The defense is arguing that “traditional” faiths are first tier faiths and that those faiths were meant to have equal rights and protections under the United States Constitution, but that all of the other faiths (including pagans) were second tier faiths, and were not meant to have the same equal rights and protections under the United States Constitution as the first tier faiths.

A conservative activist organization called WallBuilders, argues that Patrick has no standing because modern pagans aren’t guaranteed the same Constitutional rights and protections as Christian or monotheist citizens:

“The true historic meaning of “religion” excludes paganism and witchcraft … paganism and witchcraft were never intended to receive the protections of the Religion Clauses.”

Should this argument be accepted, the equal protection of all religious minorities in the United States could be cast into doubt. The First Amendment is supposed to guarantee religious freedom. What is happening is clearly unconstitutional.

The most comprehensive outline of the whole situation can be found at the Wild Hunt, and is essential reading for all pagans. Elysia Gallo of Llewellyn has added her voice. Cherry Hill Seminary has issued a press release supporting Patrick. Circle Sanctuary has expanded upon the recommendations in the Wild Hunt for action to be taken.

This case highlights the absolute necessity of the need for pagans to stand together. As a recent example of what can be accomplished when we stand united, was the Air Force Academy chapel agreeing to add a worship area for followers of Earth-centered religions. The military has been adopting a more liberal attitude towards minority religions over the past few years. To quote a member of the Sacred Well Congregation, “If we speak together, we are a chorus to be heard. If we whisper alone, we are but a sigh in the dead of night.”

Patrick suggests that we should write our demands to Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Mathew L Cate, the Secretary of the CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation).

The time to act is now. We must demand equal treatment, equal accommodations, and equal access to our religious items for institutionalized persons. Once the rights we take for granted are taken away, it will be too late.

Tony Mierzwicki

In the interview, Jessica describes her transition from a soft-polytheistic Wiccan to a hard-polytheistic Hellenic Reconstructionist. For those unfamiliar with the practice of Hellenic Reconstructionism, also known as Hellenismos, the interview provides a fascinating insight into just how ancient Greek religion can be practiced in a manner that is vibrant and relevant to today’s world.

The interview appears in its entirety on The Witches’ Voice, better known as WitchVox. I have included copious footnotes so as to make it as accessible as possible.

Jo and I would not have been happy with any other sort of wedding. To choose a celebrant from one of the mainstream churches, or even a civil celebrant, would have been a betrayal of our beliefs. We strongly believe that all adults over the age of consent should have the right to marry whomever they choose, and have the ceremony of their choice.

Today, on 26 May, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. The only silver lining on this cloud was that it also decided that the estimated 18,000 gay couples who had tied the knot before the law took effect would stay wed.

The California Constitution is supposed to guarantee equality. Clearly, here we have a segment of the community who are being denied their right to marry the person of their choice.

Proposition 8 was passed by a very narrow margin at the last election. 52.24% voted yes and 47.76% voted no.

Given the importance of issues being voted on, including Proposition 8, it is sad that voter turnout wasn’t closer to 100%.

We can only speculate whether Proposition 8 would have still been passed had all registered voters cast their ballots.

In California, the situation for gay and lesbian couples now reverts to being limited to registering as domestic partners. Enacted in 1999, domestic partnerships enjoyed very few privileges initially, but in 2007, they were afforded most of the same rights and responsibilities as marriages under state law. In general, the rights of civil unions do not transfer from state to state like marriage. California domestic partnerships are however, recognized as equivalent to civil partnerships in New Jersey, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Alicia, the OCLC Second Officer, invited Jo and myself to talk about Cherry Hill Seminary and how it can be supported through the SCRIP programme which Jo had initiated.

After I had finished my talk, there were a number of important grassroots level issues of concern which cropped up. One of the ladies present spoke of an instance at her child’s school were parents were asked to provide information about non-Christian holidays that they celebrated. As soon as she mentioned that they were Wiccan, the school representative said “not that.” She didn’t push the issue even though she realized that it smacked of discrimination.

Another issue was that of separated mothers who were too scared to teach their children about Wicca or paganism in case the fathers found out.

After the picnic, I discussed these issues with Holli S Emore, the Executive Director of CHS, and fellow CHS board member, M Macha NightMare, in order to obtain a clearer perspective on available options.

As a teaching institution, CHS does not involve itself in advocacy issues, although they do have an excellent course on Religion & the Law, taught by attorney and druid Jim Bianchi.

The main ways that the abovementioned issues should be dealt with is by those affected being proactive and taking steps on their own behalf. There are numerous resources to choose from, both secular/civil and Pagan:

* The Witches’ Voice (Witchvox)
* Lady Liberty League, connected with Circle Sanctuary
* Legal Aid or another legal group
* Local Pagan groups
* Interfaith groups
* Civil rights groups

In the case of the mother with issues connected to her child’s school, she should push the issue, but strategically with knowledgeable advice and support.

In the case of mothers not wanting their ex-husbands finding out about their Wiccan or pagan practices, the mothers concerned should seek legal advice to inform themselves of their rights. Allegations of witchcraft have been known to lead to messy and expensive court cases over custody or visitation rights in certain states.

The long term solution to the issues discussed above is for many more pagans to share publicly, and be available for interfaith as well as other educational opportunities, in order to give mainstream society a new image of paganism which dispels their misconceptions.