From: wjones@diana.cair.du.edu (WILLIAM D. JONES)
Subject: Re: Moderation (was pentagrams)
Organization: University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 17:31:23 GMT

I realize that last thing we all need is another letter on pentagrams, but .....

    I realize that the BoD must consider the welfare of the society overall
 but I can assure you that I am not in the Society because I wish to humor 
 the growing number of authoritarian, right-wing, religous zealots determined to make the world a better place for christianity.  I find it offensive that a     decision concerning the propriety of a heraldric submition be judged on any 
 grounds but those of a period nature. These may well exclude use of certain
 symbols/charges which so many seem to find offensive.  I think that it is about time that people stop trying to force others to live lives that do not bruise   their delicate sensibilities.  I for one find it enraging every time I see
 propaganda concerning frp(role-playing, which many of those backward %$#@s
 closely associate with the Society).  This country, as well as this Society,
 is based on the idea of allowing *individuals* to experience reality in the 
 ways they find fit.  It is not my responsibility not to offend, I need not      alter my beliefs or my actions simple because someone else takes offense.
 I suggest that if you find something I do or say to be offensive, turn away
 (turn the other cheek as the bible thumpers propound.)  As far as I'm 
 concerned the Society is better off if some of those people out there do find
 us to be against their beliefs, this way we don't need to exclude them with     rules :-). 
    We (as a group) are in very little danger of being forbidden by law and even in less danger of having any laws against the formation of Society branches 
 being upheld.  We need not satisfy mundane authority concerning religous or
 moral conduct, we need only live by the laws of the region in which we play.
    I say  to those of you who find the pentacle to represent a side of 
 reality in which the chose not to participate, ignore it (gasp). If you 
 see something offensive waving in the breeze look the other way.  No one
 insists that you befriend these people. No one (except perhaps yourself) 
 insists that you spend hours internally debating the religous significance	 of the fall from grace of these individuals.
    I realize that we may be inviting unnecessary complications with the mundane authority if we chose to exist in a fashion which offends some powerful 
 advocate, but I also think it is about time that we get these indiviuals to
 concern themselves with thier own lives.  I understand the that the Society is  not a political body, but this country (followed by this Society) is coming 
 dangerously close to the edge of a very deep chasm of repression. I say we      fight back now before its to late and we have to climb before we fight.
    I am all for every member's enjoyment of this great Society but that should
 include even the most obscure of beliefs and ideals.
     I won't step on your toes, you don't step on mine. Apathy and resignation   to those ideals of suppression will destory all that our ancestors have         struggled for.  KICK THE BUMS OUT OF OFFICE.

                       Hadrian.

 (Sorry for the soap-box rhetoric, but I was a little testy this morning.)