The 10/19 episode (I have yet to get the episode name; I tuned in about mid-way through. But when CBS Posts a review of the episode on their site, I will post a copy of it here) dealt with a topic directly relating to Wicca in an extremely positive light. The sceanario was basically this: a woman, in probably her late twenties, was in a child custody battle with her husband. The basic reason for the dispute was that he didn't think she was a fit mother, because she was a Witch.

As I'm sure you can imagine, the stage was thoroughly set for a complete slaughter of the truth, but instead, for the first time I have seen on television, Wicca was actually defended. The prosecutors witnesses all attempted to prove that Wicca was an evil practice. The judge, however, would not have such things, even answering the prosecutors attack of a child not being fit to live in a "Satanic Household" with "no one said anything about Satanism". Problems also arose with legal rights based on religion, because "Wicca, is not a legally recognized religion in Connecticut" (I was not aware of this, but I do assume it to be true).

The public's reaction to the case was also illustrated at a PTA meeting (the judge was a member of the PTA). They had decided to disallow "violent" halloween costumes, such as "...monsters, devils, and witches". When Amy (the Judge) stood up asking "what else is there?", she was thrown out afterbeing told that the PTA was well aware that there was a "Witchcraft Trial" concerning "cult activity" in their town, and they wanted to prevent any such furter cases.

Another interesting aspect was when a spokesperson from the Witches anti-defamation league was brought in to speak for Ann Featherstone (the Witch). However, the representitive refused to testify for her, saying that she was not of the appropriate character, and that since Wicca was just coming out of the shadows, they could not afford the negative press. This got me thinking - this is something that many witches often do. The beauty of Wicca is that it is not judgmental, and we accept people of all walks of life. All Wiccans, especially the more conservitive ones, should take a moment every now and again to remember that diversity is one of the things we celebrate in Wicca.

The resolution of the plot, while sad, was very truthful. The woman was chased out of the state by religious hatred, explaining to the Judge that she was leaving, and giving up custody. She told of how she had been fired from her job, divorced, and had her property damaged because of her religious beliefs. Amy tried talking her into staying, but she left just the same. Due to this fact, custody was forced to be given the father, but not until the judge had managed to say "...this child lost it's mother because of hate and hysteria".

The truely sad thing about this episode, is that cases like this actually happen.

Well, that's about it. If and when I can get more information, you can be certain I will post it here. Until then, for more information, you can check out CBS's website for "Judging Amy" at http://www.cbs.com/network/tvshows/primetime/shows/judgingamy. If you would like to email comments or praise about the show (I recommend this, strongly. If they know that their efforts to speak the truth are appreciated, they will continue, and perhaps other television networks may catch on...) to CBS, you should direct it to audsvcs@cbs.com.

06-08-99
This is an article a friend of mine passed along to me (thanks Jon). I know that was likely from a paper somewhere around Canton, MI. Aside from that, I couldn't tell you much. If anyone has any other details, please let me know so I can update this. Thanks!

Army recruits witches to gaurd pagans' rights

The army has recognized white witchcraft as a religion and has appointed chaplains to oversee pagan ceremonies on at least five bases.

A Pentagon spokesman said yesterday that there were believed to be at least 100 witches attending covens at Fort Hood, Texas, the army's largest base with more than 42,000 troops. so respectful has the army become of the pagan rites that security was increased at Fort Hood's Boy Scout camp, where covens are held.

The move is to deter members of christian groups from intimidating the group. The pagans, called wiccans, are accorded the same privileges as practitioners of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They are encouraged to have their religious preference stamped on the metal dogtags each soldier wears.

Lt. Col Donald Troyer, the Seventh Day Adbentist army chaplain who has been given responsibility for Fort Hood's coven, admitted that he was not overjoyed with his job because fellow Christian pastors diapporved and had been "cool" towards him. He said: "It's such a volatile subject. It just sparks fury."

The Pentagon says it has received several requests for a posting to Fort Hood because it has such a large pagan congregation. A spokesman said yesterday: "We are obliged by the Constitution to respect and make provis9ions for the religious needs of members of the military and not to pass judgements on their beliefs.

The Covenant of the Goddess,, which claims to represent most American Wiccans from its base in Berkeley, California, says there are about 50,000 followers of the faith in America. They celebrate earth-spirits such as the "great goddess Freya" and on their altars give blessings to water, bread and salt, the three essentials of life, while the congregation holds hands in a circle around a large bonfire.

Their main festivals are at the vernal and autumnal equinox and at midsummer: However, sacrifices, either human or animal, are not tolerated. One Wiccan said: "It is not something we do."

Now that's progress :-)