How Badly Do We Shoot Ourselves In the Foot?
With some of the recent stories that have been circulating regarding people claiming discrimination on the basis of religion, I feel it's time to say something. Frankly, I'm pretty damn annoyed with those who use Wicca and other Pagan religions to cry scapegoat and victim. Just two recent examples come to mind that illustrate my annoyance. One is the 14 year old boy who claimed he was being discriminated against as a Wiccan because the school wouldn't let him wear massive amounts of make up. The other is the child molester in Australia who claims that he's being persecuted because he's Wiccan.
Please, folks.... let's stop this crying wolf routine before it turns otherwise sympathetic citizens against us? Those who are facing TRUE discrimination are being ignored because these crazies are grabbing center stage, causing a knee jerk reaction from others. Can't wear make up to school? What RELIGIOUS reason would you possibly have for claiming that's necessary? Someone else wanted me to write an opinion letter that her body piercings were religious and therefore must be allowed in her workplace. Really? What covenant of Wiccan faith mandates body piercings? And I won't even bother to comment on the child molester.
While this kind of nonsense grabs headlines, who is going to listen to the REAL battles? How about the Wiccan who was prohibited from a flea market because she was a Witch? (Not because she was selling Witch stuff, mind you, but because of her personal religious practice. Read more here ) What about the people who want to worship in their home with a few members of their coven? ( More on that here). And what about the friend who asked to remain anonymous who was told by his township that they are no longer allowed "those Satanic services" on his own property or "they'll be forced to move?"
So next time you want to claim it's your religion that is getting you unwanted attention and discrimination, take a close look. Is it REALLY your religion? Or is it, as happened to one person, refusal to dress appropriately for her job? Or maybe refusal to cease from prostheletyzing? (I'd fire ANYONE who incessantly annoyed others in the workplace, regardless of which religion was being "pushed.") Or perhaps, as happened to yet another acquaintance, failure to bathe on a regular basis? Imagine what would happen if people believed that all Wiccans were required by their religion to wear too much make-up, have visible body piercings, not do their jobs, dress like slobs, molest children and smell bad? Gee, that's really going to boost our public relations ratings.
Fight discrimination in any way that you can, but please be sure it's REAL before marching off with your picket signs. We'd all really appreciate it.