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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 10728
[Crime]
Date Posted:
8/13/2004
1:25:58 pm EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 9,726
RSS: 0
Comments: 16
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Update: 'Pagan' Sex Predator Jailed For Eight Years
Author: Tony Keim Source: Brisbane Courier Mail (Australia)
Title: 'PAGAN' SEX PREDATOR JAILED FOR EIGHT YEARS
A former Queensland National Party official was yesterday jailed for eight years for sexually abusing teenage boys during pagan rituals to initiate them into a group dubbed the White Brotherhood.
Supreme Court Justice Deb Mullins yesterday described Garry Robin Ford as a "narcissistic" sexual predator for his depraved attacks on five boys, aged 13 to 17, between January 1989 and December 1990.
A jury found Ford, 55, guilty in June of 22 charges, including indecent treatment, sodomy and supplying hallucinatory "magic" mushrooms. The Supreme Court in Brisbane was told the schoolboys sat in a candlelit circle as their black-caped "teacher" chanted and danced.
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Community Thoughts: There are 16 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Not Enough Info | Aug 14th. at 7:57:26 pm EDT |
by Penny J. Novack (Berkshire Mntns, MA USA) - wc_xemail
The man claimed he was a "Pagan" according to the article but there is nothing to indicate he wasn't just pulling a con. Predators of all types know enough to fake being anything which will get them what they want.
Not that I'm implying that the Pagan/Witch movement doesn't have its share of "bad actors". I don't think there's a community in the world that doesn't have its own problems with predatory and destructive people.
And I have always believed that because of the culture most of us come from there is deep confusion about the definition of "sexual freedom". There was an article in a well-known Pagan zine some years ago by a man who sponsored rituals at festivals in which people were required to present themselves for sexual activity whether they were willing or not. According to this bozo you couldn't actually be a Witch unless you were willing to sc**w on demand for the HP. Gee whiz. I seem to remember lines like that from guys before the Pagan Movement existed. Only it went something along the lines of the unwilling female was hung up and a tease and...... being present was enough reason for the dorks to believe their victim should just "come across".
Infantile garbage. Being free to be ones own sexual self means personal freedom of choice. And NO means NO.
When, in the Charge of The Goddess, she says "All acts of Love and Joy" She is not referring to rape and sex forced by shaming and using ritual degrees as a weapon of coersion.
Love and Joy do not occur when one has been abused -- or used sexually against one's will.
Yes, people are confused. But free will is also part of Craft teaching. And children and people who have no choice for other reasons aren't able to give free will consent for something they have no ability to understand or control.
May those who abuse the Love which is a primal gift of the Gods be stricken impotent in all senses. I have no tolerance for them.
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| The Truth Is Sometimes Hard To Face | Aug 14th. at 12:02:14 pm EDT |
by Andie C. (Kansas) - wc_xemail
We, as a community, certainly don't want to believe that Pagans, especially clergy, are guilty of sexual abuse. But, it does happen, and it shouldn't be ingnored. It's is very important that we are vocal and proactive about these sorts of problems.
To bury our heads in the sand on this is to play a Pagan version of the Catholic Diocese little game called "Musical Felons". Victims of abuse, as well as the greater Pagan community, deserve better than that.
*desposits $0.02 *
Andie C.
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| Don't Sweep These People Under The Rug | Aug 14th. at 10:46:43 am EDT |
by Steph (Midwest City OK) - wc_xemail
Its unfortunate. We have genuine, bad perverts in our religious community [just like everyone else].
What is also unfortunate, is that many groups and communities sweep these people under the rug.
Its the shameful thing no one talks about, as the offending parties gobbles up our members, and our reputation.
Its not just that we are a minority religion.
Its that we do not teach healthy sexual boundaries that are so badly needed in a community that has a very liberal and permissive attitude towards sex in general.
And How many people have seen or experienced the backlash of "telling."
When something happens to them or in front of them, often revealing the shameful act receives more hostility than committing the shameful act?
Where I live, we have had several similar cases over the last 20 years. Where men lured young women to their abode and promised them lessons in Witchcraft or magick, and instead raped them. One man even branded his victims with a bent coat hanger. He was a "Medicine Man/magician."
Silence means compliance. If we say nothing, then its like giving these people the green light to rape and abuse all the members and potential members of our community that suits their fancy.
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| Pagan Sexual Abuse | Aug 14th. at 10:21:23 am EDT |
by Rev. Sigrun (Upstate New York) - wc_xemail
This is on the topic of pagan clergy abuse. I would like to sadly reiterate that yes, pagans sexually abuse others, too. It's not just a Christian problem. It's not just a "women's" problem, either. Men get abused, too, and sometimes by women! It's everyones' problem!
I have heard some bits and pieces over the years about some kind of sexual abuse scandal involving the Church of All Worlds. I would really like some further information about it , because I experienced similar abuse at the hands some former followers of theirs. Ironically enough, the priestess of that coven cited the abuse as one of the reasons why they left - while turning around and doing the exact same things to me and my (now ex-) boyfriend!
I'm now pagan clergy myself, and I am hoping to organize some kind of mutual on-line support group/network for survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of other pagans. It's because of that lovely, Egyptian Trad that us survivors of pagan clergy abuse face unique challenges in our recovery, not the least of which is not always being able to turn to our fellow pagans for support.
Anyone interested in joining me in my efforts, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!
Brightest Blessings,
Reverend Sigrun
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| It's A Shame | Aug 14th. at 9:34:50 am EDT |
by Joan (Cambridge, Massachusetts) - wc_xemail
What's particularly sad is that probably at least some of the victims were genuine spiritual seekers. They went looking for Mystery and instead they got raped and mind***ed.
Those of us who have been in the Pagan community for a while have recognized the ongoing problem of too many seekers, not enough teachers. (It's not like the major religions where the size of the congregation is limited only by the size of the building.) Makes me think that it would be better if more of us were out and talking about our religion, even if we don't feel qualified to teach. If a young person knows decent people who are out of the broom closet, sie is less likely to end up turning to a slimeball like this Ford guy.
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| Sound Familiar? | Aug 14th. at 8:43:35 am EDT |
by Beňlach Lasair (Cardiff, Wales, UK) - wc_xemail
It's a shame to admit it when it does happen, but it does. I mean look at all the scandal the Catholic Church has faced - I'm positive that it must go on in other faiths as well; there are many people who feel that they have the right to use their authority to abuse others and take away their own personal power and choice.
Of course the Catholic Church has a tendency to cover up and blame the gays usually. But I remember reading the article with a slight sense of disbelief, until I remembered that humans can really be that vile and abusive to others. I suppose this is all a reminder that it occurs everywhere and anywhere. But then he maintains his innocence.
If he did do this, I hope he rots in his cell. Without knowing the details or particulars, I just hope this isn't another case of kids making up stories to get at someone.
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| Two Sides | Aug 14th. at 1:42:59 am EDT |
by Red Dusk Hawk (U.S.A) - wc_xemail
I can see this in two diffrent lights. The Passionate Pagan in me wants to slap these kids upside the head for saying something so nasty, vile and mean. There are a million things that could have caused them to lie, especially since they are underage. Peer pressure, parent pressure, religiouse pressoure. Heck even just pure malice could cause this sort of thing.
But the more Practical Pagan in me know that things like this have a nasty habit of being true. It wouldn't be the first time something sexually depraved had happened because some "Pagan" decided to abuse their authority. If this arse has done something so horrible, I say they sacrifice his testicals to Maat.
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| Pagans Aren't All Innocent | Aug 13th. at 9:57:00 pm EDT |
by Ravenna Angelline (Renton, WA, USA) - wc_xemail
Truth be told there are evil people in all walks of life. Of all races, faiths, and sexes. It happens.
My first contact in the pagan community just happened to be a sexual predator. I was 17... thankfully, I trusted my guts after I started to notice that his comments weren't all sunshine and light and ran for the hills. I was lucky, some people aren't. I can only imagine what may have happened if I hadn't trusted my instincts back then. I was young and impressionable and an easy target. Not anymore, thankfully... but I wonder about those other people out there who don't trust their instincts as easily.
I sincerely hope that this guy meets a nice big "Bubba" to show him what it's liked to be given some good ole' fashioned "lovins". Serves him right. The punishment fits the crime after all.
~ Ravenna Angelline
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| This Is Good | Aug 13th. at 6:54:00 pm EDT |
by Thora (In happy retirement land) - wc_xemail
I'm glad to see this pervert get what he deserves.
On another note, Larry Lamasteres, who contacted Maeven Eller about two years ago, was sentenced for child molestation and having child porn. You can find the Kansas City news articals by googling Larry Lamastres. HE got about 16 years as I recall. For more info, contact Maeven Eller at www.betwixt.org.
Thora
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| I Know He's Gonna Get It..... | Aug 13th. at 6:12:35 pm EDT |
by carla (u.s.) - wc_xemail
He's got his coming from so many directions......I have been trying to warn people of this kind of thing for years, I believe one kind gent e-mailed me with"Who broke your dolly?"I didn't have the heart to tell him it was my Dad.A minister.It happens everywhere.People are people, folks, and human nature is the same, has always been the same, even in the ancient past.We better face it, as enlightened as we think we are, I don't think we have risen above humanity yet.Guard your children, and your minds, and don't let just any fool get too close to either.When you project your thoughts onto someone else, you are in danger.Check your facts, background records, and trust your gut.
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| Pagan Support Groups | Aug 13th. at 5:09:26 pm EDT |
by Dj (Santa Clara) - wc_xemail - Web
My thanks to Sappho for her remarks. It is a mistake to think that all Christians are bad and that all Pagans are good. Anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something.
Another resource for Pagans trying to heal from abuse, recover from addications, or just become more healthy and empowered are the Spiral Steps meetings.
These meetings are open to all who are Pagan friendly. You can read more about them at the website (noted) .
My thanks to Wren and Fritz who make this sort of information known to all.
Dj
Founder, Spiral Steps
[Web LINK] Find More info -- HERE
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| New Egyptian Trad--DeNile | Aug 13th. at 4:53:41 pm EDT |
by Sappho (SF Bay Area) - wc_xemail - Web
Let's form a new Egyptian Trad for all of those who have a knee jerk reaction to news items about pagan sexual abuse. Yes, you too can be Cleopatra! And not just in a past life! All these young men were violated in the name of paganism, by a man professing to be a priest, and a former schoolteacher, and we focus on whether journalists should use quotation marks around the word "pagan." I am a recovering English major, and even I believe this is taking the importance of punctuation too far!
Folks, pagans commit as much sexual abuse as nonpagans. We commit domestic violence [Janine Sutphen, RIP], clergy abuse, scams [ does anyone remember Oberon Zell's confession in Green Egg Magazine?] and all other ills that humanity is heir to. We are no better or worse than anyone else.
Before we can address the issue of clergy abuse from within, we need to lose the hypocrisy and the denial. We need to be sensitive to the needs of people who are recovering from sexual abuse. For more information please visit [Web LINK] . If you are a survivor of clergy abuse or any form of sexual abuse, it was not your fault and you are not alone. Please consider joining The Healing Grove, a pagan/pagan-friendly Yahoo! support group for sexual abuse survivors, or Daughters of Demeter, a Yahoo! group for pagan women only.
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| Actually, | Aug 13th. at 3:42:49 pm EDT |
by Tara (texas) - wc_xemail
Wren posted another article about this when it first came about a few months ago. I think they are putting the " " marks around pagan, because he had claimed the rites were pagan and they were showing that while he probably isn't and was just saying that, he's really just a perv that should be locked up for the rest of his life. I don't think they are touting him as a real practicing pagan.
Either way, what the man did was disgusting and just wrong and I can't believe he only got 8 years. Although I guess it's better than the guy in the states that only got 60 days.
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| Ok.... | Aug 13th. at 2:54:00 pm EDT |
by Akrae (Florida) - wc_xemail
WTF do they have quotations around Pagan? If there is a child molester why don't they put a 'Buddhist' or 'Muslim' or 'Baptist'? Its not enough that they have to stress him being Pagan in the article, but they have to do it in the title? GRRRR!!!!!!!!! I am not even a Pagan and this makes me angry.
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| Now Why Is It ... | Aug 13th. at 2:07:51 pm EDT |
by Karen (Seattle) - wc_xemail
that this guy is the Pagan child molester, but the Priest in the associated artical isnt the Cathloic Child molester?!
"Judge sorry that sex victims miss compo
Mark Oberhardt"
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