Friday Links: (Less Than) Goodwill

[icymist]

It hasn't been a good month to be a Pagan, atheist, or occultist of any stripe. Some of the strangest stories:
The gunman who shot up a Colorado Megachurch and killed five people turns out to have been a member of the OTO, which he joined prior to his rampage. I'm guessing that we're going to see a lot of blame directed at Thelemites rather than at the man's mental condition or his anguish and rage over his struggles with his strict Christian upbringing. The OTO's already having a hard time, still battling ridiculous conspiracy theories.

Maybe it's holiday stress, but American evangelicals are getting touchier about having to share the "holiday season" with anyone else, as evidenced by the Olean pentacle debacle. A Connecticut atheist group's "holiday" display doesn't have many fans, either, but at least it's still standing. There is a bright spot: the residents of Vilnius, Lithuania, showed that Christians and Pagans can indeed get along for the holidays.

They were also unhappy about the Golden Compass, which was accused of promoting everything from Gnosticism to Atheism. As Gnosticism is a bit tougher to identify than "witchcraft," the controversy pretty much deflated. That didn't stop Bill Donohue's Catholic League from kicking up a fuss, but even they had the air let out of them when the American Conference of Catholic Bishops enthusiastically endorsed the film. (Although public outcry led to the review's speedy disappearance.)

Read the full article and check out the links there.

[AnnieBW]

1. The Colorado Gunman was a member of OTO?

This is the first I've heard of it. Uh, oh.. Prepare for incoming shitstorm! :hide:

[icymist]

2. Yeah. After all the bullshit the OTO has been through, this is just what they need....

Irony indeed that some guy they rejected just nine months prior goes and shoots up two Xtian centers! Go figure!

[AnnieBW]

3. I got the story at Yule tonight

He had attended a few meetings, but wasn't even at the level of postulant. He was kicked out for making disparaging comments about women. So, he went and joined the Mormons instead.

[lightningandsnow]

4. The story about the town in Lithuania made me think of this song...

Amber called her uncle, said, "We're up here for the holiday,
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay."
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree,
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three.
He told his niece, "It's Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style,"
She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it's been a while."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"
His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen,
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, you're cousin's not a Christian,
But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And where does magic come from , I think magic's in the learning,
'Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother."
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father.
He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year,
He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here."
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve,
Saying, "Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old,
And making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.

--Dar Williams