I'm sure not many people here are concerned about this because they are not Wiccan but I would like to hear what your comments are about this.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051011/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_prayer_lawsuit_1



Cat

I think it's unfortunate. You can't do for one group then bypass others.

If I was a Wiccan wanting respect, I'd probably avoid affiliation with a "Broom Riders Association," however this is the paragraph that struck me:
The county "issues invitations to deliver prayers to all Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders in the country. It refuses to issue invitations to Native Americans, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Wiccans, or members of any other religion," justices were told in her appeal by     American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Rebecca Glenberg.

It is favoritism clearly to the Big Three Abrahamic networks: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  I would put my money on Israel being the reason for Jewish inclusion, and political pressure being the reason for the invitation to Muslims.
This case demonstrates why I am for total separation of church and state.  Religion in state affairs always leads to intolerance, fighting, and factioning.
If they are refusing to invite Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs, that is definitely discrimination against the religious views of over a billion people world wide.  Of course, these religions in the U.S. are in the minority, but there is no denying they are organized religions.  Some people will argue that Wicca and animism are not "real" religions.  However, no religion from Christianity to  Hinduism has yet proved to me its deities are "real."
::)

It's ludicrous. I don't think that any prayer at all is appropriate, but if they insist, then there needs to be equal opportunity.

When I was a religious man, my religious category of choice was neopaganism. I still sort of identify with it, in the sense that non-religious people still celebrate Christmas... Whenever a sabbat rolls around, I usually look at it as a special day apart from the rest. Although I'm totally agnostic these days I feel that it's ok to still be involved in religious traditions, even if it's only to have a little fun.

Why not just have a moment of silence and that way everyone can pray to whatever God or Goddess they want to-or not pray to any diety if they so chose.




Cat

Why not just have a moment of silence and that way everyone can pray to whatever God or Goddess they want to-or not pray to any diety if they so chose.

Cat


Sounds perfectly acceptable to me. But I still think the whole institution of prayer or a moment of designated silence designed for prayer or the defiant absence thereof is just totally unnecessary in the first place. Pray (or don't pray) at home or church.

Arrrgh!  How is this a SC/Constitutional issue?  The establishment and free exercise clauses deal with Congress.  CONGRESS.

Sounds perfectly acceptable to me. But I still think the whole institution of prayer or a moment of designated silence designed for prayer or the defiant absence thereof is just totally unnecessary in the first place. Pray (or don't pray) at home or church.


I agree but if people INSTIST on having prayer, it should be done silently. When I involved with the food shelf, I served on the board of directors and we ALWAYS had to start our meetings with a Christian prayer (since many of the local clergy were also on the board). I felt very uncomfortable about it. They KNEW (at least some of them did) that I wasn't a Christian but it didn't matter to them. And I have a feeling that my religion was part of the reason why they were trying to get me to leave-which it did work.




Cat

Yes, and they had the stake, the ******s, and the oil all ready for you.  The burning was to be done in the town square, but not to worry, the fire dept. was on call.

Arrrgh!  How is this a SC/Constitutional issue?  The establishment and free exercise clauses deal with Congress.  CONGRESS.

I, for one, didn't say "Constitutional," that's an argument ongoing for decades.  I said I believed in separation of church and state because religion is exclusive.


Yes, and they had the stake, the ******s, and the oil all ready for you.  The burning was to be done in the town square, but not to worry, the fire dept. was on call.

I beg your pardon!
;)

Arrrgh!  How is this a SC/Constitutional issue?  The establishment and free exercise clauses deal with Congress.  CONGRESS.


The separation of church and state is essential at all levels, and since the Constitution trumps all other laws it is universally enshrined in our legal system. 


Yes, and they had the stake, the ******s, and the oil all ready for you.  The burning was to be done in the town square, but not to worry, the fire dept. was on call.


If we don't recongnize, and honor the rights of minority sects we are inviting the return of the Inquisition.

I wonder if a buddhists monk approached them, would they accept his offer or not


"The county "issues invitations to deliver prayers to all Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders in the country. It refuses to issue invitations to Native Americans, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Wiccans, or members of any other religion......"

"The county "issues invitations to deliver prayers to all Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders in the country. It refuses to issue invitations to Native Americans, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Wiccans, or members of any other religion......"

Yeah, that heathen stuff don't go 'round heeer, boy!

Why not just offer prayers that are not specific to a particular faith/tradition?  No Buddha, No Jesus, no witch on a broom.

Yes, I read that, but I was wondering if any other religious leaders had approached them and if they had been refused or if they just voluntarily didn't invite them....

Yeah, the county commissioner started throwing holy water on the Buddhist monk, and chanting "The power of Christ compels you!  The power of Christ compels you!"
:D

we're supposed to be a democracy but we're not, yes, we have the freedom to practice whatever religion we want, but church and state are not separated, and in my opinion, they should be....growing up Catholic, I believed I'd go to hell if I died without confessing a sin, such as lying, so if I did not want to 'lie' to my children by having 'santa' bring them presents, they'd be outkasts in school, even pre-school, when December comes around it's all about Santa & Christmas trees, and Christmas is a Christian holiday, is the example of why I strongly believe we should keep the two separate....the funny thing is, that the Christian way of celebrating Christmas with the Christmas tree has it's roots in 'pagan' religion involving a tree god (goddess?) and the date was chosen to co-incide with a pagan festival involving the sun....so, if those people, are kinda dumb, to oppose prayer of this kind...I think prayer is good, and like the all religion/alternating way, or the moment of silence....so that's what I think