8.02.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
We'll start off with the shameless plug department of The Wild Hunt, head over to John Morehead's blog to read an interview with me concerning issues in Pagan-Christian dialog.
"I'm a big believer that Pagans shouldn't isolate themselves. While we are growing quickly, we are still a tiny, and often misunderstood, minority. What Christians do and think can have serious ramifications on us, and we would be foolish to ignore that. Not to mention the fact that the million-plus Pagans in America alone have millions of Christian relatives, friends, and co-workers. A rational and peaceful dialog is the only way forward from the tensions that produce "Satanic Panics", bitter custody fights, lost jobs, broken friendships, and isolated families. We don't have to agree, but we do need to find away to get along."
This discussion is just one of many to be spurred by the new book "Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue". Expect interviews with the two main participants of "Beyond the Burning Times", Philip Johnson and Gus diZerega, on this blog in the near future.
Christian prayer or Pagan spells, which will prevail!? We may soon find out. Focus on the Family's Stuart Shepard is imploring Christians to pray for "umbrellas-aint-gonna-help-you" amounts of rain to fall on Barack Obama's outdoor acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Meanwhile, Isaac Bonewits unveils the latest edition of "Spells for Democracy" where he asks for coordinated (ethical) spell-work to, among other things, unearth scandals or personality flaws of your "least favorite candidate".
"Cast a revelation spell around your least-favorite candidate, to expose any aspects of their history or personality that would make them unfit for office."
Wouldn't it be interesting if Obama gets rained on, while McCain get embroiled in a major ethical scandal? Would we be left with a celestial stalemate? The theological implications are boggling.
Racist idiots are garnering more bad press for Asatru. A skinhead in Arizona was arrested after threatening a group of Hispanic people (who were quietly mourning the death of a loved one) with a shovel and a knife.
"Peters then yelled that he wanted his step-daughter and raised a shovel saying he was a skinhead and would kill someone, court records say. Peters realized he was outnumbered and backed down from the confrontation. He was arrested nearby, court records say. Court records said Peters told police he was looking for his step-daughter and said he was a skinhead and wanted to intimidate the group of Hispanic people. He also told Mesa police he pulled out a knife, court records say."
Once in custody, Kelley Peters thought it was a good idea to tell the court that he had Hitler tattoos and that he was an adherent of Asatru (which the article claims is "a common practice in the Skinhead culture"). Another moron without honor sullying a religion he probably has no deep understanding of.
The Ashland Daily Tidings reports on the formation of a new Pagan preschool by Rowan Tree Pagan Ministries.
"Rowan Tree Director of Children's Programs Selyna Faola'n plans to offer Rowan Academy, a preschool and kindergarten program for children ages 3 to 5, starting Sept. 22. The program can proceed if it meets an enrollment minimum of 10 students, but Faola'n said she could go ahead with as few as seven. Rowan Tree Pagan Ministries is an organization that offers programs and resources for the Southern Oregon pagan community. The group received its nonprofit certificate this week. The Rowan Tree Pagan Art and Ritual Supply Shop, which serves as a community hub, is located in the Underground Marketplace downtown."
The article, unfortunately, has attracted some anonymous trolls who begin to find any weak points (real or imagined) in which to mock the subjects of the piece. A sadly common event now proving John Gabriel’s Greater Internet F*****d Theory, and calling into question the utility of appending the ability to comment to everything on the web. Luckily, I'm blessed with a thoughtful and intelligent bunch of commenters here, and have never had to entertain abandoning the ongoing dialog with my readers.
In the wake of tragedy, Unitarian-Universalists keep the faith.
"Across the country, as well as in the Washington area, hundreds of Unitarian Universalist congregations held services and candlelight vigils this week after a deadly rampage at a Knoxville, Tenn., church to show support for their denomination's long-standing progressive tradition ... At the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax in Oakton, about 60 people from five UU congregations in Northern Virginia came together for a service Monday evening. Bill Welch, the congregation's minister for programs, talked about how isolating it can be to be a liberal in today's world of right-wing talk radio and conservative Christians "that talk about liberals as if we are bad people." "In our prayers, we should remember that we're not alone, that there are people who share our beliefs, that we are part of a larger body," Welch said."
The article notes the Unitarian-Universalism's post-Christian identity, and that modern Pagans are included and welcomed within the denomination.
In a final note, Canada's National Press pays tribute to the "riches of ancient Greece", and raises some interesting questions about the goddess Nike.
"Nike, goddess of victory, has emerged in our time as the greatest celebrity among all the Greek divinities. On the streets of every city, sweaty worshippers proclaim their love on T-shirts and shoes. Nike was always impressive: Look at her as the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a don't-miss-this stop for every tourist in Paris who gets to the Louvre. Still, she was hardly in the top rank. She was an attendant of Zeus, the chief god, and now she's eclipsed him in every gym in the world. Zeus doesn't even have a line of underwear named after him. She's made him an also ran."
Is Zeus still the king? Perhaps we should consult Tom Stone, who recently published a biography of the great thunderer.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: Asatru, Beyond the Burning Times, law, Nike, Oregon, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, politics, prayer, Presidential election, racism, shootings, spells, Unitarian-Universalism, Zeus
7.29.2008
Update: Unitarian-Universalist Church Shooting
"When I first heard the news, even before anything about the gunman's motives were known, I couldn't help but guess that it was because the UU *is* the sort of church it is - welcoming, and accepting of pagans, of religious diversity, of glbt, and human diversity." - Sangrail
As we continue to learn more about the tragic shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, the Unitarian-Universalist blogosphere, and its allies, react.
Over at Religion Dispatches, Laurie Patton remarks on growing up in a UU congregation, and how the shooting reminded her of her place in the "culture wars".
"Sunday’s horrifying episode reminded me that as a liberal I was, and am, part of the culture wars—and that those culture wars are sometimes far more than just “culture.” They are, by now, a deeply rooted part of the split in American life, whereby those who legitimately seek inclusion and change are pitted against those who legitimately wish to conserve the best of our culture. The divide is so deep that those who are already unstable and prone to violence can draw upon those culture wars to justify violence—the same way that anti-Semitism or anti-Muslim sentiments have surfaced in violent acts perpetrated by unstable (and some alarmingly stable) people in recent memory, such as the shooting at the Jewish Community Center in Seattle and attacks on the mosques in the wake of 9-11."
David Neiwert at the Orcinus blog notes that threatening to kill liberals is no longer 'just a joke'.
"In Tennessee this weekend, the chickens came home to roost when a gunman named James David Adkisson walked into a Unitarian Universalist Church and began shooting. So far, two people are dead, and seven more were wounded. He was saying "hateful things," according to all the news reports ... Right-wingers love to "joke" about mowing down, rounding up, and otherwise "wiping out" all things liberal. It's become a standard feature of conservative-movement rhetoric. And whenever anyone calls them on it, they have a standard response: "Aw, c'mon -- it's just a joke!" In reality, of course, rhetoric like this has historically played a critical role in some of the ugliest episodes in American history, as well as thousands of little acts of xenophobic brutality: functionally speaking, it gives violent -- and frequently unstable -- actors permission to act on these impulses."
Transient and Permanent looks at the history of violence against UUs.
"Domestic terrorism has been an ongoing threat to Unitarian-Universalists because they tend to embody cutting edge trends that society is slowly, painfully moving toward. The issues change through the decades–integration, civil rights, women’s rights, pacificism, gay rights, environmental conservation, universal healthcare, religious pluralism, and so on–but the Unitarian-Universalists remain ahead of the pack year after year. Even though society generally catches up with them in time (by which point the UUs have typically already moved ahead once again), being on the fringe of the mainstream is a dangerous place, in America and in most any country. At various times and in their homes, churches, and out in public, UUs have been beaten, stabbed, shot, or blown up simply for their beliefs, and there is no reason to assume this will ever come to a complete end."
Finally, Sara Robinson, also at the Orcinus blog, puts lie to the myth that UUs are "weak" or "soft".
"Conventional wisdom says that we're soft in all the places our society values toughness. Our refusal to adhere to any dogma must mean that we're soft in our convictions. Our reflexive open-mindedness is often derided as evidence that we're soft in the head. Our persistent and gentle insistence on liberal values is evidence of hearts too soft to set boundaries. And all of this together leads to a public image of a mushy gathering of feckless intellectuals that somehow lacks cohesion, backbone, focus, or purpose. You can only believe this if you don't know either the history or the modern reality of Unitarian Universalism."
For more reactions from the Unitarian-Universalist blogosphere, head over to the definitive UUpdates. The UUA has set up a special blog entitled Supporting Our Friends in Knoxville where you are invited to leave comments of love and support.
Labels: shootings, Tennessee, Unitarian-Universalism, UUA
7.28.2008
Breaking: Unitarian-Universalist Church Shooting
On Sunday morning Jim Adkisson, who defined himself to neighbors as a "Confederate" and a "believer in the old South", walked into the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church and opened fire with a shotgun. Nine people were inured by gunfire, two have died.
"KPD Chief Sterling Owen said ... that mental illness is not believed to be a factor in the suspect's actions. Owen also said the FBI is now involved in the investigation. Owen confirmed witness reports indicating that the suspect arrived on the scene with a large quantity of ammunition. He also noted that the suspect had attempted to conceal the 12 gauge shotgun he used in the shooting by carrying it in a guitar case."
There were around 200 people in attendance, and children were singing songs for the congregation when the shooting started. Four members of the congregation managed to tackle and subdue Adkisson. The minister of TVUUC has asked people to "pray for us". Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has issued a written statement of support and sympathy:
"When we go to our places of worship, we go expecting to have a time of reflection and fellowship. Today's violence is the worst sort of desecration and should be renounced by citizens of all faiths. I join all Knox Countians in offering our prayers to the families affected by this terrible tragedy. This is a time for all of us to come together to lend our complete support to this church family."
As a member of the extended UU family, I want to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to the TVUUC community, may they find the strength to recover and move forward. May healing come to those still in the hospital, and may justice be done.
More information: CNN, Knoxville News Sentinel, Reuters, New York Times, Statement from Rev. William G. Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Association.
ADDENDUM: From Philocrites: Gunman targeted the UUs for their 'liberal stance' and their acceptance of gays.
Labels: shootings, Tennessee, Unitarian-Universalism, UUA
12.10.2007
A Few Quick Notes
A slow news day in the Pagan world, but there were a few interesting tidbits I would like to share with you. First off, UU-Blogger Philocrites says everything I could possibly want to say concerning Mitt Romney's "Faith in America" speech.
"By trying to define "faith" as conservative traditionalism and "pluralism" as a name for monotheistic traditionalism, Romney misrepresented the true diversity of American religion, explicitly dismissed Americans who don't identify with a religious tradition, and painted the traditions he did mention in a way that celebrates their most traditionalist wings and ignores almost all of their visions for the commonweal. What a disappointment."
Also of interest is Slacktivist's analysis of the speech, in which he questions the logic of throwing (non-Mormon) religious outsiders under the bus in order to curry favor with the Christian Right.
"The speech includes some decent stretches, but it was not, primarily, a courageous plea for religious tolerance and mutual respect. It was, instead, primarily an obsequious bit of sucking up by an outsider hoping to curry favor with the in crowd by parroting their condemnation of other outsiders ... Romney's gambit here comes straight from the school yard. As a Mormon, he is an outsider, getting picked on by the bullies of the religious right. Instead of standing up to the bullies, he sucks up to them, trying to prove his loyalty and win their approval by acting like them and picking on the other outcasts and outsiders. 'You guys want to pretend that 'secular' and 'profane' are synonyms? I can do that. Look, I'll even beat up this atheist kid for you. See? I'm just like you guys!'"
Turning from politics to holiday celebrations (a topic that is only slightly less contentious), the expected "winter festivals other than Christmas" stories are starting to pop up. The American Chronicle runs a commentary piece by Saqqara Aleister concerning pre-Christian winter holidays and how they have influenced our present-day festivities.
"So as the Winter Solstice once again is upon planet Earth, look to where your celebration may have come from. Look to others in this time of "Christmas" and see, we are all celebrating the same season. Everyone may not celebrate in the same way but we are all celebrating birth, death and rebirth in our own unique way. A way that our ancient forefathers saw coming thousands of years ago as they huddled in caves watching over their food stores waiting for the snow to melt and the warmth of spring to return. May your observance be merry and happy."
Meanwhile, The Daily Titan (a college paper for the California State University in Fullerton) interviews a Wiccan about Yule celebrations.
"Tracing its roots back to Scandinavian aboriginals, Yule celebrates the winter solstice. "[It] centers around December 20 to the 23 in the northern hemisphere," said Paul Levesque, comparative religion professor. This year, it will take place on Dec. 20 and pagans will celebrate the return of the warm sun ahead of the long winter days. "[It's about] showing the unity of creation, light in the darkness," Levesque said. Yule also reinforces the notion of rebirth during the wintertime and it commemorates the New Year in western and northern traditions of Wicca."
No doubt an expose on the mysterious "Western" and "Northern" traditions of Wicca will be forthcoming. In addition to these stories, you can find plenty of "pagan roots of Christmas" articles written with different degrees of talent by a variety of columnists hard-up for fresh ideas. They should all take a cue from Tony Sachs at the Huffington Post, who writes an amusing story of how his grade-school tried to solve the religious diversity problem by settling on a common denominator: paganism.
"I can sort of understand, however, why none of us thought twice about what was called "Candlelighting Day" but was really "Freaky Quasi-Druidic Festival." We were just kids, for cryin' out loud. Give us a half day of school with an assembly instead of classes and we'd do anything. Celebrate the holidays with a mass wedding presided over by Sun Myung Moon? No problem, as long as it gets me out of algebra. Bite the heads off some Christmas doves with Ozzy Osbourne? Like, sure, whatever. Is it noon yet?"
Ah, the innocence of childhood.
Finally, for the book lovers out there (and you know who you are), Bookslut has a profile of the literary smorgasbord that is the Exhibit Hall of the American Academy of Religion's yearly meeting.
"Any academic conference's pedestrian aorta leads right into the Exhibit Hall, a place clogged with publishers' book booths. Last month, I immersed myself in the clamorous annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) -- Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) in San Diego, and thus was able to graze in the mother of all Exhibit Halls. As one of 9,000-plus attendees, I joined other book lovers in walking up one aisle and down the next, refusing to miss a back corner or hidden grotto and thus a possible gem."
I don't know about you, but I'm totally planning on being at the next AAR meeting in Chicago. Pagan scholars, academic papers, and more books than you can shake a stick at. What more could you want?
Labels: American Academy of Religion, books, Festival, Mitt Romney, Pagan Studies, Paganism, politics, Religion, Unitarian-Universalism, Winter Solstice, Yule
12.01.2007
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Raymond Ibrahim, editor of "The Al Qaeda Reader", discusses the new movie "Beowulf" in The National Review, and complains about Hollywood's pro-pagan and anti-Christian stance.
"By now, the oft-recurring negative portrayals of Christianity in major Hollywood movies have become hackneyed and predictable. The recent rendition of Beowulf only reinforced this trend. The same subtle depictions and motifs present in movies from decades past were once again present, a favorite being the attempt to try to depict pagans as "open-minded" and "free-spirited" peoples, or, quite anachronistically, as medieval counterparts to the modern, secular, liberal. The idea being that pagan peoples - unencumbered by the suffocating forces of Christianity - were/are happy, passionate folk, able to live life to the fullest."
To prove his point he cherry-picks a handful of pro-Pagan (and pro-Muslim) films spanning several years (including "Excalibur" and "The 13th Warrior"). But his argument falls apart when you stack up the recent number of Christian-positive films ("Evan Almighty", "Amazing Grace", "The Chronicles of Narnia", "The Passion of the Christ", and "Millions") against his "pro-pagan" selections. If Hollywood has an idealogical stance, it is whatever stance that will make them the most money.
Aspen, the famous skiing resort, is suffering from a lack of snow, so this year (like last year) they are calling on some extra help to get the flakes started.
"In Aspen some locals are praying to the Norse ski god Ullr in hopes of bringing some of the white stuff. Last year Whistler-Blackcomb did it and they had the most snow they've had in many years. And this year they are off to a great start. Danny Brown, one of those who has lit fires in Aspen, told the Aspen Daily News it is a way to pool energy and draw snow. One of the largest Ullr fires in recent memory was created last week by Brown and three other locals. It was an all-day and most-of-the-night ritual that brought together a small group of ski bums for some good times and laughter, and plenty of collective wishing for the element that truly binds them -- snow."
Will they get better results than Georgia's Governor?
Do they know it's Christmas time at all? That is the question posed to the Pagan-friendly Unitarian Universalists in South Carolina.
"Unitarian Universalists often are asked at this time of year whether we celebrate Christmas - which we do. The next question is always, "Why?" ... Christmas offers Unitarian Universalists an opportunity to celebrate with customs and meanings derived from many faith traditions. No one knows the actual date of the birth of Jesus, but the time just after the winter solstice was originally chosen to coincide with pagan celebrations of the return of the sun and, with it, the promise of renewal of the days of warmth and light that follow. Earth-centered traditions such as Wicca and American Indian spirituality also honor the solstice, as does the Hindu festival of light and in some respects, the minor Jewish festival of Hanukkah."
So the answer is "yes", but not in the way you are thinking.
Santa: Christian or Pagan? The Chicago Tribune asks the experts!
"Many anthropologist types see Santa as a modern descendant of Thor, the avuncular, bearded pagan god of thunder who soared through the air in a goat-drawn chariot from his home in the north and swooped down chimneys toward his favorite element: fire. So Santa must be pagan, right? Not so fast. Many others believe Santa was inspired by the 4th Century bishop Nicholas of Myra, the youngest bishop in the history of Christianity. The son of a wealthy merchant, his generosity and soft spot for children earned him sainthood. His memory came alive every year when he delivered presents on the eve of his feast day on Dec. 6. So Santa is a Catholic or Orthodox Christian?"
The ultimate answer? That in America he, like many Americans, came from Protestants but is now thoroughly secular in nature.
A New York school principal who was accused of using school funds and resources to hire a Santera, has agreed to step down from her position.
"A New York school principal has admitted using city funds to pay for a Santeria ritual at the school. Maritza Tamayo, in a settlement with the board of education, agreed to accept a demotion to teacher for the rest of the school year, The New York Post reported. She would then resign next summer."
Perhaps the ritual to remove "negative energy" worked in ways she didn't expect.
In a final note, today is World AIDS Day, and two Pagan bloggers have already posted commentary in honor of the day. The Pagan Prattle reports on the pernicious "cures" being spread by con-men. While many of these come from the developing nations, Homeopaths in London are spreading dangerous misinformation too.
"...the Society of Homeopaths are holding a conference in London next week featuring the work of Peter Chappell, who also claims he can make an immediate impact on the Aids epidemic using music encoded with his Aids remedies. "Right now," he says, "Aids in Africa could be significantly ameliorated by a simple tune played on the radio." Damningly, contemptibly, not one single person from the homeopathy community has spoken out to criticise this lunacy."
Meanwhile, Hrafnkell at A Heathen's Day looks at President Bush's over-reliance on Christian religion to "solve" the global AIDS crisis.
"I think this is outrageous. It's fine for Bush to have his religion and to practice it, and to believe in whatever God he wants. But to tell us followers of one particular deity are the key to victory in anything is to take an official, not a private, stand on religion, and that is a violation of the separation of church and state. He wants to throw money at these "faith-based" groups - Christians all."
The World AIDS Day site has some suggestions on how to spread awareness of HIV and AIDS on this day. Worried about past sexual and drug-related activities and haven't been tested? Why not find the nearest testing resources.
That is all I have for now, have a great day.
Labels: AIDS, Asatru, Aspen, Christianity, movies, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Santa Claus, Santeria, Unitarian-Universalism
10.04.2007
Selling the UUA
For those of you who are UU-Pagans, the Unitarian-Universalist Association has released a new 10-minute promotional DVD (part of a larger national campaign to increase membership) to entice potential members of the liberal faith. Sadly, all the voices in the in the film seem to come from liberal monotheists (who are a distinct minority in the UUA), and other theological perspectives aren't even mentioned (except for a glancing aside that "atheists" are accepted within the UUA). The only nod to UU-Pagans and earth-centered spirituality (which makes up 20% of the UUA) comes during a one-second flash of a bulletin board for a Pagan study group.
Blink and you'll miss it!
Which makes me wonder if this video represents what the "powers that be" wishes UU-ism was, a body of liberal monotheists with a sprinkling of "atheists" and other believers on the theological spectrum. Some liberal Christians checking out a UU Church for the first time may well be shocked when they find out the reverend is a Humanist (or a Buddhist) and doesn't recognize a Christian conception of deity. You can judge the film for yourself by checking it out on YouTube.
Being a non-creedal faith, the UUA and the larger Pagan community have entered into a somewhat symbiotic relationship. Many Pagans isolated from larger communities (or dissatisfied with the community they have) seek out UU Churches as a safe and accepting spiritual home, and UU Churches are often the home for Pagan Pride Day events across the country. Notable UU-identified Pagans include Margot Adler, and Isaac Bonewits. So with this strong (and growing) connection between the two faith communities, it is surprising the UUA hasn't done more to market themselves directly to Pagans (or at least acknowledge our importance in its marketing materials) instead of trying to win over liberal believers who may find find themselves deeply uncomfortable in a non-creedal setting.
Labels: CUUPs, Paganism, Unitarian-Universalism, UUA
9.22.2007
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
A hospital chaplain in Maryland was fired for preventing the Gideons from handing out copies of the New Testament in every hospital room. Jews on First reports that Peninsula Regional Medical Center, a publicly funded non-religious hospital, eventually demanded the resignation of the Rev. Kay Myers when she continued to bring up the health and privacy concerns presented by handing out non-sterile Bibles to every room.
"As director of pastoral care for a community hospital in Maryland, the Rev. Kay Myers halted the placement of sectarian Christian books in patients' rooms. Myers said her decision was one of the carefully measured steps she had taken during her seven-year tenure to move her department to a professional level of pastoral care. The hospital's response was not so measured. The CEO immediately countermanded Myers. Within months she was forced to resign."
Sounds like grounds for litigation to me, in the meantime residents of Maryland might want to avoid a hospital whose administration doesn't respect your health, privacy, or religion.
Monika Ann Dilmaghanian, an adherent of Asatru, has been sentenced for 15 years to life for stabbing her partner. The argument that lead to the stabbing was reportedly over the proper cleansing of a ritual blade.
"Monika Ann Dilmaghanian, 34, had pleaded guilty as charged last month to first-degree felony murder for the April 6 death of 24-year-old Nathan D. Harris at a campground near Causey Reservoir. Defense attorney Bernie Allen - who believes Dilmaghanian is guilty of the lesser crime of manslaughter - said she refused to go to trial and seek a lesser conviction because she did not want her children to have to testify against her ... family members agreed that Dilmaghanian acted out of anger and under the influence of alcohol, rather than intentionally."
A friend and co-religionist of Nathan Harris claims that hundreds showed to his funeral, and that he is sure Dilmaghanian meant to murder her husband and will speak against her at any parole hearing.
UU World profiles alternative scouting organizations, including the Pagan-friendly (and founded) Spiral Scouts.
"The Unitarian Universalist Association parted ways with the BSA over those two issues after the BSA withdrew approval in May 1999 for a religious emblem the UUA awarded to Scouts who had earned it through a program of study in their congregations. Since that time some UUs have wanted a more inclusive youth program. SpiralScouts and Navigators are two such groups. Neither group is officially affiliated with the UUA, although UUs may lead them and participate in them. Some groups meet in UU buildings or are sponsored by individual UU congregations. Other UUs continue to participate in Boy Scout programs ... SpiralScouts is directed primarily at children and youth whose families identify as Wiccan or Pagan and with Earth-centered spirituality, but it is open to anyone, says Janet Callahan, SpiralScouts International program director."
It should be interesting to see if Spiral Scouts will continue to make inroads into communities that for one reason or another are dissatisfied with the Boy Scouts.
In an interesting article for those who prefer to practice skyclad or are committed to naturism, Slate.com explores the question of if children are harmed by seeing their parents naked.
"If the kid is younger than 3 years old, it's probably harmless. At least, this is what many adolescent psychiatrists believe; there have been few rigorous studies of the subject. Very young children won't notice anything odd about a parent who prances around the house in the buff. Likewise, babies who breastfeed at 12 months are physically intimate with their mothers and don't think twice about it. Chances are good that a 2- or 3-year-old won't form any lasting memories of seeing his parents in their birthday suits."
The article claims that the issue becomes more complex between 4 and 8 when a child starts to learn the societal norms of dress and privacy. Of course there are still few academic studies on the subject, and naturist groups claim that there isn't any problem with growing up in a clothing-optional house. Many parents seem quite sanguine about the issue as well.
Comic company BOOM! Studios reassures its Pagan readers that their new comic "Salem: Queen of Thorns" won't vilify Pagans and Witches.
"We agree that a comic book that asserts Pagans are evil and destructive might well be considered insensitive, offensive and even slanderous. However, SALEM: QUEEN OF THORNS is not that book. We appreciate your criticisms, but feel they are based on a mistaken understanding of the true content of our story. In SALEM, the religious authorities are an evil force that persecutes innocents in the witch trials. They aren't celebrated in any way and are, in fact, major villains ... More importantly, one of our chief characters, Hannah Foster, is a healer accused of witchcraft. She is in no way the "demonized" villain of the piece. Rather, she is one of the key heroes on a noble journey to combat evil and save the world."
Proof that you shouldn't judge a book by blurb alone.
The Toronto Sun enlists local Witch Tamarra James to help the local soccer team score a goal.
"This ought to do the trick, soccer fans. "Zeus, Lord of Olympus," Tamarra James cries out. "Receive this offering of precious incense and turn your eyes to this place." A cloud crosses the midday sun over BMO Field. A gull keens. A security guard shifts nervously. Ms. James, 56, is high priestess of the Wiccan Church of Canada. She is this country's top witch. We are here, with her deputy witch, Nicole Cooper, 31, to put a spell on Toronto FC. A good spell. A spell to bring a harvest of goals. Or at least one. Starting today, with Columbus in town."
Makes you want to watch the game to see if her prayers were effective.
Finally, Boing Boing links to a post by Aranamuerta on how to make your own Witch Kitchen Jars.
"Making witch kitchen jars and ingredients is easy and inexpensive. Any jar or bottle of any size will do. I collect jars from my own kitchen, from friend's houses, from garage sales, and from one of the thrift shops in town that always carries a vast and bizarre selection for very cheap."
Only 39 days till Samhain! That is all I have for now, have a good day.
Labels: Asatru, Canada, Chaplaincy, Comics, law, naturism, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Salem: Queen of Thorns, skyclad, Spiral Scouts, Unitarian-Universalism, Wicca, Witchcraft
7.14.2007
Did Polyamory Get the Pagans (and everyone else) Kicked Out?
There has been much conversation on Unitarian-Universalist blogs about the recent decision of the UUA Board to severely limit "Independent Affiliates" within it's organization. This lead to the vast number of IAs, most notably those that advocated for a specific theology (including the Covenant of UU Pagans), to lose their privileged status within the UUA.
"The results of this rejection means that CUUPs will lose official recognition within the UUA, will not be granted a program space at future General Assemblies (though they will be included at this years' GA), and will have to pay higher participation fees at UUA events. It also throws into doubt the fate of other theologically focused IAs such as the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship and the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship."
At the recent UU General Assembly, the UUA made it clear that their position on Independent Affiliates wasn't going to change, and it was implied that theologically focused groups (Christians, Jews, Humanists, Pagans etc.) should band together as a single council if they wanted IA status again.
"Gini's strong suggestion was that we in that room ought to join ourselves into an umbrella organization and apply as that body as an IA. (Various names for such a group have been suggested by wags and visionaries since: my suggestion was that it would be called, "the amalgamated organization of hyphenated, and therefore, not real, UU's" Excessively snarky, I suppose. Another person, much wiser, suggested calling ourselves "The Council of the Sources" which has some real merit.) Gini seemed to think that this organization of organizations could play a positive role in providing some of the content for lay theological education."
While it remains to be seen if such a body of "sources" will attempt to form, since the GA a growing theory for the change in policy towards Independent Affiliates has arisen, that it was all done in order to justify keeping pro-polyamory groups out of official affiliation with the UUA.
"Now, the recurring suspicion is that all of this is the Board's response to the UU's for Polyamory Awareness ... Gini said at our meeting, to answer the critique that this was a sudden thing, that the board had been working on the new IA policy ever since the Long Beach Convention. The Long Beach convention was the height of our collective Polyamorous Awareness. Much hand wringing ... all the cynics say: that the IA mystery is really quite simple. It is the way to set up a structural block to having to say "yes" to an application from UU's for Polyamory Awareness. There is no evidence which contradicts that theory. But consider the implications of it being true ... It means that the elected leadership is finessing and not confronting an issue that is right before us -- an issue that is not only significant for Unitarian Universalism institutionally, but is actually right below the surface of our culture."
Since then, several prominent UU blogs have been chiming in on the issue of poly acceptance within the UUA, with the discussion getting rather heated in some corners.
"The advocates of multi-partnered relationships within the UUA have taken a passive-aggressive stance toward the association, its churches and especially its ministers. Rather than trying to demonstrate that the widespread, and eventual, legal recognition of multi-partnered relationships is warranted, necessary and socially responsible, they have asked UU's to prove that they are not prejudiced, ignorant and backward by advocating for them."
So what happens from here? It is pretty certain that anything pro-poly is "out" if the UUA has anything to say about it (at least for the time being), but the challenges of groups like CUUPs aligning with UU Christian, Jewish, and Humanist organizations in order to win Independent Affiliate status once more may be insurmountable.
"I can tell you this: from what I've heard, and what I feel myself, UU Buddhists, Jews, Pagans, Humanists and Christians - all of whom have beloved, thriving Independent Affiliate groups, are hardly at all interested in becoming one big organization of UUs Who Still Care About Theology. Not even if they get a cute name like the BuddhiHumiChristiJewPas."
What seems even more unlikely is that these proposed "councils" (grouped thematically around social, theological, and political interests) would then act as "gatekeepers" against groups the UUA would find embarrassing and undesirable.
"One thing that Gini said at the meeting was that the UUA board did not want to have to ride herd on 60+ IA's, and so it would be a good thing if there was a Council of Theologically based Organizations to handle its own membership requirements. In other words, the proposed Council could decide who was in and who was out. A long time ago, a friend of mine, who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons, and I had a good laugh about starting a UU affiliate of Devil Worshippers, complete with our story of exclusion and oppression by mainstream religion, to satirize what we saw as the UU inability to set any sort of boundaries. (We even had a name, "the LUUciferians"). We abandoned the plan because we were afraid that no one would get the joke ... Well, apparently, the Council of Theologically Based Organizations will be the body to guard the door against the LUUciferians."
So did the UUA throw dozens of thriving UU-based independent groups into disarray to avoid having to deal with UU polyamorists (or large churches against such practices leaving the UUA)? I doubt we'll get a clear answer soon, but it is the only theory that has gained any traction since the new policy took place, and the resulting chaos and controversy certainly won't help organize the former IAs into action against these changes. But one thing is for certain, the Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness have certainly archived their goal of greater "awareness", but perhaps not in the manner they expected.
Labels: CUUPs, Paganism, Polyamory, Unitarian-Universalism
6.30.2007
Out of Town This Weekend
I'm out of town for a wedding this weekend, so blogging will be somewhat sporadic, but I'll try to check in and post when I have a chance. There is a lot to comment on that I simply don't have the time for, but I'll try to catch up on Monday.
Here are a few quick things I wanted to mention:
The AJ Drew/Frosts effigy controversy - this may be the most commented entry in the history of this blog. I highly recommend making your way through both comment threads (and adding your voice if you wish). I believe there are some very productive things being said concerning the Frost's book, the resulting controversy, and AJ Drew's response.
The Rita Moran / Christian Civil League issue - again, I highly recommend looking through the comments here, it appears that the fear-mongering tactics of the Maine Christian Civil League have backfired. Many Pagans, local Maine residents, and people concerned with common decency have stepped forward to protest the treatment given to Moran, made donations to the Maine Democrats or bought a book from her local book store. In addition, their attempted intimidation of commenters by posting personal information has also hit the skids due to the questionable legality of their actions, and the comments page has been removed entirely.
In a final note, there are some interesting stories developing out there that I plan to touch on soon, including the fate of Independent Affiliates within the Unitarian-Universalist Association, which includes CUUPs (the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans). So look for that soon. Everyone should also check out a very interesting article on Paganism in Utah that I'll most likely touch on in a separate post (possibly tomorrow if I have the time).
That is all I have time for at the moment, have a great day!
Labels: AJ Drew, CUUPs, Gavin and Yvonne Frost, Paganism, Rita Moran, Unitarian-Universalism
6.29.2007
Not Ready for Pagans and Atheists?
In December of last year, I reported that a UU Pagan group in Albemarle County, Virginia generated some controversy when they took advantage of new school board rules that allowed the distribution of religious-themed flyers to school children.
"Some local Pagans who attend Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church, a Unitarian-Universalist congregation in Charlottesville, decided to take advantage of the new forum as well. They created a one-page flier advertising a Dec. 9 event celebrating the December holidays with a Pagan twist and used the backpack system to invite the entire school community...The flier invites people to 'an educational program for children of all ages (and their adults), where we'll explore the traditions of December and their origins, followed by a Pagan ritual to celebrate Yule.'"
This was all a result of threatened litigation brought by the late Jerry Falwell's Liberty Counsel, when the school refused to allow the distribution of Bible camp literature.
"A letter from the Jerry Falwell-linked Liberty Counsel has prompted the Albemarle County School Board to change its policy. The Board will now allow religious organizations to send home fliers with school children in backpack mail."
But all this "religious freedom" at school isn't going down too well. Pagans were bad enough, but then the atheists got involved!
"The county began allowing religious activity fliers but promised to revisit the issue in a year. And over the past school year, a Pagan flier in December and one for the atheist-oriented Camp Quest this spring sparked more controversy. Superintendent Pam Moran told the School Board her email inbox shut down when a national organization -- Vision America headquartered in Lufkin, Texas -- got wind of the "beyond belief" Camp Quest fliers and flooded her with messages protesting school-abetted "atheistic indoctrination." Technicians had to work over the weekend to get her email back up and running."
So now the Albemarle School Board, not wanting to find out who will try to distribute literature next, has banned all non-school related flyers from their "backpack mail" system. A situation that their teaching staff seems to have preferred all along.
"In the end, distributing religious and nonreligious materials through the schools was miring teachers, principals, administrators, and the Albemarle School Board in controversy. And a majority of School Board members wants to eliminate any fliers that aren't school- or government-related at its June 28 meeting ... 'Last year, 16 out of 16 elementary principals recommended we not do this,' admits Friedman. 'We did not listen.'"
The irony here is that conservative Christians are the ones who pushed for the distribution of religious material at the school, and then complained so loudly about "atheist indoctrination" once other groups took advantage of the system that it had to be ended. So who wants "religious freedom"? It certainly isn't the conservative Christians, who seem to only want freedom if it's their religion.
Labels: Albemarle School Board, atheism, Jerry Falwell, Paganism, Religious Freedom, Unitarian-Universalism, Virginia
6.01.2007
CUUPs Loses Affiliate Status
The Covenant of Unitarian-Universalist Pagans (CUUPs) has had its Independent Affiliate Status with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) rejected during the re-application process.
"At its most recent meeting, the UUA Board rejected the applications of 15 of the 17 organizations who were re-applying for Independent Affiliate Status ... The official document trail does not provide any real insight into the reasons and purposes for sudden disaffiliation of 15 of 17 applications for IA status. So, why? What purpose is being served? What was the precipitating event?"
The UUA seems to feel that Independent Affiliates have strayed too far from focusing on UU congregations and may not be serving the best interests of the UUA as a whole.
"...we wonder how our longstanding structure of Independent Affiliates has served the UUA, as an association of congregations. To us, it appears that we have developed a growing number of separate groups, each of which may be doing excellent work, but with little or no connection (that we can discern) to other Independent Affiliates or the congregations that make up the UUA. In light of this situation, the Board began to wonder what it means to be an Independent Affiliate of an association of independent (and interdependent) congregations."
This is echoed by UUA board trustee Tamara Payne-Alex, who worked on the new regulations for Affiliate status.
"We are an association of congregations, not an association of independent affiliate organizations and non-profits ... The board's work to clarify the appropriate role for the organizations that are not congregations in our Association is part of a much broader and very intentional movement to ground our ministries in congregational life."
But the president of CUUPs, Maureen Duffy-Boose, says that they were rejected due to their theological focus, not their congregational merits.
"It looks as if the definition of IA status has changed in such a way that (I am quoting from a letter to me from Ms. Payne-Alex) 'Organizations which foster exploration of a particular theology, perspective or subject do not meet the new criteria for Independent Affiliate status.'"
The results of this rejection means that CUUPs will lose official recognition within the UUA, will not be granted a program space at future General Assemblies (though they will be included at this years' GA), and will have to pay higher participation fees at UUA events. It also throws into doubt the fate of other theologically focused IAs such as the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship and the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship.
In response to this upheaval, the UUA is sponsoring a series of networking meetings for the IAs at this years General Assembly in Portland. So it remains to be seen what will happen to the theologically-focused affiliate groups. Philocrites seems to hint that the GA will ask them to "band together" in some fashion, creating a "Ministry and Theological Perspective" affiliate from the Jewish, Buddhist, Pagan, Christian, and Humanist groups. But we won't know for sure until later this summer what will happen.
Labels: CUUPs, Paganism, Unitarian-Universalism
1.23.2007
Paganism and American Pluralism
The India Forum has published an article by Jakob De Roover (a post-doc fellow at Ghent University) concerning the future of "pagans" from India (or NRIs Non-Resident Indians) within the context of American pluralism. De Roover points out that the American idea of pluralism (the affirmation and acceptance of diversity) is strongly rooted in Protestant Christianity and will not accept non-monotheistic "pagans" easily.
"...the American model of pluralism is unable to accommodate these pagan traditions. This is the case, because its structure has emerged from a co-existence of Protestant denominations. Maximally, the resulting model could encompass other variants of the religions of the book: Catholicism, Judaism and Islam. Incorporating the pagan traditions of India, however, will require a fundamental rethinking of American pluralism."
De Roover uses the California Hindu textbook controversy as an example of the problems facing the religious accommodation of Hindus in America, and shows how the American version of pluralism tries to make non-monotheistic religions reshape into a more recognizable Protestant form.
"The structure of American pluralism and the nature of the Hindu traditions give rise to two options. These options present themselves as routes that can be traveled by the NRI community in the coming years. On the one hand, the pagan traditions of India could renounce their true nature and transform themselves into variants of biblical religion. Then they will soon fit in as well in the American model of pluralism as the Jews and Muslims. On the other hand, these pagan traditions can remain true to their nature and explicitly represent themselves as completely different from the religions of the book. Then they will turn into a major challenge to American pluralism: the very structure of this model will require rethinking in order to accommodate the Hindu traditions."
According to the article, the route taken by prominent American Hindu groups is one of transformation in order to make themselves less "pagan" seeming.
"A limited number of foundations have been appointed (or have appointed themselves) as the representatives of the Hindu traditions in the U.S.: the Hindu American Foundation and the Vedic Foundation are most prominent. These foundations play according to the rules of the notions of church and religion that are intrinsic to American pluralism. They challenge the unfair portrayal of the Hindu traditions in the American educational system. But they do so in a manner which advances the transformation of these traditions into inferior variants of Christianity. They intend to present the true doctrines of Hinduism and do so by making it look respectable to American Protestants. That is, the many devatas are transformed into different ways of worshiping the one true God. Hinduism becomes a proper monotheistic faith. A variety of pagan Indian traditions are excluded because they are embarrassing to the sanitized biblical model of American pluralism."
This discussion is hugely important, not only for Hindus living in America, but for the variety of modern Pagan faiths and traditions. In fact this very discussion has been ongoing in our community in debates over Pagan participation in Unitarian-Universalism and other congregational models. Do we retain our essential "pagan-ness" or do we, over time, slowly mold into an more acceptable form so that we can reap the benefits of the more mainstream monotheistic faiths? If congregational models become the "mainstream" of modern Paganism, are they even "pagan" any longer?
Labels: Hinduism, India, Paganism, Pluralism, Unitarian-Universalism
