic. The book covers a range of mystical movements and how their history intertwines with American history at large, from the FreeMasons, to the Shakers, Mormons, and Spiritualists. It's sounds fascinating to see how spiritual schools of thought outside of the norm shaped our history, when this is usually not even acknowledged. I don't know that NeoPaganism is mentioned, but if it is, I'm also very eager to see what it has to say.

San Antonio Express-News
Full article

"Vampire of Venice" unmasked: Plague victim and witch?

2010-03-08T05:00:00.002-06:00

A skull found near Venice, Italy, seems to date back to the 16th century. The skull was originally found in a mass grave of plague victims. The jaw was forcibly opened with a brick, which was a common method of preventing vampirism. This particular article points out that the woman may have been accused of witchcraft at one time, causing those who buried her to take the extra precaution.

The article goes on to talk about the European witch hunts, and explain a few old superstitions, and show a facial reconstruction done on the skull.

National Geographic
Full article

Paganism met with mixed feelings at Syracuse University

2010-03-05T06:15:00.000-06:00

Mary Hudson, who has worked with Student Pagan Information Relations and Learning (SPIRAL) for nine years, has recently been named Pagan chaplain at Syracuse University. The university has largely taken to Hudson and the student group rather well. She notes that tolerance has certainly grown for the group over this nine year period, and looks forward to helping students who need support in gaining information on Paganism, either out of curiosity, or for spiritual development. She notes that all of the feedback that she has received so far has been positive, aside from some comments left on the articles that have been published in relation to her appointment. Many of the other chaplains have also stated that they have no problem with the appointment. It is nice to see tolerance growing and institutions recognizing their Pagan members, especially through chaplaincy appointments, which is still a huge struggle in America's armed forces.

The Daily Orange
Full article

Report: Congo militia recruits child witch doctors

2010-03-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

With the lack of government oversight, the eastern Congo has largely fallen into lawlessness with local militias forming for the sake of protection over the past ten to twenty years. These heavily armed militias are infamously known around the world for recruiting child soldiers. One of the militias, the Mai Mai militia, is now reported to be recruiting child soldiers to act as "witch doctors" who dispense potions to soldiers, and are viewed as magically powerful due to their lack of sexual experience. The Congolese government has condemned these recruitments as vehemently as they have condemned arming child soldiers. This not only places the children on the front lines of conflict, but "gives them a feeling of invincibility, placing them in further danger." In a country where resources are so scarce, that joining one of these militias is viewed by children and families alike as opportunities, the problem has spiralled out of control, with many young boys dying on the battlefield, and many young girls being kept as sex slaves. It is a dire situation, amplified by circumstances, and a pertinent reminder of how easily, even the most powerful and most heartfelt of spiritual traditions can quickly devolve into superstitiion and the consequences that come with it.

The Associated Press via Google News
Full article

Deities and sexuality

2010-03-04T05:15:00.000-06:00

I found this particular piece on a favorite site of mine called Carnal Nation. It is written by Margaret L. Wade, who has a column there, titled "Embracing Eros." It's a wonderful read if you like the intersection of sexuality and spirituality. In it, she talks about how we can embrace different deities who very frequently can embody sexuality or gender, or at least express it, in a way that we did not expect, by may still be able to identify with. She's fairly knowledgeable too, spanning the globe on this topic.

Carnal Nation
Note: While I enjoy this subject, and the material is tasteful, the site itself may not be considered safe for work. I would advise checking it at home.
Full article

Spell-covered burial chamber found in Egypt's Saqqara

2010-03-04T05:00:00.002-06:00

The tomb, and intact sarcophagus, of Queen Behenu of the Old Kingdom has been discovered in Egypt. Of significance, aside from the Queen herself, are the two inner chamber walls immediately outside the room with her sarcophagus fully engraved with spells. While they can trace the Queen back to the sixth dynasty, they are still unsure as to who her husband was. It is an interesting note that they make at the bottom of the article that 25,000 artifacts from London had recently arrived in Egypt also, after being displayed in the British Museum for over a century. It points out that neither the Brits, nor the Egyptians, had openly stated whether these artifacts were loaned or given, hinting at an ongoing quarrel with many nations and the British museum over rare cultural and ethnic artifacts.

Reuters
Full article

Cross placed at Air Force Pagan circle prompts probe

2010-03-03T05:30:00.000-06:00

At no more prestigious a location than the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., as Bob Barr pointed out, there was a stone circle erected by the Air Force to give the Pagan officers a worship space. In mid-January there was a cross discovered leaning against one of the stones, erected with railroad ties. The academy is, of course, investigating the finding and deliberating on what action to take. However, what is most troubling is the nature of the reaction to the incident.

The Air Force Academy seems to agree that this is a serious incident, but is declining to label it either a hate crime, or even vandalism, until the completion of the investigation. However, President Herb London, of the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., was quoted as saying,

What I think people are saying here is, 'We reject the idea of paganism and we are expressing another religious symbol.' I'm not sure I would characterize that as a destructive act. A symbol put next to another symbol does not represent destructive behavior. It's somewhat exaggerated — you have your symbol, we have our symbol.

While this may be enough of an explanation to satisfy someone who is comfortable at their level of privilege, it only serves to prove exactly how destructive this display is. It forms a very distinctive act of vandalism, as the very message that London is describing, is the problem with placing this symbol at the sacred site of a religion that is often marginalized by the very religion that the cross represents. While I can, and would, defend their right to believe and personally reject Paganism, to then place a very obvious message at a place where it is not welcome is something that I can not defend.

Tech. Sgt. Brandon Longcrier, who sponsors the group that gathers at the circle to worship stated that, "the incident was similar to someone leaving a pentagram or a pagan symbol at the academy's chapel altar." Longcrier is very astute to point this out, because if anyone were to leave a pentacle anywhere in any Christian sanctuary, these same people, who claim that this is simply not a big deal, would be outraged.

Further, if this were meant to be a simple, friendly exchange of ideas, the cross would have been left there in broad daylight. It would have been placed near the circle, rather than on top of it. More importantly, it would have been done with a civilized conversation and the group's explicit consent, rather than sneaking up on the holy site in the dead of night to leave something there, that should not be there.

It is my hope that the Air Force Academy does find the perpetrators and that this is treated as the vandalism this is.

Fox News
Full article

Wiccan altar puts teacher, officials at odds

2010-03-03T05:15:00.001-06:00

Guthrie Center High School in Iowa is facing a fight between the school's officials and Dale Halferty, the shop class instructor because Halferty did not allow a Wiccan student to build an altar. According to Halferty, he had no problem with the student building the table portion of the altar within the school's shop, but did not allow him to build the symbols, and asked the student to leave religious materials at home. Of due note, is the fact that the instructor also did not allow another student to create a cross.

When he asked the student, who has not been identified, not to bring religious materials into the class, the student kept returning with books on the subject. None of these are violations on the part of the student, as the teacher does not have the authority to ask a student to do this. Further, Halferty did not have the authority to ask the student to not construct the religious symbols for the altar, or, for that matter, the authority to forbid the other student mentioned from constructing a cross.

Further, this endorsement of intolerance by the educator has caused an emotional reaction in the small town high school, where approximately 70 students signed a petition to not allow "the practice of witchcraft" at the school. The student population is only 185, so this is a sizable portion of the student body.

While Halferty states his intentions were to promote the separation of church and state, it is hard to ignore that he clearly states that he sincerely believes witchcraft to be evil. He obviously overstepped his boundaries, regardless of his intentions, and while I hope he is reprimanded and informed of his overstep, I wonder if some reconciliation can be made. Call me an optimist, but perhaps building a cross and an altar is just what they need.

The Des Moines Register via The Witches' Voice
Full article

RSS feed now available for The Daily Apostate

2010-03-03T05:00:00.000-06:00

For those of my readers who are all about convenience, and I can not blame you, The Daily Apostate now offers an RSS feed. Simply click here, and click the "Subscribe Now" button on the next page. Hope this makes your day just a little easier. :D

John

U.S. military weapons inscribed with secret 'Jesus' Bible codes

2010-03-02T05:15:00.001-06:00

A company named Trijicon, has recently signed a contract with the U.S. Marines, and already has nearly a billion dollars in contracts with the U.S. military. They produce sights which are attached to high powered rifles, and are used in Iraq and Afghanistan. What came to light recently though, is that there is an inscription on several models of these sights which contain references to biblical passages. Trijicon does not attempt to hide this. In fact, they readily admit that the late owner of the business began this practice, and that they continued it after his death in 2003. When contacted by ABC News, they state that there is nothing wrong or illegal about it, despite the nearly innumerable problems with inscribing such references onto these weapons.

There are two very large problems with this. The first is that, "we the people" are bound by a societal contract called the Constitution of the United States of America, which specifically states that our government is prohibited from promoting or forming a religion of any kind. Because our taxpayers buy these rifles for our military, we have all paid to have these inscriptions made.

The second problem is that our enemy is trying to win the sympathy of the populace in these countries by stating that we aim, not merely for people, but for their religion and culture, and when this company irresponsibly decides to put these inscriptions on our soldier's weapons, it makes all of us less safer by making the enemy's lies the truth.

The full article features a six minute video report. In it, they show a video clip for gun enthusiasts and one man points out this "feature" on the sights, and states that if the viewer is not a Christian, they should "get over it." To this man, I say no. You are not allowed the privilege of placing our soldiers, and nation, in danger so that you can feel particularly special. Get over it.

It is my sincere hope that if Trijicon does not change their behavior, the Pentagon penalizes them with loss of contracts.

ABC News
Full article

A gleaming new showcase for the Acropolis

2010-03-02T05:00:00.001-06:00

Greece has long contested the holding of many ancient artworks by the British museum, but were previously dismissed because they did not have the space to store or display many of these pieces. Recently however, a new museum has been constructed near the site of the Acropolis, which will no be able to house these pieces. Further, it is a museum that finally does justice to the immense historical wealth found in ancient Greece.

What is most interesting is that the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, the formal ethnic reclamation of the ancient Greek religion has taken some issue with the fact that these statues, originally designed and constructed for feature and worship in a temple setting, are being displayed as mere artifacts. Further, when a video was recently shown at the new Acropolis Museum, accurately depicting fanatical first millennium Christians destroying and sacking temples and shrines, the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church took issue with the contents of said video. The Minister of Culture responded to the church's outrage by promising to review the material and "take appropriate action." The Supreme Council goes so far as to label the hierarchy of the church "theocrats," and it is hard to argue otherwise, given that freedom of religion is not generally guaranteed in the same way that it is here in America, and the heavy interaction between the church's hierarchy and that of the Greek government. The Supreme Council reacts in a way that is with complete rejection of the claims to authority that the Holy Synod would make. Their statement is also included below.

Los Angeles Times
Full article

Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes
Full statement

In defense of our Pagan officers

2010-03-01T05:15:00.003-06:00

Apparently, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has a column written by former U.S. Representative Bob Barr, who ran as a Republican of Georgia. He now considers himself a Libertarian, though one commenter on the column at question here duly notes that Mr. Barr gives that party a bad name. I digress.

Mr. Barr begins his column by writing, "A few years back, when I was in the US Congress, I took the Army to task for permitting the practice of Wicca on its bases, including at Ft. Hood in Texas." By "took the army to task," Mr. Barr means that he spoke in a bigoted and foolish manner by asking the United States military, the very organization charged with fighting to defend the Constitution of the United States, to end it's allowance of Wiccans to worship on the grounds of Ft. Hood.

Mr. Barr goes on to say that, "After speaking with a number of officers and military leaders, and meeting with several former military who adhere to the practice of Wicca, I was convinced that a belief in or practice of witchcraft, was not necessarily incompatible with the good order and discipline essential to a military lifestyle." It is of due note, that Mr. Barr here seems to feel that it is not only his duty, but indeed, within the realm of his authority and oversight to make these types of decisions. He seems almost astounded that perhaps the officers, and indeed larger citizen body, who declare this their faith are even competent, which is, in, and of, itself a prejudice. And finally, what is most telling, is that at the end of the day, it is without doubt that the United States Army informed former Representative Barr that they could not comply with his request because it seemed that they were the very organization charged with defending the United States Constitution.

"However, one might legitimately wonder just how far such tolerance should extend," he points out. He may have, at this point, cried out with glee, "After all, it's only the Constitution we're talking about!" and it may have carried the same arrogance.

Mr. Barr then shocks us with what he must think is the truly incredulous, "The US Air Force, at no less a prestigious location than the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, has taken the notion of religious tolerance to a new level, in creating an outdoor worship area for pagans." This "new level" of tolerance, as he portrays it, is surely nothing new to him unless he simply assumed that it was only the army that was charged with defending the Constitution, and not the other three branches of the military. He also seems to be unaware that Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and a variety of other faith groups have worship spaces constructed for their use by the United State military.

With the shock of this "new level" of tolerance, perhaps you need reassurance that this is generally harmless, and it helps that he appears to be giggling, "The site, apparently sacred to pagans, consists of an inner and an outer circle of large stones. I'm sorry, but this truly is hilarious." It is at this point, that I'm sad and ashamed that this man, who seems to truly walk with arrogance amidst his fellow citizens, would have ever been allowed to serve in our Congress. If we were to walk in to his church's services and laugh as though it were "hilarious," this would most likely be greeted with affront. I would not be able to blame him. I can only blame him for being so callous as to be the person who would mock someone for their beliefs.

As you might be thinking that this seems somewhat offensive, Mr. Barr tries to let us know that he's not being intolerant, telling us, "Don't get me wrong, if someone 'has little or no religion and delights in sensual pleasures and material goods,' which is the definition of a 'pagan,' then I say live and let live." This is another example of arrogance that bears pertinent study, because it attempts to claim an understanding of a religion by deciding to describe the ideals and values of the religion in a contrary notion than as they were described to you by actual adherents. It instead describes them based on your own preconceived notions. If he had said that he did not believe the religion to be valid, it would have been his humble opinion. However, if you know that someone believes something, and you report that they believe something else entirely, this is called a lie Mr. Barr. Aside from being prohibited by your own religion, it is shameful that a man who has served in our Congress will readily lie about his fellow citizens.

And lastly, he closes with his puzzled look at modern society, "But I have to tell you, if I were in the Air Force and was being commanded by an officer who practices hedonism as a religion (another part of the definition of 'pagan'), and who dances around a circle of stones in the woods carrying a lighted candle*, I would be more than a little worried about following him into battle." I, for one, have met some of the Pagan officers in our armed forces, and I would follow a son or daughter of Morrigu, Thor, Odin, or Atenae into battle before I would follow someone who would rise to a position of authority vested to him by a set of documented ideals and turn his back on them like a coward.

*P.S.: It's supposed to be "lit candle," not "lighted candle." *rolls eyes*

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Full column

Pagan weddings now allowed in Ireland

2010-03-01T05:00:00.001-06:00

As an American, even one of a minority faith, it is easy to take for granted the freedom of religion, and forget how so many around the world have to fight for it. Of recent victories, Ireland has announced that it now legally recognizes Pagan marriages. This is good news, and I'm glad to hear it. It is nice to see more European countries recognizing Pagan faiths, very frequently as a legitimate form of ethnic spirituality.

IrishCentral
Full article

Agency that monitors religious freedom abroad accused of bias

2010-02-26T05:15:00.001-06:00

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has been levied with some pretty heavy accusations of bias and internal conflicts by past and current staff and commissioners. Most notably, they are accused of housing bias against Islam and Muslims, and of having factions within the organization. This is, of course, troubling considering that the commission is entrusted with advising both the President and Congress on how best to avoid these types of problems to begin with. The chairman, Leonard Leo, vehemently denied this pointing out the significant amount of work they do to defend Muslims as part of the commissions regular efforts.

One former employee in particular, Safiya Ghori-Ahmad, filed a complaint with the EEOC, and that complaint is still open. She felt that at some points she was asked about particular subjects with high tension issues for the Middle Easter region and Islamic populations to gauge her response. Once her involvement with Muslim advocacy groups was found, she claims, she was disallowed to work on issues involving Pakistan, which was one of her specialties. On the other hand, one of the commissioners, himself a Muslim imam, stated rather confidently, that he had never been subject to any such discrimination. Many critics still claim that the focus of the commission has overwhelmingly been on the persecution of Christians across the globe.

The article also points out that it is almost impossible to determine a level of bias, if any, because of the fact that it is a Congressionally created body, and is therefore not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. What's more is that many of the matters raised, some of which are quoted below, are a matter of perspective.

Was the commission's extensive work condemning textbooks used by a Saudi-run private Islamic school in Northern Virginia a legitimate international issue or an example of anti-Muslim bias? Is the commission's decision not to speak out for two years against efforts in Switzerland to ban minarets evidence of bias or of its desire to focus on harsher oppression elsewhere? Was hand-delivering a New Testament Bible to a Catholic priest in a Vietnamese prison the moral thing for a commissioner to do or a public-relations blunder for a country already seen by some as on a Christian crusade?

These types of questions are not easy to answer and are undoubtedly rife with more complications than what they even initially imply.

If these allegations are true, this is disheartening, to say the very least. If the allegations are not true, this is perhaps even more disheartening. As someone who has worked with activist organizations of different varieties over the years, I think perhaps the most dangerous force against social justice for all is our unending focus on what makes us different, causing a similarly unending spiral of in-fighting. Either way, the allegations are very serious and I hope that our legislature is provided with some very serious answers to them.

The Washington Post
Full article

On Crete, new evidence of very ancient mariners

2010-02-26T05:00:00.001-06:00

Up until recently, it was believed that seafaring was not known to humans until about 10 to 12 thousand years ago. However new artifacts discovered by archaeologists on the island of Crete suggest that this was much earlier, so much earlier, that the first mariners may have even been some of our prehuman ancestors. The artifacts date anywhere from 130,000 to 700,000 years old. The artifacts themselves are a set of over 2,000 stone tools, and most notably stone axes, which are pictured in the article. This clearly changes the common dates given out in history books, but experts in the field are treating the find cautiously before making wild assumptions. A significant factor that is waiting to be detailed is the date of the site itself. The article states that reports have already been accepted for publication by the journal Hesparia.

The New York Times
Full article

Voodooists attacked at ceremony for Haiti victims

2010-02-25T05:15:00.067-06:00

Many thousands of Haiti's quake survivors have gathered at Cite Soleil, and it was here that The Associated Press reported a Vodou ceremony to honor the dead from the quake, was disrupted by Evangelical Christian worshipers in the same area. The Vodou celebrants were attacked, and the altars and offerings were destroyed, and even urinated on. The article goes on to explain how tensions have risen in the past month and a half, as desperation sweeps over the island for resources, and with the influx of Christian missionaries who portray the religion as "witchcraft," or the worship of devils. One of the Vodou priests is quoted as being extremely concerned because of the attitude of the missionaries coming into the country, and how now "many of [the] practitioners are being harassed now unlike any other time that I remember." The priests had also spoken out earlier in the onset of this catastrophe at the mass burials that had taken place in the government's haste to protect the country from disease.

Neither of these stories has made it very far into the mainstream news, despite large news agencies picking up the stories. This is rather frustrating as it shows a lack of respect, and shows a certain amount of lip service, as opposed to compassion, when people who are supposed to be helping are breaking up funerary services, and encouraging this kind of violence. One missionary is even quoted as saying,

We would give food to the needy in the short term but if they refused to give up Voodoo, I'm not sure we would continue to support them in the long term because we wouldn't want to perpetuate that practice. We equate it with witchcraft, which is contrary to the Gospel.

I do not normally comment on Christianity, as my opinion is, to be completely fair, from an outsider's perspective. However, I will say that this is not what I was told to expect as a good example of Christ-like behavior.

The Associated Press via Yahoo News
Full article

Professor rethinks origins of religion

2010-02-25T05:15:00.066-06:00

Professor Marc Hauser of Harvard University's psychology department reports in Trends in Cognitive Sciences that religion may not have arisen as a tool for moral control. Morality, he claims, seems to be developed as a separate cognitive function from religion itself. He does point out that religion can play a role shaping that function through cultural pressures after its development. Prof. Hauser also states that this is neither positive, nor negative, but helps build a picture of religion as something that developed over time, rather than developing completely at one time.

The Harvard Crimson
Full article

President Obama delivers remarks at White House, Tribal Nations conference

2009-11-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

Recently, President Obama met with Native American leaders in a Tribal Nations conference where he outlined not only what he has already done to assist these nations, in governmental appointments and budget allocations, but also what he intends to do to improve relations between the United States and these nations. It is a historic conference, not seen before, where the history of said relations are unabashedly recognized and I am proud that our president has moved forward in recognizing the inherent problems facing these nations. When reading the transcript, linked to below, many of the problems and their prevalence were unknown to me, and were more than a bit shocking. I urge you to read the transcript. It is a bit long, but is important as we recognize the ways in which indigenous people order their lives, and moving beyond the mere romantization of this, and truly respecting that heritage and the predicaments that face so many of the people who carry that heritage.

The Washington Post
Full article

Implications of the promotion of "defamation of religions"

2009-11-04T05:15:00.004-06:00

The Web site for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom presents testimony given last month by Leonard A. Leo before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. In it, Mr. Leo, recommends against "defamation of religions" language placed into international law by the United Nations, and urges the United States to strongly oppose such measures. He testifies that the measure, in the past, has been moved forward by the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Mr. Leo points out that, while these laws seem pluralistic and progressive initially, they are intended to protect the rights of religions and religious bodies, rather than the rights of individuals. He notes that in the OIC countries where these laws exist, they are used to limit freedom of speech and expression, and discriminate, or even persecute, followers of minority faiths. He does point out that compromises have been reached,

"Like any smart tactician that detects a weakening of support, the OIC is diversifying its push for banning certain forms of speech by reaching into other venues and masking its objective through other language. The OIC sought, but failed, to insert language against the 'defamation of religions' in the outcome document of the April 2009 Durban Review Conference. Instead, a compromise was reached to include a phrase deploring 'the derogatory stereotyping and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief.' This is a somewhat better approach because it focuses on individuals, not religions, and does not attach legal prohibitions or punishments."

What Mr. Leo points out here, I believe, is a correct and prudent advisory against blocking the criticism of religion, particularly if following with civil and criminal penalties. It creates a limit to the basic rights of freedom of expression and belief, and an outlet which majority populations might subjugate minority ones. Most recently, we also find an incident of this in Irish blasphemy laws.

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
Full article

Call for manuscripts on contemporary Paganism

2009-11-04T05:00:00.002-06:00

Equinox Publishing of London is putting out a Pagan studies book series, and is calling for ms. submissions. Topics range from non-Wiccan traditions in a social and cultural context, to Polytheism and Psychology. Full explanations as to the specific subjects they are looking for are included in the full post, as is the information for how to submit to the editor.

Book of Leaves
Full article

David Bowie used witchcraft to get over coke paranoia

2009-11-03T05:15:00.000-06:00

According to Canadian music website, CHARTattack.com, a new book, Bowie: A Biography, claims that David Bowie enlisted the help of a witch by the name of Walli Elmlark to beat his cocaine addiction. According to what is described about the book's episode, Bowie was suffering from severe lack of sleep and constant hallucinations. When this was out of his control, he began performing spells and rituals prescribed to him by said witch, and was using "protective pentagrams on every surface." I have not as of yet looked to see if the book is an authorized biography, or if the well-known performer will deny such claims.

What is interesting, is that in some strange way, it does give some credence to the power of traditional healing, even in a modern Pagan context, if it is true. Of course, if it's true is now the big question.

CHARTattack
Full article

Village 'witches' beaten in India

2009-11-03T05:00:00.001-06:00

In what is now a slightly older story, the BBC reported that a group of Muslim widows was accused of witchcraft by a cleric, presumably also Muslim. What follows and brought world wide outrage was the fact that the hysteria and abuse that these women then suffered was captured on video. The link to the article here, not only describes it, but has the video available to watch. I should warn that it is graphic.

What strikes me as the most frustrating is that the accusations of witchcraft in this case, as in so many others throughout Asia and Africa, fall within the same perameters as we are so familiar with now in the West. They are single women, most commonly widowed, singled out by a cleric and a group of other, presumably younger, women who are said to be able to identify witches. Several times it has been noted that these women are targeted for their land and property. Ghastly.

BBC
Full article
This story was brought to my attention by my good friend Stephanie.

Wiccan observance ends in religious discrimination suit

2009-11-02T05:00:00.002-06:00

Gina Uberti, a former district sales manager for Bath & Body Works in Connecticut, is suing on the basis of religious discrimination. Uberti had taken time off to celebrate Samhain in 2008, by traveling to Salem, Mass., and about a month after her return was fired. Uberti alleges that her supervisor openly made comments indicating that she would be fired and accused her of devil worship. The case itself seems pretty straight forward in that Ms. Uberti will have to prove herself a follower of the religion, and she did document what her supervisor said, and when she said it. The Limited Brands, which own Bath & Body Works, will not comment on the case other than to say that they do not discriminate on the basis of religion.

Workforce Management
Full article

Lost Greek city that may have inspired Atlantis myth gives up secrets

2009-10-21T05:15:00.003-05:00

An archaeological team has taken a new expedition into an underwater town of the coast of southern Greece. The town was found about 40 years ago, but this is the first time that it has been properly surveyed with digital technology. The settlement is now believed to have been occupied about 5,000 years ago. in the pre-classical Greek period, and is now seen to have religious structures, streets, tombs, and monumental architecture. The site also has a great deal of ceramics present as well. One of the things that makes this survey so significant is that because the town is now underwater, it was never reoccupied and so holds a very specific point in history on display.

The Guardian
This story was brought to my attention by my good friend Stephanie.
Full article

An urgent request for help from the Maetreum of Cybele, Magna Mater

2009-10-21T05:00:00.002-05:00

I was very recently made aware of a legal issue, involving a Pagan church in upstate New York, where the local city government is threatening to effectively shut down said church with bogus tax claims. The issue as it stands is that the church is expected to pay taxes being levied illegally as New York tax law mandates their exemption. They are also being told that this is due to zoning ordinances also illegal under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. Further, they have been ordered to hire an attorney to represent them in court. Their case is well argued and outlined, and the judge in the case seems to agree with their claims, however they are not able to find a lawyer to represent them. Please read the full letter to get a good grasp of the situation they are in. Also please spread the word of their predicament on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, or any other social networking medium you may find. The letter they have issued is listed here on the Web site for WitchSchool. My prayers are with them. If nothing else, please offer up prayers or positive energy.

The Maetreum of Cybele via WitchSchool
Full article

2000-year-old penis statue may finally have home

2009-10-20T05:15:00.000-05:00

A pair of fisherman found an oil lamp depicting the ancient Greek divinity Priapus in Krk, an island of the coast of Croatia. The oil lamp depicts Priapus traditionally, with his penis largely and permanently erect, as he was said to protect the male genitalia. Touching the penis of the lamp is, in fact, supposed to improve a man's sex life. The two fisherman are working with the local government to find a place to leave the lamp on display as part of the island's historical attractions.

CarnalNation
Full article

Vietnam to carve world’s largest jade statue of Buddha

2009-10-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

The largest jade boulder to be discovered so far, weighing 35 tons, will be sculpted into a statue of Buddha by the country of Vietnam. It will take about 2-3 years to complete and will end up weighing roughly 15 tons.

Vietnam News Agency
This story was brought to my attention by my good friend Stephanie.
Full article

Register of spirit mediums

2009-10-19T05:15:00.002-05:00

In what appears to be an attempt to maitain the quality of mediums, the Toaist Federation has issued a statement saying that it will begin a voluntary registration process to keep a list of properly trained mediums. The federation also plans on releasing a pamphlet to the public to help the devotees discern between "skilled and unskilled" mediums. Actual licenses may follow.

Though I can find no correlating press, I can only assume that this might be controversial. On one hand, creating a tool such as this is a useful way to weed out charlatans. However, it does beg the question of the possibility of abuses of power with granting of licenses, especially should the registration become mandatory for the mediums practicing at temples.

The Straits Times
Full article

Maya Indians embrace native customs today

2009-10-19T05:00:00.002-05:00

An internationally known anthropologist spoke at Lincoln Parish Library in Louisiana about his years studying the modern day Maya and their ancient culture. He discusses briefly the ways in which the modern Maya keep their ancient traditions alive, and to what extent. He includes modes of worship and language demographics. It is short, but gives an idea of how more and more indigenous cultures are attempting to maintain their older customs.

The Ruston Daily Leader
Full article

Two scientists allegedly attempt human sacrifice

2009-10-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

Recently two top scientists from India's Defence Research and Development Establishment were charged by police in Bhopal, India for allegedly attempting to sacrifice a subordinate. The allegations claim that the suspects were practicing "witchcraft." According to the junior scientist victim, one of the scientists invited him over so that they could cure him of his illness, which he had had for some time. When he went to the home of his superiors, one of them was "performing some worship in his mother tongue" and sprinkled water on the victim and asked him to sleep. What the junior scientist found when waking was a sharp weapon being held above him. He escaped and his wife called the police.

In many countries, India included, there are high amounts of suspicion against unknown religions and fears of witchcraft. It is very well possible that the two senior scientists were performing a type of healing where the weapon described was only meant to be symbolic. However, it is difficult to discount the man's fears and allegations considering that we can not see what he did when they held the weapon over his body, and the fact that waking up to a weapon over you is not generally accepted well.

CNN-IBN
Full article

Animal sacrifice and sexuality in Santería

2009-10-15T05:15:00.001-05:00

With the recent court decision to allow Jose Merced, the Santeria priest in Euless, Texas, to perform blood sacrifices in his home for religious purposes, Religion Dispatches spoke with a sociologist who studies Santeria about his view on the recent court decision. The sociologist, Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, also talks a lot in this interview about the role of gender and sexuality in Santeria, and the implications that relationship to the spirits,or Orisas, has to gender and sexuality. He explains much of his work is with women in the tradition of all sexual orientations and his work with non-heterosexual men in the tradition. He notes not only the racial issues involved with the syncretic religion, but also the space that LGBT people have carved for themselves in the community.

Religion Dispatches
Full article

Sweat-lodge leader mum about ritual

2009-10-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

A sweat lodge ritual goes awry at a New Age retreat in Sedona, Ariz. when two people die and several others are treated for dehydration, burns, and other conditions. The police are investigating the advisor and his staff to determine if they were criminally negligent. The advisor is named James Ray, and is the co-author of The Secret, the self-help book that was immensely popular and was shown on Oprah. Sweat lodges are well known parts of Native American religious ceremonies, and are used in religious ceremonies worldwide. Unfortunately, this appears to be another case of sincere seekers being placed in harm's way by people who were not careful with the people who trusted them. What makes the matter so much worse is that neither Mr. Ray, nor his staff, seem to be willing to answer questions about the ritual to police.

The Arizona Republic
Full article

'Evil spells are being cast on Parliament'

2009-10-14T05:15:00.002-05:00

An Australian politician has announced a "prayer offensive" intended to undo harmful effects caused by what he calls curses and black magic. Apparently, these include homosexuality and abortion as well. Further, he cites as evidence of this a "black mass altar" that was discovered near the Capitol by a group of school children. When reading his comments, even to the journalist themselves, he seems to flow with the familiar attempted aloofness that accompanies so many fundamentalists. The rest is the usual. He states that there is a war in the heavens for the fate of Australia and that dark spells are being cast against the country and federal Parliament. It is a bit interesting to hear it from Australia rather than the more familiar American brand, but it still sounds slightly familiar doesn't it?

NEWS.com.au
Full article

Sorcerers battle over soccer stud Cristiano Ronaldo

2009-10-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

Reports have come over from Spain that a self proclaimed sorcerer by the name of Pepe states that he has been hired by a spurned lover of Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest paid soccer player in history, to end his career. Mr. Ronaldo plays winger and is on the team of Real Madrid. As if the story weren't outlandish enough, another sorcerer, sorcerer Fafe, claims that he has been hired by someone close to Ronaldo to counteract any curses sent by Pepe. This certainly does sound outlandish, but in many countries, including areas of the U.S., hiring a magical practitioner of one variety or another, for one purpose or another, is not uncommon. Further, they can be hired to carry out malevolent magic. Many people in the world take it very seriously when they learn of such goings on, and it is not inconceivable that his family really did hire a magical bodyguard of sorts. This instance also points out how unregulated magic is in most of the West now. In ancient times, and in many contemporary cultures, malevolent magic was treated as criminally as any other malevolent behavior. Magic of all types was certainly policed several times throughout Western history, but ironically it falls without such policing now because so few people believe in its efficacy.

CarnalNation
Full article

Taiwan aborigines pass on witchcraft tradition

2009-10-13T05:15:00.003-05:00

There are 14 tribes who were indigenous to Taiwan before the arrival of the majority Chinese. One tribe, the Paiwan, is holding classes in the traditional witchcraft as they practice it. Due to the aging of the already small populations of witches left, and the competition with other religions, the religion is declining and the classes are aimed at preserving it, including the writing down of orally passed traditions. The classes are closed to those who have a witch in their bloodlines, or are the descendants of village chiefs, as is customary to receive this training through the traditional apprenticeship. There is, of course, the issue with translation, where the word "witch" means different things to different people at different times. In the case, the word is reserved to refer to traditionally trained elders who recite the memorized prayers, chants, and incantations for blessings on the tribe. One student described how many Paiwan found solace in the witches' ceremonies after the Typhoon Marakot struck the island. It's nice to see how an indigenous group can make gains in the preserving of their way of life.

BBC
Full article

Merlin's 'too pagan' for town

2009-10-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

In the town of Carmarthen, Wales, a shopping center called Greyfriar's Shopping Center was in planning to be rebranded as Merlin's Walk. The rebranding even went so far as to call for a seven foot tall statue of the wizard. Many in the town objected late in the process because the name of the shopping center, Greyfriar's, which is a reference to the history of the town as the site of the one of the oldest and largest Franciscan friaries in Wales. The objections noted not only the historical link that it provided, but also seemed to be concerned with the fact that Merlin is a particularly Pagan figure. I suspect that when they are reminded of the other portion of their history, before the arrival of friaries, it does not sit well with them. Ian Thomas, Carmarthenshire Council conservation manager, went so far as to say that rebranding to include reference to a Pagan figure would "be harmful to the character of the area." The comments on the article page include one from John Nash, the center manager, who states that the rebranding was permitted by the city government and will go forward.

South Wales Evening Post
Full article

Controversy over Dutch support for Hindu goddess

2009-10-12T05:15:00.001-05:00

A small Dutch town named Amstelveen apparently had some uproar over a city sponsored event for Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights honoring the goddess Lakshmi. Part of the uproar seems over generalized intolerance stemming from the fact that there will be people praying to someone other than Yahweh in a public setting. What also seems to be of bother to people is that the city seems to have funded some of the festival. The festival will have songs, dances, tattoos, storytelling, etc., and is being promoted by the city government as a simple cultural event meant to familiarize people with an important part of Asian, and particularly Indian culture in country where immigration from this region is not uncommon. I do not know what the relationship, if any, the Dutch governments are allowed to keep with regards to religion, but I must admit, that as an American I am somewhat concerned at government sponsorship of a religious festival. I am also, however, deeply disappointed in the people of this town who simply feel insecure when facing the piety of others.

BosNewsLife
Full article

Louvre to return Egyptian frescos

2009-10-12T05:00:00.005-05:00

In the 1980s five Egyptian frescos, from a tomb in the Valley of the Kings, were stolen. The frescos date at a little over three thousand years old. After having been missing for several years, four of the frescos came available in the year 2000 and the fifth became available in 2003. It was at these points in time that the Louvre museum in Paris bought these frescos. It became a matter of international controversy recently when the Egyptian head of antiquities in Cairo threatened to halt all cooperative efforts with the museum until they were returned. The French Minister of Culture convened a special meeting, and the French government is having them delivered back to Egypt within a few weeks. This is to be applauded as the case is not only a matter of repatriating nationally identifying artifacts, but also as they were stolen.

BBC
Full article
This article was provided to me by my good friend Stephanie.

Stonehenge could be part of funeral complex

2009-10-08T00:21:00.003-05:00

The Associated Press recently reported that researchers have uncovered the remains of a smaller stone circle nearly two miles away from its larger, more famous counterpart, Stonehenge. It suggests a funerary complex which includes the River Avon and goes to Stonehenge. The site has been dubbed Bluehenge and may have been the site of cremations. The circle itself is gone, but the holes in the ground where they once stood are still present and leave evidence of blue stones, giving the site its name, which were mined and dragged from about 150 miles away.

The Associated Press
Full article

Bush snubbed Harry Potter author

2009-10-08T00:12:00.002-05:00

According to Speech-Less: Tales of a White House Survivor. by Matt Latimer, President Bush denied many well known individuals Presidential Medals of Freedom for reasons political and otherwise. One of the people specifically mentioned is J.K. Rowling. Bush denied the famous author this honor because the administration felt that the Harry Potter series promoted witchcraft. This is horrifying on a number of levels. For one, the fact that a cultural honor such as this would be denied to someone for differences of opinion is shocking enough. Perhaps even more appalling about the entirety of the movement to demonize the Harry Potter novels is the implication that all magical practices are bad, or demonic, in some way. It is an affront to all magical religions to imply that because it is different it is a force of "evil." Still, it is another wonderful example, provided to us yet again by the Bush administration, of the ridiculousness that ensues when relgion is so openly allowed to meddle with governmental affairs.

The Age
Full article

New Rune stone discovered

2009-10-06T00:15:00.002-05:00

The first rune stone to be discovered in Norway since 1947 was found in the city of Mandal. It is dated so early that it is difficult for researchers to interpret the inscription. They also believe that there may be a grave near the stone, as a grave from the same period was also found on the same property.

United Press International
Full article

Republican Pagan candidate?

2009-10-06T00:01:00.003-05:00

While it is certainly true that Pagans and Heathens can be wide and varied in their political opinions, you don't often hear of them running on a Republican ticket. While I most certainly do not count myself as a Republican, I find myself having to applaud the party in Queens, N.Y. The Huffington Post reported last week that the Republican party will not be replacing candidate Dan Halloran who is running for City Council. He is identified as a High Priest in Theodism, which is loosely describe as a reconstruction of ancient Norman religion. The party was apparently very much aware of his religious views and practices, and the spokesman for his campaign, who is also the Queens County GOP Vice Chairman, went so far as to decry religious litmus tests, such as those we see at every presidential election, as "repugnant."

Phyllis Curott, the well known Wiccan High Priestess and practicing attorney, commented on the subject and lauded the party's decision stick with their candidate despite the long list of moments involving Republicans and intolerance. I have to agree with her. It is certainly different from what we have seen in the past concerning religious tolerance and the party, but I, for one, am glad to see it.

The Huffington Post

Full article

Feast of La Virgen de La Caridad

2009-09-15T23:33:00.000-05:00

I don't normally take it upon myself to post about Christian saints, but the feast of La Virgen de La Caridad (the Virgin of Charity) was Sept. 8, just a few days ago now. The feast is most widely known and celebrated in Cuba, especially since she is their patron saint. The saint is syncretized as the orisa Osun, of the Yoruba tradition. The colors traditionally associated with the Virgin are the same as they are for Osun, yellow and white, and so much of the procession that celebrates this saint is distinctly African spirituality. What makes me sad is that there really was only one short article vaguely describing the event, and moreso from a Catholic standpoint. I am searching for pictures, so that readers can see what that event would look like, but the search is not going well. Regardless, I leave you with the the aforementioned short article.

The piece, from The Latin American Herald Tribune, can be found here.

Thoughts from a born-again pagan

2009-09-14T23:32:00.001-05:00

The title of this article references the term "Pagan" specifically, but actually refers to native spirituality in the Americas. (It is important here to note that people of native heritage and spiritualities often do not like to be called Pagan and are angered by it.) It is specifically referring to a group who call themselves the Anishinabe. It does not give very much detail as to the rituals, cosmology, or ethics of the indigenous beliefs, which they refer to as Midewiwin, but has a small interview with Eddie Benton-Banai a grand chief. I will read from still- practicing shamans and spiritual leaders in populations decimated by war, or the relentless invasion of modernity, because often the stories, lessons, and sometimes even jokes that are never written down and are very seldom remembered.

This article, from SooToday.com, can be found here.

Court won't rehear Euless animal-sacrifice case

2009-09-14T23:14:00.002-05:00

Those who have been keeping up with religious news in the Dallas/Fort Worth area will already be familiar with the story that has long been running from Euless where a priest in the Santeria tradition was suing the city of Euless for the right to perform animal sacrifices in his home. The city claimed for the longest time, and still holds, issues with the sanitary handling of a slaughtering carried out in a private home. The priest sued the city of Euless on the grounds that to deny him the right to sacrifice was in violation of his First Amendment rights. Eventually the priest won the case, and the Forth Worth Star Telegram reported last week that the appeals court refused to hear the city's case. So, after a long battle, it is all said and done.

The article, form the Fort Worth Star Telegram, can be found here.

Take the Pagan Census

2009-09-09T22:55:00.002-05:00

This survey builds on an earlier one completed over twenty years ago, primarily in the United States, which was conducted by Helen A. Berger and Andras Arthen (of the EarthSpirit Community) entitled the Pagan Census. At the time it was hoped that we could do a census of the entire Pagan population. Although that was not possible the data that was collected was the largest of it type and served as the basis of a book, Voices from the Pagan Census by Helen A. Berger (with Evan Leach and Leigh S. Shaffer). The survey data is now available on line at Murray Research Archive at Harvard University.

The questionairre does take a little bit of time to fill out, so allow yourself some time. It may not be something that you fill out in two minutes, but I think it is important if the community is to grow so that our various branches can understand each other.

The Census can be found here.

Ancient burial site discovered in northern Greece

2009-09-01T14:46:00.005-05:00

The Associated Press reports that a new burial site has been discovered while excavating the ancient Macedonian capital. There were two large silver vessels found, one with human remains in it. Though there is no evidence to it yet, specualation has already begun stating that it may in fact be Alexander the Great's murdered son. Scientists will begin identifying the bones on Friday. If something new comes of this, I'll keep you guys informed.

The article can be found here.

White House Rumors

2009-08-27T03:10:00.005-05:00

I ran across several different columns today that reported a rumor that has been going around stating that President Obama recently became very upset upon finding that his mother-in-law was practicing Santeria while living with them in the White House. Each site reports that it is only a rumor and that so far no corroborating story or evidence for such a story has come out. Most sites seem to blow it off as simple bad journalism aimed at maiming the President's image. I have to admit I agree, it just popped up on my radar as one of those interesting things.

There are two examples of the columns below:

Independent.ie
Citizen-Times.com

Human Face Carving Found in Scotland, Predates All Others

2009-08-26T12:00:00.002-05:00

The BBC reported this past Friday that a team of archaeologists, and particularly Jakob Kainz, discovered a Neolithic carving measuring 3.5 cm by 3cm. The carving is the oldest one found so far in Scotland and the UK at large. It is extremely unusual because of the rarity of human carvings found in the UK from this time period. The area being excavated was once a farmhouse and is located in Orkney, Scotland at a place called the Links of Noltland.

The carving itself seems to be representative of a woman as the archaeologists have pointed out what they believe to show breasts and women's clothing.

The article from the BBC, with pictures included, can be found here.

The Good Witch of... Well, Everywhere...

2009-08-14T04:48:00.006-05:00

I ran across an article in an online Scottish site called The Big Issue. The headline reads, "Why Witches Put a Spell On You" and talks about many of the cultural notions of the term "witch," and its associated image that still has quite a reaction in many people in the West. It goes on to talk about the much-feared impulses that drove the witch hunts, which sadly still exist in most parts of the world, our own included. It does however, also take note of the fact that the image of the witch has greatly improved in the West with more people identifying this image with that of an eccentric, lovable woman. Perhaps misguided, even when sinister though, she exists in a comical fashion. This is partially due to the large shift in thought that marks women who can think for themselves as evil temptresses, and is also partially due to our lack of limited thought concerning religion and magic.

In an age where many Wiccans and Pagans have fought long and hard to change the image of the people who practice alternative spiritualities, and ground themselves in ways and philosophies of times gone by, it is interesting to see how far we have changed the deeply ingrained image in our culture. It is also interesting how far we have to go considering that, even in the case of the positive portrayals, we are often comical, if not altogether storybook.

The article, from The Big Issue, can be found here.

"...I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies..."

2009-08-13T01:24:00.003-05:00

For being an organization that is intended to protect the ideals and values set forth in the Constitution of the United States, you would think that there would be very little to write about concerning religious intolerance in the armed forces. Yet, just a couple of years after the battle over the inclusion of the Pentacle as an approved symbol to be put on American soldiers' tombstones, and while the Mjollnir is still not an approved symbol for those soldiers who are of the Asatru, our community once again seems to find itself at odds with the military.

This time it is over the issue of chaplaincy. Chaplains are an integral part of an armed force as our soldiers are, above all else, human and often need guidance, instruction, and leadership in religious and spiritual arenas especially with the heightened stress that military enlistment carries. This is especially true of those soldiers who are deployed in battle torn areas of the world. One of the most highly praised chaplains in Iraq is a man named Don Larsen. He was a Pentecostal minister with endorsement from a Dallas area association of Pentecostal churches. When he witnessed certain acts of violence and associated them with the god of his own ministry, he felt that a change was needed. From this point he was led to Wicca. There are far more details than are mentioned here in the original article by Stephanie Kolcz, the Orlando Young Paganism Examiner.

Suffice it to say that Mr. Larsen wanted to become the Army's first Wiccan chaplain which would have allowed him to serve as such to a large number of practicing Pagans in Iraq, and around the world, in our armed forces. When the association found out about his decision, they pulled their endorsement. While this is not terribly surprising, there is a group, the Sacred Well Congregation, which is interested in endorsing a chaplain in the armed forces. So similar to the aforementioned battle over the Pentacle's inclusion for consideration on tombstones, we also find that there is a pattern of changing the requirements that the Sacred Well Congregation must meet whenever they do have someone they can put forth as a viable candidate for endorsement as a chaplain. The Pentagon here only seems to be repeating what the Department of Veterans' Affairs seems to have mastered so well.

The battle for a Pagan or Wiccan chaplain, and indeed for the outright respect and dignity of religious minorities in the military, is far from over and is one that I will be keeping an eye on.

The original article, again with much more detail, can be found here.

Jail Time for Preaching

2009-08-12T04:00:00.003-05:00

Micha J. Stone, the Portland Humanist Examiner, reports that in Florida two public school personnel may face jail time for promoting Christianity at Pace High School, a public school. The charges come not simply for the act, but due to the fact that these acts were carried out after a court order demanding the stopping of religious promotion, and thus are charges of criminal contempt. Apparently, the promotion was to such an extent that the school was commonly known as "The Baptist Academy," where the principal purposely hired faculty who would proselytize and assign religious-oriented assignments. Mr. Stone certainly believes that they deserve the jail time, and I'm afraid I must agree not only on legal grounds, but because it is clear by their violation of the court order, that nothing else may stop their stubborn behavior.

Had the two men, the principal and the athletic director, simply been active in their churches and encouraged their religion in students who happened to go to their churches, outside of the school setting, I think this would be far more acceptable, but it is clear that they crossed a line in their profession and simply thought that they were going to get away with it. I'm not going to lie. It is a stiff punishment. However, they do have a responsibilities as school personnel that should have been taken into account long before the court order ever appeared.

The article from the Portland Humanist Examiner can be found here.

Out and Proud

2009-08-11T01:35:00.003-05:00

One of the issues within our community is the practice of being open about our religious beliefs and practices. Many of us choose to be rather open for various reasons, and others of us also cite many reasons for not being open, or at least not with very many people. There are often safety concerns, job security concerns, and the like. I think it is important for people to be open with their beliefs in general when they can, as meeting productive citizens who identify as Pagans, Witches, Heathens, etc. helps to change public perception and lessen those very concerns. Still, everyone knows their situation better than I, and so I can not pass judgment upon anyone's decisions, nor do I intend to. I was reading an article from South Africa though, and it brought to mind the simple fact that we have made much progress in certain areas.

One of the large concerns in South Africa is the witch craze that seems to have hold over certain parts of the country, causing panic, and frequently, violence. What so few in America seem to understand, Pagans included, is that witchcraft is an English word that is adopted by people of other languages once they learn English, but often attach very different connotations to. As a result, it is very difficult to be openly Pagan in such areas. Many times, even the indigenous religions of the area are held to be suspect. One could go on forever about the cultural damage damage done by missionaries and European colonialism, but I will not take out my soap box today.

I only wish to applaud one man, Adrian Williams, the only openly Pagan member of the South African Parliament. The DispatchOnline reports on his holding office and interviews him. He not only is open in his beliefs, but attempts to bridge the gap in understanding between a growing acceptance of Pagan religions, Wicca included, and the taboo surrounding the term "witch" in South Africa. It makes for an intersting read and reminds us of the "speak little/ listen much" portion of the Wiccan Rede, which we would do well to remember as we become more visible in and around our modern world.

The article, from the DispatchOnline, can be found here.

She Really Is the Brightest Witch of Our Age

2009-08-11T01:25:00.003-05:00

I don't normally post anything found on E!Online, because they don't normally cover anything particularly relevant. However, this interesting tidbit was a little too out of the blue to pass up posting. It is reported that Ancestry.com confirms that one of Emma Watson's distant relatives was a woman named Joan Playle from Essex County, convicted of witchcraft in 1592. She was never executed, but rather excommunicated. It is an interesting note considering the Potter role she landed (and which, we love her in), but I have to agree with one of the commentors on the story; Most of the people in England have a relative somewhere that was convicted of witchcraft, because they were really into that at one time. Seriously. Still, I'm sure it caught most Americans by surprise. I hardly think its any reason to associate her with Paganism, Neo-, or otherwise, but I'm also surprised the Christian right hasn't jumped on this.

The article, from E!Online can be found here.

British Pagan Officers Given Off for Eight Holidays

2009-07-23T02:46:00.002-05:00

The Telegraph reports that Pagan police officers in Britain will be able to take off for religious holidays. Rather than allotting the Pagan officers more time off, they will be allowed to reallocate their days off. The result would be that the taxpayers do not have to fund it and they are put on equal footing with the predominantly Christian workforce. All in all, everything seems to have worked out fine. As would be expected, the reaction has not been completely positive.

The Daily Express runs what I can only assume is an editorial on the subject and we are told that Scottish officers will not be given the special privileges that their British counterparts now enjoy. The piece goes on to explain that seven Scottish officers have identified as Pagan, and this apparently earns the title for the piece, "The Pagans Who Run Our Country". You can imagine the dribble from there.

Regardless, I laud the British police service for implementing a way to recognize the faiths of their officers and doing so in a practical way.

The article from The Telegraph discussing the new policy can be found here.
The article from The Daily Express can be found here.
(I must say that the pic from the Scottish editorial is absolutely priceless.)

Burger King Pulls Ad

2009-07-21T02:01:00.003-05:00

The Times of India and BNet report that Burger King has pulled a television and poster ad campaign in Spain, featuring the Hindu goddess Lakshmi sitting on a burger. The caption read, "Snack is sacred." Several Hindu groups sent letters indicating that they were offended, and Burger King did promptly remove the advertising. This does remind me of the PlayStation game following Hanuman. The largest critique of the Burger King campaign seems to be that a portrayal of a divinity simply for "commercial purposes" is offensive.

It does strike me as odd though that this is the reasoning. In India, and many parts of the world with a polytheist, or multifaceted view of divinity as is present in Hinduism, deities and spirits are used to promote products all the time. I have seen natural beauty and skin products named after Erzuli, the divinity who rules over love and beauty, in shops which sell African imports and Vodoun supplies. Television and advertising in India are rife with images and references to Hindu deities and stories. I think the difference here is, though, that a company that rises from the culture of the deity or spirit will probably treat the idea of said spirit in more of a devotional context than as a pop culture concept. That was what really troubled me. If anything I would have thought that the idea of making a very specific deity into a generalized pop culture symbol, commercial or otherwise, to promote hamburgers would have done the offending.

What's most interesting to me is that I find that I'm not offended, but I think its because I have a generally good sense of humor, perhaps especially when it comes to religion.

The article from The Times of India can be found here.
The article from BNet can be found here.

Pagans + Nerds = One.

2009-07-20T02:07:00.004-05:00

I'm not much a comic book fan myself, but I have been known to indulge. One thing that anyone will notice after spending some time in the Pagan community is the very common love of science fiction and fantasy, which includes comics. One thing that all Pagans seem to love is a good story. We are, of course, drawn to those stories which involve magic, and being not only devotees, but also practitioners, who have worked at our various arts, we also appreciate one which can accurately describe, capture, and even manifest the subtleties of magic. Newsarama linked to a blog named NeedCoffee.com which has compiled a list of Top 5 Comics That Get Magic Right. They all look interesting. I guess I have to buy more books. Darn.

The list show in its entirety on NewsaRama can be found here.

Fairy and Human Relations Congress

2009-07-17T02:00:00.003-05:00

During the last weekend in June about 250 people gathered at the Methow Valley in Washington state for the ninth annual Fairy and Human Relations Congress. It is intended to be meeting between humans and nature spirits as one might expect, and aims and improving relations between the two. The spirits are propitiated, spiritual classes are taught and learned from, music is played and danced to, and as any Pagan well expects, there is a parade where humans dress as the Fae themselves.

The congress is attended by participants from all over the country and beyond and hosts workshops from some fairly large names in the New Age community. Frankly, it sounds fun.

The article which reports on this, from The Spokesman-Review, is obviously written by someone who is not Pagan or, at the very least, does not believe in the Fae themselves. Still, it does take a fair look at the participants and their beliefs. It lacks some of the more intuitive and in depth details, but these are often lacking in news articles about magical practices and traditions.

The article can be found here.
The link to the events official website can be found here.

Dream Job

2009-07-16T01:51:00.004-05:00

If you care to live in a cave, practice herb magic, and teach magic and witchcraft lessons and get paid 50,000 pounds a year, then there may be a job just like that for you in Somerset in the UK. According to the BBC, Wookey Hole, a tourist destination, is hiring for a witch to live in the cave during certain times of the year and go about the everyday business of a hag.

No, really.

The job postings require the applicant to be able to cackle, not be allergic to cats, and describe the position as a "key career move". The article also specifies that due to sexual discrimination laws, nothing can stop a man from applying for the job. If you want the job, you'll be at Wookey Hole on July 28th at 11:00am, their time of course.

The article from the BBC can be found here.

Child Endagerment Charges In Ritual Case

2009-07-14T02:45:00.002-05:00

NorthJersey.com reports that in Paterson, NJ three people have been charged with child endangerment in a case involving the child's presence at a ritual including animal sacrifice, where it is also reported that the child received cuts. The police are holding two of the suspects and have released the third. One of the three is the child's mother, and the police have not indicated what fashion or tradition of ritual was being performed.

This is obviously shocking, at least at first, to the Western mind. I must admit that this is a very controversial case, even, and perhaps especially, from a Pagan perspective. First of all, is the fact that most people are not sure which part of this situation is the most problematic. Many people would cite the child's witness of the sacrifice as one that might have a traumatic effect on her. This is true, but not necessarily warranting of child endangerment charges, as many generations of children raised on farms all over America, and the world, have grown up with their favorite pet chicken, only to find her on their dinner plate one night. Many of these children, and many more have watched as an animal is sacrificed, or simply slaughtered for food. However, to be fair, one could also argue that a child being raised in our culture might not react to the experience in as healthy a fashion.

With concern to the cutting of the child, are many factors. One thing in my mind that automatically pops up is the prospect of the sanitary issues concerning animal sacrifice and a child being cut in the same space. However, assuming that these two things were being done with different instruments and care to keep the animal's fluids from mixing with the child's blood, then we move onto the issue of actually cutting a child. I will say a few things on this subject. For one, the Yoruba sometimes administer medicinal herbs to people, some of whom are children, by cutting them and smearing the mixture into the wound. It is not inconceivable that they were practicing one of the syncretic Caribbean traditions, such as Vodou or Santeria, which contain elements of Yoruba spirituality, due to the large population of Puerto Rican and Cuban immigrants in and around the New York state area. Even if they were not, it is not an uncommon method of medicinal administering worldwide. Given the size of the ritual attendance, and the size of the sacrifice, I would guess that this was most likely intended as a healing or protection ritual for the child. Many would not accept this as a reason to allow for the cutting of the child. However, as someone who was held down by five grown men at the age of six to receive injections, I find it difficult to support the call for child endangerment charges here also. Citing not only injections, but the sometimes gone awry procedure of circumcision, which we subject our baby boys to without anesthesia, I find it difficult to support child endangerment charges with so many culturally comperable examples.

And while the charges could be simply because of a cultural misunderstanding, or because the three suspects were doing something really horrific to this little girl, there are also many other prejudices sneaking in. For one, most news sources would cite the names, ages, and charges of the suspects, but most would not do as The Star Ledger did on NJ.com and post not only the suspects address, but also a google map to find these peoples' very home. So, even if they are exhonerated, any fanatic or nutcase could find them.

I understand that some, if not many, people will disagree with some of the things I've said. Feel free to leave a comment or two. I welcome the open discussion. We, as a community, need to talk about things like this.

The article on NorthJersey.com which features the names of the suspects can be found here.
The article which features a map to the suspects' home can be found here.

Ireland Outlaws Blasphemy, WTF?

2009-07-13T01:39:00.002-05:00

With the rise of rampant blasphemy, or "free speech," as most of us care to call it, the Irish parliament passed a bill into law that makes it a criminal offense to utter or publish blasphemies. The law inflicts a fine of up to 25,000 Euros, the equivalent of nearly $35,000. In case these horrid utterances reach the masses in print, the police are also authorized to raid businesses and homes to find any copies of such printed materials. This is problematic on a number of levels.

First of all, this is so obviously a huge damper on free speech. Whether one is being blasphemous or not is irrelevant. You should be allowed to do so if you care to. This allows for the free flow of ideas and takes one out of, rather than burying oneself deep in, the dark ages.

Secondly, is the simple issue of practicality. Most people commit blasphemies on a daily basis, not realizing that someone, somewhere would be offended! Then, there is the issue that almost all peoples' religious beliefs are blasphemous to most, if not all, other religious beliefs.

Finally, is that while this could potentially affect every person in Ireland for simply speaking their own religious beliefs, what concerns me most is that large, powerful populations are rarely the victims in cases of civil libertly losses like this. I fear what it could mean for many religious groups in Ireland.

A Houston Atheist Examiner article for the law, containing excerpts of the law can be found here.
An IrishTimes article featuring content on Atheist legal reactions can be found here.

Sorcery Bust

2009-07-09T04:19:00.004-05:00

Some of you may vaguely remember my post in May about Saudi Arabia's Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and their campaign against sorcery. I recently ran across another article that details a "bust" if you will. A Saudi court recently sentenced a 70 year old Pakistani man to three years in jail and 840 lashes. His crime was having in his possession, "[t]alismans, sorcery books, papers with verses of Holy Qur’an and polytheist writings, believed to be used in sorcery". There were "accomplices" who were also punished. Of course, this is upsetting because it appears that he was an immigrant practicing some form of spirituality, syncretic or otherwise, that simply didn't fit the mold of what is required by government standards, if you could believe it. It makes me glad I live in a country where religious freedom is a daily reality, but reminds me of how much work there is to do in the world to make that a reality elsewhere.

The article from the Saudi Gazette can be found here.