From: evc@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Edward Van Cura)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: On Power
Date: 10 Sep 92 01:28:10 GMT


>From: Morgan 25
>At least some of you have accepted
>the fact that we are not Satanists, that we do not seek power
>and that we seek to harm no one.  And for this, I am grateful.

                             On Power

         Since when did the pagans transcend the human race? 
                      All people seek power.

If one had a job and was offered either $4/hr or $100/hr for that job,
which choice would be made?  The power to consume. 
Money speaks, people listen.   Money = Power. 

Why do many people go to college? They jump through ever more
outrageous hoops in order to get a degree, which may then open doors
of career advancement and large salaries. Some_Degrees = Power.

Why do many people choose careers over jobs? A career has advancement
up the corporate ladder. Career = Power.

Why do Witches in covens aspire to be high priest(esses)? 
Position in the Coven = Power. Perceived Proximity to Deity = Power.

Why do Witches and other magical-seeking pagans learn magic? Here is a
dictionary definition of magic: (Webster's Seventh New Collegiate)

   "1a: the use of means (as charms, spells) believed to have
   supernatural POWER over natural forces. b: magic rites or incantations.
   2a: an extraordinary POWER or influence seemingly from a supernatural
   source. b: something that seems to cast a spell: Enchantment", etc...

I used CAPS for emphasis. Witches and other magic users seek power
over people, places, and things. Most pagans dabble in the esoteric
arts. The claim that pagans do not seek power is ludicrous. 
Magic = Power.

The established religions of so-called satanism, that I have encountered, 
do NOT sacrifice babies, virgin daughters: no humans whatsoever. [see *]
If you discover self-styled sickos ritually murdering a human being
or mutilating your neighbor's kitty cat, then dial 9-1-1. 
I have noticed a trend of pagan finger-pointing, though. 
"We're innocent. We don't do that. But THOSE people do. Persecute THEM
instead of us. Have a Nice Day :)" The Power of Redirection... 

As for the "we seek to harm none" notion, anyone who has been a pagan 
long enough has either witnessed, participated in, or been the 
victim of a Witch War.    Control = Power.

My parents taught me a sense of value. The last thing I need is an 
invasion of the ethics-police. Why do some people seek to impose their 
morality, their sense of ethics over other people? The answer is 
indubitably, that they seek POWER!   

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Thorfinn Einarsson    *    ALU ALU ALU    *    Odhinn er Alfadhir!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                              Notes

[*] Some Germanic (usually rural) pagans still hold legal sacral animal 
sacrifice (as animal slaughter), followed by a ritual feast (Yum!). 
This practice is not done where prohibited by law. The animals, usually 
pigs or goats, are NOT tortured (they are sacred animals, after all!), 
and are dispatched to the otherworld in a quick and relatively painless 
manner. If one eats meat, then all arguments, one can make 
against this traditionally holy practice, are based on hypocrisy. 

It should be noted that the Supreme Court is/was (?) going to rule
on the issue of religious animal sacrifice. The issue arose from 
complaints about Florida members of a Caribbean folk religion 
performing animal sacrifice.
Does anyone have any more information on this topic/ruling?

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