Teacher Forces Girl To Remove Religious Necklace

[PaganLogic]

The American Council of Witches'
Principles of Wiccan Belief
• 1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
• 2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with nature, in ecological balance, offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
• 3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called 'supernatural', but we seen it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
• 4. We conceive of the creative power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity--as masculine and feminine-- and that this same creative power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and the feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magical practice and religious worship.
• 5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds--sometimes know as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc.-- and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
• 6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
• 7. We see religion, magic, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-- a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way.

[PaganLogic]

• 8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch--but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with nature.
• 9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness that gives meaning to the universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
• 10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be 'the one true right and only way' and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
• 11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
• 12. We do not accept the concept of 'absolute evil', nor do we worship an entity known as 'Satan' or 'the Devil' as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal beliefs can only be derived by denial to another.
• 13. We work within nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being. We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being. As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions, and seek to learn from all and to share our learning. We do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of Wicca by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins or sexual orientation.

[PaganLogic]

The American Council of Witches'
Principles of Wiccan Belief
1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with nature, in ecological balance, offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called 'supernatural', but we seen it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds--sometimes know as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc.-- and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7. We see religion, magic, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-- a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch--but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with nature.
9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness that gives meaning to the universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be 'the one true right and only way' and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
12. We do not accept the concept of 'absolute evil', nor do we worship an entity known as 'Satan' or 'the Devil' as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal beliefs can only be derived by denial to another.
13. We work within nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being. We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being. As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions, and seek to learn from all and to share our learning. We do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of Wicca by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins or sexual orientation.

[Oh heck NO]

This is why my kids are homeschooled!!! I would have had to throw a huge fit with that teacher! She would have heard me!!

[PaganLogic]

Don't mind the previous imput..my computer was having trouble.

[Spangle]

Oh heck NO wrote:

This is why my kids are homeschooled!!! I would have had to throw a huge fit with that teacher! She would have heard me!!

Your just next door to this. It happened 2 years ago, do you remember it? I don't? I caught the article on HERE right afterwards.

I'm wondering if it was just a quick 'blip' and that was it. No more reporting of it, nothing.

I think that is important. I'm a Christian, and I don't think we are 'aware' of how much this sort of stuff goes on. The way the media tells it, WE are the only ones who are persecuted. And of course, our churches tell us of those who are being persecuted today and to expect it for ourselfs. So we are 'ready' for it and to fight back. But we don't talk about when we do it to others. And with it not being widely reported in the media, it's not going to get widely read and realized.

[ministertominyaw ns411]

No dude what I meant was: Why should a school be allowed to take any form of symbols seriously enough to enforce removal? And that I advise home schooling anyhow since that has more sense than dumb schools since they try to pull some misunderstanding sh*t like this. But sure everyone must fight schools for rights. But I prefer home school to everywhere. Since there I get to opt out of bullsh*t rules. I dunno how ya misinterpreted me post but ugh I wrote this one quick so got misinterpreted. alright bye.

wulf wrote:

<quoted text>
I disagree fully with you. We live in a fre country. We also live in a country divided between "church" and state. We have no "national" religion. I can practise wehre I want, as much as I want, as logn as I dont' violate any laws.
But certain bigots, try and take my right away, because I dont' follow their beleifs. If i can't wear my pentagram..then suzy goldstein, shouldnt' beable to wear her star of david. Neither should Adam, who wearsa cross, and Ira, who wears a rosary. They call those items "harmless" but my "pentagram" is bad..and it's the devil so I cnat' wear it...bullcrap. Just because you're close minded and ignorant, doens't mean I have to conform to your religion. I'll just get it tattooed all over my body to be a jackass about it. and if you try to send me home...I'll cal a lawyer :P/.

[Historian]

As a local area historian , I to can also shed light to this situation. Originally the pentacle was an emblem of female fertility prior to days of christ. After Christ's death , the pentacle had been modified and oftenly used by pre-christians and practicioners of Judaism as a symbolic emblem to represent the five wounds of our lord Jesus. To this very day , the Pentacle or Pentagram as many call it , is highly misunderstood and to this day bares more then 15 symbolic meanings in various regions of the world. Many of our early symbols such as the swastika , existed hundreds of years prior to the third reich and Nazi's , even the upside down cross was first introduced into Catholicism and had never represented false deities or Satanism as it is misunderstood to this day. The Pentacle was also used in the times of Constantinople , our country and our society have totally destroyed the true meaning and symbolism behind these articles. As a historian of Biblical Apocrypha the Christian society have been lying for centuries , Jesus was not crucified by the romans but by his own people , the Jewish priests. Christians gathered in secret societies to avoid persecution for practices of hypocrisy. The filthy Christians committed many terrible crimes including murder , to cover their secrets from exposure. It is also the early christians which removed the Coptic texts from the original bible and to this day we ask why ?? What were they hiding ?? The problem today is that most faithful believers have not looked into the history or the true facts that are plainly written in the scrolls of our history. As a master of Biblical history do not try and prove me wrong. The facts are clearly evident. To this very day religious orders continue to mock , criticize and destroy the very meaning and symbolism of what these symbols held. Religion has caused most wars , and most conflicts in this world and ultimately I feel that religion will the utmost death of us all in the future. Think of 9-11 , the Jihad , the Muslims , Islams , Jews and Palestinians that continue to fight in the name of god... These things are all a lie... Religion in poison and ultimately has contributed to the deaths of millions. What a waste. It is my job to disprove these things. Since most religious information is based on theorum and opinion without the valid proof , we historians seek the utmost facts. The facts are there and these religious fools are blinded... What a sad outcome in our world

[Big Craig]

Historian wrote:

As a local area historian , I to can also shed light to this situation. Originally the pentacle was an emblem of female fertility prior to days of christ. After Christ's death , the pentacle had been modified and oftenly used by pre-christians and practicioners of Judaism as a symbolic emblem to represent the five wounds of our lord Jesus. To this very day , the Pentacle or Pentagram as many call it , is highly misunderstood and to this day bares more then 15 symbolic meanings in various regions of the world. Many of our early symbols such as the swastika , existed hundreds of years prior to the third reich and Nazi's , even the upside down cross was first introduced into Catholicism and had never represented false deities or Satanism as it is misunderstood to this day. The Pentacle was also used in the times of Constantinople , our country and our society have totally destroyed the true meaning and symbolism behind these articles. As a historian of Biblical Apocrypha the Christian society have been lying for centuries , Jesus was not crucified by the romans but by his own people , the Jewish priests. Christians gathered in secret societies to avoid persecution for practices of hypocrisy. The filthy Christians committed many terrible crimes including murder , to cover their secrets from exposure. It is also the early christians which removed the Coptic texts from the original bible and to this day we ask why ?? What were they hiding ?? The problem today is that most faithful believers have not looked into the history or the true facts that are plainly written in the scrolls of our history. As a master of Biblical history do not try and prove me wrong. The facts are clearly evident. To this very day religious orders continue to mock , criticize and destroy the very meaning and symbolism of what these symbols held. Religion has caused most wars , and most conflicts in this world and ultimately I feel that religion will the utmost death of us all in the future. Think of 9-11 , the Jihad , the Muslims , Islams , Jews and Palestinians that continue to fight in the name of god... These things are all a lie... Religion in poison and ultimately has contributed to the deaths of millions. What a waste. It is my job to disprove these things. Since most religious information is based on theorum and opinion without the valid proof , we historians seek the utmost facts. The facts are there and these religious fools are blinded... What a sad outcome in our world

wow a real honest answer to religious history ..Thanks for that info

[GREW UP N DAVY]

HI EVERYONE: sorry I havne't posted much; but with my wrist and shoulder prob. I try not to aggravate it..LOL

I am not taking up for the teacher, as I think everyone should be able to wear their religious belief (necklace, etc). Be it a Crucifix (that I wear) or what the girl was wearing.

I have a dear friend who is wiccan and I know that a Pent. does not always mean of Satan.

She is no more of Satan then I am. I would defend her till the end, she is that precious to me.

But a lot of UNINFORMED people think that way.
If only they could meet a wiccan person, and get to know them as I have had the pleasure of doing, they would change their tune.

There should be a class, that all teachers should have to take in college; RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD,,,

Maybe there is such a class, but Wicca should be included in that book, beside Catholicism, Budda, etc.
It should be a book that is FACTUAL and UNBIASED toward any religion.

Maybe that way teachers, and anyone else who would want to read the book could learn, and stop being so judgemental.

I wish you all PEACE and LOVE AS ALWAYS.

Mystic and her Mom.....purrrrrrrrr

[Heather]

Many people will want to do nothing more than to enter into a conversation with people, give their opinions, then leave. They don't care about knowing them as people.

Fortunatley with many people here, belief isn't armour or a mask to side the true person. There is a rainbow's worth of voices and personalities on this paganpage. And they need to be spoken!!!

[LadyEagleSpirit]

Historian wrote:

As a local area historian , I to can also shed light to this situation. Originally the pentacle was an emblem of female fertility prior to days of christ. After Christ's death , the pentacle had been modified and oftenly used by pre-christians and practicioners of Judaism as a symbolic emblem to represent the five wounds of our lord Jesus. To this very day , the Pentacle or Pentagram as many call it , is highly misunderstood and to this day bares more then 15 symbolic meanings in various regions of the world. Many of our early symbols such as the swastika , existed hundreds of years prior to the third reich and Nazi's , even the upside down cross was first introduced into Catholicism and had never represented false deities or Satanism as it is misunderstood to this day. The Pentacle was also used in the times of Constantinople , our country and our society have totally destroyed the true meaning and symbolism behind these articles. As a historian of Biblical Apocrypha the Christian society have been lying for centuries , Jesus was not crucified by the romans but by his own people , the Jewish priests. Christians gathered in secret societies to avoid persecution for practices of hypocrisy. The filthy Christians committed many terrible crimes including murder , to cover their secrets from exposure. It is also the early christians which removed the Coptic texts from the original bible and to this day we ask why ?? What were they hiding ?? The problem today is that most faithful believers have not looked into the history or the true facts that are plainly written in the scrolls of our history. As a master of Biblical history do not try and prove me wrong. The facts are clearly evident. To this very day religious orders continue to mock , criticize and destroy the very meaning and symbolism of what these symbols held. Religion has caused most wars , and most conflicts in this world and ultimately I feel that religion will the utmost death of us all in the future. Think of 9-11 , the Jihad , the Muslims , Islams , Jews and Palestinians that continue to fight in the name of god... These things are all a lie... Religion in poison and ultimately has contributed to the deaths of millions. What a waste. It is my job to disprove these things. Since most religious information is based on theorum and opinion without the valid proof , we historians seek the utmost facts. The facts are there and these religious fools are blinded... What a sad outcome in our world

I think I'm in love...LOL!!

That is what I have to tell folks half the time...things are left out of the Bible (and perhaps the Qur'an).

Thank you for verifiying what I study.

[Shellikins]

GREW UP N DAVY wrote:

HI EVERYONE: sorry I havne't posted much; but with my wrist and shoulder prob. I try not to aggravate it..LOL
I am not taking up for the teacher, as I think everyone should be able to wear their religious belief (necklace, etc). Be it a Crucifix (that I wear) or what the girl was wearing.
I have a dear friend who is wiccan and I know that a Pent. does not always mean of Satan.
She is no more of Satan then I am. I would defend her till the end, she is that precious to me.
But a lot of UNINFORMED people think that way.
If only they could meet a wiccan person, and get to know them as I have had the pleasure of doing, they would change their tune.
There should be a class, that all teachers should have to take in college; RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD,,,
Maybe there is such a class, but Wicca should be included in that book, beside Catholicism, Budda, etc.
It should be a book that is FACTUAL and UNBIASED toward any religion.
Maybe that way teachers, and anyone else who would want to read the book could learn, and stop being so judgemental.
I wish you all PEACE and LOVE AS ALWAYS.
Mystic and her Mom.....purrrrrrrrr

Thank you.

It's very nice to see a Christian who is tolerant of others' beliefs.

Be well!

[Shellikins]

PS: I know you're not the only one, it just isn't seen very often in these forums. ;)

[Fred]

Here's a source for a few historical US Documents, including "The Bill of Rights", which are the first 10 admendments to the Constitution of the United States. Here's the link, to the site known as Charters of Freedom:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/