by: Cerridwen Johnson
c/o PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717
CerridwenColleen@juno.com
Cerridwen is a First Degree Gardnerian currently in The Gambia with the US Peace Corps.
If you were at a Pagan gathering and met "John", who went to the bars, bought people a few drinks, then took them home to Circle, what would you think?
If you met "Mary" who Circled with so many people, usually only once and usually couldn't tell you their name (assuming she ever found out), what would you think?
You'd take them aside and let them know this wasn't proper behavior, wouldn't you? Or at the very least say "this is not a person to emulate"
But what if I changed "Circle" to "had sex with"? Then it all changes. They are hero's, both in American and Pagan society.
Now, before everyone starts screaming the "J" word, I am not saying that consenting adults are wrong in their choice of a responsible sex life. I'm just saying stop using religion to justify it. The Charge of the Goddess says "All Acts of Love and Pleasure are My Rituals". So why do we treat this sacred ritual with less respect than any other? Why do we go into the sexual act (AKA making love) with less care and respect and preparation than we would the most relaxed public rite? And why do we applaud people who do? If the sexual act is a way of honoring the Gods, then can't it also be a way of dishonoring them? Sex is/should be an act of love and pleasure. This isn't an either/or line. This is love AND pleasure. Just like you should have mirth and reverence, beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility. If you have one without the other, you become unbalanced. One without the other is empty, and does a disservice to yourself, your partner, your Gods, and even sex itself.
***We are Wiccans. We follow a religion for adults. It's time we start acting like it, in all aspects of our lives.
To contact me or to request topics to be covered, send to RikJohnson@juno.com
by: Rick Johnson 
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717
