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comment was made for one reason and one
reason only by you, and that is to deliberately play of fear and to stir up
support for yourself. Funny also how more cults across western world are
actually based in Christianity and not some form of Pagan fundamentalism. “You ask if it is ‘...healthy that a pagan group called the Officers of Avalon is listed and
claims to have police members in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Ireland and
Australia?’ I ask you, is it healthy to have similar
Christian organizations. I dare say you would say yes wouldn't you? Is it
right to preach hatred and fear based on religious and spiritual choice? “Finally to quote your last comments and
that famous Monty Python quote ‘She
turned me into a newt ... I got better.’ Let us hope the same for
you as a ‘... poor, misguided
soul(s).’ I hope that next time you can take the time
to find out more about the topic you write on, and write an article of
unbiased opinions without personal attacks and ridicule. You serve nothing by
writing inflammatory, fear mongering articles like this…” “To the editor of The Toronto Sun, I would
hope that the paper will publish an apology in regards to this article. It
attacks people and classifies all "pagans" into the ‘child abusing,
dark grotesque cult’ category. It attacks people who do a lot for their
society. It attacks the average person. Consider this. It is likely you have
working at the paper at least one Wiccan or person who identifies with some
form of new-age, or pagan spirituality.” William Sullivan, a Wiccan corrections officer for the Montgomery County
Department of Corrections in Maryland: “An acquaintance… sent me the link to
Michael Coren's article ‘Witch Way to Prison‘ dated 2 August 2003. I was NOT
impressed with the article, the opinions expressed, nor the lack of research
which was apparently performed in writing it. You see, I'm a witch, I run a
custody and security shift at a jail, and am a member of the supposedly
fictitious group Officers of Avalon. USA group member speaking up here. “I have brooms, none of which fly, which is
probably for the best, since I don't do heights very well. One broom is for
sweeping the kitchen floor. One broom, named a besom, stands by the front
door as a sort of good vibes charm, much like many people use a horse shoe.
If I wear black, it's because that is the color of the clothing article I
have pulled from my drawer. I am no less a witch when I wear blue jeans and a
red t-shirt. Though I haven't read the books, I've seen the movies, and I
know that Harry Potter is nothing more than refreshing entertainment. I might
wear eerie makeup for Halloween, but that's just for fun. “I suppose that in response to this
piece I could write my own opinion piece and cite Jim Jones, or the guy who
eats from dumpsters, hasn't washed for 2 months and claims to be Jesus Christ
as an examples of Christians, or terrorists as representing all Muslims, but
I shan't do that. It's not part of my make up. “I happen to agree with Mr. Coren to a degree. I'm not
fond of the idea of Pagans being chaplains in prisons. Truth to tell, I'm not
overly fond of any religion having chaplains in prison. In my experience,
most of the criminals of any faith, do not stick to the tenets of their faith
while free on the streets, else they would not be criminals in the first
place. Those on the inside, with some exception, use the services of the
chaplains as an excuse to get out of their cells for a while or use the chaplains
and religious programs to look good for the court systems. “While I don't agree with it, I do not fight against
the chaplaincy. It is a given right in both Canada and the USA for these
prisoners to receive these services, and I, the witch, have worked hand in
hand with Christian chaplains from the Good News Jail and Prison Ministries
to get their job done. “If your paper is going to write something, please do
the research and find what it truly is that is being written about. Research
Wicca and Druidism, as those are the larger of the pagan faiths in North
America. Do not base your research on Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, of
The Witches of Eastwick. It's offensive, and it's not very professional.” Coren's
specious article attempted to perpetuate hateful stereotypes and urban
legends about Witches being Satan worshipping cult members who fly on brooms
and engage in child abuse. That there are organizations such as the Pagan
Alliance of Nurses, Pagan Firefighters Association, Pagan Military Alliance,
Pagan Bar Association and my own Officers of Avalon is an indication of the
reality of the situation. We are responsible people engaged in legitimate
professions contributing to the prosperity and safety of our community. The
members of Officers of Avalon are police, firefighters and emergency services
personnel, many of them recipients of medals for service and bravery, who
happen to belong to a Pagan faith such as Wicca, Asatru or Vodou. I don't fly
a broom I drive a police cruiser. I particularly object to Coren's comment
that "pagans have been involved in child abuse circles and grotesque
dark cults". At the time that Coren wrote this I was a child abuse
investigator for the Vancouver Police department. My colleagues and I in
Officers of Avalon protect children from abuse. These are just some of the letters sent by O of A members to the Toronto Sun, none of which were published. All that I got back from Coren was an e-mail that simply said “Thanks so very much. It's Coren actually. Best, and blessings, Mi |
Acceptance, pg 5
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Email:
webmaster@officersofavalon.com |
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To contact us: |
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Coren's specious article attempted to perpetuate
hateful stereotypes and urban legends about Witches being Satan worshipping
cult members who fly on brooms and engage in child abuse. |
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Volume 2 no. 4 Litha, Midsummer 2007 |
