(AFFILIATED TO SAFF)

(October, 1997 e.v.)

PAGAN FEDERATION members will be shocked to find out that they can be outcast from the PF without trial or reason being given. Fellow members, CATH AND PAT REGAN have just been expelled out of hand by PRESIDENT ELECT, PETE JENNINGS.

Well known in the North West, Pat and Cath have worked tirelessly for Pagan rights and freedom for many years. They founded PAN (Pagan Anti-Defamation Network) to supplement the PF's anti-defamation campaign, working publicly with: the NSPCC, Local Media, and Politicians to promote the best interests of Pagans. PAN has expressed concern over the PF's stance on Interfaith for ages. The PF refused to work with PAN and other anti-defamation organisations, even though this work is vital to Pagan defence. In response the PF employed COMPLAINTS OFFICER, FIONA RUFFLES, to establish why PAN had criticised the PF's stance on Interfaith. Pat and Cath replied (6th Aug 97) saying that their approach to Interfaith was backed up by five years of facts and expertise. They added that the PF should amend their policy or at least have a fair, public debate on it. Whilst awaiting a reply from Ruffles (which never in fact materialised), Pat and Cath heard that Pete Jennings had been made President Elect. They extended the hand of friendship and wrote to him offering to work together for the good of Pagans everywhere.

Dictator Jennings stated: "We find your views incompatible with the Pagan Federation at a very profound level, so we do not see your membership as being fruitful for your selves or the PF." Naturally the Regans asked the reason for this expulsion, threatened to expose the PF leadership's suppression and totalitarianism to the membership at conference and asked just why they weren't given a fair opportunity to reply. Jennings wrote back saying that he found the Regan's letters "MILDLY AMUSING." he went on to say that if anybody used conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace at conference then they would be removed and "handed over to the police." It appears that the PF is being controlled by dictators, who are not that dissimilar in their tactics from the WITCH-HUNTERS of old. The victimisation of the Regans is a slap in the face for Pagan free speech and constructive criticism. These PF BULLIES have shown that they are willing to crush ALL opposition to their policies. Will they kick out any member who dares to criticise them? They appear to refuse to give straight answers to queries from members who dare to question their tactics. Will they expel you for failing to agree with their un-mandated actions against PF member’s best interests? Who elected these people and why? In a nutshell:

NO MEMBER IS SAFE FROM THE TOTALITARIANISM NOW DISPLAYED BY THE PF LEADERSHIP.

We are not alone in our criticisms of the PF Junta. When talking of the PF leadership Manchester Pagan Wheel (issue-XX1 Autumn 97ev.) recently stated: "There needs to be a sea change in the attitude of a committee that merely enforces its own prejudices." We've also heard on the grapevine of new PF area organisers being landed with several years of correspondence to deal with, including letters from Pagans asking for urgent help! We invite all Editors of Pagan publications to publish this article in full for other PF members to see; for this is the way to breach the censorship now occurring in the PF. FREE DEBATE is essential, for without this liberty we will all eventually come unstuck. If any PF members have suffered similar maladministration from these people, we would be most interested to hear of it.

PAN will continue to warn the Pagan community about the madness of Pagan/Christian interfaith. Interfaithing has and will always be used by Christian missionaries as a means to convert other faiths to their doctrine. PAN spelled this out loud and clear in the "THE TRUTH BEHIND INTERFAITH" sheet. Obviously the PF leaders are too afraid to publicly open-up the debate to members, hence the awful victimisation of the Regans! Why are they terrified of a debate on Interfaith? Why? BECAUSE WE ARE EXPOSING THEIR INADEQUACY IN REPRESENTING MEMBERS BEST INTERESTS. In true fundie style, DICTATORS get rid of the opposition by fair means or foul. In this case the latter seemed the PF leaderships safest option. Apparently now one cannot be a member of any other organisation and also belong to the PF at the same time!

The GANG OF FIVE acts as though they do not know that the PF is owned by its members and that all therein are supposed to be equal. They are there to SERVE members, not suppress valid views of members. They don't realise that the PF was founded as a DEMOCRATIC BODY and that they cannot simply boot members out without prior consultation and good reason. Some FEDERATION eh?