Due to size constraints, each archive file can only be about 500k. Therefore, many of the articles in the older archives are quite recent. Be sure to check them out!
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 10:24:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: slutsrus@echonyc.com
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: FW: More Pagan-bashing
I just got this message forwarded from a friend. Can anyone get the
address
of this station?
Blessings,
Jen Hunter
>i heard anchorman ken jeffries on radio station kfwb in los angeles say
>that pagans are responsible for many of societies ills. thought you
>should know
******
Disclaimer: Although the e-mail account from which I am writing belongs to
my employer, the opinions I express are ENTIRELY my own!
******
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 15:11:19 -0700
From: jharris@fia.net
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Attacks on witches in Florida
Hello.
My name is Jo Anne Harrison. While browsing the Web I came across a web
site you may be interested in. It is produced by a fundamentalist
Christian group, and associates witchcraft with abortion. The articles
are nothing more than a bunch of lies, to stir up hatred.
I have contacted several groups about this, and was referred to your
web site. Peraps you can help stop this sort of madness, and slanderous
garbage. I would imagine they wish to hide behind freedom of speech, but
they have a wicked desire to eliminate abortion (one abortion clinic in
particular), and witchcraft all in one fell swoop.
Please check it out, and let me know what you think, please. I publish
a newsletter, and am publishing an article about what these people are
saying. Hopefully, it will help, but groups like yours can be extremely
helpful, also. Thanks for your time.
Blessed be.
Jo Anne Harrison
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 11:23:24 -0400
From: Lowell & Nancy McFarland
To: cnn.feedback@cnn.com
Cc: mcfarlan@mail1.nai.netcyberia, cuups-usa@efn.org,
OWENS_MC@epic6.dep.state.fl.us, jwaldie@ghgcorp.com,
lcorncalen@aol.com,
AinsleyF@aol.com, FIRE , 74431.3674@compuserve.com
Subject: Self Proclaimed Practicing Witch
Dear CNN,
Again it seems you have a bias problem against Witches and Pagans.
Tonight,Kathleen Kennedy said several times that "...a self proclaimed,
practicing Witch..." was accepted as a prospective juror in the
Oklahoma Bombing Trial in Denver - Thursday, 10 April 1997.
This is insulting to Pagans as surely Kathleen Kennedy would never
say "a self proclaimed Jew, Christian or Muslim, etc."
I believe the journalistic standard is not to doubt a persons
claimed religion without specific additional negative information.
The implication ofKathleen Kennedy is that there is something
wrong or strange with a Witch being accepted for jury duty.
This is clearly gross religious insensitivity or religious
bigotry by CNN or its staff.
This follows CNN's placing of an article about Techno-Pagans in
juxtaposition with articles about the Biblical/Jesus based
Heaven's Gate cult that commited suicide.
Even after ABC's Gina Smith issued an on-air apology for
tieing dangerous (mostly Christian) cults to Pagan Web Pages,
CNN seems to be stuck in religious intolerance against Pagans
and Witches.
Loch Sloy!
Lowell McFarland mcfarlan@ct1.nai.net
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 03:23:58 -0400
From: John Yohalem
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: FIRE: action: Self Proclaimed Practicing Witch
[The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set]
[Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set]
[Some characters may be displayed incorrectly]
John Brightshadow Yohalem
enchante@escape.com
"Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It
merely astonishes me. How *can* any deny themselves the pleasure of my
company?"
-- Zora Neale Hurston
<[}xxxxxx{]::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::>
----------
> Dear CNN,
> Again it seems you have a bias problem against Witches and Pagans.
> Tonight,Kathleen Kennedy said several times that "...a self proclaimed,
> practicing Witch..." was accepted as a prospective juror in the
> Oklahoma Bombing Trial in Denver - Thursday, 10 April 1997.
> This is insulting to Pagans as surely Kathleen Kennedy would never
> say "a self proclaimed Jew, Christian or Muslim, etc."
> I believe the journalistic standard is not to doubt a persons
> claimed religion without specific additional negative information.
> The implication ofKathleen Kennedy is that there is something
> wrong or strange with a Witch being accepted for jury duty.
Oh now now now. The word "witch" does have other meanings besides
religious
ones, and in general usage is taken not as fact but as an epithet. I'm
sure
their feeling is just that they'd rather not be accused of calling someone
a witch, so they emphasize that she says it too.
Let's not get TOO sensitive here.
JY
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 23:39:54 -0700
From: Saphire Mann
To: FIRE
Subject: ACLU News 04-09-97: Internet....
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>04-09-97
>ACLU Newsfeed -- ACLU News Direct to YOU
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>TODAY'S NEWS:
>Sender: owner-news@aclu.org
>Precedence: bulk
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ALA v. Pataki Update
>
>Witnesses Describe Internet Censorship Fears; Oral Argument Set for April
22
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>Wednesday, April 9, 1997
>
>NEW YORK -- Witnesses representing an online arts group, a library, a gay
>issues forum and the American Civil Liberties Union have all testified
that a
>New York statute barring "indecency" on the Internet could subject them
to
>criminal prosecution.
>
>Their testimony on Monday concluded three days of courtroom hearings
before
>Judge Loretta A. Preska in ALA v. Pataki, the challenge to New York's
>Internet censorship law brought by the American Civil Liberties Union,
the
>New York Civil Liberties Union, the American Library Association, and
others.
>
>The groups argue that the law, which imposes criminal sanctions of up to
four
>years in jail for communicating so-called "indecency" to a minor, would
>reduce all speech on the Internet to a level suitable for a six-year-old.
The
>ACLU successfully challenged a similar federal law in Reno v. ACLU,
> currently under review by the Supreme Court.
>
>"We think we were able to demonstrate the the disastrous effect the New
York
>law -- like the federal CDA -- would have on individual speakers and
>non-profit groups who communicate on the Internet both with in and
outside
>the state of New York," said Ann Beeson, an ACLU national staff attorney
who
>conducted direct examination of several plaintiff witnesses. "A long line
of
>well-established Supreme Court decisions demonstrate that government
cannot
>ban protected speech for adults in the name of shielding children."
>
>The government's case began and ended with the presentation of a sole
witness
>on Thursday morning: Michael McCartney, an investigator with the Buffalo
>Attorney General's office who surfs the Net for evidence of online sex
>crimes.
>
>"The weakness of the government's case is evidenced by the fact that they
put
>on only one witness, who testified that existing laws cover the
overwhelming
>majority of cases in which he has been involved," said ACLU attorney
Chris
>Hansen, who cross-examined McCartney.
>
>Defendants' only other witness, Westchester County District Attorney
Jeanine
>Pirro, was withdrawn by government lawyers before the hearing after the
Judge
>questioned Ms. Pirros relevance as an expert on the legislative history
of
>the law. Legislative history is normally a legal, not a factual
question,
>and therefore not usually the subject of witness testimony, the ACLU's
Hansen
>explained.
>
>On Friday, plaintiffs presented Internet expert Diane Kovacs, who
>demonstrated to the Court the workings of the World Wide Web, newsgroups,
and
>e-mail via a live online hookup. Mrs. Kovacs also testified that
filtering
>programs such as Net Nanny allow parents to determine the kind of
material
>their children can see online as well as bar access to chat rooms,
>newsgroups, e-mail, and other functions.
>
>At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Preska set oral argument for
Tuesday,
>April 22, at 2:00 p.m.
>
>Judge Preska also asked plaintiff and defendant lawyers for additional
legal
>argument on the issue of whether the statute violates the Commerce Clause
of
>the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU has argued that the New York Act
violates
>the Commerce Clause, which forbids states from regulating conduct that
occurs
>outside its borders.
>
>"A favorable ruling on our Commerce Clause claim may deter other states
from
>passing unconstitutional censorship laws," said the ACLU's Ann Beeson,
who
>will be representing plaintiffs in oral arguments later this month.
>
>The ALA v. Pataki plaintiffs are: the American Library Association, the
>Freedom to Read Foundation, the New York Library Association, the
American
>Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, Westchester Library System,
>BiblioBytes, Association of American Publishers, Interactive Digital
Software
>Association, Magazine Publishers of America, Public Access Networks Corp.
>(PANIX), ECHO, NYC Net, Art on the Net, Peacefire and the American Civil
>Liberties Union.
>
>Michael Hertz, Anat Hakim and others of the New York firm Latham &
Watkins
>provided pro-bono assistance to the ACLU and NYCLU; Michael Bamberger of
>Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal in New York is also co-counsel in the case.
> Lawyers from the ACLU are Chris Hansen, Ann Beeson and Art Eisenberg,
legal
>director of the NYCLU.
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ONLINE RESOURCES FROM THE ACLU NATIONAL OFFICE
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ACLU Freedom Network Web Page: http://www.aclu.org.
>America Online users should check out our live chats, auditorium events,
>*very* active message boards, and complete news on civil liberties, at
>keyword ACLU.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ACLU Newsfeed
>American Civil Liberties Union National Office
>132 West 43rd Street
>New York, New York 10036
>
>To subscribe to the ACLU Newsfeed, send a message to majordomo@aclu.org
with
>"subscribe News" in the body of the message. To terminate your
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>send a message to majordomo@aclu.org with "unsubscribe News" in the body
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>the message.
>
>For general information about the ACLU, write to info@aclu.org.
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>This message was sent to the
>news
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 08:40:09 EDT
From: Carolyn E Cason
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: action: Self Proclaimed Practicing Witch
"Self-proclaimed" always seemed a little odd to me. Who else would be
making decisions for an adult, whether about religion or politics or
anything else? As a witch, the term "self-proclaimed" is actually
redundant, as no one I know (family members and friends) would have
conceived of chosing this path for me. Carolyn :)
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 10:43:13 -0500 (EST)
From: Cecylyna Brightsword
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: FIRE: action: Self Proclaimed Practicing Witch
I do think that the news uses 'self-proclaimed' in front of Witch because
some people use the term Witch as a pejorative, synonymous with 'bitch',
and the news has to use 'sel-proclaimed' so they don't get sued for
calling someone names. :) That's the only reason news bureaus use that,
or so I've been told.
Bright blessings,
Cecylyna Brightsword..................................Suzanne Egbert
HPS, Thalia Clan * Mommybeing * Computer geek
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/9802/indiana.html
The Indiana Pagan Resources Page
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 12:27:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Cecylyna Brightsword
To: FIRE , eracl
Subject: CNN does it again...
URL: http://www.cnn.com/US/9704/10/mcveigh.wrap/index.html#jurors
Relevant quote:
In the jury selection process Thursday, the judge and attorneys were
confronted with some unusual prospective jurors. Among them were a woman
who said she believes in witchcraft, and a woman who was partially blind.
I'm not sure if I'm more offended by witchraft being listed as 'unusual',
or partial blindness being also listed that way. To me, that's just
sloppy journalism.
Bright blessings,
Cecylyna Brightsword..................................Suzanne Egbert
HPS, Thalia Clan * Mommybeing * Computer geek
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/9802/indiana.html
The Indiana Pagan Resources Page
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 16:11:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: AngloCelt@aol.com
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: FIRE: action: Self Proclaimed Practicing Witch
So what are we to do. Should we all write a letter to CNN and demand a
apology.
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 14:53:03 -0500 (EST)
From: Cecylyna Brightsword
To: eracl , FIRE
Subject: Boy, some of these groups are scary...
Ran across a random website today:
http://www2.stormfront.org/watchman/terror.html
These, *these* are the kinds of folks who would quite literally be
happier if Pagans were dead. (And Jews, blacks, etc etc). It's scary to
see these people talk like this and then talk about children in the same
breath. A representative quote: "We are going to build the Kingdom of our
God on this continent if we have to turn it into a Bosnia first!"
EEEEW. (And now I am going to go and see if these obviously-intolerant
folks are on the CyberNOT list. :))
Bright blessings,
Cecylyna Brightsword..................................Suzanne Egbert
HPS, Thalia Clan * Mommybeing * Computer geek
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/9802/indiana.html
The Indiana Pagan Resources Page
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 97 16:25:57 -0800
From: Morgaine LaFey
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Forwarded Article: H & C - Reply to Article re C of P
PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND POST ON NETWORK BB'S,
Horns And Crescent: a newletter published by members of Covenant of the
Goddess (COG) in the Boston area.
P.O. Box 622
Millis, MA 02054
E-mail: handc@cog.org
An open letter to the editors of Horns And Crescent,
The following is a copy of an article published in your Spring, 1997
issue:
*************************************************
CATHEDRAL CONCEDES PAGAN USE OF SITE
Settlement Ends Controversial and Rancorous Lawsuit
The Board of Trustees of the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, New
Hampshire, a war memorial and place of worship for many faiths since 1957,
has reached an agreement to allow use of the site by Pagans, Witches, and
members of other Earth religions.
The agreement ends a lawsuit initiated by Diane DesRochers, High
Priestess of Apple Moon Coven in Massachusetts and a representative of
WADL
(Witches Anti-Defamation League), who was barred from performing a
handfasting on the site two years ago. WADL-New England filed a complaint
with the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, claiming
discriminatory
exclusion on the grounds the Cathedral, established as a national memorial
and Public Trust rather than a religious organization, cannot prohibit
members of specific religions from use of the site.
While the dispute provoked public outcry and antagonism on both
sides,
various local and nationally known Pagan leaders and experts provided
information about the legitimacy and sincerity of the Earth religions -
and
were able to reach common ground with the Cathedral's board over the last
few
months. Instrumental in this were a group of local Pagans who visited the
Cathedral of the Pines to plant a Rowan tree and a local High Priestess
who
met with the board and answered questions.
The New Hampshire High Priestess who was an instrumental part of this
effort writes, "We are now entrusted with a sacred responsibility - the
mantle of altruism. Now that the Cathedral has adopted a policy of
inclusiveness, we have the choice of brotherhood or conquest. ...The
antagonisms must be laid to rest - let them fertilize the seeds of
cooperation. Let us not be less than we can be. As servants of the Lady
and
representatives of the Craft, we will forego the posturing. We will begin
the journey that we have imagined was ours to make, knowing that the tools
of
mutual respect and cooperation now lay upon our altar. It would harm none
if
each of us were to send a note of brotherhood to the trustees of the
Cathedral, for their attempts to resh the Cathedral's board over the last
few
The Cathedral may be reached at the following address:
Cathedral of the Pines Foundation
75 Cathedral entrance
Rindge, NH 03461
Contributions may be made payable to Cathedral of the Pines Foundation,
and
are tax-deductible.
*************************************************
The following is a reply from Diane DesRochers, New England Regional
Director
for WADL.
The above article is the first and only mention by Horn and Crescent
of
WADL-New England's battle with Cathedral of the Pines against
discrimination.
While other major Pagan journals were keeping their readers informed with
frequent updates on our crusade, Associated Press articles carried news of
it
to mainstream communities across the nation, and cyberspace was buzzing
with
forwarded messages (I've received messages of support and congratulation
from
as far as Alaska, California and even Great Britain, your tiny
publication
seemed to feel that precious column space could not be sacrificed from
such
Earth-shaking issues as beekeeping, blacksmiths and local coffee-klatches
with any nonsense such as religious freedom. After all, everyone *knows*
those activists for Pagan rights are nothing but "posturing" egotists
who
will stop at nothing to get noticed.
Your article is a perfect example of "damning with faint praise! It
would have been nice had you bothered to check your facts or made *some*
attempt to in touch with me BEFORE publishing this incredibly biased and
distorted piece of non-journalism.` You couldn't even manage to get your
facts straight in the title of this wisely unsigned piece.
>> Settlement Ends Controversial and Rancorous LAWSUIT.
To ass/u/me, as the old truism goes, makes an ASS out of U and ME!
First of all, there was NO lawsuit filed against Cathedral of the
Pines!
The only action taken - after all attempts had been exhausted to allay
the
irrational fears of the Cathedral's then-executive director and comply
with
his unreasonable demands - was to file a grievance with the New Hampshire
Commission for Human Rights. Just in case a copy of the preliminary
findings by one of the commissioners, last September, failed to reach you,
I
am`forwarding it *again*. The same as well with copies of statements read
at the public signing of the Settlement Agreement on 4 March, 1997.
Apparently you never received that posting either - or, which appears
more
likely, never bothered to read it.
>> ...a representative of WADL (Witches Anti-Defamation
>> League)...
* Minor error: I am the *New England Regional Director* of WADL -
*Witches' Anti-Discrimination Lobby*! Dr. Leo Martello (phone number
provided on request), founder, more than a quarter of a century ago, and
original national director changed the name some years ago because of
several
unofficial complaints about possible copyrights to the phrase,
"Anti-Defamation League" (????) by the Jewish "Anti-Defamation League of
B'Nai B'Rith." It was also Leo, in fact, who first appointed me New
England
Regional Director for WADL. When Leo retired and passed the national
directorship to Silver RavenWolf, she sent me a signed certificate,
acknowledging that position.
>> ...the Cathedral, established as a national memorial
>> and Public Trust...
* Another Minor error: Cathedral of the Pines was originally
incorporated *in 1946* as a public trust and dedicated as a memorial to
their son by the parents of Lt. Sanderson Sloane who was killed during
WWII.
It wasn't until *1957* that the Congress of the United States, by
unanimous
vote, recognized the Cathedral's Altar of the Nation as a national
memorial
to all American war dead.
>> the dispute provoked public outcry and antagonism
>> on both sides...
* Reply: According to letters from the editors sections of the
Monadnock Ledger and David Sloane, chairman of the Cathedral's Board of
Trustees, except for the expected shrieks of horror coming from the
Fundamentalist Christian Reich, almost all of the mainstream public
response
was supportive of WADL's complaint. A Peterboro, NH Unitarian minister
wrote
an open letter to the Cathedral, published in the Monadnock Ledger, in
which
he demanded Cathedral trustees remove his name from their referral list of
local clergy. So long as they continued their increasingly discriminatory
policies, he would no longer be available to officiate at Cathedral
functions. The Associated Press also carried a story about a Boston
University professor who was demanding the return of his father's portrait
and Congressional Medal of Honor, which he had donated to the Cathedral's
War
museum, unless they ceased discriminating against *any* religious groups.
Also, the vast bulk of e-mailings received from fellow Pagans has been
decidedly supportive of WADL-New England's actions. I've saved EVERTHING
and
would be delighted to forward any and all to you as well as copies of all
the
articles published locally or sent to me by reporters and fellow Pagans.
>> various local and nationally known Pagan leaders
>> and experts provided information about the
>> legitimacy and sincerity of the Earth religions...
* Reply: *MAJOR* DISTORTION OF FACT! When NH Commission for Human
Rights investigator, Katherine Daly - (603) 271-6838 - was first
assigned
to the case, during the summer of 1995, she asked me to search for
whatever
documents I could find, attesting to the validity of Wicca as a recognized
spiritual path.
* Moggie, a friend and fellow Pagan from CT (boojum@SNET.Net), sent me
copies of programs and brochures from the 1993 Parliament of World
Religions,
held in Chicago - to which Wiccans (including COG), Pagans, and other
Earth-centered religious groups were INVITED, not only to attend, but to
speak, offer worship services at which other attendees were welcome and to
offer workshops and seminars.
* The HP'ess of Proteus, a coven in New York city gave me a trail of
breadcrumbs to follow that finally lead me to Dr.
>> various local and nationally known Pagan leaders
Minister as well as founder and president of the Institute for the Study
of
American Religions (ISAR) - (805) 967-2669 - He was the author/compiler,
at
the request of the US military, of *The Chaplain's Manual of
Non-Traditional
Religions*. Since it was no longer in print, he sent me copies of the
pertinent pages along with a signed letter on ISAR stationery, recognizing
Wicca as a legitimate spiritual path.
* Pete Pathfinder (AquaTabCh@aol.com), founder and Archpriest of
Aquarian
Tabernacle Church and president of the statewide *Interfaith Council of
Washington* also sent me a letter on Council stationery, verifying the
legitimacy of Wicca. He later also offered to travel to the East Coast to
appear as an expert witness for us at the Commission hearing originally
scheduled for 4 March, 1997.
* Oberon Zell (cawnemeton@aol.com-Oberon & GEmagazine@aol.com-Green
Egg),
founder of Church of All Worlds and publisher of Green Egg, along with
much
moral support, also e-mailed me important documentation.
* Witches' League for Public Awareness (WLPA) informational material
on
the Craft was also e-mailed to me.
* Arthur Ketchen (Solus68443@aol.com), President of First Amendment
Legal
Defense Fund: Citizens Against Censorship, first approached me during the
summer of 1995 with an offer of help and mutual support from his
organization. It was through him we were able to use Nashua (NH) City
Hall
Auditorium for a "Town Meeting" to which we invited the Cathedral's
director
and trustees, along with local residents and clergy, so they could address
their questions and concerns directly to us and witness a Bardic Circle to
see for themselves an example of how Witches and Pagans connect with the
Sacred. Sadly, nobody representing the Cathedral showed up. Neither did
any
of the local clergy, save for a Unitarian minister and a member of the
Society of Friends (Quakers). We ended up with a room full of Pagans,
telling us we were preaching to the choire. Since then, Art and FALDF
have
done much to promote our cause. I now serve as treasurer on the board of
directors, helping as well with cases of First Amendment abuses.
* Numerous photocopies were made (including other supporting documents
and correspondences as well as, in some cases, copies of newspaper
articles)
and mailed to the NH Commission and other interested parties. More than
once, I've sent copies of all the documents I've collected, endorsing
Wicca
and Paganism as valid spiritual paths, to fellow advocates of Pagans in
need.
* To date, since WADL has no funds of its own, I have spent well over
a
thousand dollars, out of pocket, fighting this battle. I am on disability
and my only very limited reliable source of income comes from Social
Security. The Pagan Community, on the whole, has been lavish with praise
and moral support but not so much as a penny has as yet been sent by
anyone
to help in the work I am doing.
>> - and were able to reach common ground with the
>> Cathedral's board over the last few months....
* Reply: This total fabrication *utterly* trivializes my role in
finally reaching AMICABLE settlement with Cathedral of the Pines' Board
of
Trustees!!!!! With behind-the-scenes help from Art Ketchen, *I* was the
only one negotiating settlement - with, of course, the NH Commission for
Human Rights acting as mediators.
Acting on advice from their investigator, Katheryn Daly, who warned
me
how paranoid the Cathedral's former director was on the subject of
***WITCHES*** (Ooooh, that scarey Big W word again!), I refrained from any
attempts, other than the failed Town Meeting, to speak directly with the
Cathedral or its Lawyer, Chip Strickland (phone numbor and/or e-mail
address
provided on request), of Brighton & Runyon Professional Association in
Peterborough, NH. Ironically, problems and misunderstandings seemed to
evaporate quite magicly as soon as both sides began dialoguing. He, in
fact,
is credited by Katherine Daly as having worked especially hard at urging
the
trustees to come to a peaceful settlement with us.
>> Instrumental in this were a group of local Pagans
>> who visited the Cathedral of the Pines to plant
>> a Rowan tree and a local High Priestess who met
>> with the board and answered questions.
* Reply: David Sloane, board chairman for the Cathedral confessed to
me
that the Former director had put a terrible fear into them about
alienating
all the other religions if they allowed us horrible Witches in.
When the Cathedral announced they would be re-incorporating as a
religious organization and would now be limiting access to only those who
"...honored the God of Abraham," they suddenly found themselves deluged by
calls and letters from outraged citizens, Pagans and even clergy. The
media
too, more than ever, was painting them as the villains in this rapidly
thickening plot. Sloane said it wasn't until then, after the timely
departure of the former executive director, that they realized how
increasingly exclusivist and out of step they had become under his
influence
- even before WADL-New England entered the picture! The situation
already
existed; The Cathedral was being led down an increasingly conservative
path,
that would eventually only have lead to a Fundamentalist takeover.
According
to more than one off-the-record source ( all of them requesting
anonymity),
David Faulkner, the former Cathedral director, had been pressuring and
harrassing trustees who disagreed with his policies and decisions until
they
resigned and would then replace them with others who would not oppose him.
It was Chip Strickland, who told me first ice had finally been broken
when a Wiccan friend of one of the trustees was invited to a board meeting
to
talk about the Craft and answer questions. Chip was, no doubt, the single
most pivotal factor, making it possible for the NH Priestess to be invited
to
meet with the trustees. Unfortunately I still don't know her name.
Nonetheless, her well-timed intervention is greatly appreciated. She was
able to be there when I was still personna non grata. Until I heard about
her I felt like the "Lone Pagan" struggling alone "against all odds' out
there on the front line of this battle.
As for the group of local Pagans who planted the Rowan tree on
Cathedral
grounds, Hooray for them! I'm so delighted to hear they were there too.
My only regret is that I'm just now hearing about them.
If there remains within you *any* vestage of respect for objective
truth
- untainted by judgementalism and unvalidated pre-conceptions - send the
Rowen tree planters and the NH Priestess who met with trustees copies of
the
statements read at the signing of the Settlement Agreement, along with
this
rebuttal to the above-quoted outrageous travesty against true journalism,
which so classicly illustrates how the truth, when cleverly told, can
often
be the greatest lie of all!
The still-unnamed Priestess from NH, who was quoted at great length
in
the H & C article writes:
>> Now that the Cathedral has adopted a policy of
>> inclusiveness, we have the choice of brotherhood
>> or conquest ... we will forego the posturing...
* Reply: Where in any writings or conversations
with *anyone*, Pagan or mainstrean, have I
"postured" or made noises like a warrier who
has just slain the evil dragon?????
The anonymous NH Priestess then sanctimoniously continues:
>> It would harm none if each of us were to send a note
>> of brotherhood to the trustees of the Cathedral, for
>> their attempts to resolve this issue have been sincere.
* Reply: Arghh!!!! Goddess! That woman obviously doesn't read
the
Monadnock Ledger OR the Keene Sentinal. She was obviously
well-intentioned
but didn't have a clue about *anything* that was transpiring between the
Cathedral - communicating almost totally through its attorney, the
Commission
and myself. Doesn't *anybody* in the Pagan Community (an obvious
oxymoron!)
ever bother to check out the facts or attempt to engage whatever might
pass
for a brain before putting their mouths in gear?????
And then the ultimate insult: Your attempt at propaganda, only
masquerading as journalism, ends with praise for the Cathedral and a plea
for
donations. Meanwhile, I have been bankrupting myself, putting my personal
life on hold, even robbing precious time that should have been spent
tending
to the needs of my own coveners, so I could continue the on-going battle
for
justice, religious freedom, and the right, for ALL, to follow their chosen
spiritual path (so long as it harm none ... and so long as it forcibly
imposes itself on none! ) without fear of harassment or persecution.
I have never gone out deliberately rattling sabres or courting praise
for ego gratification. But neither will I stand silent while ignorant
minds
distort whatever little truth they bother to acknowledge in order to
trivialize what I have fought so hard to accomplish. The whole flavor of
the above-quoted mindless typing implies that I ran in, stirred up a nest
of
hornets, then ran off again, leaving others to clean up the mess.
However
you manage to rationalize and try to justify your unconscionably elitist
judgementalism, the Rule of Three (Newton's *Third* Law of Motion
operating
on a higher spiritual plane) always kicks in. As with all of Mother's
laws,
it is agonizingly impartial. So I leave you all to the "gentle"
ministrations of Hecate/The Morrigan/the Crone Aspect.
As for myself, Abraham Lincoln said it best: "I do the best I know
how,
the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing it to the end. If the
end
brings me out all right, what is said against me will not amount to
anything.
If the end brings me out all wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would
make no difference."
One last parting shot regarding your "statement of Publication Policies":
>> No article, letter, or advertisement will be published
>> that makes unsubstantiated claims or is of a
>> derogatory nature...
Response: Again, damning with faint praise! And at risk of
redundancy:
none of you made even the slightest attempt at researching the actual
facts.
All you had were "unsubstantiated claims!"
>> "The purpose of the Horns and Crescent is to create
>> bridges with the Pagan Community, not to build walls...
Response: All I have thus far seen demonstrated in the above typing
exercise were attempts at tearing walls down and sowing seeds of mistrust
>> "The opinions expressed in these articles are not
>> necessarily those of the Horns and Crescent."
Response: Since no one saw fit to claim authorship, then it must be
presumed that one of the editors must accept responsibility of authorship,
in
which case the opinions expressed are decidedly those of Horns and
Crescent
itself.
This isn't the first time I've been misquoted in your newsletter.
One
glaring example that immediately comes to mind was a notice, sent for
publication in your calander of events, several years ago. AppleMoon was
putting on an open-to-the-public one-day medieval faire (MayFaire in
Middlesex) - a fund-raising benefit for several local homeless shelters.
Mention of the event actually made it into print along with the date and
that is was take place in Westford, MA. But the exact location - in
Westford, MA - was missing - as was the contact person and phone number to
call for information.
I sincerely hope the attitudes demonstrated in this current issue of
Horns & Crescent are not exemplary of COG's leaders and general
membership.
You have done the organization you claim to represent a great disservice
BTW: I have received several reminders from your staph that my
subscription is due for renewal. Under the circumstance, I trust you will
understand when I respectully decline this wonderful opportunity for
further,
ongoing enlightenment.
May the Goddess and her horned consort both grant you all you have so
richly earned - by the power of three times three!
Diane Des Rochers, BA;MC
Regional Director: WADL-New England
(Witches Anti-Discrimination Lobby)
Treasurer: FIRST AMENDMENT LEGAL DEFENSE FUND:
Citizens Against Censorship
HP'ess: Temple of AppleMoon Coven and Teaching Grove, Inc.
Author of WALKER BETWEEN THE WORLDS
(a "psi-fi" novel published by Llewellyn)
Mailing address:
AppleMoon / WADL-New England
P.O. Box 384
Groton, MA 01450-0384.
(508) 448-5584
E-mail: grotonwitc@aol.com / newadl@aol.com
QUESTION AUTHORITY! THINK FOR YOURSELF....
Before it becomes illegal.
PREJUDICE IS BEING DOWN ON SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT UP ON.
STRESS: The disorientation produced by the mind's thwarting of the
body's
natural tendency to choke the living shit out of someone who desperately
deserves it!
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent via the Guardian Online. 415.437.3600 N81 or bbs.sfbayguardian.com,
3004
===============================================================================
=
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 20:32:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: "David R. Burwasser"
To: Cecylyna Brightsword
Cc: eracl , FIRE
Subject: Re: Boy, some of these groups are scary...
On Fri, 11 Apr 1997, Cecylyna Brightsword wrote:
> now I am going to go and see if these obviously-intolerant
> folks are on the CyberNOT list. :)
And if they are not, somebody might put them there :) :) :)
BB -- dB
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 97 16:44:24 -0800
From: Morgaine LaFey
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Fwd: fwd: Re: [FSA] Sabrina - The Teenage Witch
Permission was granted to forward this message to FIRE and wherever:
Subj: Re: [FSA] Sabrina - The Teenage Witch - This is not a flame
message
Date: 97-04-10 18:28:04 EDT
From: JaynueBB@aol.com
I would like your help. I have send a letter to ABC via AOL. i have some
concers. I just read hundreds of messages on the AOL messages. From kids
to
Sabrina.They, as I feared, see her as a real witch. We could expect
nothing
more. I like the show. Sorry guys but I do for what it is. Just like the
comic strip. As long as it is seen that way. As I see it it is not being
seen
that way by the children. I think ABC has a responsiblity to those who
watch
to inform them that this is not the way it is. Here is a copy of the
letter I
send to them. The only way I know of contacting them is on AOL at this
time.
Click here and then hit the about to get to email the ABC group on-line.
Anyone who has a mailing address for them I would appreicate it. Welcome To ABC Online Any
help
you can give in this matter would be appreciated. Email, snail mail
ect....
Hi. I just want to start by saying I love the show "Sabrina - The Teenage
witch". I do have a concern. I've just found the message area here on AOL.
I
know the posts come from children. That is my concern. Seeing the content
of
those posts. All of them see Sabrina as a real witch. Not as a make belive
comic strip come to life. I think ABC should have a responsibilty to
inform
them on the show of what is real and what isn't. I being a real Witch - I
practice the religion of Wicca feel you need to educate in this manner.
These
are the minds of kids you are shaping rather you know it or not. The show
is
set toward kids. As such I think you need to look at this. I would be
willing
to help in any way I can. I will be waiting your response. Many thanks for
your time. Blessings...
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent via the Guardian Online. 415.437.3600 N81 or bbs.sfbayguardian.com,
3004
===============================================================================
=
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 01:46:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Judy T. Gordon"
To: Lowell & Nancy McFarland
Cc: cnn.feedback@cnn.comcyberia, cuups-usa@efn.org,
OWENS_MC@epic6.dep.state.fl.us, jwaldie@ghgcorp.com,
lcorncalen@aol.com,
AinsleyF@aol.com, FIRE , 74431.3674@CompuServe.COM
Subject: Re: Self Proclaimed Practicing Witch
Excuse me, if I raise my fist and declare ****YES****! I welcome a
practicing Witch the same way I would applaud a devout Sikh, a devoted Zen
Buddhist, a dedicated Taoist, a serious Parsee, and consciencious Ba'Hai.
In fact, I would hope that the Oklahoma jury would include *all* of the
above. Failing that, I hope that *our* jury member personifies the
intelligence and compassion I have come to expect of my fellow Pagans.
BB ----------- PC Crone
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 01:33:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Cecylyna Brightsword
To: "David R. Burwasser"
Cc: eracl , FIRE
Subject: Re: Boy, some of these groups are scary...
On Fri, 11 Apr 1997, David R. Burwasser wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Apr 1997, Cecylyna Brightsword wrote:
>
> > now I am going to go and see if these obviously-intolerant
> > folks are on the CyberNOT list. :)
>
> And if they are not, somebody might put them there :) :) :)
>
> BB -- dB
Hey, they WERE on the CyberNOT list. I feel better. :) :) :)
Bright blessings,
Cecylyna Brightsword..................................Suzanne Egbert
HPS, Thalia Clan * Mommybeing * Computer geek
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/9802/indiana.html
The Indiana Pagan Resources Page
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 06:03:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: MariahQ@aol.com
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: FIRE: action alert-media miscon
>I always thought there was one way to get through to Rush, or >maybe some
of
his listeners. You'd have to do the "good >conservative" rap about people
in
this very country being punished >for their faith and even losing their
kids
etc. etc. ...and only at the >very end revealing what exactly that faith
is.
It would require >actually getting on the air, though.
People like Rush do this for a living; it's a job at which they spend
hours a
day for years. To go up against him is like trying to heckle Jay Leno --
you're going to lose. Also, radio stations handle call-ins on a 7-second
delay basis; so they have 7 seconds to listen to you and pull the plug
before
the audience gets the message. Rush's ditto-heads don't get warm fuzzies
from learning things; they just want their existing feelings and
prejudices
confirmed.
Blessed Be,
Mariah StarSinger
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 06:13:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: MariahQ@aol.com
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: FIRE: Pagan on Control Board
>IMHO, a position on the Cyber Patrol Appeals Board at this time >might be
>analogous to the positions given to Jews by the Nazis in the
>administration
>of death camps
Big changes always come slowly but we have to start somewhere. We can't
just
say we're not going to play unless the rules are all changed to suit us
immediately. That's like the U.S. Congress, which routinely votes down
good
ideas because they don't go far enough. With an all or nothing approach,
we
risk getting nothing.
Blessed Be,
Mariah StarSinger
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 06:16:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: MariahQ@aol.com
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: FIRE: action: Gina Smith ...
>Apparently, in addition to her GMA duties, she also hosts a radio >show
called "On Computers", and it was on that show this past >Sunday, where
she
made the apology.
I hope this is true, but if it's true, I wish that she would repeat her
statements on GMA where a more broad-based audience could hear them.
Mariah StarSinger
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 06:48:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: MariahQ@aol.com
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: FIRE: action: Self Procla...
>So what are we to do. Should we all write a letter to CNN and >demand a
>apology.
Let's not overreact to this one too soon. Every report I heard of this
story
was not sneering or negative in any other way. There are some benign
explanations for why they might have chosen this wording. If this woman
does
get on the jury we will have a golden opportunity to educate an entire
continent like never before. But we will have to keep relatively small
things like this in perspective if we're going to be seen as normal,
ordinary, reasonable people. And we don't need to tee off the media, who
will play a part in carrying our message.
Lady Mariah StarSinger
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 06:08:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: AvatarSearch
To: FIRE Homepage
Subject: Your web page has been
Site URL: http://www.oocities.org/CapitolHill/5883/
Greetings,
Your web page has been cleared by AvatarSearch as NOT being included on
CyberPatrol's "Banned" Web Page list.
How do we know? As a free service to all web sites cataloged by
AvatarSearch
we have developed software to determine who is restricted by Microsystems
Software, Inc.'s "CyberPatrol" (a program which is intended to protect
users
from encountering "questionable" material on the internet).
(Our scan has determined that 215 of the web sites in AvatarSearch's
database
are "Banned" by CyberPatrol).
Why do we care? A recent study by "The Witches' Voice" and "Earth
Religions
Legal Assistance Network" indicates that Alternative Spiritual web sites
(and
related web sites) may be regularly listed by such services as
"Undesirable"
without having actual justification for doing so. (To complicate matters
further CyberPatrol has starting to be bundled with both hardware systems
and
software packages.)
This may, or may not, be of concern to you. However, if you feel that your
web
site does not qualify to be "Banned" by filtering programs (such as
CyberPatrol) then we, at AvatarSearch, suggest that you obtain further
information.
You can find out more, and what you can do to have your "Banned" status
removed, by visiting The Texas Pagan Awareness Web Site at:
http://lonestar.texas.net/~lhiannon/
(Texas Pagan Awareness is a service, unrelated to AvatarSearch, who is
currently compiling information regarding "CyberPatrol's" listing of
Alternative Religious web sites.)
In addition, AvatarSearch is now building an opened discussion forum for
questions, answers and information regarding Religious Censorship on the
internet. (Please visit AvatarSearch in the near future for access to
this
forum).
AvatarSearch will soon be making available a special version of our
scanning
software "AvatarPatrol" to the Alternative Spiritual community at no cost.
(AvatarPatrol cross-references your list of URLs with those contained on
the
"Banned" web site list and providing you with a report.) When released
AvatarPatrol's availability will be announced on the AvatarSearch web
site.
This software will allow you to scan a list of web page addresses (URLs)
to
determine if they are "Banned" or not.
- AvatarPatrol is NOT specific to any one internet filtering program
(i.e.,
CyberPatrol) but is more general purpose and configurable by the user.
(We highly recommend that you re-test your web site's status with
"CyberPatrol"
periodically by going directly to Microsystems Software, Inc.'s web site
and
using their checking database. Information to do so is also available
from The
Texas Pagan Awareness Web Site.)
* Please do not email AvatarSearch regarding CyberPatrol. We can not
respond
to any questions due to the our having limited "people wise" resources.
** If our reference to your web page above is in error please update it.
You
may do so directly from AvatarSearch's WebMaster system.
*** (NOTE: Because of the Overwhelming number of web site update requests
we
can no longer perform updates ourselves.)
Thank You.
Best Wishes,
Tina Ann Coutu,
AvatarSearch
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< * >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
AvatarSearch: Search Engine of the Occult Internet!
URL: http://www.AvatarSearch.com
email: avatar1@mindspring.com
In March AvatarSearch was visited by 19,912 different free thinking
people.
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 10:18:38 -0400
From: John Yohalem
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: FIRE: article: CNN does it again...
[The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set]
[Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set]
[Some characters may be displayed incorrectly]
> Relevant quote:
>
> In the jury selection process Thursday, the judge and attorneys were
> confronted with some unusual prospective jurors. Among them were a woman
> who said she believes in witchcraft, and a woman who was partially
blind.
>
> I'm not sure if I'm more offended by witchraft being listed as
'unusual',
> or partial blindness being also listed that way. To me, that's just
> sloppy journalism.
What would be the unsloppy way of mentioning these matters?
I think CNN was within bounds.
Brightshadow
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 11:50:49 -0700
From: Saphire Mann
To: FIRE
Subject: ACLU Challenges Chicago Scouting Programs That Require Belief in
God
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>04-10-97
>ACLU Newsfeed -- ACLU News Direct to YOU
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ACLU Challenges Chicago Scouting Programs That Require Belief in God
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>Thursday, April 10, 1997
>
>CHICAGO -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois today filed
suit
>in federal court challenging the City of Chicago's operation of scout
troops
>affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.
>
>According to the suit filed in U.S. District Court, the City's policy
>excludes participants from City-operated scouting programs based on
religious
>belief and sexual orientation. The suit also alleges that the City has
>adopted formal written policies that require youth members and adult
>volunteers in City scouting programs to make religious affirmations and
>participate in religious activities.
>
>"Scouting makes many valuable contributions to the community," said Harvy
>Grossman, ACLU of Illinois Legal Director. "However, the City cannot put
its
>stamp of approval on discrimination. We hope that the City will continue
>offering youth programs, but without these unnecessary and discriminatory
>policies."
>
>The suit, Winkler v. City of Chicago, was filed on behalf of Eugene
Winkler
>and Kevin Poloncarz.
>
>Winkler is a Methodist minister who objects to the City's endorsement of
>religion. Poloncarz is a gay agnostic who wished to volunteer as an
adult
>leader in one of the City's scouting program. He objects to the
exclusion of
>homosexuals from the City's scouting programs as well as the requirement
that
>participants make a pledge that acknowledges God.
>
>"The City of Chicago should not be in the business of discriminating,"
said
>Roger Leishman, Director of the ACLU of Illinois Gay & Lesbian Rights
>Project. "Regardless of the policies chosen by the Boy Scouts, the City
>cannot adopt discriminatory policies in City programs."
>
>The City owns and operates over 25 Explorer Posts, Boy Scout Troops and
Cub
>Packs. As a condition of receiving authority from the Boy Scouts to
operate
>these programs, the City certifies that all adult volunteer leaders
subscribe
>to the Boy Scouts' "Declaration of Religious Principle." Youth wishing
to
>participate in city scouting programs must also sign a code that they
believe
>in God and promise to be faithful to the Boy Scouts' religious duties.
>Members are also required to register with the Boy Scouts of America.
>
>Although these scouting programs are affiliated with the Boy Scouts of
>America, they are operated by the City. The City is solely responsible
for
>selecting youth members and adult volunteer leaders. It is also solely
>responsible for the content of the program.
>
>The ACLU is asking that the Court order the City to stop excluding
>participants from City-sponsored scouting programs based on religious
beliefs
>and sexual orientation, and to stop including a religious element in the
>programs.
>
>"The City of Chicago must embrace all of its citizens, regardless of
their
>religious beliefs or sexual orientation," Grossman concluded.
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ONLINE RESOURCES FROM THE ACLU NATIONAL OFFICE
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ACLU Freedom Network Web Page: http://www.aclu.org.
>America Online users should check out our live chats, auditorium events,
>*very* active message boards, and complete news on civil liberties, at
>keyword ACLU.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>ACLU Newsfeed
>American Civil Liberties Union National Office
>132 West 43rd Street
>New York, New York 10036
>
>To subscribe to the ACLU Newsfeed, send a message to majordomo@aclu.org
with
>"subscribe News" in the body of the message. To terminate your
subscription,
>send a message to majordomo@aclu.org with "unsubscribe News" in the body
of
>the message.
>
>For general information about the ACLU, write to info@aclu.org.
>This message was sent to the
>news
>
>
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 17:15:04 EDT
From: Carolyn E Cason
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: Boy, some of these groups are scary...
On Sat, 12 Apr 1997 01:53:38 -0700 (PDT) FIRE writes:
>Hey, they WERE on the CyberNOT list. I feel better. :) :) :)
That's good to know! Carolyn :)
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 22:09:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: Cecca10553@aol.com
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Fwd: CNN.FEEDBACK@turner.com: Re: Dreamfox: miss representation
I had forwarded the message about CNN to a friend and this is his reply
B*B,
Donna aka Cecca10553
---------------------
Forwarded message:
From: dreamfox@juno.com (Harrill D Heath)
To: DBrown@Madison.main.nc.us, cuups-usa@efn.org, Dragintail@aol.com,
Blackhawk42@juno.com, Cecca10553@aol.com, Charlyc@Ibm.net, Kaiya3@aol.com,
Cassandra13@juno.com, WhtWlf@aol.com, Serpentstn@aol.com, Zobiana1@aol.com
Date: 97-04-12 21:57:56 EDT
--------- Begin forwarded message ----------
got a rapid reply from took only about 15 min. .
Dream Fox
From: CNN.FEEDBACK@turner.com
To: dreamfox@juno.com (Harrill D Heath)
Subject: Re: Dreamfox: miss representation
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 20:24:58 -0400
Message-ID: <0004473D.1689@turner.com>
--IMA.Boundary.171598068
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Description: cc:Mail note part
I understand your complaint and I have made a detailed note of it. Our
goal is
to present the news without bias. CNN Interactive's feedback division
exists to
make you heard. I assure you that what you've said will be brought to
the
attention of the appropriate persons and considered. Please continue to
send us
feedback concerning your thoughts about current events or your views on
how we
can serve you better. Thank you again for responding.
Helyn
Online Coordinator
______________________________________________________________________________
_
Subject: Dreamfox: miss representation
From: dreamfox@juno.com (Harrill D Heath) at Internet
Date: 4=12=1997 9:17 PM
I have just of late been made aware that you have done some pieces on
your show about the mass suicides in California , and that you linked
the Pagan Community with cults and satanist. I very much resent such a
broad grouping of people under such a negative light . As a Wiccan
Priest I feel it my duty to inform you the Pagan Community is not
associated with any cult and or satanist. To begin with we have a very
close link with nature and have a deep respect for all life. Where as the
satanic religion is a invention of disgruntled Christians who were
dissatisfied with that religion and wanted one that was diametrically
opposed to the Christians.
Other cults are formed by people for various reasons from an excuse
to have sex and take drugs , to People who really want a religion more
closely attuned to their view of life.
The Wiccan religion has a firm law it follows ,and that is " As
long as it harms none do as you will ." This rule is followed by the
people of the Pagan community as well. We do not recruit children into
our believe. The reason behind this that we want only people who truly
know what they want in life,and the path that they are going to follow.
We have no need to go out and recruit people .
I feel that a public apology should be aired at the earliest
possible time . I am quite sure this letter will not be the only one
you will be getting on this topic. I can only hope you will do the right
thing soon.
Signed
Harrill
Dean Heath
--IMA.Boundary.171598068
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To: cnn.feedback@cnn.com
Subject: Dreamfox: miss representation
Message-ID: <19970412.210954.5447.1.Dreamfox@juno.com>
X-Mailer: Juno 1.15
X-Juno-Line-Breaks: 0,10,13,19,23-25,27-28
From: dreamfox@juno.com (Harrill D Heath)
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 21:17:31 EDT
--IMA.Boundary.171598068--
--------- End forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 97 19:50:25 -0800
From: Morgaine LaFey
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Fwd: ERAL: (Fwd) [Fwd: [Fwd: FWD>Fwd- Witch Bashing by C]]
Please sign at the bottom, return to HPSofSNERT@AOL.Com or forward to
more!
--------------------------------------
Date: 4/11/97 12:06 PM
From: Saille333@aol.com
Apr 10, 1997
Tonight,Kathleen Kennedy said several times that "...a self
proclaimed,
practicing Witch..." was accepted as a prospective juror in the
Oklahoma Bombing Trial in Denver - Thursday, 10 April 1997. This is
insulting to Pagans as surely Kathleen Kennedy would never say "a
self proclaimed Jew, Christian or Muslim, etc." I believe the
journalistic standard is not to doubt a persons claimed religion
without specific additional negative information. The implication
ofKathleen Kennedy is that there is something wrong or strange with
a Witch being accepted for jury duty. This is clearly gross
religious insensitivity or religious bigotry by CNN or its staff.
This follows CNN's placing of an article about Techno-Pagans in
juxtaposition with articles about the Biblical/Jesus based Heaven's
Gate cult that commited suicide. Even after ABC's Gina Smith issued
an on-air apology for tieing dangerous (mostly Christian) cults to
Pagan Web Pages, CNN seems to be stuck in religious intolerance
against Pagans and Witches.
Loch Sloy!
Lowell
Please sign the below mentioned petition and then send it on to anyone
who you feel would be interested. If you do not want to send it on,
please
do not let it die...return it to HPSofSNERT@AOL.Com
We, the undersigned, have no desire to hear any more of the slander
against peoples of Pagan and Neo-Pagan religions that your organization
tends
to perpetrate. Statements such as "Self-proclaimed" and "So-called"
Witches only further the ignorant and unfounded opinions that religions
such
as ours are invalid. The religions of Wicca and Witchcraft are, in fact,
recognized as valid by the U.S of America and should be treated with the
respect
they are due.
Sincerely,
Ainsley Friedberg - Norwalk, CT
Francis B Haybeck - Norwalk, CT
Joshua M Taht - Norwalk, CT
Ellen Evert Hopman - Amherst, MA
Mark Roblee - Amherst, MA
Peter O'Malley - Westfield, MA
Tina Ann Coutu, Atlanta, GA
Larry Cornett, Chesterland, OH
Sharon E. Everett-Roles, Berkeley, CA
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< * >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent via the Guardian Online. 415.437.3600 N81 or bbs.sfbayguardian.com,
3004
===============================================================================
=
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 17:42:35 -0500 (CDT)
From: Heidi M Enzweiler
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: chat Re: FIRE: Pagan on Control Board
Yeah, but with having a fellow pagan on a control board, no matter how
much I 'd rather not have a control board, they're not killing anybody
like in the Death Camps of the Nazi era. That's not a good comparison.
Heidi Enzweiler
On
Sun, 13 Apr 1997, FIRE wrote:
> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 06:13:18 -0400 (EDT)
> From: MariahQ@aol.com
> To: danica@mills.edu
> Subject: Re: FIRE: Pagan on Control Board
>
> >IMHO, a position on the Cyber Patrol Appeals Board at this time >might
be
> >analogous to the positions given to Jews by the Nazis in the
>administration
> >of death camps
>
> Big changes always come slowly but we have to start somewhere. We can't
just
> say we're not going to play unless the rules are all changed to suit us
> immediately. That's like the U.S. Congress, which routinely votes down
good
> ideas because they don't go far enough. With an all or nothing
approach, we
> risk getting nothing.
> Blessed Be,
> Mariah StarSinger
>
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 17:50:08 -0500 (CDT)
From: Heidi M Enzweiler
To: FIRE
Subject: question
Hello Everybody!
My name is Heidi Enzweiler and I'm a student at EAstern
Illinois University. I'm working on a lpaper for my language ansd
lingusitinsd linguistics class on the cultural biases that American
culture has against paganism. If anybody could send me things that
they've seen, I would really appreciate it. If anybody would like a copy
of the final paper, I'd be delighted to try to send them a copy as an
attached file.
Blessed Be!
Heidi Enzweiler
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 23:24:04 -0400
From: John Yohalem
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: FIRE: action: Self Procla...
[The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set]
[Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set]
[Some characters may be displayed incorrectly]
> Let's not overreact to this one too soon. Every report I heard of this
story
> was not sneering or negative in any other way. There are some benign
> explanations for why they might have chosen this wording. If this woman
does
> get on the jury we will have a golden opportunity to educate an entire
> continent like never before. But we will have to keep relatively small
> things like this in perspective if we're going to be seen as normal,
> ordinary, reasonable people. And we don't need to tee off the media,
who
> will play a part in carrying our message.
>
> Lady Mariah StarSinger
Absolutely. I am not the least bit offended by "self-proclaimed". If we
object to the fact that most of the world that speaks English (and it's
the
first or second most spoken language on earth, depending on what the
Chinese speak these days) uses "witch" as a pejorative, it's up to us,
having changed the word's meaning, to drop it and pick another word for
ourselves, or just not be so thin-skinned.
Brightshadow
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 00:13:16 -0700
From: Saphire Mann
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Xtian spammers
Folks - I received some spam, with the following headers. If you've
received anything unsolicited, involving multiple biblical quotes, please
email the headers of the message to me, and/or send a message to
"postmaster@__________ (whatever domain name the mail originated from)".
The ID numbers, IP addresses and other header info offer clues to the
originater of these messages. Assuming s/he is bright enough to fake an
email address anyway. The address at which I received this message (thru a
BC:) is only used on this and one other mailing list, which is a closed
one, so I'm guessing that they picked my name up off this list. Bummer.
-Saphire Mann
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Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 18:42:03 -0500
To: jwg@ionet.net
From: Matthew Porter
Subject: that name
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That Name - In Salvation
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 06:27:41 -0400
From: John Yohalem
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: Petition
[The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set]
[Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set]
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> We, the undersigned, have no desire to hear any more of the slander
> against peoples of Pagan and Neo-Pagan religions that your organization
tends
> to perpetrate. Statements such as "Self-proclaimed" and "So-called"
> Witches only further the ignorant and unfounded opinions that religions
such
> as ours are invalid. The religions of Wicca and Witchcraft are, in
fact,
> recognized as valid by the U.S of America and should be treated with the
> respect they are due.
I'm afraid I do not approve of your petition. The word "witch" existed in
English as a pejorative for quite a few centuries before we adopted it for
members of our religion. If we do not like the phrase "self-proclaimed
witch", we should stop using it and pick something else. If they said
"self-proclaimed Wiccan" I would be upset; "self-proclaimed witch" is
merely polite. If I were the NYTimes, it is the phrase I would probably
use
myself.
If we have not proclaimed ourselves witches, who has? Let us take
responsibility for our own actions -- which I thought was part of Wicca --
rather than blaming others for it. As far as I can tell, most of the media
have been very polite to us about the Oklahoma juror, and her own behavior
has been above reproach. It will do our cause no good to make trouble
pointlessly -- let's do it when someone is actually oppressing or
insulting
us.
John Brightshadow Yohalem
enchante@escape.com
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 08:16:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Cecylyna Brightsword
To: FIRE , eracl
Subject: Your web page has been (fwd)
Well. This was a pleasant thing to see. SuperKudos to the AvatarSearch
folks for some proactive action!
Bright blessings,
Cecylyna Brightsword..................................Suzanne Egbert
HPS, Thalia Clan * Mommybeing * Computer geek
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/9802/indiana.html
The Indiana Pagan Resources Page
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 09:43:38 -0500 (CDT)
From: Steve Horvath
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: FIRE: article: ACLU Challenges Chicago Scouting Programs That
Require Belief in God
As a BSA adult leader in the Chicago metro area (NW Suburban Council), I
have the following comments in regards to this subject matter:
On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, FIRE wrote:
> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 11:50:49 -0700
> From: Saphire Mann
> To: FIRE
> Subject: ACLU Challenges Chicago Scouting Programs That Require Belief
in God
>
> >----------------------------------------------------------------
> >04-10-97
> >ACLU Newsfeed -- ACLU News Direct to YOU
> >----------------------------------------------------------------
> >ACLU Challenges Chicago Scouting Programs That Require Belief in God
> >
> >FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> >Thursday, April 10, 1997
> >
> >CHICAGO -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois today
filed suit
> >in federal court challenging the City of Chicago's operation of scout
troops
> >affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.
> >
> >According to the suit filed in U.S. District Court, the City's policy
> >excludes participants from City-operated scouting programs based on
religious
> >belief and sexual orientation. The suit also alleges that the City has
> >adopted formal written policies that require youth members and adult
> >volunteers in City scouting programs to make religious affirmations and
> >participate in religious activities.
I don't have all the facts; but, it seems to me that the Chicago sponser
is just following the Scout Law here. New Scout requirements (BSA)
require the above. It's not a sponsering issue unless Chicago took it
upon itself to devise non-sanctioned BSA materials for Scouts to sign
relative to religious beliefs and duties. That would be outside the BSA
framework and might be an issue. Also, a sponser cannot demand a scouts'
presence at a certain religious activity.
> >
> >"Scouting makes many valuable contributions to the community," said
Harvy
> >Grossman, ACLU of Illinois Legal Director. "However, the City cannot
put its
> >stamp of approval on discrimination. We hope that the City will
continue
> >offering youth programs, but without these unnecessary and
discriminatory
> >policies."
Again, this is vague. What discriminatory policies? How far did Chicago
go? Where they simply following BSA policy, or were they adopting
additional policies on their own outside of BSA National guidelines?
> >
> >The suit, Winkler v. City of Chicago, was filed on behalf of Eugene
Winkler
> >and Kevin Poloncarz.
> >
> >Winkler is a Methodist minister who objects to the City's endorsement
of
> >religion.
Why would a Methodist minister object to the City's endorsement of
religion within BSA, when the Methodist religion is fully recognized by
BSA? That doesn't make a lot of sense. Again, what did Chicago do wrong?
BSA set the religious guideline- not Chicago. As a sponser, Chicago is
compelled to adhere to the guideline set by BSA.
> >Poloncarz is a gay agnostic who wished to volunteer as an adult
> >leader in one of the City's scouting program. He objects to the
exclusion
of
> >homosexuals from the City's scouting programs as well as the
requirement
that
> >participants make a pledge that acknowledges God.
> >
My concern is with the religious issues contained herein. Once again the
city is not at fault. The pledge being referred to; I believe, is the
Scout Oath or Promise. It reads as follows:
"On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight."
The Scout law reads:
TRUSTWORTHY. A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is
part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL. A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends,
school, and nation.
HELPFUL. A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things
willingly for others without pay or reward.
FRIENDLY. A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts.
He
seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and
customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS. A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position.
He
knows good manners make it easier for people to get along
together.
KIND. A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He
treats others as he wants to be treated. He
does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT. A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and
troop. He obeys the laws of his community
and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he
tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than
disobey them.
CHEERFUL. A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully
does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves
for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural
resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE. A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the
courage to stand for what he thinks is right
even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN. A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around
with those who believe in living by
these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community
clean.
****************************************************************************
REVERENT. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his
religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
****************************************************************************
All scout's nationwide are required to know and recite the oath and law,
not
just Chicago sponsered scouts.
> >"The City of Chicago should not be in the business of discriminating,"
said
> >Roger Leishman, Director of the ACLU of Illinois Gay & Lesbian Rights
> >Project. "Regardless of the policies chosen by the Boy Scouts, the City
> >cannot adopt discriminatory policies in City programs."
> >
The only way the city cannot adopt the BSA policies, is for the city not
to sponser BSA programs. It's a catch 22. Leishman contends the city is a
municipality and therefore cannot discriminate religiously (religion vs.
atheism) or on the basis of sexual preference. BSA maintains their
policies as per the Oath and Law. Therefore, the city has to stop
sponsering BSA, or get BSA to change their guidelines (I think not).
> >The City owns and operates over 25 Explorer Posts, Boy Scout Troops and
Cub
> >Packs. As a condition of receiving authority from the Boy Scouts to
operate
> >these programs, the City certifies that all adult volunteer leaders
subscribe
> >to the Boy Scouts' "Declaration of Religious Principle." Youth wishing
to
> >participate in city scouting programs must also sign a code that they
believe
> >in God and promise to be faithful to the Boy Scouts' religious duties.
> >Members are also required to register with the Boy Scouts of America.
To say the city "owns" the posts, troops, packs cited above is somewhat
mis-leading. The city doesn't own them per se'- the city sponsers them
through BSA charter. The charter is granted by BSA and must be financially
re-up'ed yearly. The rest of the above paragraph is true; however, it is
not just true for the Chicago sponser. It's true nationwide. Again, it's
because the City of Chicago is a municipal entity, enabling it to be
attacked on grounds of religious and sexual discrimination. Private
sponsers, and BSA, do not have this problem.
> >
> >Although these scouting programs are affiliated with the Boy Scouts of
> >America, they are operated by the City. The City is solely responsible
for
> >selecting youth members and adult volunteer leaders. It is also solely
> >responsible for the content of the program.
This is similar to all troops/packs. BSA charters the troop/ pack, but
doesn't dictate the activites. A framework is provide Scouts of America.
and or councils. This is not new. The city, in this case, is the sponser.
The sponser, can and does to some extent dictate policy. The sponser
fronts cash, provides facilities, acquires donations and equipment;
obviously
they have influence over some things.
> >
> >The ACLU is asking that the Court order the City to stop excluding
> >participants from City-sponsored scouting programs based on religious
beliefs
> >and sexual orientation, and to stop including a religious element in
the
> >programs.
As I see it, Chicago sponsered BSA programs cannot do this and be in
agreement with the BSA by-laws as presently written. Chicago would have
to withdraw as sponser if the Court agrees to the above.
> >
> >"The City of Chicago must embrace all of its citizens, regardless of
their
> >religious beliefs or sexual orientation," Grossman concluded.
>
This kind of thing hurts- it really does. Please note that this is not
directed toward any specific religion, but religion in general. It
affects pagans as well as the religious right. This person wants all
religious belief eliminated from the public sector. If Chicago is ordered
to drop their BSA sponsership, it will mean that these troops/packs/posts
will cease operation until a new sposer if found. My guess is that most
of these units are not in the most financially well off area's of the
city and is why chicago is picking up the tab for many of them. That
leaves these kids high and dry and prime pickin' for gang membership. Not
a good thing for them or their communities. So where will it stop?
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 15:30:35 EST
From: Pagan Awareness League
To: FIRE
Subject: Protest Letters.--Action Alert--
MM All..
We find the acts of Judge Roy Moore of Alabama and Gov. Forrest
"Fob" James Jr simply appalling. The United States was built on the idea
of
Religious Freedom for all, not one faith. The flamitory remarks made such
as.....
<<>>
<<>>
We here at the Pagan Awareness League ask for a few minutes of
your
time to contribute to our call for his removal from the bench. Such
statements are not those of a man who can fairly judge any case which
comes
[Message 467 marked for deletion]
across his desk.
Since all of us have different takes on the situation I encourage
you to write your own letter of protest to the Alabama Judge, Gov.Forrest
"Fob" James Jr. We will pass these letters on to the those people
themselves, and to, the Alabama State Congressional Reps, Senate Reps.
Please mail these letters to cdf@colossus.net
Many Paths ONE GOAL!
Blessed Be
Rev. Robert "Aes" Payne Church of the Dancing Flame
C.D.F. Homepage http://members.aol.com/CDFweb/cdf.htm
PaganAwarenessLeague http://members.aol.com/Palweb/pal.htm
Co-Founder of CDF & P.A.L.
ERAL-Liason
ERACL-Moderator
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 18:40:24 EDT
From: Harrill D Heath
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: chat: question
Hello my name is Dream Fox . What sort of things are you looking for to
go in your paper ?
Blessed Be
Dream
Fox
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 18:40:24 EDT
From: Harrill D Heath
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: Pagan on Control Board
What is this Cyber patrol control board being set up for , I thought
that The US Supreme Court struck down the laws that some of the
politicians were trying to get passed . I feel that we don't need any
one looking over our shoulders to see what we are up to .
Blessed Be
Dream Fox
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 18:40:24 EDT
From: Harrill D Heath
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Re: Welcome!
Greetings
My name Is Dream Fox ,and I heared about you from friends in
Jacksonville ,NC . I live in Asheville , NC and have been here for about
3 years . I moved here because of the large Wiccan/Pagan community that
is here. I belong to a small coven that has been very good in helping me
grow . Before that I had been solitary for a number of years and just
learning what I could from the books I could get. We have had a lot of
things happening here in the area. For the past two years one of the
covens in the area has done a public ritual in the city / county square.
The first one was as in most cases well published in the media . There
was the usual things said like " selfproclamed witches" . One of the
elders wrote to the paper and set them straight. I generally keep my
eye out for things that affect our community in a negative way . I hope
that I can be of service to you as an extra pair of eyes and ears . Well
I'll sign off for now I'll speak to you later.
Blessed Be
Dream Fox
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 1997 10:10:06 +1300
From: Tlachtga
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: Welcome!
> Please email the list as soon as possible to introduce yoursrelf!
I suppose I will, and am.
Hello, I am Tlachtga, a teenage Wiccan, New Zealand rep to The Online
Group of Teen Pagans, Daughters of the Goddess and Broomclosets 'R'
Us. My trad is Eclectic, I serve the Morrigan, Brighid and sometimes
Danu. Okay?
Blessed Be!
--
Tlachtga
Hercules' party pants were not harmed during the production of this
email message.
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 06:51:04 PDT
From: phyllis johnpoll
To: danica@mills.edu
Subject: Fire and everyong: This is a test
I have sent about a half dozen messages to this list over the past two
weeks
and
not a one has shown up in my in-box. Please, someone receiving this,
respond
and
let me know if my mail is getting through. If I don't hear from anyone by
Thursday I'll start to bug the Hotmail folk; since it's a free e-mail
system I
am reluctant to bother them on just suspicion.....
*BB*
gypsy
************************************************************
Hearthstone Community Church, Inc.
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Acropolis/4213/
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 10:59:59 -0400 (EDT)
From: "David R. Burwasser"
To: FIRE
Subject: Re: FIRE: chat: Re: Pagan on Control Board
On Tue, 15 Apr 1997, FIRE wrote:
> From: Harrill D Heath
> Subject: Re: Pagan on Control Board
>
> What is this Cyber patrol control board being set up for , I thought
> that The US Supreme Court struck down the laws that some of the
> politicians were trying to get passed . I feel that we don't need any
> one looking over our shoulders to see what we are up to .
>
> Blessed Be
> Dream Fox
Dream Fox:
The Oversight Board is for software that can be installed in a home PC to
block access to certain Internet sites. Its initial market is parents
concerned about on-line pornography.
However, it is being installed in the Internet equipment at public
libraries
and public school districts, which are government entities. This
constitutes
government interference with Internet access. Public libraries in Boston
and Austin are installing it, and have been instructed by the city
government in Salem to do so. In Lincoln NE, public library terminals are
not filtered but Parks & Recreation terminals are, probably in respect of
the large number of kids who might use them.
Also, these software packages block much more than smut. Pagans have been
concerned with the "Occult/Satanic/Cult" category of CyberPatrol, which
has banned many innocuous Pagan and Wiccan web sites.
MicroSystems Software, the providers of the CyberPatrol product (which is
being implemented at Boston and Austin) have proved quite open to
discourse and to being educated about Paganism. They have this Oversight
Board, which reviews appeals on bans. (It does not originate bans; that
is a separate process.) That board already has members from NOW, NAACP
and a gay/lesbian anti-defamation organization; the corporate sponsor
will propose to the Board that it take on a Pagan member.
There has been a terrific debate within the Pagan civil liberties
activist community on how to respond. The post which started this thread
on FIRE was just one of a series of exchanges on the Earth Religion
Assistance Chat List (ERACL), which is devoted to Pagan religious rights.
CyberPatrol also appears to have an expedited appeals process; many of
the previously banned Pagan sites have been unblocked during this
discussion. AvatarSearch reports that many are still blocked. Those with
better equipment and more time that I have are still sorting out the
facts.
Blessed be,
Dave Burwasser
PS: I am not certain if the US Supreme Court has actually struck down
Internet censorship, or merely accepted a case about this on appeal. In
any event, the existence of this kind of parent-installed software is one
practical argument that government censorship is unnecessary. --dB--
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