Well I could not find the appropriate forum for this post but here it goes.
I have really stired up a hornets nest here in Panama City, Florida. The Christian community has a great hold on this city, (as everywhere else) and witchcraft is not publicaly accepted.
I know of only 2 covens which operate in panama city and they stay stricktly to themselves and away from the publics eye. They allow the state and this town to persecute them, and bager them with the own conformities.
Well I have had enough! I can honestly say that I have an alchole problem. I have gotten into trouble with the law in the past, more than one occasion when I was younger.
Anyway, a friend of mine is required by the Bay County Court system to attend AA, NA meetings, and a program called Drug Court. These programs are based on the theologain of the Hebrew Christianity Beliefs.
The Problem is that my friend is a fellow practitioner in the arts of Witchcraft and is required by law to be subject to the belief 5 times a week. They are completly disregarding his personal religious beliefs and forcing him to conform to this religion. If he does not he is threated with incarceration.
Granted that yes he did break the law and was in arrested for public intoxication. Yes it is against the law. But as far as I am concern so is impeading on ones religious beliefs.
So I had began going to thes meetings with him, (Not Drug Court because that is a court ordered thing). I have remained silent for along time letting them all vent on this young man. Listening to their religious bagering.
Well I went down to the Court House and filed a partition on the equal rights and constitutional rights of american citizens to practice any and all religious beliefs.
At first the lawyer I had went to was standoffish at accepting such a thing to represent. (I had actually went through like 12 lawyers). But now the crap has really hit the fan.
I did not set out to conform and convert the state of Florida, I am just asking for the same respect for our religion, the Christian community gets.
We will see what happens.
Thank you for the leaning of your ear.
I am usually very easy going and try to get along with everyone. But after the conversation I had with this man I had to do something.
He was actually willing to give up his religious practice just so the baggering would stop.
I just think this is soooooo wronge, especially since this is a state ran program. What do they think? That they are above the constitution?
I am so tiered of the practitioners of our craft, our religion having to hide behind close doors because society is still blind of our true nature and intentions.
Well... er... one the one hand, if your friend was willing to give up his faith so that the badgering would stop, or if he felt threatened by the badgering, then, first I would think he wasn't secure.
Truth is, Christianity has been a cultural victor and we can't deny the impact it already has had on the world outside the level of personal faith. Every part of society has to live with a bit of Christian influence. It's the way A.A. has built its foundations, and (I'm hoping the reason) the government supports it because it's shown to be a most effective way to recover by giving oneself over to -- for modern allowances -- a power greater than oneself, but unaffiliated with "any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution", "placing principle before personality" as they themselves advertise.
But, on the other hand, you have seen badgering, pre-judgment, hate and shame in what ought to have been a place of support -- that's certainly not placing principles before personality, is counterproductive to personal development, and the fault of the chapter not your friend. The government shouldn't make him keep going where it does more harm than good and defeats the purpose. I hope you've kept a record of every overt religious attack. I think you deserve to win this on principle, and really hope you win this small advancement for social diversity, though it may still be a long while before Paganism is respected as widely as Christianity.
Ravyne,
Thank you for the understanding. You have made an exellent point, and yes I have been very avid in keeping detailed records of such discrepancies.
I am not out to destroy Christianity in any way, I just don't see why everyone has to see it their way all the time. If you stray from their path you are a hethern, satanist, or other deflamitory remarks. Now I will admit that I have called them slandereist names before in the past and I was wrong in doing so.
And I understand that this is going to be a none stop uphilled battle. But I have had a bellie full, I am not claiming that my veiws on this matter is correct. Many may and probley will disagree with me, but hey thats freedom right?
Anyway thank you for your response and your wisdom,
Oh I almost forgot.
I have requested support from the local covens in my area on this matter, but so far I have not received a response. Which is not a surprise, afterall this is a very delicate matter and many do not want their names to be thrown around in the court rooms and/or societies veiw.
You know, This is exactly why I don't make my magic or psionic practices into a religious belief. Religion is the most easily offended or trodden upon topic people fight about.
I'm neither for nor against your case Draco.
I will admit the cause is admirible, and the United States should honour their long standind rights and let you practice whatever you believe in.
A question though, can one truly be agnostic if they Know many gods exist?
Agnostic :
1) a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience.
2) One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
3)One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
4) One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.
I am not sure if you are refering to me being Agnostic but those definitions for the word do not partaine to me in any way shape of form.
Maybe you can elaborate on your meaning so I can grasp it better for understanding so I can promtly answer your question.
Draco as flagg said I don't consider what I do as religion because I could've become ofended very easily, but I also take your side becuase the state cannot go against someone just cause he has a difefrent religion or practices. Still I was born on a Catholic familiy, but I truly don't believe in the god cause I have created so many questions that religion can't answer cause they're too difficult like (If god made us perfect why is sex wrong?), but still I true believe they're other gods (pagan gods) and I truly join your cause to stop the menacing of people just cause we practice witchcraft
