Last year I devoted several posts to a local struggle in Salem over the licensing of psychics. One group, led by Laurie Cabot, wanted to limit licenses and inhibit traveling “psychic fairs” (which they felt “poached” their profits), the other, led by Christian Day, wanted more relaxed rules that would allow for a greater number of licensed psychics. Eventually a compromise measure was reached, but in the process, remains from a dead raccoon were left on the doorsteps of two local metaphysical shops.

“The remains of a mutilated raccoon were left at the doorways of two of the city’s psychic shops. At 12:41 a.m. yesterday, John Ray of Salem flagged down police Sgt. Richard Gagnon and alerted him to a raccoon’s skull and a pile of intestines that had been left at the entrance to Angelica of the Angels, a shop at 7 Central St. While patrolling Essex Street about an hour later, Gagnon discovered more remains at the door to The Goddess’ Treasure Chest at 172 Essex St.”

Some Salem residents cast suspicion on Day, accusing him of working malignant magic, but it soon came to light that the perpetrator was psychic and Salem Witch Sharon Graham, who had been nursing a grudge against Christian Day.

“Richard Watson said he went back to his Bridge Street apartment on the night of May 26 to a disturbing scene: his roommate, Sharon Graham, dressed in black, surrounded by four young men, also all in black, standing around a jar. Inside that jar was the eye of a raccoon, police say. And in two trash bags in Watson’s refrigerator was the rest of the critter, which had been dismembered.”

Now, nearly a year later, and after further accusations of witness intimidation, it looks like we have some closure. Sharon Graham, in a plea agreement, has admitted to a judge that she placed the raccoon remains in front of those shops, though she claims to not know why she did so.

“A self-described Wiccan high priestess admitted yesterday that she had placed pieces of an eviscerated raccoon on the doorsteps of two local businesses last year. But Sharon Graham said she still can’t explain why. Graham, 47, formerly of Salem , admitted during a hearing in Salem District Court that prosecutors had sufficient evidence for a conviction on charges of littering and wanton destruction of property. Judge Dunbar Livingston called the case “certainly a somewhat bizarre and troubling incident” but agreed to go along with a plea agreement that called for the charges to be continued without a finding for a year on condition that Graham perform 20 hours of community service and remain in counseling. If she complies with those conditions and stays out of further trouble, the charges will be dismissed in a year. Prosecutors also agreed to drop the most serious charge against Graham, a count of witness intimidation.”

Graham has moved out of Salem, is receiving counseling, and is being supervised by a probation officer. Christian Day has gone on to become an even bigger fish in Salem’s pond, working with the city to promote Halloween season tourism, and co-running his own Witch shop Hex. Laurie Cabot continues to be as famous (infamous?) as ever, celebrating her 75th birthday in March with Godsmack frontman Sully Erna, among others, in attendance. So it looks like this matter is finally closed, and life in Salem, in all its Witchy glory, can continue.

The Los Angeles Times brings us another edition of the ever-familiar “meet the Pagans” article. It has many of the usual “clever” lines journalists use when reporting on Pagans, allusions to Stevie Nicks, allusions to Harry Potter, Pagan Witches don’t all wear pointy black hats, you get the idea. But Matthew DeBord’s article rises from mere mediocrity into truly bad journalism thanks to some outright falsehoods and bizarre assumptions.

“Contemporary paganism doesn’t draw its inspiration from the multiple-gods worship of ancient Greece and Rome so much as from less classical, earthier antecedents (although pagans can and do worship different gods and goddesses). Think Druids, or the shamanistic traditions of Native Americans. Satanism, being associated with the post-Christian world, is not usually considered part of the neo-pagan movement although neo-pagans, being exceedingly tolerant, would probably not object to Satanists being allowed to do their thing, as well.”

Really? What does that mean for members of Feraferia, Hellenismos, the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, and Nova Roma? What about the large swathes of modern Pagans, including the Druids, who engage in “multiple-gods worship” (we call it “polytheism” round these parts). I also love that shamanism is somehow “earthier” than “classical” paganism. I wonder how one measures the “earthy” quotient of a spiritual/religious system. Is their an earthy hierarchy I’m missing out on?

I’m not sure if DeBord’s assumptions are born from misinformed interview subjects or his own preconceived notions, but if your sweeping statements can’t pass the Wikipedia test, then it’s time to reevaluate your journalistic abilities. Then again, maybe modern Paganism has been taken over by earthy Druid-shamans and nobody told me.

The Los Angeles Times brings us another edition of the ever-familiar “meet the Pagans” article. It has many of the usual “clever” lines journalists use when reporting on Pagans, allusions to Stevie Nicks, allusions to Harry Potter, Pagan Witches don’t all wear pointy black hats, you get the idea. But Matthew DeBord’s article rises from mere mediocrity into truly bad journalism thanks to some outright falsehoods and bizarre assumptions.

“Contemporary paganism doesn’t draw its inspiration from the multiple-gods worship of ancient Greece and Rome so much as from less classical, earthier antecedents (although pagans can and do worship different gods and goddesses). Think Druids, or the shamanistic traditions of Native Americans. Satanism, being associated with the post-Christian world, is not usually considered part of the neo-pagan movement although neo-pagans, being exceedingly tolerant, would probably not object to Satanists being allowed to do their thing, as well.”

Really? What does that mean for members of Feraferia, Hellenismos, the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, and Nova Roma? What about the large swathes of modern Pagans, including the Druids, who engage in “multiple-gods worship” (we call it “polytheism” round these parts). I also love that shamanism is somehow “earthier” than “classical” paganism. I wonder how one measures the “earthy” quotient of a spiritual/religious system. Is their an earthy hierarchy I’m missing out on?

I’m not sure if DeBord’s assumptions are born from misinformed interview subjects or his own preconceived notions, but if your sweeping statements can’t pass the Wikipedia test, then it’s time to reevaluate your journalistic abilities. Then again, maybe modern Paganism has been taken over by earthy Druid-shamans and nobody told me.

On Monday, Denessa Smith, well known in the Pagan community for her activism and commitment to tolerance, passed away after struggling with complications relating to a recent gall bladder surgery. Smith is perhaps best known as the mother of Tempest Smith, and founder of the Tempest Smith Foundation, an organization dedicated to fostering tolerance and eliminating teen bullying.

Denessa and Tempest Smith

Smith’s road to activism started with tragedy in 2001 when her daughter, Tempest, then 12, committed suicide due to unrelenting bullying triggered in part by her adherence to Wicca.

“Daily, students surrounded Tempest singing “Jesus Loves You” and other hymns in a mocking gesture. Her choice of clothing was scrutinized as being “Goth” though, according to Denessa, Tempest seldom wore black. Even taunts such as “Wiccan whore” and “Satan worshipper” were regular occurrences.”

Smith, an Agnostic, partnered with the local Pagan community, and started speaking in public about the need to eliminate bullying. For schools, parents, lawmakers, and community members to work together to build a more tolerant world. A world where Tempest’s tragedy isn’t repeated. In turn, she became a pillar of support within her community, and a beacon of hope to teens feeling trapped in the nightmare world of bullying, intimidation, and intolerance.

In addition to Denessa Smith’s work with the Tempest Smith Foundation, she has also spoke out for organ donation, supported charities benefiting Pagans in need, worked with the Order of DeMolay, and participated in the Meals on Wheels program.

“Her work in the community and with The Tempest Smith Foundation will be a lasting tribute to the difference one woman can make. Denessa devoted her energy and her drive towards making our community a more tolerant place and her impact will stay with us.” – The Magical Education Council

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 3rd, from Noon to 8pm at the American Legion Hall, 1430 Southfield Rd, Lincoln Park, MI. The Magical Education Council has provided a comments area for those who wish to pass a message on to Denessa Smith’s family.

May the gods bless her, may she be reunited with her daughter and know peace.

In England, the Birmingham City Council is coming under fire for a new web-filtering policy that blocks access to atheist and Pagan sites, but allows free access to mainstream Christian, Islam, and Hindu web sites.

“The authority’s Bluecoat Software computer system allows staff to look at websites relating to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and other religions but blocks sites to do with “witchcraft or Satanism” and “occult practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals or any other form of mysticism”. Under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, it is unlawful to discriminate against workers because of their religion or belief, which includes atheism.”

Bluecoat Software manufactures K9 Web Protection, which, like other cyber-nanny programs, is designed to protect children from “unwanted” Internet content. Some of these programs have an “occult/cult” option which blocks sites that Christian parents might find troubling. It looks like Bluecoat and the Birmingham City Council may have decided that their employees were children as well, or simply didn’t care what got filtered so long as they can easily “monitor internet usage”.

“We are currently implementing new internet monitoring software to make the control of internet access easier to manage. The aim of this is to provide greater control for individual line managers to monitor internet usage, and for departments, such as trading standards and child protection, to gain access, if needed, to certain sites for business reasons.”

The National Secular Society has called the new filtering software “discriminatory”, and said that they would “consider legal action” if steps aren’t taken to correct the issue.

“National Secular Society president Terry Sanderson said the city council’s rules also discriminated against people who practise witchcraft, which is also classed as a legitimate belief. He said the society would initially contact the council and ask for the policy to be changed, and otherwise pursue legal action. He said he believed he would have a “very strong case”. Mr Sanderson said: “It is discriminatory not only against atheists but they also are banning access to sites to do with witchcraft. “Witchcraft these days is called Wicca, which is an actual legitimate and recognised religion.”

A “very strong case” indeed considering the fact that this is a government-run facility, and beholding to stringent anti-discrimination policies. Either all access to religious sites need to be banned, or the infantilizing software must go.

“When I first heard the news, even before anything about the gunman’s motives were known, I couldn’t help but guess that it was because the UU *is* the sort of church it is – welcoming, and accepting of pagans, of religious diversity, of glbt, and human diversity.” – Sangrail

As we continue to learn more about the tragic shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, the Unitarian-Universalist blogosphere, and its allies, react.

Over at Religion Dispatches, Laurie Patton remarks on growing up in a UU congregation, and how the shooting reminded her of her place in the “culture wars”.

“Sunday’s horrifying episode reminded me that as a liberal I was, and am, part of the culture wars—and that those culture wars are sometimes far more than just “culture.” They are, by now, a deeply rooted part of the split in American life, whereby those who legitimately seek inclusion and change are pitted against those who legitimately wish to conserve the best of our culture. The divide is so deep that those who are already unstable and prone to violence can draw upon those culture wars to justify violence—the same way that anti-Semitism or anti-Muslim sentiments have surfaced in violent acts perpetrated by unstable (and some alarmingly stable) people in recent memory, such as the shooting at the Jewish Community Center in Seattle and attacks on the mosques in the wake of 9-11.”

David Neiwert at the Orcinus blog notes that threatening to kill liberals is no longer ‘just a joke’.

“In Tennessee this weekend, the chickens came home to roost when a gunman named James David Adkisson walked into a Unitarian Universalist Church and began shooting. So far, two people are dead, and seven more were wounded. He was saying “hateful things,” according to all the news reports … Right-wingers love to “joke” about mowing down, rounding up, and otherwise “wiping out” all things liberal. It’s become a standard feature of conservative-movement rhetoric. And whenever anyone calls them on it, they have a standard response: “Aw, c’mon — it’s just a joke!” In reality, of course, rhetoric like this has historically played a critical role in some of the ugliest episodes in American history, as well as thousands of little acts of xenophobic brutality: functionally speaking, it gives violent — and frequently unstable — actors permission to act on these impulses.”

Transient and Permanent looks at the history of violence against UUs.

“Domestic terrorism has been an ongoing threat to Unitarian-Universalists because they tend to embody cutting edge trends that society is slowly, painfully moving toward. The issues change through the decades–integration, civil rights, women’s rights, pacificism, gay rights, environmental conservation, universal healthcare, religious pluralism, and so on–but the Unitarian-Universalists remain ahead of the pack year after year. Even though society generally catches up with them in time (by which point the UUs have typically already moved ahead once again), being on the fringe of the mainstream is a dangerous place, in America and in most any country. At various times and in their homes, churches, and out in public, UUs have been beaten, stabbed, shot, or blown up simply for their beliefs, and there is no reason to assume this will ever come to a complete end.”

Finally, Sara Robinson, also at the Orcinus blog, puts lie to the myth that UUs are “weak” or “soft”.

“Conventional wisdom says that we’re soft in all the places our society values toughness. Our refusal to adhere to any dogma must mean that we’re soft in our convictions. Our reflexive open-mindedness is often derided as evidence that we’re soft in the head. Our persistent and gentle insistence on liberal values is evidence of hearts too soft to set boundaries. And all of this together leads to a public image of a mushy gathering of feckless intellectuals that somehow lacks cohesion, backbone, focus, or purpose. You can only believe this if you don’t know either the history or the modern reality of Unitarian Universalism.”

For more reactions from the Unitarian-Universalist blogosphere, head over to the definitive UUpdates. The UUA has set up a special blog entitled Supporting Our Friends in Knoxville where you are invited to leave comments of love and support.

Considering recent troubles in Florida, relations between Florida police and practitioners of Santeria haven’t been the best. So it is encouraging to hear that Miami-Dade County police officials are taking a progressive step in bettering relations between law enforcement and this often-misunderstood faith.

“…leaders of the [Santeria] faith are hailing a recent decision by Miami-Dade County police officials to include in their Law Enforcement Handbook a reminder that the U.S. Constitution protects the humane killing of animals in religious ceremonies. Yeyefini Efunbolade, a Santeria priest who lives in Hollywood, expressed hope that the message will spread to Broward and Palm Beach counties, and other jurisdictions with reputations for less tolerance for animal sacrifices.”

Lt. Sherry Schlueter of the Broward Sheriff’s Office special victims and family crimes unit was quick to point out that police would still prosecute those who do not engage in humane animal sacrifice, a stance that local Santeria leaders endorse as well.

“‘The most important word here is humane,’ Schlueter said. “If a person kills an animal in a cruel manner, if the knife is not sharp or the kill is not done swiftly, that would be a crime, regardless if it was done as part of a ritual.” [Ernesto] Pichardo and [Yeyefini] Efunbolade said they agree. “We believe that the spirit of the animal will come back to haunt you if you make a sacrifice incorrectly,” Efunbolade said. Santeros, or priests, must undergo extensive training before they are qualified to conduct sacrifices, Pichardo said.”

As the Pagan community has learned over the years, incorrect or incomplete information can lead to unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings between law enforcement and practitioners of minority faiths. This has led some unscrupulous opponents of our faiths to supply law enforcement with misinformation in order to intimidate us, and further their own religious/political goals. One remedy is to support Pagan organizations that engage in and advocate better communications between service personnel and modern Pagans. There may be times when we can’t avoid having the police at our door, but we can hope to avoid incorrect perceptions and hostile interactions through better education and information.