10.08.2008
The Green Bay Nativity Case Fizzles Out
The Religion Clause blog reports that a case involving a controversial Nativity Scene erected on city property in Green Bay, Wisconsin this past December has been dismissed by the judge.
A brief moment of religious inclusiveness in Green Bay.
"...a Wisconsin federal district court dismissed an Establishment Clause challenge to a nativity scene displayed last year on the roof of the entrance to Green Bay's City Hall. Plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment, an injunction and nominal damages. Without reaching the merits, the court concluded that plaintiffs lacked standing because "none of the relief they seek would redress the injuries they claim." City Council had already enacted a moratorium on all displays, until a policy is worked out in the future. Also the city took down the display at issue on December 26, just hours before this lawsuit was filed. The claim for nominal damages was not sufficient by itself to create standing."
This ruling isn't exactly a rousing victory for Mayor Jim Schmitt. While Green Bay won't have to pay damages, this "Christmas Wars" showdown hasn't endeared him to the local press, and even local clergy have told him to keep city hall secular.
"Mayor Jim Schmitt has met with clergy to get their ideas on a city policy. They agreed that the city should stick with secular decorations and leave the religious displays to area churches and synagogues."
This case has displayed the worst impulses of politicians. Enacting policy in order to "take the fight to" organizations they disagree with, inviting religious diversity to cover their tracks, and then insulting a local Wiccan organization (Circle Sanctuary) by refusing to replace a holiday display that had been vandalized. It makes one wish that Green Bay's mayor had the same good sense as Muskego's.
"You have to be respectful of all religions and if you start putting one display up, you have to put up displays for everybody," Muskego Mayor John Johnson said. "If you put up a Nativity scene and then a group asks you to put up a Hanukkah display or a display for the Muslim holiday, do you tell them no? You can't."
While the Freedom From Religion Foundation's suit was dismissed, they, and the Green Bay residents who filed with them, really won the larger battle. It seems very likely that Mayor Jim Schmitt and the city council will take the advice of local clergy and keep things secular this year. Avoiding future games of litigious "chicken" for the sake of proving that Green Bay is more Christian than Madison. Let's hope this case fizzling out will be a harbinger of the larger "War on Christmas" finally losing momentum among the punditocracy.
Labels: Circle Sanctuary, Green Bay, litigation, Nativity Display, Pentacle, Religion Clause, War on Christmas, Wisconsin
9.14.2008
Possible Postponement in Green Bay Nativity Case?
Opening oral arguments are supposed to begin tomorrow in a lawsuit over a nativity scene installed at the Green Bay city hall building, but the Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a motion to delay after learning that Mayor Jim Schmitt is planning to present a new holiday display plan to the city council in October.
"Based on comments to the media by the Green Bay mayor indicating the city may adopt a policy to place only secular decorations at City Hall, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has asked the judge to delay oral arguments scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, in its Green Bay nativity scene lawsuit."
It seems that Schmitt has been meeting with local clergy, and they have been telling him to keep city hall secular.
"Mayor Jim Schmitt has met with clergy to get their ideas on a city policy. They agreed that the city should stick with secular decorations and leave the religious displays to area churches and synagogues."
A peaceful (and secular) solution to this issue would most likely be in Schmitt's best interests at this point. Local commentators seem to have lost patience for this "unseemly circus".
"Remember this all started after the city of Peshtigo received a letter from the foundation protesting a nativity display in a public park, and then-council president Chad Fradette and other aldermen decided, in Fradette's words, "So now the Freedom From Religion Foundation can pick on somebody a little larger than Peshtigo." This reckless action — which had everything to do with picking a fight and precious little with the meaning of Christmas — reaches its logical conclusion Monday as oral arguments begin in the foundation's lawsuit against the city."
This "picked fight" between Green Bay and the Freedom From Religion Foundation sucked several minority religious groups, including Wiccans, into the fray, and resulted in some anti-Pagan vandalism.
"Someone who vandalized a Wiccan wreath atop City Hall early today fled the scene, but left a ladder behind. At 12:43 a.m., a Green Bay police officer was flagged down by a citizen who was driving by and reported seeing someone on a ladder at Green Bay City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St., taking down a holiday decoration ..."
Here's hoping that a drawn-out court battle can be avoided, and the city sees the value in not favoring one form of religious expression over another.
Labels: Christianity, Circle Sanctuary, Green Bay, litigation, Nativity Display, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wisconsin
8.09.2008
Green Bay Nativity Battle Heads to Court
Last winter's saga concerning a Nativity display, the Green Bay City Council, and a vandalized Wiccan wreath is finally heading to court on September 15th.
"The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Liberty Counsel will face off next month in federal court over the nativity display installed at Green Bay City Hall last Christmas season. Oral arguments are to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 15 before federal Judge William Griesbach at the federal court building, 125 S. Jefferson St., Green Bay. The Freedom From Religion Foundation and 14 area residents are suing the city of Green Bay, Mayor Jim Schmitt and former City Council President Chad Fradette over the display. With the suit, filed at the end of last year, the foundation seeks a court order forbidding the city from installing a religious display on public property, whatever further relief the court deems fair, and costs and attorney fees for the action."
To briefly sum up the story, the Green Bay City Council decided to put up a Nativity display on top of the city hall building after the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation threatened a smaller Wisconsin town to take their Nativity scene down (they did). In an attempt to protect themselves from litigation, Mayor Jim Schmitt announced that any religious group that wanted to place their own display next to the Nativity could do so. That's where the Wiccans come in.
Green Bay employee installing a Wiccan wreath.
"A Wiccan symbol now stands alongside the Christmas manger scene above Green Bay City Hall's northwest entrance. The new display is an evergreen wreath, about 3 feet in diameter, around a five-pointed star. It's called a pentacle, and it is a symbol in the Wiccan religion, which is associated with witchcraft. Wicca is a nature-based religion based on respect for the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons."
The Pentacle wreath was donated by Wisconsin-based Circle Sanctuary, but no sooner had the Pagan display gone up, when it was vandalized in the night. The wreath only sustained minor damage, but instead of replacing it, Mayor Jim Schmidt decided that only the Nativity could stay up (he also claimed he had no idea the wreath was donated by Pagan Witches), and no other religious displays would be allowed until they could "develop a set of guidelines". Discussion of new guidelines wasn't given a date, and the Nativity stayed up alone until December 26th. City Council President Chad Fradette was obviously spoiling for a legal showdown.
"After the vote, Fradette declared, "I'm trying to take this fight to the people who need to be fought. I'll keep going on this until this group imposing Madison values crawls back into its hole and never crawls out." Fradette also warned that he would reach out to the Alliance Defense Fund and the Liberty Counsel for legal assistance in helping him defend the display."
Well the "Green Bay values" versus "Madison values" battle royal is finally here, with the Religious Right organization the Liberty Council representing the city of Green Bay. Will the case be dismissed? Will Green Bay be forced to keep it secular this Winter? Stay tuned for further developments. I may even decide to drive down from Milwaukee and see this clash of the titans for myself!
Labels: Christianity, Circle Sanctuary, Green Bay, litigation, Nativity Display, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wisconsin
1.01.2008
"It wasn't a hate crime..."
WIVB in New York reports that an anonymous caller to the Olean police department claims to be the man who ran over a holiday Pentacle display in early December.
"Police believe they've received a phone-call confession from the person who ran-over a holiday pentacle display in olean. This all started earlier this month in Olean. The city allowed people to put up religious symbols in front of city hall..but not long after someone erected a Wiccan pentacle sign.. Someone ran it over."
The vandalized Pentacle display.
Here is the content of the caller's message:
"Hello there, this is a tough call for me to make... We were in Olean shopping.. We had dinner.. We were on our way home.. my girlfriend said, hey, there's the symbol that was on the news I wish someone would run it over I had a few beers in me.. and was showing off, so I backed into it. I am truly sorry it wasn't a hate crime..just an off color prank."
See? It isn't a hate crime if you had a few beers in you and did it to impress your girlfriend. This "beer + girlfriend" defense seems to be winning over the local police, who say that they only plan to charge the man with misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief (if they catch him). No word on if further charges will be entertained (like drunk driving for instance). What do you think? Is this a hate crime or an "off color prank", what punishment do you think the driver (and possibly the girlfriend) should receive?
Labels: Christianity, hate crime, Nativity Display, New York, Oleans, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wicca
12.31.2007
Top Ten Pagan Stories of 2007 (Part Two)
[You can read part one of this entry, here.]
05. Discrimination, Harassment, Hate Crimes, and Firings: Last year one of my picks for a top story was "Growing animosity and tensions between Christians and Pagans", and while this year didn't appear to be quite as bad, there seemed to be plenty of animosity to go around. Christians extremists fought for the right to intimidate us, Witches were beaten and stabbed in Canada, a Pagan store-owner had a noose left on her doorstep, and the FBI reported that hate crimes towards religious minorities is on the rise.
"A couple things become immediately clear, one, that Christians (both Protestant and Catholic) experienced the fewest religiously-motivated hate crimes of any faith grouping (despite claims of widespread anti-Christian activity by some conservative Christians), and two, that a large number of religious hate crimes (coming in third behind Muslims and Jews) are towards faiths that check the "other" box in surveys. In fact, the number of incidents against "other religions" have risen since 2005, with 41 more victims of a religious-motivated hate crime in 2006."
But it wasn't just threats and physical attacks, this year saw quite a few firings that seemed to be motivated by an anti-Pagan bias. In some cases rumor-mongering seems to have replaced due process, and people who were a bit too odd being labeled as "Witches".
"The same early December day a fellow substitute teacher asked if she was Wiccan, Harmon found herself in Principal Jamie (Rene) Tolbert's office answering questions about her appearance and whether she had discussed religion with students."
I wish I could say this particular story will diminish in 2008, but I think that as we continue to enter the mainstream, a certain minority of religious believers will do all in their power to shove us back into our "broom closets".
04. Pagans in Politics: This year, more than any other I have witnessed, saw modern Pagans involved with, and affected by, our political process. This year saw the Chair of the Kennebec County Democratic Committee in Maine outed as a Pagan by a conservative Christian group, who then stalked her and attempted to incite vandalism against her. When that didn't work they went after the vice-chair (who is also a Pagan). But you don't have to be a Pagan to get smeared politically, you only have to associate with them. An Asheville City Council found herself the victim of an attack ad based around her participation in a "save the trees" event, and subsequently lost her bid.
However, one of the biggest political events directly involving a modern Pagan has to be the scandal involving a deputy of Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.
"[Ginger] Cruz, a former spokeswoman for the governor of Guam, originally joined SIGIR as a contractor working for the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. Current and former SIGIR employees have told investigators that Cruz threatened to put hexes on employees and made inappropriate sexual remarks in the presence of staff members. Cruz is a self-described wiccan, a member of a polytheistic religion of modern witchcraft. "We warned Ginger not to talk about witchcraft, that it would scare people," a former SIGIR employee said."
In addition to these events, 2007 saw politics become ever-more Christian focused and identified. With non-Christian expressions of faith being shoved to the margins by Presidential candidates, and non-Christian prayer getting shouted down in our halls of government. With monotheist modes of belief becoming more blatant and forceful across the political spectrum, will there be a place for Pagans (or any religious outsiders) in the near future?
03. Salem's Psychic Wars (plus other psychic legal developments): Divination and psychic services were all over the news in 2007. With many modern Pagans making a portion of their living from providing tarot readings or other divination methods, laws regulating, taxing, or outlawing these services can become a big issue (fiscally and religiously). Michigan recently started taxing psychic readers claiming it was a "high-income" service, a local Wiccan was successful in getting Caspar, Wyoming to remove its ordinance against fortune telling, Philadelphia used a previously unenforced state law to close down psychics, tarot readers, and other diviners in the city, and Livingston Parish in Louisiana passed a religiously-motivated ordinance against all forms of fortune-telling despite objections from local Pagans.
But the biggest story involving psychics, the law, and modern Pagans had to be the "psychic wars" in the "Witch City" of Salem, Massachusetts. With 10% of Salem's population practicing Witches, and a large amount of Salem's tourist income based on Halloween traffic, proposed licensing regulations on psychic readers became a heated debate between rival factions. A debate that took a criminal turn, when one couple decided to use intimidation tactics. A situation that gained national attention, and was even reported on in Time Magazine. The Salem story points to the growing cultural relevance of Pagan faiths (especially when big money is involved) in America. As regional Pagan populations grow, expect to see more conflicts (and cooperation) with local governments over divination services, religious freedom, and local laws.
02. Pagans in the Public Square: A late development this year, but an important one nonetheless, is the recent eruption in the "Christmas Wars" involving modern Pagans. Three separate cases involving public property, religious Nativity displays, and Wiccan participation, have placed modern Pagans on the forefront of the debate over the separation of Church of State, religious freedom, and pluralism. One case is heading for litigation, while another appears to be drawing out into the Spring. Expect these cases to loom large in 2008, and set the stage for next Winter's battles.
01. The Veteran Pentacle Win, and Pagans in the Military: My top story for 2006 was the Veteran Pentacle Quest, and the biggest for 2007 is the successful win in getting the Pentacle symbol approved for Veteran headstones and markers. In addition, we saw Pagan groups forming coalitions in order to expand that recognition to other Pagan symbols, and an ongoing struggle to get a Pagan military chaplain approved. Aside from activism, we also saw stories about Pagans in the military, and how safe they are in an increasingly Christian military.
The legal and social struggles concerning Nativity displays and Pagan soldiers have some of the farthest-reaching implications for modern Pagans in America. Situations that have gained international attention, and in the case of the Veteran Pentacle Quest, President Bush. 2008 will very likely see even more important developments involving these stories.
That wraps up my top ten news stories about or affecting modern Paganism in 2007. Thanks for reading, and I hope you'll join me for another year of sifting through the news and views of interest to our communities. See you in 2008!
Labels: discrimination, hate crime, Nativity Display, Pagan Soldiers, Paganism, politics, psychics, Salem, Top 10 religion stories of the year, Veteran Pentacle Quest, War on Christmas
12.26.2007
Christmas is Over, But Public Display Battles Rage On
Usually the "Christmas Wars" die down quickly once the calendar hits December 26th, but this time around religious minorities (and various Church-State organizations) aren't going gently into that good night. In Green Bay, where a controversial Nativity display was at first announced to be interfaith, but then restricted to a solely Christian display, a lawsuit has been filed.
"The Nativity scene at Green Bay City Hall will come down today, but the controversy it created won't go away anytime soon. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group that advocates for the separation of church and state, and 12 Green Bay residents moved to file a lawsuit Monday challenging the display on the roof of a City Hall entrance. The lawsuit claims the display depicting the birth of Jesus is an unconstitutional governmental endorsement of religion. It claims City Council President Chad Fradette and Mayor Jim Schmitt allowed the display to provoke and marginalize those who would object."
The charge of provocation is easily proven, since Fradette went on record as saying the Nativity display was meant to start a fight.
"I'm trying to take this fight to the people who need to be fought. I'll keep going on this until this group imposing Madison values crawls back into its hole and never crawls out."
Also damning to Green Bay's City Council is the revocation of an interfaith display (while leaving the Nativity up), including the refusal to restore a vandalized wreath donated by Wisconsin Wiccan organization Circle Sanctuary. Mayor Jim Schmitt later claimed he had no idea Wicca meant Witchcraft and that such a display wouldn't be appropriate near a Nativity. The situation has become so heated that some are suggesting drastic measures.
"Only Christians should be obliged to pay taxes in Green Bay as the ignorant bigots running that city appear to represent them and only them. Perhaps non-Christians in Green Bay should go on a taxpayers strike!"
But instead of a taxpayers strike, perhaps groups in Green Bay might want to pay attention to what is happening in Ohio, where a similar set of circumstances have transpired.
"Zoroastrians and pagans, both claiming roles for their faiths in the Christmas tradition, won't stop fighting to have their nontraditional holiday displays placed alongside nativity scenes in Ohio state parks. Efforts by both have so far been rejected by the administration of Gov. Ted Strickland, an ordained Methodist minister, who recently ordered Christian creches placed back in two state parks that had disallowed them due to religious concerns."
But instead of localizing the battle to the Winter festivals, a local resident is preparing to take the fight over public displays of religion into the Spring.
"Tammy Miller was thwarted in her attempt this year to have the parks also display the "happy humanist" of the Humanists, whose philosophy favors human rationality and morality over belief in a higher power. She said she is now preparing a Wiccan pentagram, with help from Tarot card artist Robin Wood, that she wants to see displayed on the next pagan holiday, Imbolc, in February."
Now that is some creative thinking! If these State and City governments want to "put Christ back into Christmas" so badly, let them, so long as they will allow us to put the Samhain back into Halloween. Flood representatives who insist on their "legal" Nativity displays to respect our need to see Pagan religions properly honored (legally of course) on the same property. Their refusals will only weaken whatever case they had for erecting Christian displays in December.
Legal pressures can be married with social pressures until these officials realize they don't preside over a "Christian nation". They are supposed to represent every religious manifestation (not to mention those who choose to not have a religious manifestation), not privilege a majority faith in order to score political points. Public displays must be open to all (Nativity + Menorah doesn't equal diversity), or they shouldn't happen at all. No doubt 2008 is going to be spent arguing this very question.
Labels: Christianity, Green Bay, law, litigation, Nativity Display, Ohio, Paganism, Religious Freedom, War on Christmas, Wisconsin
12.19.2007
The Green Bay Nativity and the Bigger Picture
Last night the Green Bay City Council decided to not reinstall the damaged Wiccan Pentacle wreath, or to place any other symbol (religious or secular) on city property until they could "develop a set of guidelines". In the meantime, the Nativity display stays up alone, and will remain so until December 26th.
"Passions ran deep on both sides of the issue Tuesday as Christians, non-Christians and the City Council debated what to do about the nativity display placed on City Hall last week. Twenty-seven members of the public spoke, with some praising the city for putting up the nativity scene and others condemning it for excluding other faiths and nonbelievers ... Mike Layden, also of Green Bay, told the council, "If I were a Hindu - and I'm not - and I had to pay my water bill and walk under that overhang, I'd be terribly insulted. ... I'd say, 'Did I make a mistake in coming here? Does this country still respect the sanctity of the constitution?'" Some also criticized the acts of the mayor and Advisory Committee for agreeing last week to put it up."
It looks like Green Bay is trying to have its cake and eat it too. Develop inclusive display rules before they get smacked with lawsuits from the ACLU, Americans United, or the Freedom From Religion Foundation, while keeping the Nativity display up (alone) in order to please their Christian constituents. Lest anyone think the Nativity was an act of simple piety, remember that Green Bay City Council President Chad Fradette has admitted that this action was his official entry into the "Christmas Wars".
"After the vote, Fradette declared, "I'm trying to take this fight to the people who need to be fought. I'll keep going on this until this group imposing Madison values crawls back into its hole and never crawls out." Fradette also warned that he would reach out to the Alliance Defense Fund and the Liberty Counsel for legal assistance in helping him defend the display. Those groups are renowned for carping about an-out-of-control secular America trying to yank Christianity from the public square."
The situation has gained enough national attention that pundits like Alan Colmes (Fox) have been weighing in, and other towns are counting themselves lucky to not be involved in these Nativity battles.
"Things have been pretty quiet on the local front lines of the "War on Christmas." Other places in the U.S. couldn't escape the fray, however, as folks just had to find one more layer of stress to add to the holiday season."
Meanwhile, the ACLU defends itself against "anti-Christian" charges, and lays out its legal philosophy on what separates a Constitutional Nativity display from an un-Constitutional one.
"For instance, Christmas displays -- including nativity scenes -- are perfectly acceptable at homes, churches and even, in some cases, on city property ... the federal courts have ruled that religious displays are permissible on government property so long as, when viewed as a whole, a reasonable observer would view the display as having a secular purpose, not a religious purpose."
A legal test that Green Bay would most likely fail at this point. Green Bay has lapsed in its duty to think not only of the dominant religious sentiment, but of the host of religious minorities within its borders. It troubles itself with what it can get away with instead of working to bring everyone to the table.
"Today, the twin principles of "no establishment" and "free exercise" are meant to guarantee what the Flushing Remonstrance sought: religious freedom as a fundamental, inalienable right for every person. But legal protections can never be sufficient to ensure full religious freedom. In real-life conflicts, religious freedom often means little unless ordinary citizens speak up for the rights of others, including members of the smallest minorities and least-popular communities. When government officials ignore the rights of minority faiths - in a town opposed to an Islamic center, in a public school hostile to Wiccan children, in a court that ignores Native American religious claims - will those at the helm stand up for those in the hatches?"
No doubt Green Bay's "Christmas present" to its residents will very likely result in litigation come the new year, with a resulting bill that will come due for every tax-payer in the city. All so one strutting man could place a plastic Jesus on the local government's roof, and taunt an atheist organization.
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Circle Sanctuary, Green Bay, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wisconsin
12.18.2007
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Remember the Episcopagan scandals? Well, the main player in that drama, former Episcopalian priest turned Druid Walter William Melnyk, is releasing a new novel co-written with with Druid priestess Emma Restall Orr entitled "The Apple and The Thorn".
"The Apple and The Thorn is a love story set on the mythical Isle of Avalon at the time of the Roman invasion of Britain. The novel draws on the persistent myths of the Lady of the Lake; legends of Jesus' visit to Glastonbury with Joseph of Arimathea; the Holy Grail and the Chalice Well. Although set in ancient times, it is a heart-rending tale of power and belief, a contemporary reminder of the emotional and physical conflicts that surface when the missionary zeal of one faith threatens to destroy the beauty and spirituality of indigenous culture and suppress freedom of belief and worship."
If the Lady of the Lake and Joseph of Arimathea debating over the true nature of Jesus (and the resulting Christian religion) is your kind of thing, no doubt you'll be well-pleased with what Melnyk and Orr have produced. The book is out now in the UK, and is scheduled for a May release in the US.
The Lansing State Journal reports that Baby-Boom religious seekers will most likely remain seekers once they hit retirement.
"He said that, as boomers age, as they become grandparents, they seem to be 'moving into that phase that humanistic psychologists have talked about of thinking about what they give back, not just what they get,' he said, 'what they give back to family, community and country.' The question for religious institutions is whether they can provide the settings for that search for meaning. 'Organized religion has been reaching out to try to create venues for this kind of thing,' Roof said. 'But I think the baby-boom generation still feels free to find truth wherever they can.'"
So don't worry, it doesn't appear that Starhawk will be converting to Orthodox Judaism (or Isaac Bonewits to Catholicism) any time soon. I, for one, welcome our less-self-centered Boomer overlords. I'd like to remind them that as a trusted blogging personality, I can be helpful in rounding up others
Speaking of Starhawk, she weighs in on the subject of diversity, pluralism, and the "Christmas Wars" at the Washington Post "On Faith" blog.
"I don't think we're being too 'politically correct' to hold to the guiding principles that our Constitution is founded upon. As someone who was raised Jewish and who is a practicing Pagan, I support Christmas. I think it's a beautiful holiday, a wonderful celebration of birth and hope in the midst of the dark of winter. I support Christ being the 'star of the show' in every Christian Church and Christian home. I sympathize deeply with my Christian and secular friends who are struggling to keep the holiday from devolving into CommercialMass or Giftmas and to focus on its deeper meaning. I do not support Christ being the star of the show in public celebrations - not unless he's willing to share the stage with Lugh the Sun God and Saule the Sun Goddess, Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna, Judah Macabee and a host of others. Even then, either someone gets left out or every celebration becomes an interminable endurance test. And how do atheists get equal time?"
While Americans battle over how much Baby Jesus gets to happen in public, Iceland has no problems connecting the Yule-tide dots between Christian and pagan practice.
"Head Folklorist at the University of Iceland Terry Gunnell will give a presentation in English today and again on December 22 at the National Museum of Iceland, located in Reykjavik, about the traditional Icelandic Yule. The presentation is entitled 'The Icelandic Yule. An illustrated presentation in English reviewing the beliefs and traditions of Icelandic Christmas past and present, from pagan gods to practical joking Christmas Lads.'"
Between this and the joint Pagan-Christian celebrations in Lithuania, you gotta wonder if Europe isn't on to something here. But if tolerance and peaceful co-celebration isn't an option, you can always file a restraining order on the cause(s) of this whole mess.
"Paranormal Restraining Orders Keep them away! Since the dawn of time, mankind has sought the means of keeping away supernatural and paranormal entities. Now, for only $5 each, receive a printed document that bars them from approaching or contacting you."
They really need to broaden their options, there are all sorts of celestial powers I want to keep a safe distance from me.
The Smart Set's Emily Maloney visits a Body, Mind, and Spirit Expo so you don't have to.
"The whole expo felt like a bad shopping trip where shoppers and sellers were all piecing together a mix and match vision of reality. I also found listening to people who were capable of distorting their cognition in such whimsical ways nearly impossible to understand. I mean, if I could get in touch with the Devic Kingdom, wherever that is, I could definitely use a fat, chipper gnome to remind me of my grocery list, or help me find overdue library books, or drive when I got too drunk (if that's not asking too much to ask of a gnome), but I just don't know how to go playfully crazy in the direction of woodland fairies and jolly gnomes."
I completely empathize with the mental block (which I playfully call "sanity") that doesn't allow me the full range of spiritual experiences some of my more "out there" co-religionists seem to regularly engage in. Then again, if it got me a gnome-housekeeper, perhaps I should try harder.
In a final (fae) note, Bookslut lets us know that there is a new English translation out of the classic Irish epic "The Tain".
"It's all quite fantastic, but in Carson's version never preposterous. In part, that's because he's such a skilled translator. Carson has done deft poetic justice to book-length works by Dante and the 18th century Irish poet Brian Merriman. This "Tain" also benefits from the fact that, among the formidable group of poets to emerge from Ulster over the last few decades, Carson has remained closest to the roots of that troubled province's traditions. He is the author of two fine books on traditional music, and this translation is dedicated to a traditional Gaelic storyteller. Because he is a fine poet and -- in that Yeatsian sense -- "a rooted man," Carson's translation teases from "The Tain" several of the things that make it so remarkable: First and foremost among them is the fact that -- unlike, say, the Iliad -- the characters in "The Tain" don't stand as archetypes. They're real people -- conflicted, complex, alternately admirable and reprehensible, capable of courtesy and deceit, generosity and cunning. Cu Chulainn is a superhero and a vain adolescent, a warrior sometimes thrust into mourning by his own skill. He, like other characters in this "Tain," is also very funny."
You can find the new translation, here.
That is all I have for now, have a good day!
Labels: Baby Boomers, Christmas, Druidry, Episcopagan, Iceland, Ireland, New Age, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Starhawk, War on Christmas, Yule
12.17.2007
You Saw This One Coming
As if by clockwork, last night a man tried to removed the Pentacle wreath on top of the Green Bay City Hall which was placed next to a controversial Nativity scene.
"Someone who vandalized a Wiccan wreath atop City Hall early today fled the scene, but left a ladder behind. At 12:43 a.m., a Green Bay police officer was flagged down by a citizen who was driving by and reported seeing someone on a ladder at Green Bay City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St., taking down a holiday decoration ... The suspect was described as a white male, 5-foot-10 to 6 feet, between 150 and 170 pounds, wearing a gray parka-type jacket and gray hat with ear flaps. The ladder was left at the scene. The wreath was taken down and found behind the shrubs. There was minor damage to the wreath. There was no other damage to the other decorations or the building. This incident remains under investigation."
Luckily the wreath was on top of a roof, so the suspect couldn't simply back a truck over it. Perhaps religiously-motivated vandalism is how Green Bay shows how its different from their more cosmopolitan neighbors in Madison and Milwaukee? In any case, it remains to be seen if this incident will affect the decision-making at the special City Council meeting on Tuesday. Will they decide to call the whole thing off like Olean did?
ADDENDUM: Looks like Green Bay isn't handling this situation too well...
"In an about face, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmidt says no one else will be able to put symbols on Green Bay City Hall for right now. The mayor told several people who showed up at City Hall with symbols today that news. Those people weren't happy ... One woman who showed up Monday asked how a 'Pagan Pentacle' ended up on City Hall if she wasn't going to be allowed to add her symbol. Another told the mayor if her symbol couldn't go up, everything would have to come down ... Mayor Schmidt says until the city council debates the proposed guidelines tomorrow night, the city will not allow new symbols on City Hall."
Looks like a lot of unhappy people will be awaiting the outcome of Tuesday's meeting.
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Circle Sanctuary, Green Bay, Nativity Display, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wisconsin
12.16.2007
Return of the Holiday Pentacle Saga!
While vandals and controversy may have ended the display of a festive holiday Pentacle in Olean, NY, it looks like the story will continue in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Green Bay employee installing a Wiccan wreath.
"A Wiccan symbol now stands alongside the Christmas manger scene above Green Bay City Hall's northwest entrance. The new display is an evergreen wreath, about 3 feet in diameter, around a five-pointed star. It's called a pentacle, and it is a symbol in the Wiccan religion, which is associated with witchcraft. Wicca is a nature-based religion based on respect for the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons."
This comes after the Green Bay City Council decided to thumb their noses ("tell the Madison people that Madison values need to stay in Madison") at the Freedom From Religion Foundation for challenging a Nativity display in a small Wisconsin town. In order to maintain a veneer of legality, Green Bay invited other religious groups to contribute their own symbols to the display. Nearby Circle Sanctuary (who provided the wreath), is the first to take Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt up on the offer.
"When I learned that Mayor Jim Schmitt publicly invited the contributions of other expressions of faith, I decided that our church should offer to contribute a Yule wreath with pentacle to the holidays display. Our pentacle wreath represents our celebration of Yuletide and the new solar year, and also is part of our observance of Interfaith Awareness Week in Wisconsin which we have been celebrating all week," - Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary.
The question now is will it stay up? The Green Bay City Council has scheduled a meeting this coming Tuesday to discuss the resolution installing the Nativity, and if the Council acted properly in approving Council President Chad Fradette's request/vendetta. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (which is based in Madison, Wisconsin) says that if the "legally messy situation" isn't cleaned up at Tuesday's meeting, they will bring forth litigation against the city. In the meantime, Hindu, Unitarian-Universalist, and Buddhist groups have all approached Green Bay in order to have their own symbols placed next to the Nativity (requests the City says they have to honor since they haven't drawn up any guidelines regarding holiday displays). So it looks like Green Bay will have some interesting times in the coming weeks.
PS - For a lighter side to the Pentacle/Nativity controversies, the Pagan-themed comic "Oh My Gods" has released two strips inspired by these recent news events. Part one. Part two.
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Circle Sanctuary, Green Bay, Nativity Display, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wisconsin
12.13.2007
War on Christmas is Over (If You Want It)
While politicians in America waste time and taxpayer dollars on votes concerning the importance of Christmas, and encouraging legal stand-offs over Nativity scenes, Lithuania reminds us that there doesn't have to be a Yuletide standoff between different ideologies and belief systems.
"A sacred fire built to burn off misfortunes... songs to the goddess of fire... it doesn't sound very Christian, but for Lithuanians the celebration of Advent - the season leading up to Christmas - is done in a way that harks back to ancient times, reflecting the county's deeply rooted pagan traditions. Those in Vilnius on Dec. 16 will be able to witness this celebration first hand when the city will host an Advent evening, starting at 3 p.m., that will include songs, dancing and games that reflect nature and the passage of time ... Christians and pagan traditions often coincide because they trace their feasts to the same calendar. "Christians couldn't decide the exact day when Christ was born, so they decided to make it Dec. 25 and this is the same time when the pagans celebrate the sun rising earlier. In traditional Advent, it is a time to be calm and quiet for ancient pagans and Christians alike," said Daiva Steponariciene, a Sedula folk dancer and singer."
Lithuanian Pagan folk-group Kulgrinda.
Christian and Pagan folk singers and dancers (including famous Lithuanian Pagan-folk group Kulgrinda) will gather, sing, and dance together. Acknowledging their respective holy days, honoring their ancestors (both pagan and Christian), and celebrating together. A wonderful vision to hold as we approach our respective Winter festivals.
Labels: Christianity, Kulgrinda, Lithuania, Paganism, Romuva, War on Christmas
12.12.2007
Update: The Holiday Pentacle Saga Ends
It looks like the saga of a controversial Nativity display in Olean, New York, and the resulting Holiday Pentacle display has come to an end. Just three days after the installation of the Pentacle by a local Wiccan (and one day after it was run over by a truck), Mayor David J. Carucci has decided to re-locate the Nativity to a nearby Baptist Church.
"The battle of the Nativity - and the pentacle - came to an end in Olean on Tuesday, at least for now. A day after the large lavender and silver wooden pentacle sign was driven over and later stood back up - a hole in the front and tire tracks notwithstanding - the adjacent Nativity scene was moved a block down the street from the City Hall lawn to the front of a Baptist church. Later Wednesday afternoon, John Garlow went to City Hall and removed the pentacle he and his wife, April, had placed there as a Wiccan response to the Nativity scene."
It looks like a storm of criticism, and an investigation into a possible hate-crime were more heat than the defiant Mayor wanted to deal with. Mayor Carucci claims that the incident with the Pentacle was mere vandalism, but John and April Garlow, who erected the Pentacle, claim there were threats made against them.
"Garlow said it had been suggested on Internet message boards that his wife should be beaten ... Shortly after 4 p.m., the battered pentacle was removed by John Garlow, aided by Gan, and strapped to the luggage rack of a station wagon. Passing motorists offered comments and a woman onlooker, bearing a placard with the words 'God Will Win,' stood nearby."
Oh, if only the reporter transcribed some of the "offered comments". Does anyone really believe this was random vandalism? For now, at least, it looks like the controversy that started this is over. There is still the matter of catching the "vandal" who ran over the Pentacle display, and making sure he is brought to justice. Lets hope the Police follow through on their promise to investigate this as a possible hate crime.
As for the Garlows, I salute their courage and determination. I hope the Pagan community in Olean is rallying around them. While many talk about doing something, they acted and demanded a place at the table. The Garlows have opened a door, and it would be rude of us to refuse to follow when similar situations present themselves.
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Nativity Display, New York, Oleans, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wicca
12.11.2007
Update: The Holiday Pentacle
It looks like the press missed a beat here. At the end of November, a Wiccan was granted permission to erect a Pentacle display next to a controversial Nativity display in Olean, NY. I was very excited by this prospect, but the next day the Wiccan in question backed down from erecting the display.
"April Garlow said she won't erect the Wiccan symbol. Garlow made the request after being outraged that the mayor allowed a group to place a nativity scene, a Christian symbol, on the municipal building's lawn. "I couldn't believe they would put it on public property. I'm a homeowner in Olean, I pay taxes," Garlow said ... Garlow has said she will not place her Wiccan symbol at the building because of the possibility of lawsuits from outside organizations. Carucci said the offer remains for her and anyone else wishing to display their religious symbols."
But it seems that Garlow changed her mind, and took Carucci up on his offer, erecting a Pentacle next to the Nativity display last weekend. This development didn't make it to the news-wires, but news has been made again now that the display was destroyed by vandals.
The vandalized Pentacle display.
"Police are investigating vandalism aimed at a symbol of the Wiccan religion set up next to a Nativity scene in front of city hall. Officials in this city 60 miles south of Buffalo say someone in a pickup truck backed over the Wiccan pentacle around 10:15 p.m. Monday, then sped off. The pentacle, a pentagram within a circle, was placed last weekend near the Nativity scene Olean Mayor David Carucci allowed to be set up outside city hall last month."
Looks like some Christians aren't as committed to religion in the public square as they claim. I hope the culprit is caught and made to personally restore the symbol, and I hope that every Pagan and Heathen in the Olean area comes forward to erect their own Winter-themed displays. Let the Nativity exist in a sea of religious imagery, or remove it from public property.
ADDENDUM: A further report on the incident can be found at the WIVB site, including a picture of the Pentacle display.
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Nativity Display, New York, Oleans, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wicca
11.28.2007
The Holiday Pentacle
Remember my post the other day when I said Pagans should take advantage of public Nativity display clauses allowing for other religions to "add their symbols"?
"The city of Menominee is trying to legally protect itself by having a provision stating that "non-Christians be allowed to add their symbols". I can only hope that this means an enterprising Pagan group or two are getting public displays ready to sit next to the nativity scene. What about a baby Mithras? A mini-temple to Saturn? How about a Yule Goat? Lets get creative here!"
Well it looks like some Pagans in Olean, New York (near Buffalo) have decided to test the waters and do exactly that.
"The Nativity scene outside a municipal building near Buffalo could soon be sharing space with a Wiccan pentacle. Olean Mayor David Carucci has given a local resident permission to set up a pentacle next to the Nativity scene outside the Olean Municipal Building."
Carucci's decision to allow a Pentacle display comes shortly after facing criticism from local Jewish groups for setting up a Christian symbol on municipal property. At the time he made the promise often made after a controversial religious display is placed on public property:
"Mayor Carucci, who is Christian, said any other religious group is also welcome to put a display outside the City Building. He said he decided to allow the Nativity, which depicts the birth of Jesus Christ, after a group of private individuals asked him for permission to put it up."
So now Carucci's convictions will be put to the test, and a holiday-themed Pentacle symbol will be placed next to the Nativity. One wonders how passerby will know it is Pagan, since Christmas stars are often portrayed as five-pointed. Will there be other elements? Maybe they should have gone with the giant Yule goat instead. But since this is a Wiccan display it leaves openings for Asatru and other Pagan faiths to stake out a piece of municipal land as well. Lets see a plethora of (Pagan) holiday religious displays!
UPDATE: The Wiccan who got permission to erect the holiday Pentacle display is backing down from doing so, due to fear of litigation.
"Despite getting the mayor's permission to place a pentacle at Olean's City Hall, April Garlow said she won't erect the Wiccan symbol. Garlow made the request after being outraged that the mayor allowed a group to place a nativity scene, a Christian symbol, on the municipal building's lawn ... Garlow has said she will not place her Wiccan symbol at the building because of the possibility of lawsuits from outside organizations. Carucci said the offer remains for her and anyone else wishing to display their religious symbols."
She does realize that any litigation would most likely be aimed at the City right? This is disappointing, I want my Pagan Winter Festival display! Come on Olean Pagans, step up!
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Nativity Display, New York, Oleans, Paganism, Pentacle, War on Christmas, Wicca
11.25.2007
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
If you have ever read any of Alan Moore's occult-tinged comics and wondered if he would ever come through on his promise to write a grimoire of his own, wonder no longer! Top Shelf Publishers have posted promotional information concerning Moore's forthcoming book on magickal theory.
"Splendid news for boys and girls, and guaranteed salvation for humanity! Messrs. Steve and Alan Moore, current proprietors of the celebrated Moon & Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels (sorcery by appointment since circa 150 AD) are presently engaged in producing a clear and practical grimoire of the occult sciences that offers endless necromantic fun for all the family. Exquisitely illuminated by a host of adepts including Kevin O'Neill, Melinda Gebbie, John Coulthart, Jose Villarrubia and other stellar talents (to be named shortly), this marvelous and unprecedented tome promises to provide all that the reader could conceivably need in order to commence a fulfilling new career as a diabolist."
The bad news? It isn't scheduled for release until 2010. In the meantime you'll have to content yourself with the recently released "The Black Dossier", which features all sorts of occult tidbits for the careful reader.
The Tropaion blog has dug up a well-regarded History Channel documentary about the ancient Greek gods and goddesses on Google Video.
"History Channel once again had produced a remarkable documentary presenting the ancient Greek gods and heroes. The narrator will guide you with an extreme sense of respect towards the Hellenic religion's believes and practices giving you just the recorded facts and letting eminent Classicists from US' Universities to add their opinion. It is, thus, this combination that makes this documentary a classic work on the ancient Greek gods and their most eminent rites and rituals in the Hellenic world."
You can find a direct link to the video, here.
The Religion Clause blog is documenting "War on Christmas" skirmishes so you don't have to. Of particular interest is a legal showdown brewing in Menominee, Michigan, where an atheist group is unhappy about the erection of a nativity scene in a public park.
"The co-president of Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., said in a Nov. 15 letter that the display would violate the separation of church and state. "It is unlawful for the city of Menominee to maintain, erect or host a display that consists solely of a Nativity scene, thus singling out, showing preference for and endorsing one religion, and commemorating its most holy day," Annie Laurie Gaylor wrote to Menominee city manager Eric Strahl."
The city of Menominee is trying to legally protect itself by having a provision stating that "non-Christians be allowed to add their symbols". I can only hope that this means an enterprising Pagan group or two are getting public displays ready to sit next to the nativity scene. What about a baby Mithras? A mini-temple to Saturn? How about a Yule Goat? Lets get creative here!
It isn't the holiday season without a visit from the ghost of Satanic Panic's past. A strange case involving a mayor in a small Arkansas town who claimed he was kidnapped by Satanists and brainwashed into his current identity made the national news recently. To make sense of it all, Bartholomew unravels all the "Satanic Panic" connections.
"LaRose claims that he only regained his original identity after being brainwashed when he was given a truth serum by Dr. Marvin DeHaan, brother of the radio evangelist Richard DeHaan. Richard W. DeHaan is the author of Satan, Satanism, and Witchcraft, published in 1972 by Zondervan. The book came out at a time when popular Christian paperbacks on Satanism were in their heyday: a year later, Mike Warnke (with the help of David Balsiger) produced The Satan Seller, a now thoroughly-debunked memoir of life as a Satanist. The momentum from books like these eventually led to the "Satanic panic" of the 1980s."
Looks like Satanists aren't just good for selling pulpy Christian books, they can also help you start a new life when things get rough. Is there anything imaginary Satanists can't do?
In a final note, check out esoteric author Erik Davis' write-up of "hard-core, shamanic, eco-metal" band Wolves in the Throne Room for Slate.com.
"The contours of this myth echo what my chat with the band after the Santa Cruz show confirmed: Wolves in the Throne Room are hard-core tree-huggers, with a Manichaean view of the environmental crisis and a pagan faith in the transformative powers of nature."
You can also read a (somewhat) longer commentary by me on this story at my music blog "A Sweeping Curve of Sound".
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: Alan Moore, Comics, Erik Davis, Greece, Magick, music, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Satanic Panic, War on Christmas
11.18.2007
Isn't it a little early for this?
It isn't even Thanksgiving yet and already the first rumblings of the ongoing "War on Christmas" are emerging. It seems that like the retailers, conservative Christians have to start earlier and earlier in order to make their quotas (of attention-grabbing media). The American Family Association has singled out two major retail chains for not being sufficiently full of Christ in their marketing. The first, home improvement retailer Lowe's, took heat for selling "family trees" in their catalog instead of "Christmas trees".
"In its Holiday 2007 catalog, containing 56 pages of Christmas gifts, Lowe's advertises hundreds of gift items, including scores of "Family trees." In fact, the word "Christmas" only appears two times in the entire holiday catalog. The ads mentioning "Christmas" cover only 12 square inches of the 5236 square inches available."
The AFA must not have gotten the latest message from Pat "I love Rudy" Robertson, who made a tree-related pronouncement on this week's "The 700 Club".
"This week, Pat Robertson said on "The 700 Club" that Christmas trees are not worth making a fuss over because they "come from Teutonic Paganism" and "are not an integral part of Christianity." You know things are getting bad when even Robertson starts making sense."
But Lowe's, believing it better to be safe than sorry, immediately recanted its "family trees" and said that "Christmas" would be everywhere in their stores. Where, oh where, will I buy my Pagan-friendly "family" tree now?
The AFA also set its sights on PetSmart, for selling seasonal pet items that weren't sufficiently devoted to all things "Christmas".
"Of all the items that pop up when you search for Christmas, not a single one mentions Christmas or is identified as being a Christmas gift."
PetSmart is also listed in the "naughty" list of Christmas-defying retailers by The Liberty Counsel, who has released its yearly "naughty and nice" list of stores (PDF). The pet-retailer joins The Gap, Ace Hardware, Bloomingdale's and K-Mart in the list of establishments getting "coal" from conservative Christians. This and other early warning shots, seem to prefigure an especially heated seasonal "war" this year. No doubt the "big guns" will soon come out with their yearly allotment of outrage, but don't count out those sneaky Hollywood liberals!
As for the millions of non-Christians in this country, the ones that some Christians believe shouldn't be acknowledged by stores during "their" holiday, we will go on quietly celebrating our Winter festivals, and awaiting the day when we all acknowledge the real reason for the season.
Labels: Christianity, Christmas, Paganism, War on Christmas, Yule
12.11.2006
Christmas Wars + Veteran Pentacle Quest = Editorial Goldmine
Getting an advanced college degree must be good for something, just look at how Mary Zeiss Stange, professor of women's studies and religion at Skidmore College, and a contributer to USA Today managed to tie the Christmas Wars and two Pagan-related stories into one editorial! It seems to be yet another rote editorial on the "controversy" over stores saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" until it becomes all about Paganism.
"Gone are the days when folks who worried about rampant materialism cautioned that it was time to "put Christ back into Christmas." Now it's time to put Christ back into Kmart. And so, as Wal-Mart spokeswoman Marisa Bluestone has bravely proclaimed, "This year, we're not afraid to say 'Merry Christmas.'"...Of course, if you are a Jew celebrating Hanukkah, or a Muslim marking Eid al-Fitr, or a neo-pagan Wiccan for whom the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21) is a major observance, you probably had appreciated the more inclusive acknowledgment that the end of the year is a festive time for you, too. Indeed, particularly if you are Wiccan, the matter of being un-included this holiday season must especially sting. A group of Wiccan families is suing the Department of Veterans Affairs for the right to bury their fallen heroes in military cemeteries in graves marked with a pentacle, the five-pointed star that symbolizes their religion, much as a cross does Christianity or a Star of David, Judaism."
Did you see that? She managed to dis crass consumerism tainting the Christian holiday, remind people that non-Christians really do live and work in America, and then point out how modern Pagans are getting metaphorical coal in their stockings courtesy of the Veteran's Administration. Strange tops off this editorial concoction with the "cherry" of ancient pagan elements still present in modern Christmas celebrations.
"For Christmas is, in its origins and its symbolism, perhaps the most pagan-inspired of all Christian holidays. Its dating derives from the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, which was determined by the winter solstice, that astronomical point in the year after which the periods of sunlight on Earth lengthen...These pagan-derived symbols and customs are precisely the elements of Christmas that Christian activists are pressing to preserve and promote, in venues such as Target and Macy's."
How to close such a editorial? Why with the hope for peace (and justice) on earth and goodwill towards mankind (and womankind) of course.
"...nothing could be more in keeping with the "Christmas spirit" than to embrace and celebrate religious diversity. And nothing could be truer to the spirit of the First Amendment than to honor American war dead as they and their loved ones would wish. No single group of self-proclaimed Christians holds a premium on the meaning of this magical season. And no government agency should decide what "qualifies" as an appropriate religious symbol. And so, no offense intended, but season's greetings."
That is how you write an editorial on subject(s) that have been covered to death and keep it fresh. Pagan editorialists take note. Oh, and season's greetings.
Labels: Christmas, Mary Zeiss Stange, Paganism, Pentacle, VA, Veteran, War on Christmas
