Cornell University Gives Platform to Priestess from Local Coven to Lead "Public Yule Ritual"

The Ithaca Journal ^ | 12/24/31 | Kelli Grant

[governsleastgovernsbest]

ITHACA -- While some people dread the cold and snowy weather, Rauncie Pelletier loves everything about the crisp, white flakes covering Tompkins County. "There's just something about the snow and the lights, and I think about getting together with my family," she said. "It just feels really magical to me."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

If The Ithaca Journal wants to write about such things twice a month in their "Alternative Ithaca" feature, as they indicate they do at the bottom of the article, that is their right.

But that does not oblige Cornell University to offer a platform to these people at this time of year.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

ping

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The article states that Pelletier is the "chaplain for the United Pagan Ministries." Thanks to poor journalism, we don't know who employs her as chaplain. Is it Cornell?

[Kerberos]

Maybe this will give you some information.

United Pagan Ministries of Cornell

[The Turbanator]

Boo!

http://www.sas.cornell.edu/CURW/BIOpelletier.htm

[joesnuffy]

Rauncie Pelletier loves everything about the crisp, white flakes

She should ...she is one

[Grut]

But that does not oblige Cornell University to offer a platform to these people at this time of year.

So, would you object to Cornell's offering a platform for a Christmas festival?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

No.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL

[ricpic]

Paganism: it's all about feelings, doncha know.

[metesky]

Yeow!

Run! It's Rauncie!

[metesky]

And how could I have missed Dr. Faustus lurking in the doorway?

[netmilsmom]

IF and that is a big IF, they did offer a platform for Christianity, I would be surprised. Wiccan is a made up religion, taken from many long lost religions and based on the "Earth Mother" statues found in digs around the world (which turned out not to be worshiped but rather fertility charms, disposed of in garbage tips). My Wiccan niece knows nothing more of her religion except she watched Xena on tv and thought more than one god made sense.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I went to a number of Wiccan web sites. They seem quite intent on dispelling the notion that they're in to Devil worship, Satanism, etc. I suspect though that the web sites give us something of a sanitized version of Wiccan reality.

[xp38]

Hmm...well let me wish all my fellow Freepers a Merry Christmas and hope you all have a great day tomorrow.

[battlegearboat]

Cornell is the premier training ground for busboys.

[Salvation]

Why would a pagan/Satanist want anything to do with CHRISTmas?

[mandible]

Why would they be obliged to offer anyone a platform?

[Sangamon Kid]

"It's an open feeling community," she said

I hope everyone there washes their hands.

[mandible]

Your ignorance is staggeringly impressive. One could apply your statement to at least two of the world's major religions:

Christianity from Judaism
Judaism from Qabalah

In fact, it can be proven that the ancient traditions of Yule and Solstice celebrations (the Sabbats) were co-opted from the old pagan religions for the sake of popularizing the colonial religion of Christianity.

Do you have a Christmas tree? That is a remnant of the pagan Yule celebration in which on the longest night of the year, a Yule log was burned and evergreens boughs were brought indoors to symbolize the faith of the green world's return.

Do you celebrate Easter? That holiday is known as Ostarra to our ancient traditions. It is the rebirth of the Earth, the return of the fertile months in which the God is resurrected and reunited with the Goddess. Fertility is symbolized by the egg and the ubiquitous rabbit.

"Outside the various Wichcraft traditions, the most prevalent forms of Neo-paganism are groups that attempt to re-create ancient European and pre-Christian religions."
--Drawing Down the Moon (p. 233), by Margot Adler

The author continues to explain the return of female-dominated religions in America, beginning in 1933 with the Church of Aphrodite. The statues are metaphors of the larger ideal. There are as many variants on the Wiccan path as there are Christian denominations - even solitary practitionership.

You would do well to educate yourself on this subject before making a blanket declaration that these symbols and traditions are without meaning. Your niece is perfectly valid to begin her spiritual path by watching Xena. What she may realize is that Christianity is not right for her and a pantheon of deities speaks more truthfully to her spiritual center.