5.08.2008
The ACLU, South Carolina, and Religious Minorities
As I have reported previously on this blog, South Carolina is quickly becoming one of the "hot zones" in battles over church and state. You had Wiccan Darla Wynne's victory over sectarian prayer in Great Falls, the ongoing plan by conservative Christians to legislate around that judgment, and a controversial "I Believe" specialty license plate created solely for Christians about to be approved. So it is troubling to hear that the local chapter of the ACLU has become so dysfunctional that the national organization has swooped in to take over.
"If there is one state that can ill afford an ineffective chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union it arguably is South Carolina ... in recent years [the SC ACLU chapter] been hampered by ideological squabbling among its board members, staff leadership turnover, lackluster membership and fundraising numbers and a virtually nonexistent media presence. Aware of the problems for some time, the national ACLU board has decided to step in and try to right the ship. The decision made national news."
The only comfort here is that with the national ACLU board "driving", we may see a revitalized ACLU chapter in South Carolina, and greater resources being poured into the looming legal battles developing in the state. Over the years the ACLU has been an important resource for modern Pagans seeking redress against discriminatory or unconstitutional policies and practices. Without the ACLU, and similar organizations like Americans United and the FFRF, many of the seminal legal cases that have helped establish precedents and decisions favoring the growth and free exercise of modern Paganism in America may not have happened.
Of course modern Pagans and church-state separation organizations don't always see eye to eye. In New York, the town board of Greece is defending its sectarian prayer policy by making the opening prayers inclusive of all faiths. This has allowed a local Wiccan to deliver a sectarian Pagan prayer before a recent board meeting.
"In just a few seconds' time during the April Town Board meeting, Jennifer Zarpentine made Greece history. Zarpentine, a Wiccan, delivered the first-ever pagan prayer to open a meeting of the Greece Town Board. Her hands raised to the sky, she called upon Greek deities Athena and Apollo to 'help the board make the right informed decisions for the benefit and greater good of the community.' A small cadre of her friends and coven members in the audience chimed in 'so mote it be.'"
Americans United, who recently helped win the veteran Pentacle case, is suing the town board in order to force it to switch to nonsectarian prayer (or no prayer at all). A move Wiccan Jennifer Zarpentine disapproves of.
"Zarpentine said she was pleased by the opportunity to pray at the meeting. 'I thought the invocation went well,' she said. 'The board was respectful;, they all bowed their heads.' As far as the lawsuit goes, Zarpentine said the town isn't being discriminatory. 'They are including everybody,' she said. 'They asked me.'"
Which illustrates a point where there is some divergence between groups like the ACLU and modern Pagans. Most modern Pagans are fine with religious expression so long as there is full and consistent inclusion. While the AU, and similar organizations, take a harder line of enforcing nonsectarian or nothing.
"We're glad to see that the (Town Board) is now cognizant of the diversity of the community, and it's too bad it took a lawsuit to get them to see the light ... While the Wiccan prayer will likely be more inclusive than prayers offered in the past, that doesn't change that what we want is for the town to adopt a policy that prayer-givers offer nonsectarian prayers."
Despite these differences, our faith groups have generally experienced a net gain in allying ourselves with church-state separation advocacy organizations. This will most likely continue until modern Pagan organizations gather sufficient fiscal and political power to form their own legal advocacy groups. Even then, I don't foresee a day where Pagans will be unhappy with the ACLU or AU fighting to keep religion out of politics in America. A truly democratic and secular country is one where the religious minority doesn't have to fear outright discrimination or persecution.
Labels: ACLU, AU, discrimination, law, litigation, New York, Paganism, prayer, Religious Freedom, South Carolina, Wicca
4.04.2008
Roberta and Patrick Stewart's First Freedom
On March 26th, First Freedom First, a joint project of The Interfaith Alliance Foundation and Americans United, held a historic national live simulcast to talk about church-state separation.
"In movie theaters in 25 cities across the nation, interested citizens will gather to learn about the threats to church-state separation and to demand that presidential hopefuls and candidates for other offices answer questions about key issues dealing with individual freedom. A list of 10 great questions to ask candidates will be featured."
Along with appearances by the famous and semi-famous (Kevin Bacon, Jack Klugman, Marc Maron), the special also highlighted individuals who embody the struggle over church-state issues. One of these was Roberta Stewart, a Pagan woman who fought for (and won) the addition of the Wiccan Pentacle as an approved "emblem of belief" (for grave markers and headstones) by the Veterans' Administration. A battle she engaged in after her husband, Patrick Stewart, a Wiccan, was killed in Afghanistan.
Roberta Stewart with host Peter Coyote
You can now watch First Freedom First's simulcast event "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the Separation of Church and State - but Were Afraid to Ask!" online. For those wanting to skip to Roberta Stewart's section, the segment begins at 41:00 minutes into the program. The organization has also posted a petition for elected officials, calling on them to affirm and safeguard the separation of church and state. Good on the FFF for highlighting this proud moment for the modern Pagan movement, Roberta and Patrick Stewart, and church-state separation.
Labels: AU, First Freedom First, Paganism, Religious Freedom, Roberta Stewart, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca
3.25.2008
More Church-State Issues (With a Wiccan Twist)
The town of Greece in New York is the latest flash-point in battles over the separation of Church and State. There, due to predominately Christian prayers (all but two since 2004 were explicitly Christian) said before the Greece Town Board meeting, Americans United is bringing litigation to force them to switch to non-sectarian opening prayers.
"Americans United sued the Greece, N.Y., Town Board and its supervisor, John Auberger, on behalf of two local residents who object to government-sponsored religious activities that favor one faith over others. The lawsuit alleges that almost all of the board’s opening prayers are explicitly Christian, and that since 2004, only a single non-Christian has been invited to deliver the opening prayer."
Stepping into the ring to do battle with Americans United is the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal organization.
"The case is a matter of religious freedom, said Joel Oster, senior litigation counsel for Alliance Defense Fund. The Arizona-based nonprofit Christian group litigates court cases involving religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and traditional family values. 'The town of Greece is following a long-standing tradition established by our founding fathers, and that is to pray before events and ask for divine guidance,' he said. 'The town is just following in line with the great history and tradition of America.'"
Of course that "long-standing tradition" seems to have omitted non-Christians almost completely. The town, sensing their problem, scurries to become as inclusive as possible. How do you do that? You invite a Wiccan, obviously.
"[Greece deputy town supervisor Jeff] McCann said the town has long used a list of worship services published in a local newspaper to extend invitations to local clergy for the meetings. The list offers little diversity, he said, and the town has had difficulty locating people from nontraditional faiths who may not have a physical church building they attend. "Now that the issue has gotten some publicity, we've had people call up and say they have an interest in delivering a prayer," he said, adding that nonclergy, the nonreligious and anyone else who wishes to speak the pre-meeting prayer is welcome. "If a private person wants to come and say a prayer, they can come and do it." Indeed, he said, next month's Wiccan prayer was initiated by local resident Jennifer Zarpentine, who called town offices to ask whether she would be welcome at a meeting."
You would think that regular announcements at meetings, or perhaps a small ad in the local newspaper, would have helped flush out some non-Christian prayer-leaders before this whole mess started. Because now, inviting a Wiccan won't be enough to stop litigation.
"We're glad to see that the (Town Board) is now cognizant of the diversity of the community, and it's too bad it took a lawsuit to get them to see the light ... While the Wiccan prayer will likely be more inclusive than prayers offered in the past, that doesn't change that what we want is for the town to adopt a policy that prayer-givers offer nonsectarian prayers."
Unfortunately for the town of Greece, the law isn't on their side. Several Supreme Court and Circuit Court rulings, including a prominent case involving a Wiccan, all point towards a requirement for non-sectarian prayer by legislative bodies. So if don't want sectarian prayers to leave your city council or town board, you better become radically inclusive now, or else you'll end up with enforced non-sectarian prayer and (most likely) a hefty legal bill.
Labels: Alliance Defense Fund, AU, Christianity, law, litigation, New York, prayer, Wicca
2.08.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Yesterday was the Chinese New Year (the year of the Rat), and April Rabkin of Slate.com details how China's Communist government has worked over the years to eliminate Taoist and indigenous religious traditions associated with the holiday.
"Perhaps the most significant blow to Chinese New Year was the government's decision to forbid the annual burning of the Kitchen God, whose paper effigy hung above the stove ... for more than 50 years, the Kitchen God's effigy has been censored material. While low-ranking gods like the Lords of the Door, who guard courtyard gates and inner doorways, were more tolerated, the Kitchen God was not. In the more traditional countryside, peasants evaded censors by printing the Kitchen God at home on crude wooden blocks. But many young Beijingers I recently asked had never heard of the Kitchen God. Others laughed sheepishly, as if he were a national embarrassment - the equivalent of still believing in Santa Claus as an adult."
Some Chinese are hopeful that Hu Jintao's recent announcement concerning an easing towards Marxist attitudes on religion might translate into allowing a return to more traditional forms of New Year's celebrations. However, it remains to be seen if the Chinese government, long an enemy of religious freedom, will truly change course on this matter or if it is simply a public-relations gesture.
Turning from China to Venezuela, the Associate Press reports that an influx of Cubans into the country has helped spur a rising interest in Santeria.
"[Santeria] rituals have become an attractive option for Venezuelans seeking a unique spiritual path, including healing ceremonies aimed at curing everything from illness to heartache. Some even believe certain gods will offer protection from Venezuela's rampant violent crime. The surge in Santeria, which is practiced by many in Cuba, can partly be explained by the arrival of thousands of Cuban doctors in Venezuela. President Hugo Chavez has been providing Cuba with subsidized oil in exchange for thousands of physicians who come to the South American country to treat poor people ... The Santeria movement nowadays cuts across racial groups and class lines and includes lawyers and other professionals as well as the unemployed among its adherents. In spite of rapid economic growth propelled by Venezuela's key oil industry, people here face problems from crime and inflation."
The article also mentions the local folk religion surrounding the Indian goddess Maria Lionza (a subject this blog has covered before), which has also been flourishing under the reign of President Hugo Chavez. For more on Venzuela, check out Slate.com's recent travelogue of the country.
On the political front, American's United has issued a statement calling on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to reject a federal court nominee partially because of his hostile stance towards minority religions.
"On Feb. 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider the nomination of Richard H. Honaker to the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming. The Rock Springs, Wyo., attorney promotes the idea that the U.S. Constitution creates a Christian nation and that government need not remain neutral on religion ... [AU executive director Rev. Barry W. Lynn] argued that Honaker has also shown a striking callousness to minority faiths. The Wyoming lawyer has suggested that democracy and freedom prosper only because of Christianity and that other faiths pose a danger to such freedom. 'A judge with such an opinion of minority faiths is unlikely to be able to fairly and objectively adjudicate issues affecting their freedoms and rights,' wrote Lynn."
I doubt anyone is surprised that George W. Bush has nominated a judge who has an "abrasive" view of non-Christian faiths. Honaker's appointment to the federal bench would be completely detrimental to the health and safety of minority (non-Christian) religions in the United States. Let us hope that the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee (chaired by Patrick J. Leahy) shows some backbone concerning this appointment.
The satirical site Avant News has spoofed John McCain's recent troubles with Republican-party conservatives by claiming he burned a Witch in order to get into their good graces.
"Republican presidential candidate John McCain burned a witch yesterday outside his campaign headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, in a gesture some political analysts believe was intended to dispel accusations by rivals that the political veteran may possess dangerously moderate tendencies."
The "quote" from Rush Limbaugh about the Witch-burning was a real treat.
The Cedar Creek Pilot interviews Chad Owens, author of the recently published "Working For Death". Owens, who wrote the book while recuperating from a car accident, talks about his religious journey from conservative Christianity to Paganism.
"In high school, I preached under the conservative Church of Christ," Owens said. "But I didn’t know the person in the mirror. So I walked for a month - Dallas, Mississippi, Tennessee, San Antonio, Austin. Then I did a series of articles against the church on online boards and posts under an assumed name, Adrian Gray. I have pagan beliefs now. There are many different beliefs out there, but the point is, we all have beliefs and argue about them, but we're all here on Earth in the same boat, living and trying to find our place."
The profile doesn't delve further into what Owens' "pagan" beliefs are, but apparently his book details a war in the "realm of the gods". Which seems to hint at a predilection towards polytheism.
The Revealer looks at the beginning of a backlash against the spiritually self-centered book phenomena that is "Eat, Pray. Love".
"They're the victims of Gilbert's spiritual snake oil as surely as fans of The Secret or Joel Osteen's prosperity gospel who're encouraged to respond to economic woes with magical thinking. No health insurance? Forced to work double shifts? Can't afford enough heat? The problem, dear reader, is spiritual, not material. Join a union? Forget it. Work with a church group to demand legislative change? Stop worrying so much. All you need is love, and 15 bucks for a paperback to read on the train."
Oh, Oprah Winfrey, so much to answer for.
In a final note, the Feri community has produced a CD of poetry to help Feri co-founder Cora Anderson with her medical and care costs.
"Here is a sneak peek at the CD of Victor Anderson's poetry that I am using as a "Thank You" gift for donors to the Corafund (like PBS pledge gifts). I will have a limited number of the CDs at Pantheacon at Anaar's booth in the dealer's room. For Pantheacon, the CDs will be a gift for donors to the fund who donate at least $10. After Pantheacon I will be sending out CDs to people who currently subscribe to recurring monthly donations and to those who have donated $20 or more in the last 2 months. However, the idea going forward is to use the CD to encourage new donors to subscribe to the recurring donations. More details later."
Among those reading Victor Anderson's poetry for the CD are T. Thorn Coyle, Sharon Knight, and Storm Faerywolf. It looks like an amazing collector's item that also benefits a very worthy cause.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: AU, books, Bush, China, Feri, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Santeria, Satire, The Revealer, Thorn Coyle, Venezuela
8.30.2007
The Shunning of a Wiccan Widow
It seems that our President isn't one to forgive a political loss, or make nice with religious minorities, even if they are they are married to a soldier killed in the war on terror.
"When President Bush took time Tuesday to meet family members of some of the fallen soldiers from Northern Nevada, a woman whose husband made the ultimate sacrifice was notably absent. Roberta Stewart of Fernley, who lost her husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, when the helicopter he was in was shot down in Afghanistan in September 2005, said she was not invited to the meeting that followed Bush's speech to the American Legion's national convention in Reno. Other members of the Stewart family were invited to the brief, private meeting, including her husband's parents and brother, as were family members of others who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan."
For those not up on current events in Pagandom, Roberta Stewart is the woman who successfully challenged the government on allowing the Pentacle on veteran's gravestones and markers (after her husband's grave marker was initially denied a requested Pentacle emblem). It seems that George "witchcraft isn't a religion" Bush is petty enough to snub war-widows (while inviting the rest of the family) if they don't meet his personal criteria of allegiance (or he just hates Wiccans that much), a behavior that Americans United director Rev. Barry W. Lynn called "shabby".
"The president should issue an apology to Roberta Stewart ... She stood courageously for religious freedom for all soldiers, and the president was wrong to treat her so shabbily ... President Bush seems to be continuing a pattern of hostility toward the Wiccan faith ... That's an outrage."
As for Stewart, she isn't surprised at the snub, and guesses that Bush wanted to avoid criticism for his part in blocking approval of the Pentacle.
"I would have loved to have spoken to President Bush and ask him why he dishonored my husband. That's probably why I wasn't invited."
I sincerely doubt that any apology will be forthcoming, Bush has made his distaste for Pagan religion and deserved criticism (even in private) quite clear. But this would be an excellent chance for any of the Presidential candidates (Republican or Democrat) to weigh in on this issue, and rise above such small-minded partisanship and religious bigotry. As for the Veteran Pentacle Quest, a coalition has formed to work on getting the Thor's Hammer and Druid's Awen approved next, and any military families involved in this campaign now know what behavior to expect from the Bush administration.
ADDENDUM: A Department of Defense official claims it was an "unfortunate oversight" and not an intended snub, but AU director Rev. Barry Lynn isn't buying the excuse saying "so called oversights often cover up a multitude of sins."
Labels: AU, Bush, Military, Paganism, Patrick Stewart, politics, Rev. Barry Lynn, Roberta Stewart, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca, Witchcraft
7.07.2007
Pagan Rally Follow-Up
As readers of this blog may know, there was a large Pagan rally in Washington D.C. on July 4th to celebrate the Veteran Pentacle Quest win, and to work towards true Pagan equality within the military.
"Help us voice a further agenda for Pagan Religious Rights: We want a Pagan chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces. And we need to keep the focus on the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept Thor's Hammer, religious emblem of the Asatruar, and the Druids' Awen symbol ... While we have won the quest for the Veterans' Pentacle, the Pentacle is a single victory in the longer campaign for universal religious freedom. We need to hold a clear intent: we want to further the free expression of all religions, Pagan and otherwise. And we need to send that message now, while America still remembers that a department of the federal government systematically denied Wiccan soldiers their full rights."
In the days that have followed there have been some reports from the event, news stories, and other media of interest to people following this new pan-Pagan effort. First off, Stars and Stripes ran a very nice article about a dedication ceremony for the first Pentacle-incribed headstone at Arlington National Cemetary.
"The Rev. Selena Fox said Wednesday wasn't the first time she visited a Wiccan's grave site at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. It was just the first time one was identified that way. "This is the first time the Christian cross and Wiccan pentacle have both been engraved on a tombstone here, and it's great news for us," said the senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, a Wisconsin Wiccan community. "It's recognition we've fought for for so long." On Wednesday Fox, members of her congregation and other pagans held a consecration ceremony at the grave site of Jan Deanna, a Wiccan minister who passed away more than two years ago."
The Rev. Barry Lynn (executive director for Americans United) interviewed several participants in the July 4th rally for his radio show "Culture Shocks". Guests included Diana Paxson, Rev. J. Michael Akins, Rev.Selena Fox and Caroline Kenner. You can download an Mp3 of the entire show at this link.
Finally, author and ritualist Diana Paxson has also written an initial post-mortem of the rally on her blog.
"I'm still pretty jazzed by how well the Pagan Religious Rights Rally in Lafayette Square Park (across from the White House!) came off. This was a real pagan interfaith operation, and provided an opportunity to do some extremely useful networking regarding heathen military work..."
She (and AFA head Steve McNallen) are now looking for a relative of a deceased Heathen veteran so they can start the process of applying for the Thor's Hammer symbol for military headstones and markers.
"I also had the chance to talk to Steve McNallen. One thing we all agree on is that the Hammer should be added to the VA list of faith-symbols, however for that to happen, someone's kin have to apply for a tombstone. Our gods have been taking very good care of our serving personnel, and I'd like that situation to continue, so what we need is to find the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran who served in an earlier war who is willing to petition the VA for a heathen tombstone. If anyone knows of such a person, I can put them in touch with those who will be able to tell them what to do next."
So it looks like this rally has given an important start to further activism towards expanding the freedoms afforded modern Pagans within the military (and in general). As always, if you know of any pictures or reports from the rally please post about them in the comments.
Labels: AU, Culture Shocks, Diana Paxson, Military, Rev. Barry Lynn, Thor's Hammer, Veteran Pentacle Quest
7.04.2007
The Pagans Are Rallying!
This Independence Day, a Pagan rally is being held in Washington D.C. celebrating the recent victory to have the Pentacle symbol approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and to push forward an agenda of true Pagan equality in the eyes of the U.S. government.
"Join us to celebrate a major victory for Pagan Religious Rights, now that we have secured the Veterans' Pentacle! Help us voice a further agenda for Pagan Religious Rights: We want a Pagan chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces. And we need to keep the focus on the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept Thor's Hammer, religious emblem of the Asatruar, and the Druids' Awen symbol ... While we have won the quest for the Veterans' Pentacle, the Pentacle is a single victory in the longer campaign for universal religious freedom. We need to hold a clear intent: we want to further the free expression of all religions, Pagan and otherwise. And we need to send that message now, while America still remembers that a department of the federal government systematically denied Wiccan soldiers their full rights."
Speaking at the rally with be representatives from Circle Sanctuary, The Troth, The Military Pagan Network, The ADF, Sacred Well Congregation, Asatru Folk Assembly, and the Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. This well-orchestrated gathering begins at noon and culminates with a ritual lead by author and Steerswoman of the Troth Diana Paxson that will invoke the Founding Fathers to guard our religious freedoms.
"The people who created this country were pioneers and rebels, risking their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, to establish a nation in which everyone was free to find his or her own path. The least we can do, especially when it is so much to our own advantage, is to carry on the work that they began."
News of the rally is already starting to spread, and The Washington Posts' On Faith blog has devoted their July 4th panelist questions to the issues brought up by this Pagan rally. Most interestingly, is the question of if they would vote for a Pagan politician, the answers may surprise you.
"I am less interested in whether a candidate agrees with me on theology than whether he or she agrees with me on public policy. Our founding fathers had a great respect for the Roman republic. I like them would be very tempted to vote for a pagan like Cicero if he were running for office today." - Thomas J. Reese, Jesuit Priest and editor of the Catholic weekly magazine "America".
"When it comes to choosing candidates, my approach is on the basis of issues, not identities. If a pagan candidate takes stances that I agree with, I would have no hesitation voting for him or her. The same goes for a candidate from any other religion or for an atheist candidate." - Pamela K. Taylor, co-founder of Muslims for Progressive Values
Also adding to the discussion is rally participant Diana Paxson, who is a "guest voice" to the On Faith blog.
"America has always been noted for creativity, in religion as in all else. Each new faith, whether immigrant or homegrown, enriches our culture. Today, when Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques may be found in many parts of the U.S., one might wonder why the VA denied a Wiccan veteran the right to have a pentacle on his headstone for ten years, and the Army has still not hired a Pagan chaplain. Paganism does not seek to replace other religions, but Pagan perspectives can revitalize the ways in which we relate to our history, our ancestors, and especially, in this time of climate crisis, to the environment. Rather than resisting, America should welcome the Pagan contribution to our cultural diversity."
I would love to hear reports from the rally, numbers? Pictures? Personal accounts? Send them to my e-mail address or post about it here in the comments. I would love to do a follow-up of what is sure to be a successful event. Have a happy and safe 4th of July, and let everyone's freedom ring!
Labels: Asatru, AU, Circle Sanctuary, Diana Paxson, Druidry, On Faith, The Troth, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca
4.13.2007
Wiccans and Nonsectarian Prayer
The Winston-Salem Journal reports on a lawsuit between the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (along with Americans United) and Forsyth County over their policy concerning prayer at county board meetings.
"The lawsuit challenges prayer practices at public meetings of the county board of commissioners. Commissioners invite various leaders to lead an opening invocation at their meetings twice a month. They do not dictate what speakers can and cannot say. In many cases, Christian leaders pray to Jesus or Jesus Christ."
The article points out that two cases decided by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals involving Wiccans and public prayer are crucial to understanding how this case will most likely resolve itself. The first was the Cynthia Simpson case, in which a Wiccan tried to obtain equal access to a rotating panel of religious leaders who gave sectarian prayers at local board of supervisors meetings.
"The Fourth Circuit says it's constitutionally mandatory for a public school to give students proselytizing Christian flyers, yet it's constitutionally okay for a local government to refuse to hear nondenominational prayers from denominations its board members dislike. In other words, potential discrimination against a Christian evangelical group is verboten, but outright and public discrimination against a Wiccan, offering up nondenominational prayers, is perfectly fine. Common sense dictates that these two decisions cannot be sustained simultaneously - especially if equality is a principle of value." - Marci A. Hamilton, law professor and author of "God vs. the Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law"
In that case Chesterfield County was able to "win" by changing the prayers from sectarian to nonsectarian during the litigation process. The 4th Circuit ruled that so long as the prayers remained nonsectarian the list of religious leaders was inclusive enough and did not have to include Simpson.
The second case involved Darla Wynne, a Wiccan who faced incredible persecution when she asked that city council prayers in Great Falls, South Carolina either include other non-Christian faiths or become nonsectarian.
"Now keep in mind, I am still going to the meetings and dealing with their nonsense over my bumper stickers. Then one day, I stop bowing my head and the council waits for me to bow my head. They point out that some people won't participate in the prayer and of course, everyone turns to look at me and comments are made such as, 'Satanist. If you don't like things the way they are leave. We don't want your kind here.'" - Darla Wynne
In that instance the 4th Circuit ruled that prayers had to be nonsectarian. Great Falls tried to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court and lost, forcing the city to switch to nonsectarian prayer.
So it look very likely that Forsyth County will either have to become fully inclusive with their sectarian prayer (thus opening it to Wiccans or anyone else), or will have to switch to nonsectarian prayer. A legal situation that could only have happened because modern Pagans stood up for full religious equality under the law.
Labels: ACLU, AU, Cynthia Simpson, Darla Wynne, Forsyth County, litigation
