University Recognises Wicca as Religion

Total Catholic ^ | June 21, 2006 | James Hastings

[presidio9]

The Catholic chaplain of St Andrew's University in Scotland has defended the institution's decision to officially recognise Wiccans.

St Andrews University, whose graduates include Prince William, has decided to allocate an area for followers of the alternative religion to hold festivals and rituals after university bosses feared they could be prosecuted under human rights legislation. Now pagan or wiccans as they prefer to be called, will be allowed to use campus buildings and outdoor space for festivals, providing they do not utter incantations or spells that might harm others. Nor may not raise spirits or to call up dark forces, and ritual nudity is strictly forbidden.

The Catholic chaplain who did not want to be named dismissed fears by the local MSP, a Christian, that the university's decision was "political correctness gone mad."

"We do more harm than good if we take pagans seriously," he said.

"I would not want to be seen as restricting freedom of speech or human rights. After all, we do live in a multi-cultural society and as long as they do not break the law, I do not see a problem. There are all sorts of student bodies and groups. One group in England started a sheep counting society. Its all just harmless. There's no reason to try and stop them"

[Patrick1]

The church has no shortage of fools.

[Sonny M]

I can't even start with how many people I have met over the years who call themselves either wiccans or pagans.

Thank god, for the most part they are harmless and just spouting the usual mix and match of mystic populist spiritual junk which they wind up outgrowing anyway.

[mtbopfuyn]

Naked and bad teeth, ewww.

[svcw]

Sure its a religion, worshiping the devil is a religion.
Ok, I know they say it ain't so, argue if you wish but the truth is the truth.

[RexBeach]

What about the Druids? What do they get? Huh? Huh?

[massgopguy]

In a related story, St. Andrew's University has changed its name to Hogwarts.

[COBOL2Java]

"Its all just harmless. There's no reason to try and stop them"

This announcement has been brought to you by Screwtape and Associates, a publicly-traded law firm. Remember, there is no such thing as Satan, he doesn't exist...

[Artemis Webb]

I would not have a problem with a nonreligious school recognizing Wiccans as I don't believe government institutions should be legitimizing one faith over another, be it Pagan or not.

However as a Catholic it bothers me that a Catholic University would recognize this group or allow them to have religious activities on campus.

This defies common sense.

[weegee]

...after university bosses feared they could be prosecuted under human rights legislation.

So now churches stand for nothing because they must encourage the practice of all faiths. The Marxists are smiling.

[theDentist]

"Of course we recognise Wiccans. Now excuse me, but I have a few stakes needing planting."

[Lunatic Fringe]

"providing they do not utter incantations or spells that might harm others."

The church has no shortage of fools.

Yes, considering they don't comprehend that "An harm ye none, do as ye will" is the Wiccan reed.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Sure its a religion, worshiping the devil is a religion. Ok, I know they say it ain't so, argue if you wish but the truth is the truth.

It's obvious you are completely ignorant of "the truth".

[olezip]

As Mrs. Gump says, "Stupid is as stupid does!"

What a moron!

[kromike]

I'll get you, my pretty! Eeeheeheeheeheeeeeee....

[L98Fiero]

"We do more harm than good if we take pagans seriously," he said.

No lie. I mean, we get Halloween candy and Easter bunnies out of the deal. Let's not rock the boat. ;-P

[svcw]

Well, having known these people..where am I wrong?

[xpertskir]

"...providing they do not utter incantations or spells that might harm others. Nor may not raise spirits or to call up dark forces, and ritual nudity is strictly forbidden."

LMFAO


Hey these wiccans aren't flying planes into buildings or bombing subways. Until they start doing that I dont have a problem with some geeks being recognized, Its not like they are forcing anyone to practice paganism or even encouraging it for that matter.

[presidio9]

[Lunatic Fringe]

where am I wrong?

They don't worship "the devil".

I know how you Christians embrace this idea that unless you believe in baby jesus, you are worhipping the devil. That's the kind of ignorant intolerance that fueled the Salem witch trials, the Inquisition, and other Christ-sponsored atrocities.

Wiccans don't even recognize the devil, or any other incarnation of malevolent fairy tales.