The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) filed a lawsuit against the city of Green Bay, Mayor Jim Schmitt and City Council President Chad Fradette.

The suit includes atheists and agnostics of the foundation, and 14 other plaintiffs including a Lutheran, an Episcopalian, a Unitarian Universalist, a Wiccan, and a Buddhist.

In a Dec. 26 press release posted to the FFRF website Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president, said, "Our legal action was driven by local residents… Many Green Bay citizens contacted us over their dismay that city government would thumb its nose at the Constitutional principle of state/church separation, and deliberately provoke a divisive controversy in Green Bay."( http://ffrf.org/news/2007/greenbaylawsuit.php)

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Alternate Religions Educational Network, like most Pagan organizations, has had its busy periods and its quiet periods. I thought it might be of interest for members, and potential members, to discuss the factors that decide just how active AREN can be. Bill Kilborn has been with AREN longer than I so I thought he might be the person to ask about this.

Christopher: How long have you been with AREN, and how long have you been on the board of the directors?

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As I write this article, I am still in reeling in shock over the murder of two beautiful girls in my hometown, Sioux City. Much has been made of the PR implications of a possible backlash against the Wiccan community, and considering the nature of the crime, I find such worries appalling. The media know that Pagans and Wiccans don't go around murdering people, and especially in this particular instance, they have gone out of their way to clarify that. They have not shown the same kindness to the victims' mother, who has stated more than once that she refuses to hate the alleged murderer of the children. And that repulses me.

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I had the good fortune to get a copy of a new fictionized history novel by Ellen Hopman. This historical novel was possible through her research and her innate knowledge of herbal lore, Druidic rites, prayers and invocations.

Set in 3rd century Ireland, in the time of the High King and the beginning influx of Christianity, we are told the story from the perspective of Druid priestess and healer Ethne. For five years she has been in a stone hut in the middle of the forest, far from the court of the High King of Ireland, as a healer to those who come to her for aid. She is both well-suited to and content with her life and work.

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When the “district PFI” became an affiliated organisation of the PF in July 2006, PFI was also incorporated in a Foundation, registered in The Hague, the Netherlands. As such it became a legal entity. We have been present at a number of academic conferences and meetings during the last few months. But first what is Stichting PFI and what do we do apart from coordinating the activities of the PFI nations?

Some of the functions of the Foundation include:

• To promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and education. This also includes anti-defamation work; one of the grassroots functions of the PF. PFI is also a member of ESITIS (The European Society for Intercultural Theology and Inter-religious Studies). Regular conferences dealing with religious themes are being organised. Recently for example Raven represented PFI in Birmingham and I was at the RIPE conference in Rome. “Religious Pluralism”. See short extracts below.

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Origins and Brief History

I would like to begin with a brief overview of “What Wicca Is”, and the present situation, followed by an giving account of the actual social impact and the possible social impact in the future.

Wicca is a modern religion but has its roots in ancient times.

Thanks to archaeological discoveries, there is evidence that the origins of Wiccan beliefs can be traced back to Pre-Christian time when people worshipped, for example, a Mother Goddess.

But today I would like to describe what Wicca is – now, in the 21st century. It is a personal view based on my own experiences. Not everyone will agree with me but perhaps this is one of the beauties about Wicca, that there is no single authoritative definition. Wicca is in essence ever changing as Nature itself is ever changing and adapting. Wicca can be described as “organic” and if it becomes inflexible and dogmatic it will lose its vitality.

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