I endorsed the "Open Letter on Family Planning"

The Religious Institute is asking ordained clergy, professional religious educators, theologians, and staff of religious institutions. to endorse an open letter on Family Planning.  I agreed with everything they are stating so I've endorsed it too.  If you agree with their position on family planning and  are one of the above, I think your support will also be appreciated.
 
Religious Institute | Endorse the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Family Planning

Endorse the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Family Planning

We seek your endorsement of the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Family Planning.

Tweet about the Open Letter

You can read the full text of the letter by clicking here.
Read the current list of endorsers by clicking here.

To endorse the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Family Planning, please complete the form below.

Please note: We are seeking endorsements from ordained clergy, professional religious educators, theologians, and staff of religious institutions. If you do not fit one of these categories, but would like to express your support for sexual justice, please join the Faithful Voices Network.

Thank you! We are deeply appreciative of your support of sexual justice.

Druid ritual closes Paralympics in London 2012

Great video showing BDO style Druid ceremony.  I'll bet the closing with dozens of fire handlers was totally awesome to see in person, the video was excellent!  See it on YouTube.

Paralympics 2012 Druid Ritual - YouTube

Former army medic, Rory MacKenzie, speaks words from a Druid ritual composed by Philip Shallcrass (Greywolf) and Emma Restall Orr (Bobcat) for celebrating the seasonal festivals of Paganism in open, public, multi-faith rituals that were pioneered by the British Druid Order in the 1990s at the Avebury henge in the UK and elsewhere, from Stonehenge to Seattle. Broadcast live to 750 million people worldwide during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics. Blessings to all.

Remembering Robert Heinlein

Robert Heinlein was born July 7^th 1907 and passed on May 8^th, 1988.

He was one of the most important science fiction authors of his day.  He is known for his nearly 60 short stores, over 30 novels, and his Hugo Award winning novel, Stranger in a Strange Land,

I first began reading his books in the ‘50s. His book, Have Space Suit -  Will Travel was something of a take-off of my favorite TV show of the time, “Have Gun – Will Travel.” Heinlein’s book was among the first science fiction novels I read as a child.  It expanded my education, gave me an appreciation for science, and expanded my imagination. (Maybe I, too, could go to the moon.)  In the ’60s I read Methuselah's Children and Stranger in a Strange Land. Amazing books and among the very few I have on my “reread” list.  In the Early ‘70’s he wrote “Time Enough for Love” which is arguably my all-time favorite science fiction novel. I still quote sayings from the main character in that book, Lazarus Long.  Sayings such as, “Everything in excess… Moderation is for monks,” “One man's theology is another man's belly laugh,” and “You can have peace -- Or you can have freedom -- Don't ever count on having both at once,” still provide a philosophical view of the world that can be life changing.  Lazarus appears in several of Heinlein’s books and I have seen a small book of nothing but Lazarus Long sayings. An amazing character who has a wisdom provided by Heinlein.

In the ‘80’s I met Otter G’Zell (now known as Oberon Zell-Ravenhart) and learned about the Church of All Worlds (CAW) and their fascinating tradition.  The CAW founders took ideas from Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land (social libertarianism water-sharing rituals, and many other concepts) and developed a wonderful religious path.  Some of the most wonderful, caring, loving people I’ve ever known have been CAW waterkin.  I’m proud to have been able to share water with so many of them. In many ways they have provided a template about how loving a church can be. I think of them often and know they will "Never Thirst."



Today, on the 105th anniversary of his birth, I remember Robert Heinlein and give thanks to him as an Ancestor.

Remembering Gwydion Pendderwen

Gwydion Pendderwen (Thomas deLong) was born May 21^st 1946 and passed on November 9^th, 1982.

He was a musician, conservationist, and Pagan and is probably best known for his music, including the albums, Songs for the Old Religion and The Faerie Shaman.  He was also one of the founders of “Forever Forests”, an tree planning organization in Northern California. He was also one of the early leaders of the Feri Tradition and is known as the start of the “Watchmaker Line” in that tradition.

His music was among the first specifically Pagan themed music I ever purchased. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s there wasn’t much Pagan music available; Gwydion’s material was one of the few one of the few.  Songs such as “The Lord of the Dance “ and “We Won’t Wait Any Longer “ were important to the Neopaganism movement in general and helped define the period. He and the other folks Northern California Pagans set the tone and direction of Paganism in the 1980’s. Gwydion had given a concert at the Pagan Spirit Gathering, in 1980, before I began attending the Gathering.  With his release of Faerie Shaman in 1982, I was hoping he would return to PSG (in 1983) to promote it and give me the opportunity to listen to him in person.  I recall my sadness when I learned of his death due to a car accident in the fall of ‘82.  Because of his work with Forever Forests, I still think of him at Arbor Day and other times when tree planting take place.



Today, on the 66th anniversary of his birth, I remember Gwydion Pendderwen and give thanks to him as an Ancestor.

Cornwall schools to teach

As an American, I tend to feel that the separation of church and state is extremely important and I am always concerned when public educators teach religion.  That said, I am very pleased to see that Cornwall schools will include alternative religions, including Paganism, Wicca, and Druidism, in their program. The Cornwall Council's estimate of a 0.1% pagan population appears to be an attempt to be dismissive of Pagan acceptability when the others put the 2001 census indicating close to 8%.  Contrary to the Council, Druidism, Paganism, and Witchcraft/Wicca are not faddish and are growing throughout the world.

Religious Education now includes Paganism, Witchcraft in UK schools

Religious Education now includes Paganism, Witchcraft in UK schools
A U.K. school system has included the study of witchcraft and druidry on its official religious education syllabus for the first time, meaning pagan practices will be taught alongside contemporary religions, such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism.