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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 21139
[Pagan]
Date Posted:
9/11/2009
5:26:41 pm EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 3,326
RSS: 17,368
Comments: 18
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Some Pa. Shops Close Doors To Pagan Festival
Author: Ron Todt, AP Source: Google
Title: SOME PA. SHOPS CLOSE DOORS TO PAGAN FESTIVAL
In the rolling hills of deeply religious rural Pennsylvania sits Stoudtburg Village, a tiny hamlet modeled on a German town. On weekends, tourists come here to visit shops on the ground floors of closely set three-story houses painted bright colors on pedestrian-only streets.
But this weekend, plans for a nature-worshipping group of modern pagans and witches to hold a festival in this picturesque section of Adamstown are getting a mixed reception, with some shop owners welcoming the visitors but others saying they plan to close.
"My personal feeling is that it's not something that I'd want to have anything to do with," said Jane Lesher, standing Friday amid the yarn creations of her shop The Soxy Lady, which will close Saturday. "I don't see how it's going to benefit the village, especially if it's going to leave a bad taste in the community's mouth."
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Community Thoughts: There are 18 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Update.. | Sep 13th. at 3:04:57 pm EDT
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Saffire Magicklady (Boyertown, Pennsylvania) - Email Me
[Web LINK]
That's an article link from this morning's Lancaster paper. Unfortunately, the reporter did not stick around all day to realize there was an incident but all in all the day was good.
It rained all day, which may have kept some tempers from flaring. There were protesters and mostly they were respectful. There were a few times they were asked to take their protests from blocking doors and tents and such and they did. They utilized an unused canopy. The one thing I know I didn't appreciate was approaching our kids and asking them what their religion was and either pushing a CD in their hands (presumably of 'gospel heavy metal' according to my 13yo son) or pamphlets. A couple kids felt uncomfortable but handled themselves gracefully. One child was approached, told he'd burn in hell, handed a pamphlet (which he said no thank you to) and tried to walk away, was pursued, started to run, tripped and fell... yes, he's just fine and the Village called police who were very respectful and asked those protesters to leave. There were diverse folks though, all day... all ages, demographics and religions came by our tent (we provided live entertainment) and all were intrigued, informed, surprised a few and very respectful all around.
RPW's security volunteers were awesome! The event on the whole was wonderful and VERY well attended by Pagans and non-Pagans alike. Some shops that were not going to open DID indeed, after learning we truly are not evil or what they may have thought previously. Additionally RPW was invited back next year.
Find More info -- HERE
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| Theres' More To The Story | Sep 13th. at 9:26:52 am EDT
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William (Buda, Texas) - Email Me
Jason at Wild Hunt posted an update to the events.
[Web LINK]
-Some local churches are organizing prayer and fasting to spiritually shield the area from our demonic taint, and are planning to encircle the village and pray for an hour.
“We pray a hedge of protection around the area, asking for the blood of Jesus to cover their boundaries, gates and bridges, that they would stand strong against the schemes of the enemy. We declare the enemy will have no foothold in Adamstown, or the larger Lancaster County area.”
Talk about witchcraft!! LOL
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| Hmmmm.... | Sep 13th. at 8:13:43 am EDT
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Iona (Lorain, Ohio) - Email Me
Ahhhhh, yes...bigotry, hate, fear and discrimination!
And I thought Christianity was a religion all about love and acceptance of ALL!
I used to be a Xtian and so called "Good Christians" like these people are the very reason I left that faith years ago. I know more secularists, atheists and pagans who act more "Christ-like" then some of his so called "followers".
For the businesses that DO choose to remain open, I hope that they receive a booming business and a lot of support from the pagan community! Our money is green, too, and spends just as well!
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| We Don't Serve Their Type Here. | Sep 12th. at 8:05:54 pm EDT
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Dreamweaver (Highland, Indiana) - Email Me
"Being witches and pagans, right away that puts a red flag up," agreed his wife, Donna. "They might be wonderful people. It's just that we don't believe in that type of worship or whatever you want to call it."
Just think what people would say if instead of witches and pagans, this woman was saying the same thing about Jews or some minority Christian group. there would be a condemnation then! But since it's just us witches and pagans, oh that's ok, because we're WEIRD.
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| Anybody Remember The Dunkers? | Sep 12th. at 10:52:27 am EDT
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Joy (Largo, Florida) - Email Me
They were persecuted for their religion a few hundred years ago. These people, being in Ephrata, may very well be their descendants. How quickly people forget the Golden Rule!
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| Ever Wonder Why... | Sep 12th. at 9:54:02 am EDT
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Lora (Leominster, Massachusetts) - Email Me
Do you ever wonder why something like 90% of small businesses go out of business within the first year of opening their doors?
I give you three guesses. The first two don't count.
One shop owner is treating this in true capitalist fashion, seeing it as a way to lighten people's pockets. I predict that this shop owner will stay in business. If the Pope was visiting, he'd be selling plastic crucifixes and votive candles, makes no difference.
The others are doing what all Little Hobby Businesses seem to do, i.e. let their personal feelings get in the way of making money--whether their personal feelings are "I don't like hippies" or "gee, a Saturday at the beach sounds nicer than getting up early to work," they are nevertheless the same feelings that the vast majority of small business owners trip over.
I've seen a lot of local businesses do the same: shops that absolutely will not stay open even during their posted hours because the owners would rather be fishing, shops that have no clue about how to expand their demographics past retirees (when many retirees are going back to work) , service businesses and tradespeople who cannot cope with the idea that people in these modern times are not generally at home 8-5 M-F, contractors who show up for work on their own schedule rather than the signed contract's requirements. Now, in tough economic times, those businesses are circling the drain, and the owners all moan to reporters, "Woe is us! These economic times are haaaaard! We're gonna go outta business! No one is giving US a bailout! Waaaah!"
Pffft. It's called self-discipline and good business. Put on your big girl panties and deal with reality, it's ever so much more profitable than praying.
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| Close Up!? | Sep 12th. at 9:29:11 am EDT
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ladymorgane67 (ephrata, Pennsylvania) - Email Me
Wow wouldnt it be nice to be able to afford to close our business for a day! We are closed Sundays because my husband needs to rest his body and mind for the upcoming week. Let it be known that Sweigarts Garage has no such prejudices. We enjoy our customers reguardless of faith color creed or nationality! We love cats dogs and kids too! Each of us has a beautiful soul despite what our minds think.
I saw one of those religious signs that are everywhere around here that said "dont always believe what you think". I like that one, how double edged. That was from a christian point of view, I love the duality of the statement. It would do a lot of souls good to remember that we are all children of a higher power reguardless of what name you put on Them.
I hope they are able to justify their actions to the landlord when the rent is late because they missed out on a prosperous day of sales due to issues of faith with their customers. How do they know the faith of the folks shopping there any other day? Are they psychic? Isnt that a sin?
Oh bother, Ive lived here too long and am just too familliar with the way things work. Ive seen the way the christians dealt with the KKK showing up too, and I wouldnt count on no violence when they are drawing their circle of prayer around the community. I would love to join my Pagan brethren tomorrow.
"Blessed r the meek?" Not around here. Enjoy the day! Blessed Be
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| So Sorry | Sep 12th. at 8:53:35 am EDT
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ladymorgane67 (ephrata, Pennsylvania) - Email Me
I live in such a closed minded area! I dont understand just closing up your homes, businesses, hearts and minds to your fellow human beings reguardless of religion. Unfortunately their minds are closed to education also, The interviewed didnt even know the basics. We are not satan worshippers. You must first believe in such an entity in order to worship it. We do not intend to convert or even actually try to discuss it with those who are not interested. That tends to be a christian tendency, not one I care to participate in. I dont get involved in so called "pissing contests". Its is very un-christian like and I feel ashamed for them in some way. Such a god fearing christian community as this should be welcoming everyone with open arms yet they shun even the idea of a different faith. I see it and deal with it every day living in Ephrata, Pa. where just not going to "their" church will have people looking at you a bit crooked. Where businesses owned by "religious" people treat women differently just because their church says we arent equal, or where the almighty buck is all that matters, not customer service. by no means all, but enough to feel it every day. I am a Pagan married to a man whose family is Mennonite, imagine that! Again I say not "ALL" , just "MANY" fit the bill. Finally, I give you a hearty welcome to this area and hope you come again often. Blessed Be!
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| *Shop Owner's Rights | Sep 12th. at 3:42:23 am EDT
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Lamyka (Tokyo, Japan) - Email Me - Web
Haha Tired Typos ahoy! :P
Lady Bless,
Lamyka
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| Show Owner's Rights | Sep 12th. at 3:41:03 am EDT
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Lamyka (Tokyo, Japan) - Email Me - Web
Show owners have the right to refuse business even if people don't agree with it. PERIOD. And honestly I view it as a good thing, if these owners don't want to deal with anything but their own then let them.
If anything it's the best advertising possible for not only Pagans to know which stores are open to them but also to Moderates who believe in the Free Market.
Also just the dyed in the wool denial of the fact that the LLL pointed out that Paganism has *nothing* to do with the monotheistic faith of the protesters goes to show that for some people, in their mind it will always be about them. Nothing more need be said, except go and have a fun time with the family and enjoy face painting and food!
Lady Bless,
Lamyka
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| Wait Did I Read That Right? | Sep 12th. at 1:00:05 am EDT
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JKGundlach (Hampton, Virginia) - Email Me
"Still, a dozen or so Christian groups and churches are trying to organize a "wall of prayer" around the village Saturday, said James Horning, executive director of Crossfire Youth Ministries in nearby Eprhata, Pa. "We are asking the Christians in the community to come out and make a circle around the entire facility and stand there for one hour and pray on behalf of the community, and then go home," Horning said. "No signs, no shouting, no protests, just a visible sign that we disapprove ... of the whole underlying theme."
~~It sound to me like the Christians are going to form a circle and cast a spell. If they disapprove then why are they casting a spell?
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| Goodness! | Sep 11th. at 11:32:45 pm EDT
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Ursyl (Murrysville, Pennsylvania) - Email Me
In this economy, I'm glad that those businesses are doing so well that they can afford to turn away the good green money of paying customers!
How fortunate for them, given that their overhead costs, such as rent, will remain the same. How sad for any employees being unfairly docked a day's pay due to the shop owners' bigotry.
If I lived in that area, I would indeed be noting which businesses made the bigoted decision, and would refrain from supporting them in the future, even if I'd been a regular up to that point in time.
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| It Is A Sad Footnote To American History | Sep 11th. at 11:24:06 pm EDT
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R. Cicero (Seattle, Washington) - Email Me
Then again, weren't the first waves of immigrants largely the ultra-religious rejects (Puritans, etc.) of the greater European culture? So I've heard anyway--I wasn't actually there, of course. Not even in a past life. So maybe it kind of makes sense, to their descendants. But what a bad stink it makes now, in this almost modern world. It's discriminatory, there's just no getting around it. Shame on them. Unless you are an obvious and notorious criminal, or you're body is radioactive, etc., they really have no excuse for this. It's bad ethics and so un-Christian. I mean really, do you think Jesus would close the blinds and lock the doors against us? Or put his best foot forward and start a conversation. He'd probably have some trouble finding the kingdom of heaven within them. He might even falll in with us for the day. By the way, thanks for being here, Brenda. Your insight will always be appreciated. Don't be afraid to think out loud, so we can all pick on you and such (just kidding) .
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| I'm Not Suprised | Sep 11th. at 10:51:28 pm EDT
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Brenda (Reinholds, Pennsylvania) - Email Me
I am new to the site, and kind of new to the kraft. I have always felt that I was a witch. I have a desire to help others and my ancestors were healers.
During a reading, I was told that I had a witch in my family. I asked my grandmother and she confirms that my great aunt practiced magik.
I now live in the area where this event is taking place. I hope that I can go tomorrow because I only found out about it and I do have errands I have to do before I can go.
The people around here are very strict on religious (Christian) beliefs and if you are not in agreement with them, they shun you.
It's sad that in a country where religious freedom was what our fore-fathers died for, we still are looked down on for our beliefs.
It's the people who are showing their ignorance that I feel sorry for in this situation. These people are missing out on life and some really wonderful souls.
I think that they are afraid that if they listen to what others believe or how others worship, they might find that their beliefs may not make sense anymore. Thus, they feel they have to shun us.
This is just my two cents. I just smile at them and say hello. I refuse to let their bias keep me from sharing good cheer with every soul that I can in a days time.
It's nice to chat with all of you. Thanks for having me.
Brenda :)
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| It Is Strange And Unfortunate | Sep 11th. at 10:39:20 pm EDT
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R. Cicero (Seattle, Washington) - Email Me
Very unbusinesslike! Like others, I just can't understand the reasoning. It is in every business person's best interests to be gentle and understanding with all potential clients, until they prove unwieldy or impossible to serve. Sounds like bad karma, if you believe in such. I certainly believe in the consequences of the real world, and there is a perfectly mundane way to deal with it: vote with your pocketbook! Attendees can make a note of who closed their doors to them (most businesses post their shop hours, so it should be easy to tell who was naturally vs. purposely closed out of mistrust of fear) , inform the locals that don't already know, and then everybody (including future tourists/visitors) reverse the discrimination in a way they will certainly feel for an indefinite period: a reduction in revenue. It's almost child's play, but I say, don't reward the fearful cruel with your good money, and punish the wicked in this world when and if you can. That's a clean transaction, in my book.
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