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Unbelievable. The Traditional Values Coalition has put out a press release publicizing a video put out by religious film company Jeremiah Films called "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged" claiming that the Harry Potter book series is a recruiting tool for religion of Wicca who's practioners "incorporate radical feminism and homosexuality into their practices."
As most fans know, J.K. Rowling has staunchly denied that her books have anything to do with the Pagan religion of Wicca though Wiccans do incorporate the practices of Divination, Herbology (herbalism), Astrology, Charms, and Numerology (taught to students at Hogwarts) into their spirituality. Those who have actually READ the books will notice that students celebrate Easter and Christmas - these are NOT Pagan holidays (though Ostara and Yule are celebrated around the same time)
The most noise regarding Harry Potter we've heard from the Pagan community is from Kevin Carlyon "High Priest of British White Witches" who made a stink regarding how the witches in Rowling's books fly brooms. He complains that the broom stick represents male genitalia and the broomhead the associated "hair". An opinion that is, I believe, more of a personal preference and still open to interpretation.
After closer examination, Carlyon appears to be no more then a media whore and opportunist exploiting his spirituality to make money (I find it very disturbing that he refers to himself as a living god and seeks "beautiful and young" women. - (not crones, he says) for a ritual to break the curse of Macbeth. I know quite a few witches who have stores where they sell ritual supplies ad even do tarot readings for a living - I respect many of those people very much. What upsets me about Carlyon is that he'll do a tarot reading based on a picture of a person or do spells for people who pay him. It just comes across as, well, slimy. Not a good representation of the Wiccan community, IMNSHO.
I shouldn't be rising to the bait of a radical, conservative Christian group but they appear to be focusing on a very small part of the Wiccan community - radical feminists and homosexuals. While all are welcome, these two groups make up a small contingent of practioners of the Earth-centric religion. Of course, I do agree that Wicca goes against the first commandment - "You shall have no other gods besides Me". What a selfish religion ;) Actually, I see that commandment pertaining to those who choose to practice Christianity. Kind of "if you choose to worship me, don't worship anyone else." Thus not pertaining to non-Christians.
If anyone wants to email your comments to the people involved with distributing this video of lies, email Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, head of the Traditional Values Coalition, Steve Aiken listed as the contact on the press release, Caryl Matrisciana the alleged cult expert and wife of Jerimiah Films owner Patrick Matrisciana, who has also hosted videos regarding the topic of evolution and how it's a conspiracy, as well as a Pagan Invasion video series that included videos claiming "Freemasonry is a pagan religion, Halloween is a tool for Satanic abduction, and Mormonism is a cult heresy." Also email Robert S. McGee another "narrator" and Associate Pastor of Education at the First Baptist Church Merritt Island.
On second thought, it seems like they're blatantly obsessive about their views. If you DO email them, be VERY careful with how you word things and don't attack. Be very professional about it.
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