Non Fluffy Wicca

I suppose that being part of an "outside the mainstream" group opens one up for this type of thing, but I continue to hope and wish that common sense and perhaps intelligence might overcome. Unfortunately, my desires do not always win out.

It truly makes me wonder when children expect adults to assist them in freaking out their parents. The under 18 crowd who want adults to help them "hide their faith" from their parents totally confuse me. I suppose that's only fair because apparently I confuse them when I tell them that the faith will still be here if they wait to practice it until they are of age.

Many of those who insist on shoving their newfound faith in their parents' faces, almost daring them to "do something" about it. Sometimes, it's a scream for attention. Sometimes, Wicca is the next attempt in a series of means to annoy parents after the child has already tried being goth, dying their hair purple, piercing their tongues or eyebrows, etc. etc. No, this is definitely not ALL of the children who are interested in Wicca. And yes, it is very difficult to be a child living with parents who are not "religiously hip." It's very difficult to be a child living with parents who are not "hip" in general. However, sometimes there is a price to be paid for living in the house and being supported by Mom and Dad.

I do not personally advocate hiding your faith from your parents. However, if your parents have forbidden you to practice Wicca or Paganism or whatever, fighting with them about it is only going to serve to drive a wedge between you that you may not care about now, but you definitely will care in later years. You can always wait until you move out, and then it won't be their business anymore. Although they may still pray for your soul, they will no longer be in control of your day to day life.

Please keep in mind that parental consent is a very "big deal" for many of us in the Pagan community. Adults who mentor or assist those under 18 with their faith can be held liable in court (depending on state law, of course) if the parents decide that religious instruction is being provided without their consent. This is why so many hesitate before taking on teen students. It can definitely be a significant issue.

So, my advice is, if your parents don't agree with your choice of religion - wait a few years. The Goddess will still be there to welcome you.

Posted by mikki at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Ok, I am likely opening myself up to a lot of flack for saying this, but why can't some of these people do just a little tiny bit of scientific examination of their ideas. Just a teeny tiny bit, please?

This rather different website is apparently set up for people who feel that their bodies contain DNA from mythological creatures, or their soul was put in the wrong body and they are actually in essence one of these mythological creatures. But wait, these creatures might really have existed.

What I wonder is if these cosmic mistakes can actually happen, why nobody has the soul of let's say....a triceratops. Or maybe a giant sloth. No, wait...maybe some DO have giant sloth souls :-). But nobody goes around talking about it.

Posted by mikki at 09:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This weekend, the Chancellor of the Correllian Nativist Tradition, Don Lewis, and HP Ruthann of Akasha Temple, came to DC to attend ceremonies for the Sacred Arts Shrine. I had a great time meeting them, and the heads of the Shrine, Rev. Mark and Rev. Sapphire Star, her wonderful family, and Casey from Akasha temple. We had a wonderful elements balancing ritual, lots of good talk, and a marvelous dinner.

Much fun was had by all. It's too bad I had to leave to get home before the icy wintry weather mix closed down all the roads with accidents. As I was coming home on 370, the other side was completely blocked due to an accident with a snow plow. Big mess. I got home safely.

Posted by mikki at 10:10 AM | Permalink

So, seems it's ok for a gay MALE to be a Pastor in the Methodist church, but not a gay FEMALE. Does this make sense? Does it make sense to prohibit ANYONE who has "heard the call" of their faith to be a pastor? Sad. Very Sad.

Methodist church to try gay pastor
Ellensburg clergywoman disclosed having relationship

By PEGGY ANDERSEN
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The lesbian pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Ellensburg will face a church trial for disclosing that she is living in a "covenanted homosexual relationship."

The church's Northwest Committee on Investigation voted 5-2 to pursue a complaint against the Rev. Karen Dammann. The trial could lead to her removal from the pulpit.

Earlier decisions not to pursue a complaint -- by the local panel and a regional one -- were reversed last fall by the Nashville, Tenn.-based denomination's Judicial Council.

The council move came on an appeal from Seattle church leader Elias Galvan, Dammann's bishop and the one to whom she had disclosed her committed relationship with a woman in 2001. The couple have a young son.

The church's Book of Discipline bars "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from being ordained or serving as pastors on grounds that homosexuality is incompatible with church teaching. Ruling in the case in October, the Judicial Council said it was "an egregious error" not to pursue charges when church law was violated.

Dammann was out of town and could not be reached for comment yesterday, but a news release from the denomination's Seattle office quoted her as saying that "trying someone for being gay is bound to shake the tree -- I hope in the direction of inclusiveness."

The time and location of the trial will be decided after Galvan names a presiding officer -- likely not before the end of the month, Seattle church spokeswoman Elaine Stanovsky said.

He and other church officials also will select a pool of 35 ministers from which 12 jurors and an alternate will be selected.

The Judicial Council retained jurisdiction in the case after ordering it returned to the regional committee, said Dammann's attorney, Lindsay Thompson of Seattle, "which means they can continue to involve themselves in it." Although it would appear a decision against his client is likely, Thompson said yesterday, "God moves in mysterious ways sometimes."

"I'm sure the committee struggled with it, since two members voted no, anyway," he said.

Indeed, one committee member who voted in favor of the trial on the basis of church law said she disagreed with the Book of Discipline's "pronouncements on homosexuality."

The local committee reached its decision Monday, but has not yet produced a bill of charges, Thompson said.

Stanovsky said yesterday it was not yet available for public scrutiny.

There's no question Dammann's congregation supports her, Stanovsky told the United Methodist News Service.

"The overwhelming majority of the church is supportive of Karen's ministry and want her to continue as their pastor," Stanovsky told the church news service.

"In terms of the core issues, we have an uphill battle," Thompson said of the upcoming trial. "But I think -- and Karen has said this as well -- whatever happens will be good for the denomination because it's going to force a broad airing of these issues," which have been subject of an active debate within the church "for many years."

"This case has become bigger than Karen now because of the way the church has handled it," he said, adding that some church members feel the council may have overreached its authority by "setting itself up as the arbiter of ministerial qualifications on the local level."

Thompson also questioned why the local committee's refusal to pursue the admitted homosexuality of another gay pastor, a man serving in Seattle, was not appealed by Galvan.

"It seems that if Karen's continuing to serve is so awful," the other pastor would logically be subject to trial as well, he said.

Posted by mikki at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Fundies come in every flavor

Spanish women's associations on Thursday hailed the conviction of an Islamic cleric who advised Muslims how to beat their wives, calling the ruling a triumph for women.
[AP World News]

Posted by mikki at 09:52 AM | Permalink

Got a nifty new bar code scanner and software from IntelliScanner . So I went and put all my tarot decks with ISBN numbers and "occult" book collection online. Yes, I am insane. If you are interested you can see them all at this handy link .

Posted by mikki at 01:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This is one of the most hilarious things I've seen lately. It's well worth the amusing click.

Kids! Accept Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior and Get a Free PlayStation 2 [Madville.com]

Posted by mikki at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Feel the need for salvation? Got just what you need! Just Click This Handy Link .

Sometimes you just have to shake your head in wonder .

Posted by mikki at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 2004 bring you all that you deserve.

Posted by mikki at 01:20 PM | Permalink