| 
|
Page: Profile: Notice
| Total Views: 2,179,583
|
Notice Specs
Acct. ID: 186499
Notice ID: 15347
Category: Press
Posted: December 2nd., 2007
This Notice has been viewed 4354 times |
The Melville Mandate - South Africa
Proclaimed by: Damon Leff
Proclaimed from: Hoogekraal - southern Cape, South Africa
Proclamation...
In September 2007 South African Pagans elected five self-defined Witches to act as representatives, under the auspices of the South African Pagan Council (SAPC) , in order to fulfill what has become known as the 'Melville Mandate'.
Said representatives have secured the legal services of Lawyers for Human Rights in order to have the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957 revoked. We are fairly confident given the protections afforded to religious minorities in our country's constitution that we will succeed in having said act revoked in due course.
The 'Melville Mandate' also seeks to reclaim the terms 'Witch' and 'Witchcraft' within a modern Pagan context and representatives have been tasked with fulfilling the goal of reclamation through various educational and other processes, including the possible establishment of a formal Commission of Enquiry to investigate ongoing violence against innocent persons accused of practicing malefic witchcraft.
South African Witches regard harmful stereotypical definitions of Witchcraft as injurious to the dignity of self-defined Witches and the use of the terms 'witch' and 'witchcraft' to describe criminal activities as harmful discrimination against self-defined Witches. The use of the English term 'witchcraft' with which to describe harmful magical practices brings into disrepute anyone who may self-identify as a Witch, irrespective of whether or not said self- defined Witch is a European Pagan or a practitioner of Traditional African magic.
The 'Melville Mandate' seeks to reclaim the terms 'Witch' and 'Witchcraft' within a modern Pagan religious context and determines that the right to define the words ‘Witch’ and ‘Witchcraft’ rests with self-defined Witches themselves and no one else.
As self-defined Witches we stand as testimony to the existence of both Witches and Witchcraft, but we wish to reiterate that we are neither evil nor criminals. As Witches, as practitioners of Witchcraft, we claim the right to self-definition and self-determination of our own spirituality and its practices. As equal citizens of South Africa we claim our right to freedom of belief and religion.
We will not give up our right to self-definition and self-determination.
Viva Reclamation !
For more information visit the following websites:
TouchStone Advocacy
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6416194117
Advocacy Blog: http://mynewsblogs.24.com/touchstone
South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA)
http://www.paganrights.net
The South African Pagan Council (SAPC)
http://www.pagancouncil.co.za
Website: http://www.paganrights.net
Telephone: (044) 8501297
To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE
Contact Us Via Email...
Email Invites Note: NO, I have not opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please don't send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
