From: ciaran@county.lmt.mn.org (Ciaran Benson)
Subject: Arrow number Two ...
Reply-To: ciaran@county.lmt.mn.org (Ciaran Benson)
Organization: LaserMaster Technologies, Minneapolis, MN
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 92 16:40:44 GMT

  Heh, heh, heh.

  Well, I guess I'm playing with the big boys now.

  Someone sent me a very, uhm, well, _Interesting_ letter which
explained a little better for me why this subject's been apparently
going on for so unbelievably long without resolution.

  So I typed a reply with a couple of questions and asked for
some clarification of a point or two (ok, just one point), and
sent it out and zapped the original.

  Heh, heh, heh.

  Silly me.

  I didn't check the "reply to" line Very, Very Carefully, and
someone played a little joke on me.  A finely set snare.

  The Goddess Herself only knows where that letter's also gone,
so I guess I'll just have to wait and see who I get confused
letters from.

  Excuse me whilst I just sortof slip a little further back
behind this wall so's to avoid any more boobytrapped flack that might
be headed my way, and lob an arrow completely blind into the
air ... where it lands I know not (... sorry), with a little note
attached to it.


  To all who may receive this note;

  A lot of folks seem to be confused why I would be concerned
about the restriction on pentacles, since it applies equally
to Christians and Jews and Muslims and Pagans, all of whom
have, at one time or another, used the pentacle in some religious
way.

  They've even argued that since the ban applies to everyone,
it's not discriminatory.

  Ahem ... >cough, cough<

  I disagree.

  Because Pagans are the only group listed above who walk around
nowadays wearing one.  Other groups wear them as well, but 
I'm not trying to speak for them, although I'd be delighted
to see everyone walking around wearing one.

  As a Pagan, I take great pride in the work that has been
accomplished to regain acceptance of the religious symbols
which are particular to my tradition.  I am sorry to hear
that a group with whom I have some interest in interacting
has chosen to ban the use of one of these symbols.

  Originally, I erroneously believed that the ban was universal,
and applied to personal ornamentation as well.  I understand
now that it is only a ban on your registry of all of that
heraldry stuff (hey, I'm just a blacksmith -- if you want
something painted on it, find a painter).

  That still doesn't make me feel any more comfortable about
coming to an event where folks are standing around with 
penants and shields bearing any number of symbols which are
heavily identified with the crusaders who destroyed so much
of my religion's heretage -- especially since I am forbidden
to bear a symbol which proudly proclaims the advancing
recovery of the folk traditions of ancient europe.

  I'm also curious how your citizendry respond when someone
wears as personal adornment a symbol which has been officially
banned in heraldry.

  Kind of a coming together of the tribes after so long a
feud, but the side that lost isn't permitted to show it's
reclaimation flag.

  Admittedly, there are many symbols which would be much more
historically correct for the knights of Lithuania or the hordes
of Mongol (Hail, Attila, who led our people to the promised
land!), and I'm sure people use these frequently.

  However, for your organization to specifically ban a symbol
which has been claimed by a modern religion (sp: Wicca, and
indirectly by Pagans in general), brings to mind many questions
which have _NOT_ been adequately answered by your heirarchy
(such as it is), as can be easily evidenced by this continuing
harranging in the commons until late into the evening until
the constables wander through and ask us to break it up (oblig.
not-so-old-we-can't-recognise-it reference).

  One of your membership, who has been very chivalrous and,
indeed, even kind, has explained to me a great deal about this
bandying about, and has helped be resolve most of my differences
so far -- with the exception of this one.

  Face it.  Your executive body has banned the use of a symbol
which some of your membership hold very dear and in high
regard.  The reasons for banning it were, in the humble opinion
of myself and apparently others, inadequate considering the
apparent bigotry in identifying the pentacle as a symbol of
evil.

  No, I don't think this is necessarily "a fight worth
fighting compared to our society's problems", but I will not
join an organization which censures particular religious symbols
and then acts baffled when folks get upset.

  _UNLESS_ the organization can explain itself well enough that
its membership are satisfied.

  Just reading this board for the last week, it doesn't seem
like your membership is entirely or even approximately
satisfied.

  Just what are your means for seeking redress for actions
of your executive committee?  Surely you must have some
way to question the decisions of your executives?  With this
much outcry, how did such an unpopular decision get approved?

  You don't just elect dictators for a year do you?

  Still just on the other side of the fence, but still not
entirely put off (despite some pretty impressive attempts),

  Ciaran.

  $uslinit; include oblig.sig <<
  "...And here, Queen Aphrodite, pour heavenly nectar into gold
   cups, and fill them gracefully with sudden joy."  -- Sappho >>
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