PAN update on PF conference 2004 invitation to Xtian missionaries
(Nov. 2004)
Is modern Paganism really safe in the hands of Pagan leaders who invite anti-occultist Witch-hunters to their 'own' events?
The ESOTERICISM 2001 website reported that in a letter (entitled: Church's failure to fight occultism) to The Times on September 1, 2001, Reverend Richard Thomas, Director of Communications of the Diocese of Oxford, stated:
“The suicides of three young people in Germany following involvement with OCCULT and devil worship (report, August 28) highlights a worrying issue. Confused language does not help us tackle the problem.”
Rev Thomas continued:
“Our failure simply to warn young people of the dangers of occult practice in the same way that we warn them against drugs contributes to the problem. Combine these, and you have a heady mix that both the Church and the nation need to take seriously.”
http://uk.geocities.com/esoteric_alliance/esotericism_2001-overview.htm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59-105934,00.html
It appears that Thomas is herein spouting the same old intolerant fundie paranoia which, as we know, resulted in the first round of odious SRAM cases and his dire 'occult' warning to young people should sound alarm bells in the ears of every 'genuine' Pagan in the UK and beyond!
Thomas apparently herein negatively links occultism to "suicide" (in the best/worst fundie tradition) and also compares occult-based faiths to drug abuse which shows 'exactly' where he is coming from with his latest interest in occult/Pagan-based religious studies in the UK.
His above comments mark the very same disinformation expounded by all hard-line missionaries with a sectarian mandate to spread 'their' particular version of the truth, salt and light for the world.
Divide and conquer!
Now there's a novel idea!
We are also informed that Thomas stated in this letter:
“Whilst pagans are often involved in occult practice, they do not believe in a devil…”
Involved in "occult practices" clearly meaning then in his 'own' terms ungodly practices that may lead to self-destruction (suicide) etc - yes?
'Practices' that the Church has frowned on and vehemently opposed for centuries! Pagans do not believe in a devil figure yet the Christian Church (which Thomas is a fully-functioning part of) certainly 'does' and fundamentalists seeking to spread the gospel to minority faiths always edge into such circles at first with smiles, pseudo-respect and apparent understanding. What better way to infiltrate smaller competing religious systems, which the Church has always regarded as being at least misled and at worst evil and satanic in origin.
The Church has been seeking to drive a wedge between 'all' forms of occultism for ages. Divide and conquer is an old truism that should be born in mind herein. We saw how the fundies created the SRAM and how many thicko, lame-brained Pagans fell into the farcical but ultra costly Satanic-abuse trap and incredibly towed the fundamentalist line for them (King Kev & Queen Beth hope you are listening clearly!)
Do we really have to spell all this out or are there any Pagans out there with a brain left?
The PF junta 'should' be telling its trusting members about this unbelievable situation but instead they have opened the doors wide to yet more Church-orientated activism based on wholesale missionary agenda by inviting such influential spiritual storm troopers to their own 2004 conference.
Secularism?
And any 'Secularists' out there had better watch their backs too if the good reverend's bible-based comments are anything to go by (his own words not ours' from his Times letter.)
"Secularism does not remove the problem of evil, but creates a culture in which Christ’s victory over the powers of darkness is more difficult for us to handle."
"Powers of Darkness" Just WHO does Thomas apply this particular comment to? Yet again we gain an insight into the fundamentalist mindset herein.
How many times have occultists been labelled this way with evil/negative connections over the years by the 'real' powers of darkness (i.e. fundamentalism) and how many children have been placed on 'AT RISK' Social Service registers following such hyped-up religious speak from satanic-abuse obsessed Church activists?
Can these people at the PF be for real? The mind boggles!
Is contemporary Paganism 'safe' in the hands of such out-of-touch plastic Pagans who want to liaise with the smiling forces of fundamentalism in this ridiculous fashion?
Click here for main information page regarding PF invite to Church activist
Disclaimer:
PAN realises that the vast majority of Christians are not fundamentalist or evangelical in make up and we only criticise religious extremists who seek to disenfranchise other faiths whilst bolstering their own. PAN does not in any way condone violence against any persons or property and we must state that we have always worked towards a more tolerant and equal society.