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by Gus diZerega, Beliefnet.com (blog), February 3, 2010
"New conservative folk hero James O'Keefe is turning out to have been a long time habitué of white supremacist gatherings and an associate of anti-Semites and racists according to a new report at Salon. If so he is a perfect representative for a disturbingly big current within modern "conservatism."----------------------------------------
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A few years ago I began trying to figure out in some depth why the modern "conservative" movement was so virulently opposed to so many of America's genuine traditions and to our Constitution and the principles of the Declaration of Independence. At one time Conservatives held a particular interpretation of their meaning, but one with genuine substance, agree or not. But not any longer. Now they ignore it. As I explored the history of all this over and over again I discovered the cultural hand of the ante-bellum South to be deeply involved. Attitudes developed in our first "counter culture," that of the pro-slavery South, have continued to infect the politics, religion, and morality of the area and now our country.
[...]
I suspect their openness to the spirit behind scriptural writings and the need for their interpretation is why many Pagans have had pleasant encounters with more liberal Northern churches. I also suspect their commitment to so-called literal meanings is why Pagans have had such unpleasant experiences with one with Southern origins, wherever their congregations might be located. From a Pagan perspective they worship different Gods, one a defender of slavery, the other its critic.
James O'Keefe seems to be a proud son of this anti-American tradition."
Colorado Air Force Academy: Wiccan Prayer Circle Opened For Earth-Centered Religions
By Shannon Bell, RightPundits.com, February 2nd, 2010
"I know what you’re thinking. Here comes another controversial post with religion as the subject. Surely a bunch of right-wing Christians will be chomping at the bit to bash pagans and wiccans and talk about the slow and sure crumble of society as pagans take over even the Air Force Academy. Well I can’t speak for the other readers and commenter’s but I have no problem with the Pagan worship circle at the academy.----------------------------------------
Our Constitution affords us the right to practice any religion we would like, I think that should be especially true for anyone in the military who is willing to serve and sacrifice for us. Do I agree with pagan religions like Wicca? No. But those who have chosen to serve their country, and have joined the Air Force Academy deserve a proper worship area just like any other religious faith.
[...]
Try to think of it in terms of your faith. For instance, if I were in the Air Force Academy, and had no Chapel to go to, what would I do? Go to the mosque, synagogue, or Buddhist shrine? The founders came here and established this country because they believed in religious freedom. The Air Force Academy’s worship circle for Earth-centered religions is a continuation of that belief. Whether you agree with the faith or not."
Slain Woman, Ex-Boyfriend Made Wiccan Pact, Cops Say
by David Lohr, AOL News, Feb. 3, 2010
""Both Christensen and Harlan were members of the Wiccan church, and Christensen had Ms. Harlan enter into this blood oath in December 2009, promising not to see this other fellow -- her sugar daddy," Craig Matheson, Snohomish County senior deputy prosecutor, told AOL News. "She promised to do that during the course of this oath that was witnessed by another Wiccan."----------------------------------------
Representatives of the Wiccan community have reacted strongly to what they say is a misguided rationalization for the slaying involving practices that are not condoned by the religion.
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"He described the oath as a ceremony where you promise to do various things or not do various things and you seal the deal by pricking a finger, getting some blood and burning that in some incense," Matheson said. "That blood is part of sealing the deal. They do their various incantations, make the oath and purify the circle. According to Christensen, back in ancient times, if you break the blood oath, the penalty for that could be death."
Christensen allegedly said that he discovered Harlan had broken the oath when he found a text message on her phone from the guy she had agreed to break off contact with. The transgression, Christensen told police, made her a "'warlock,' literally an evil traitor."
[...]
According to Matheson, body parts were recovered at several places around a gravel pit east of Gold Bar. Some had been buried in the ground; others had been left on the surface.
"As far as I can tell at this moment, the dismemberment appeared to be an effort to aid in disposal of the body," Matheson said. "I have not found, in any of the literature I have read about the Wiccan religion, that it is connected to that in any way."
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"First of all, in order to nullify this man's association or affiliation with Wicca or witchcraft in general, no denominations belonging to either category advocate the practice of violence to animal or human for any reason whatsoever," Peter Stephen Moore, a former Wiccan and current Thelemic Witch from Pennsylvania, told AOL News. "The main tenet of Wicca is called the Wiccan Rede. It is this: 'An' it harm none, do what thou wilt.' It basically means so long as no one is harmed through your actions, the pursuit of your will (destiny, purpose, dharma) is encouraged. There are no extenuating circumstances or rationalizations to this rule. Modern Wiccans do not believe in acts of vengeance or in engaging in any activity that would impede another's actions."
Moore also found a problem with the blood oath Christiansen described.
"There are oaths taken in both witchcraft and ceremonial magical traditions, but there are no oaths in Wicca involving blood that I am aware of. And even assuming there are, no Wiccan would advocate the type of oath he's claiming she took," Moore said. "Wiccans do not believe in the binding of one's love 'till death do us part.' Any taking of such blood oaths as he describes was most likely taken only to pacify his insecurities. He allegedly dismembered the body in an attempt to conceal his alleged crime. Now he chooses a minority religion, whose beliefs and principles are not universally known and understood, to be a scapegoat for his emotional insecurities and their resulting selfish brutalities."
Pat Brown, world-renowned criminal profiler and founder of patbrownprofiling.com, agrees with Moore.
"Christiansen is no different than any other guy who got jilted and wants to make his ex pay the price," Brown said. "He found a justification, a version of 'The b---- made me do it' because she violated her religious vow to him of remaining true to him, to be his one and only.""
Police release 'witch doctor' photos
NewsChannel 36, CharlotteObserver.com, Feb. 03, 2010
" Police have released surveillance photos of a woman who they call a "witch doctor," who allegedly swindled people out of thousands of dollars and then vanished.----------------------------------------
Police say the woman, who called herself Brenda Gonzalez, claimed to be a spiritual healer and advertised through a Charlotte-based Spanish language radio station.
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Gonzalez is accused of stealing more than $20,000 from at least four victims. The radio station says they lost money, too, when the woman disappeared and they have since pulled the ads.
If you recognize this woman, call CrimeStoppers at 704-334-1600."
Will You Join Our Remarkable Army of Lovers?
by James Lovette-Black, NEWS JUNKIE POST, Feb 3, 2010
"A radically diverse community, gays and lesbians and bisexuals and transgenders are generally a welcoming, peaceful, and creative tribe. Perhaps the most broadly held aspect of our worldview is that we embrace unity through our diversity. This is because we know that the astonishing array of sexual orientations and genders in our rainbow is precious and that love must be nurtured, in every variety and in every place.----------------------------------------
In this respect, the gay community is a perfect reflection of the USA: all beautiful colors, ethnicities, religions, genders, etc., are mutually creating an inclusive and highly potentiated society. This is one reason why we feel so betrayed by a persistent rejection of our rights by those who hold beliefs that arise from xenophobia, the fear of the other. Our struggle for our human rights has historically persisted, despite exceptionally sanctioned violence, assassinations, and a disturbing lack of respect from religious people. The battle has even grown stronger, bolstered by emergent universal principles of human rights, and fostered by our own self respect.
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One has to wonder why on earth we reach for the right to marry and to serve in the US military? Especially as viewed in light of the lack of federal employment, housing, education, credit, and the plethora of rights accorded to straights?
It is because we know, down to our bones and our blood and every fiber of our being and consciousness, that love is what matters. Love is what makes a family: nothing more and nothing less. Not blood, not religion, not laws or government, but love.
We persist in the struggle for full social equity. Will you join our fabulous army of lovers as we realize our vision of a truly inclusive civil society?
After all, an army of lovers cannot be defeated."
Natsume grants a Witch's Wish on DS
by JC Fletcher, Joystiq (blog), Feb 3rd 2010
"If you're hoping to play a cute DS game starring a young witch, but not NIS's A Witch's Tale, Natsume has you covered. The publisher just announced Witch's Wish, a new game joining its DS lineup of extraordinarily quirky stuff.
Witch's Wish stars "Vicky," a girl who wants to go toHogwartswitch school, and has to help save her town from some kind of "dark force" while simultaneously learning how to do magic. The ESRB reveals a bit more about the gameplay, describing "comical duel sequences" -- rock-paper-scissors style duels in which "buckets of water are dumped, little tornadoes may twirl, and bursts of cloud-and-fire are sent." Precious!
(Retailer orders for) Witch's Wish will be fulfilled this spring."
