Over the past few months we have witnessed an escalating tendency of the religious right to use the word “pagan” in rhetoric that attempts to fabricate an insidious creeping re design of American cultural and spiritual sensibilities. It has been pointed out that these references do not refer to us “big P Pagans” but rather to the march towards a post Christian society. This line of reasoning urges us not to perceive these statements as a direct confrontation of our... Read more

In a strongly worded call for criminal indictments, former Florida Congressman Allen West has asked the US Justice Department to consider charges against several founding fathers of our nation for “un-American statements that support the enemies of our nation.” Mr. West cites that during debate of the fate of the “traitor Edward Snowden” quotes from prominent Americans have been circulating that seem to support “Snowden’s treasonous actions”.  Mr. West takes exception to Patrick Henry’s statement that: “The liberties of a... Read more

My heartbreaks, tears flow and these words are my attempt to find solace.  Nineteen members of a Hotshot Firefighting crew are dead in Arizona.  For the last few years I was on a Southwest Area Incident Management Team. These are men I know, have eaten meals with, showered with, shared conversation with. My job at fires as a Logistics Section chief is, at its heart, keeping the firefighters safe: feeding them, providing for their needs, rest, equipment, medical attention, communication,... Read more

“Thou does protest to much”, is an old saying that goes directly to the heart of the traditional discourse between mainstream Wiccans and our dominant culture. Time and again we, as a community, witness the same conversation.  It goes something like this: “Do Wiccans and Witches worship the devil? “ “No we don’t worship the devil. The devil is a Christian construct that has no place in Wiccan theology” End of story, individuals and readers are presented with a denial... Read more

It has been an emotional couple of weeks for me. The efforts around the Pahokee Solstice Festival came to fruition. Pagans were able to conduct their gathering in peace and harmony despite community concerns and a few examples of hate speech. My efforts around this event were emotionally draining. While speaking with love and compassion to hate was effective, internally my emotions were enraged.  Hearing, face to face, the things said about my beliefs was profoundly unsettling.  This situation taught... Read more

This is one of those hard conversations. I wish to start it from a place of compassion, love and recognition of your sacred attachment to divinity, as you perceive it. For the last few years there have been ever increasing protests that Christians in America are coming under persecution. As the diversity of faiths that makes up the fabric of spiritual beliefs becomes ever more diverse, there are those that paint this diversity as an assault on Christian values. If... Read more

Just a few short weeks ago I posted that I would not write about the brewing debate around Pop Culture Paganism Vs. Polytheism.  While I intend do keep the promise of not taking sides in the value of these theological approaches, I am alarmed at the tone and absolutism featured in the discourse. As the discussion has progressed, individuals have begun to attempt to declassify those with opposing views as the “other” or not Pagan at all.  Less than a... Read more

Recently I found myself sitting in a Christian service that was intended as an organizing event in opposition to my spiritual community.  My intent was to bring education, love and compassion based communication to the table of discourse.  During this event many hateful statements were made about my community, Labels such as “devil worshipers” “evil” and “abusers of children” were being thrown around: I squirmed in my seat. There was indignation boiling in my blood, anger at the ignorance I... Read more

This morning I awoke to the Internet abuzz with statements of support and appreciation for my recent efforts to engage those who spread false information about our community.  While I am humbled to receive such accolades I do believe that most of the commentary misses the mark. Being engaged as a, on the ground, operational asset has brought me into ever closer contact with Selena Fox,  the Executive Director to the Lady Liberty League.  Selena and I have known each... Read more

The recent vote by the Boy Scouts of America to accept Gay scouts and reject Gay scout leaders is turning out to be a case of organizational suicide. Across our nation conservative churches, temples and religious organizations have begun the process of distancing themselves from the Boy Scouts. Suddenly scout troops and dens are left without places to meet and engage in scouting. On the other side of the political spectrum, progressives who would have embraced scouting had the organization... Read more