Non Fluffy Wicca

More good stuff from Pagan Prattle. While I don't condone Christian bashing, and while I don't hold any animosity towards today's Christians who don't come after those of other religions, it certainly is interesting information, and can help us understand our history, and the history of Christianity better. Which is always something I am interested in.

Canada: The former religious editor of the Toronto Star has published a book, and I think we can safely say that fundies won't like it. Its basic thesis is that Christ is a mythological character, and should be understood as such, and that Christianity built on what had gone before, then tried to deny it violently.

The Church of the 3rd and 4th centuries, when challenged by its Pagan critics as to the real sources of its gospels, dogmas, and rites, reacted with fierce hostility, systematically hunting down and eliminating all traces of its Pagan past. It hounded anyone, whether Christian or not, who bore witness to the old truths. It closed down the traditional, "Pagan" philosophical schools, persecuted those involved in the various popular Greco-Roman Mystery Religions, burned hundreds of thousands of books, and hurled the charge of heresy -- with its penalty of excommunication -- at any who threatened to question the orthodox party line. Many were put to death. The Pagan inheritance was everywhere hotly denied. This was the beginning of a violent process that was to recur over the centuries and eventuate in a Christianity that Frye once bluntly described as "a ghost with the chains of a foul historical record of cruelty clanking behind it." Studying this attempt to squelch the truth in detail for the first time was a profound shock for me.

Today there is no longer any excuse for any hierarchy to ignore the truth of what has actually transpired. The record is now plain for all to see. Not only did the early Christians take over almost completely the myths and teachings of their Egyptian masters, mediated in many cases by the Mystery Religions and by Judaism in its many forms, but they did everything in their power, through forgery and other fraud, book burning, character assassination, and murder itself, to destroy the crucial evidence of what had happened.
[The Pagan Prattle Online]

Posted by mikki at 07:01 PM | Permalink

Think this might make the fundies upset? I couldn't help but think of a fellow Tae Kwon Do referee today who told us that her husband would not allow her to referee any tournaments unless she could come home in time for church on Sunday morning. When she refereed the National matches, that lasted over a week, she had to find a minister for her Sunday "ministrations." *Shudder* Perhaps she'd be better off with a nice gay guy

Marc-Anthony Macon and his boyfriend are fed up of being told that they already have the same rights as straight men -- they may marry women. So, he's come up with a cunning plan:

Until you allow gay couples, nation-wide, to marry one-another, we will start marrying your potential mates.

That's right.

Gay men are going to cruise around and find the hottest women they can, and marry them. Don't think the women will be up for it? Let me ask you this:

If women were given the choice of marrying a straight man, who won't give them much sex after the first couple of years, or marrying gay men who will give them no sex, but allow them to sleep with whomever they want, along with taking them dancing, to romantic dinners, bring them random gifts of flowers, tell them how beautiful they are, remember their birthdays and anniversaries and decorate their homes. Which marriage will sound better to them?

You have been warned...
[The Pagan Prattle Online]

Posted by mikki at 08:53 PM | Permalink

Some business people travel to branch offices for financial information. Richard Whiteley suggests a trip to alternative realms. The Boston author and speaker, a devotee of the practices of healers such as medicine people and shamans, was among the participants last week at a Babson College conference on integrating spirituality and commerce. Whiteley got his master's in business administration from ... (By Rich , Globe Columnist) [Boston Globe: Local]

Posted by mikki at 08:47 PM | Permalink

The "pledge case" is basically a litmus test of how important the First Amendment of the Constitution is to a society that wishes to pretend to be Christian. I say pretends because, as we all know, while the current majority of the population says they are "Christian" they neither behave as mandated in the New Testament, nor do they follow their own mores of worship, i.e. attending church on Easter and Xmas and that's about it.

It is relatively amusing to see the same people arguing for prayer in the schools, arguing that the words "under God" are innocuous. If we apply the Psycho Sensei's "Satan Test" to these words, guess what the reaction would be if we changed the Pledge to "one nation, under Satan." If the resulting pledge is acceptable as innocuous, then you would be allowed to use the pledge in the public schools.

[From Morons.org] Michael Newdow argued on his own behalf that his daughter shouldn't be exposed to the recitation of "UNDER GOD" in the Pledge of Allegiance in school and was subsequently buried in straw men...

We hear a lot of " straw man" arguments here on morons.org and elsewhere. Basically this means that instead of addressing your actual point, your opponent misrepresents your point and attacks that instead; that is to say, rather than going after... [Morons Dot Org]

Posted by mikki at 12:16 PM | Permalink

I am waiting to see when the Pagan ads will show up :-)

United States: I'm a wee bit confused over church advertising. Wouldn't using television advertising to pimp for customers be in violation of their dodgy tax-free status? Not to mention a blatant misuse of funds.

Two weeks ago, first-time commercials for the United Church of Christ (UCC) began airing in six areas from Sarasota, Fla., to Oklahoma City in a bid to boost name recognition and worship attendance before Easter. Monday, the Unitarian Universalist Association began a national campaign to buy airtime for their Uncommon Denomination ads, first tested in Kansas City last year. This summer, the United Methodist Church will hear proposals for expanding what has been a four-year, $18 million campaign to replenish dwindling congregations.

For church marketers, TV ads have been the missing link between congregations with much to offer and individuals in search of a place where they feel welcome.

It may well be that the church we created in 1957 is just right for today's people, but they don't know we exist, said Ron Buford, coordinator of the UCC's campaign. The medium for today is TV. You don't exist if you're not on TV.

Yet for scholars of church trends, the dawn of mass marketing suggests that quest for church unity has given way to an ethic of survival of the fittest.

Mainstream churches take a leap of faith into TV advertising - Christian Science Monitor, 16th March 2004.
[The Pagan Prattle Online]

Posted by mikki at 12:01 PM | Permalink

Just goes to show that clergy ARE held to a higher standard. Be careful where your pictures wind up :-)
United Kingdom: The good Father Bob has been suspended after shocked parishioners reported that a naked picture of him had been posted on an internet dating web site.

The picture allegedly shows Fr Bob Locke, 41, the Anglican vicar of Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, and invites contact from women for sex.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, suspended the married clergyman while the unsettling allegations are investigated.
[The Pagan Prattle Online]

Posted by mikki at 11:58 AM | Permalink

United States: Azogue, a popular folk medicine is causing concern among authorities in New Jersey. Felix Mota, voodoo priest and owner of a botanica, who refuses to sell it, explains:

It speeds the magical effects of spells cast for the loveless, the luckless, and the sick, some believe. It is a talisman to the gambler, a protector against the evil eye. Some sprinkle it in rooms, cars -- even baby cribs -- for protection.

The problem? It's mercury.

Researchers say mercury is used in two ways: as part of an organized religion, such as Santeria, Espiritismo, or voodoo, where priests imbue it with spiritual power in certain rituals, or in cultural or superstitious practices in which people believe it brings good luck.

People buy it to put in candles -- candles for money, for love, to pray for somebody, Mota says. He used to put a drop of mercury in perfume or bath oils, to spread over the body for good luck, but he doesn't anymore.
I tell people, 'Don't use it. It's so dangerous.'

One woman Mota treated six or seven years ago had swallowed mercury at the instruction of a santero, a Santeria priest, before she came to the United States.

Mercury as Folk Potion Sickens Users, Pollutes New Jersey Waterways - The Miami Herald, 16th March 2004.
[The Pagan Prattle Online]

Posted by mikki at 11:20 AM | Permalink

United States: The head of a Christian organisation has had to apologise after threatening to 'out' legislators he thought might be gay.

[Executive Director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, Michael] Heath says he should not have suggested that the League had any interest in the sexual orientation of state lawmakers.

Earlier, he asked members to send him tips, rumors, speculations and facts that he could post on the league's Web site.

The apology, posted to the League's web site, reads:

I am sorry for indicating that the League is going to keep a list of the "sexual orientation" of public policy makers and leaders. In the midst of fighting for something I feel very strong about I wrote and said things that I should not have written and spoken. I feel terrible that my words and conduct have besmirched the fine reputation and important ministry of the Christian Civic League of Maine. And I apologize to the Legislature and the people of Maine.

Portland Representative John Eder described Heath's actions as completely disgusting and meant to encourage hatred and violence. Heath apologizes for threat to out lawmakers - NewsRadio WMTW, 12th March 2004; I apologize - Christian Civic League of Maine web site, not dated.
[The Pagan Prattle Online]

Posted by mikki at 08:11 AM | Permalink

Spot the Wonder Cat was born 19 years ago, and promptly abandoned by some evil person, left in a box on the side of the road with 3 siblings. They were found by a friend and brought to work, where they were promptly brought to the vet for check ups. The vet said Spot would likely not live long, because he had a compromised immune system and ringworm. In fact, all the kittens had ringworm. I spent 6 weeks bathing them 2x a day (cats love baths, don't you know..) but they all seemed to be fine, and were adopted out.

Spot had a long and happy life, and died today at 3:40 PM. Light a candle for him if you choose. He is sorely missed. Rest in peace, old friend.

Posted by mikki at 04:28 PM | Permalink

FUD (Fear, uncertainty and doubt) are, unfortunately, not limited to ignorant fundies. Seems that the very idea of witches "casting spells" is enough to spur discrimination. At least in Australia.

Australia: A Sydney hotelier has barred a Pagan discussion group which met regularly in his bar (and probably made a significant contribution to his profits) because he was scared they might be casting spells!

People found their behaviour strange and threatening...casting spells on bars in the hotel or clearing bars with certain spells, Tony Green, owner of the Greenwood Hotel, told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. They talk about casting spells and they brought with them, I believe, a small cauldron. I think they behaved as though they are witches, Green added.

Posted by mikki at 09:37 AM | Permalink

Failure after failure after failure has not stopped Judge Roy Moore, the energizer bunny of biblical rocks in public places. However, thus far the judicial system is holding steady upholding the dismissal of his lawsuit to bring back the infamous 10 Commandments rock from the state Judicial Building.

The suit had claimed that by removing the rock, the state was establishing religion by establishing no religion. Try to wrap your mind around THAT piece of illogic. This new religion, called "nontheism" was claimed by Moore and his ilk as being promoted by the "empty space." I guess their next attack will be on elementary schools to stop them from teaching about "the empty set." Obviously they are promoting the "non god" by it's use, so we need to counter that by mandating school prayer.

This type of Orwellian double-speak has been rampant through the latest rounds of people like Moore's attempts to impose their religion on others. I wouldn't be surprised if they continue to waste taxpayer money with their diatribes and their drivel.

You can read the article on the decision here .

Posted by mikki at 02:51 PM | Permalink

This is utterly HILARIOUS! Use these on your favorite moviegoer

United Kingdom: The wits over at The Guardian have come up with a glossary of useful Aramaic phrases to help enrich your enjoyment of The Passion of The Christ.

B-kheeruut re'yaaneyh laa kaaley tsuuraathaa khteepaathaa, ellaa Zaynaa Mqatlaanaa Trayaanaa laytaw!
It may be uncompromising in its liberal use of graphic violence, but Lethal Weapon II it ain't.

Da'ek teleyfoon methta'naanaak, pquud. Guudaapaw!

Please turn off your mobile phone. It is blasphemous.

Shbuuq shuukhaaraa deel. Man ethnaggad udamshaa?

Sorry I'm late. Have I missed any scourging?

Aykaa beyt tadkeetha? Zaadeq lee d-asheeg eeday men perdey devshaanaayey haaleyn!

Where is the loo? I need to wash my hands of this popcorn.

Posted by mikki at 07:38 PM | Permalink

I guess that now the Catholic Church has to treat men and women equally, eh? Cool :-)

The California Supreme Court ruled Monday that Catholic Charities must provide its employees in California with medical coverage for birth control, in spite of its religious objections to contraception.

The ruling has sweeping implications for religion-based nonprofit organizations and hospitals throughout the state and could influence decisions made in at least 20 other states that have similar laws requiring employers to provide contraception as part of employee health coverage, legal experts said. A similar case, brought by Catholic and Protestant organizations, is winding its way through the New York courts.

Posted by mikki at 10:41 PM | Permalink

Hail Eris. Do you see the fnords? Then perhaps you need to go to the Shrine of the Flaming Asscruft and see the violence inherent in the system. As anyone with half a brain knows, humor is an absolutely wonderful method for teaching, and parody can be one of the thought provoking forms of humor. So go to the Shrine. Become a so you can get on the Yahoo Group and contribute to the insanity.

Posted by mikki at 12:14 PM | Permalink