Look Back And Remember

June 30, 2010 By talogwitch

Please let this Summer Solstice 2010 with all the present pollution issues and political problems, serve to remind each and every member of humanity, no matter what faith or creed, that once not so long ago we all shared the same beliefs. We held a simple child-like wonderment of nature and sought the same answers from our Earth Mother. The archaeological record demonstrates that for over 30,000 years throughout the globe we held the same embrace of spirituality, a universal belief that a divine benevolent and approachable spirit force watched over us.

Though over time this divinity varied greatly in concept, with a multitude of names and abundant imagery, depending upon the culture it served; indeed even within these cultures beliefs evolved and progressed, yet still spirituality had its roots in life, the ecology of this planet; religion was earth based. Humanity was accepted as part of the eternal circle of life, whether passively through farming and cultivation or aggressively through war and devastation; we were at all times ‘of this earth’ and destined to ‘return to the earth’, and the spirit force resided therein.

It makes me want to weep when I observe how far humanity has progressed and yet lost this aspect of belonging, now so many faiths treat our blessed Mother Earth like She is a mere insignificant ‘stop over’ on the way to another better destination; little wonder that there is no respect. Until we look back and find the lost ancient wisdom of our universal heritage I fear we have little hope of healing this modern world.

Eve.

Filed Under: Paganism

California’s Same-Sex Marriage Trial

June 29, 2010 By lachesis

I know the topic of same sex marriage has been discussed here before, but with the recent court case in California, I wanted to put in my proverbial two cents.

On June 16, 2010, a federal court judge in California heard closing arguments in what could be a landmark case. Two couples, one gay, one lesbian, are suing the State of California, arguing that Proposition 8, which denies same sex couples the right to marriage, is a violation of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution (http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am14.html)

Let me state very clearly that I am a supporter of same-sex marriages. I believe very strongly that one day we will look back at opposition to same-sex marriage in the same light that we now view opposition to interracial marriage. That it will be something we say “I can’t believe people used to think that way!”

I don’t think this is specifically a “Pagan” position, but Paganism does tend to be much more open and accepting than some faiths. In my tradition, we not only recognize masculine and feminine aspects of the Divine, but that those aspects are in each of us. With whom we express our feelings of joy, love and commitment is not important to the Lord and Lady, just that we do express them.

That being said, I think there are some very telling aspects of this particular case and one very important question being missed.

The first is the identities of the attorneys for both the plaintiffs and the State.

The plaintiffs are being led by David Boies and Ted Olson. These are the same two men who opposed each other in front of the Supreme Court in the case of Bush v. Gore in 2000. You remember that little case? The one in which the simple matter of a presidential election was decided? Yes, that one.

And you would think the State is being represented by the State Attorney General. Not so. Neither the California Attorney General (Jerry Brown) nor Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped up to defend Proposition 8. It’s being defended by Andy Pugno (attorney of the conservative advocacy group Protect Marriage) and former Justice Department attorney Charles Cooper.

What does it say about a law when two attorneys from VERY opposite sides of the fence team up to oppose it?

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Filed Under: glbt, news, Paganism Tagged With: , , , , ,
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