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Camp for Nude Witches Fights Closing
Reuters ^ | 11-28-2001

Posted on 11/28/2001 5:56:58 AM PST by Cagey

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (Reuters) - A Kansas retreat that caters to witches and pagan rituals is fighting for survival amid community talk that naked witches may be weaving magical spells in the moonlight.

The owners of the Gaea Retreat Center, a 168-acre camp west of Kansas City that is home to such annual events as the Gaea Goddess Gathering and a "Heartland Pagan Spiritual event" filed suit on Monday in Leavenworth County District Court after county commissioners effectively put the retreat out of business by denying it a renewal of its land use permit.

"They say they're afraid of us, what we do here, the sound of drums. ... They don't know how lucky they are to have us as their neighbors," caretaker Wanda Roths said. "We're very quiet, very peaceful. There has never been any trouble out here."

The Leavenworth County commissioners denied the renewal for the permit, issued six years ago, in late October after a community petition raised accusations that the retreat fostered public nudity, pedophilia, and illegal drug and alcohol use. Neighbors also expressed concern about devil worship.

The suit claims the commissioners' denial is illegal and unconstitutional, as well as violating laws protecting freedom of religious expression and practice.

Lawyers for the county declined to comment.

The retreat denies any illegal activity, and county officials say there is no evidence of any.

Roths said there are "clothing optional" locations on the retreat grounds, and witches, Wiccans and other pagans do sometimes hold nighttime meetings around bonfires. But the retreat at times also attracts more traditional religious followers, she said.

Gaea, which means "Mother Earth," offers sanctuary to a variety of alternative religions and lifestyles, according to Roths. "We accept anybody," she said.

Before its current incarnation, the sprawling site was a church camp.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: heresy; michaeldobbs
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To: Cagey
public nudity, pedophilia, and illegal drug

There is nothing wrong with any of these things to a witch.

21 posted on 11/28/2001 6:34:38 AM PST by biblewonk
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To: bray
Amorality is part of witchcraft. Are there any signs of that in Harry Potter?
22 posted on 11/28/2001 6:40:51 AM PST by biblewonk
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To: MarkWar
Any second now the libertarians will log in, with something like...

We know already.

Principled conservatives are an embarrasment for the Republican party, and; are to be ridiculed here.

There's a good sheep. Good boy.

23 posted on 11/28/2001 6:44:21 AM PST by laotzu
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To: laotzu
Hi, laotzu, long time, no see.
24 posted on 11/28/2001 6:51:17 AM PST by TroutStalker
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To: IronJack
More salacious and titillating SEX news?

I did not see one reference to "SEX" in the story. Unless of course, being without clothes is your idea of "SEX".

25 posted on 11/28/2001 6:51:40 AM PST by Cagey
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To: He Rides A White Horse
Leavenworth doesn't need no stinkin' commissioners - just a commited group of Christians to pray this away.
26 posted on 11/28/2001 6:52:08 AM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: MarkWar
Any second now the libertarians will log in, with something like, "First, they come for the naked witches. Then..."

Mark W.

Hey, you're the one who's starting with the double entendres.

27 posted on 11/28/2001 7:07:44 AM PST by dpwiener
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To: biblewonk
"No more nude Sun Run. No more Gaea Goddess Gathering or Midwest Men's Naturists conclave. And it will be so long and farewell to Celtic dance and spirit drumming beneath the stars on a 180-acre spread that some say is "as close to heaven as you can find in the state of Kansas." #1. These people are out in the middle of a 180 acre wooded area, How does the community know anything illegal is going on out there unless they have been there? Be honest, they are after these people because they dont like what they believe in. #2. What is immoral or amoral about nudity?? Were you born with a three piece suit on?? #3. This is not about the campground, this is about intolerance from the religious right in the community. There is no evidence presented in this article, that shows the people who use this retreat in any way force their beliefs on this community. They do not enter the town nude or conduct their services in the middle of the town. This is the problem with the religious right, Ive have debated folks on here about different topics in regards to religion. I have always supported the right of religious conservatives to associate or disassociate with whomever the choose, I support the Boy Scouts in their fight to exclude homosexuals. I have always been told by my friends on the religious right, that it isnt about religion it's about the left forcing their anti-religious bigotry on the Christian community, I have agreed with them and supported them. However I defy any religious conservative to defend this town. If it isnt about religion in this case, what is it? These people brought property out away from everyone else to practice their religious beliefs as they see fit. These people in the town are using the drug abuse, child abuse and satan worship to attack these folks, like the FEDS used that angle to go after the Davidians. This is the moment of truth for the folks who told me it isnt about religion, If you were honest then, then you cant support this decision by these board members.
28 posted on 11/28/2001 7:12:28 AM PST by All-American Medic
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To: bray
Camp Harry Potter

Camp Hairy Potter

29 posted on 11/28/2001 7:12:38 AM PST by krb
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To: chriservative
Yes I have heard of charismatic catholicsm, However my priest tells us that this a false practice.
30 posted on 11/28/2001 7:14:50 AM PST by All-American Medic
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To: Cagey
This must be why the Chiefs suck this year.
31 posted on 11/28/2001 7:15:06 AM PST by Skooz
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To: laotzu
Principled conservatives...

And the operative principles here are that your neighbors should control how you practice your religion, what you put in your body, and with whom and how you have sex, right?

Sounds very principled to me.

Konform, Komrade!

32 posted on 11/28/2001 7:16:45 AM PST by jimt
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Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: bray
Camp Harry Potter???

Camp Harry somethingorother ...

34 posted on 11/28/2001 7:16:49 AM PST by fnord
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To: Cagey
Hmm...nekkid outdoor dancing in Kansas in late November. Sounds like one of them Goosebumps books...
35 posted on 11/28/2001 7:17:35 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: All-American Medic
Yes I have heard of charismatic catholicsm, However my priest tells us that this a false practice.

Catholic charismaticism in general, or just the praying in tongues part?
36 posted on 11/28/2001 7:22:51 AM PST by eastsider
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To: MarkWar
really? ok, I'll wait to hear them say that ....

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Oh, what you meant was - "any minute a non-libertarian will foolishly claim that something or other is what libertarians think".

ahh, the overwhelming power of clairvoyance you possess must be quite a burden.

37 posted on 11/28/2001 7:24:46 AM PST by fnord
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To: Cagey
naked witches may be weaving magical spells in the moonlight

More than one full moon in a month is bad luck no matter how you slice it.

38 posted on 11/28/2001 7:25:48 AM PST by Slyfox
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To: eastsider
The praying in tongues part.
39 posted on 11/28/2001 7:26:42 AM PST by All-American Medic
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To: biblewonk
There is nothing wrong with any of these things to a witch.

God, save me from your followers...

40 posted on 11/28/2001 7:27:40 AM PST by The Green Goblin
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