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On this page: Book Review of Wild Girls: By Patricia Monaghan Conscientious Objector Status Two Teen Wiccans Explain Their Beliefs The BIG QUESTIONS Elsewhere: liberty_&_schools news with new columnist Liam Anderson liberty and the schools_archives |
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Wild Girls: By Patricia Monaghan
Llewellyn publications, 2001 Book review by Gina Guion. "Wild Girls" is a book aimed at girls in the age's 9-13 bracket who are interested in learning about the Goddess, and following a goddess oriented path. It is a collection of stories featuring different Goddesses from different lands in their maiden years; much like the readers of the book. Each story has something to offer the reader about being young and female, and working hard to be a follower of The Mother. Following each tale there are small discussions of the lesson of the story, and how it relates to modern day girls; followed by activities and crafts ideas. I'll be honest; I haven't read much in the way of books on Paganism aimed at young adults, so I haven't much to compare this book to. I guess to be really honest, I found some of the activities to be repetitive, and didn't see the point in some. Some I found to be downright hokey. But I'll try not being negative; I am not a teenager, maybe to a younger age group these are great ideas. I have, however read a great deal of Christian books aimed at teens; they teach Christian values and they're aimed at Christian girls and they do their job very effectively. So to look at this book in that way, I would say this book teaches Goddess honoring values and does it well. Some of the words the author used I cringe at: "Wild, reckless, and free, the maiden goddess is the Wild Girl who lives by her own laws..." (Back cover) maybe I am a prude, but those are strong words; granted not every girl who picks this book up is going to take that statement literally and live by it. The author might have chosen something a little more...subtle. I am however, pleased to see this isn't a book filled with buzz words like "Power, Love Spells, curses, charms, Love Potions etc..." There was one short section dedicated to charms and spells, and she did a sufficient job warning the reader about the "no-no" aspect of cursing, The Threefold Law, and the proper thought process involved in writing a spell. I am very happy to see she didn't encourage spells geared toward manipulation of others. The spells she suggested were, of course aimed toward what young adults would be concerned with; this book is certainly good for young adults, I would suggest having a young girl look at it and tell us what they think of it as well. I would hope to see something of the equivalent aimed toward teenaged boys about the young God. |
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The
BIG QUESTIONS
Being a teen in the XXI century is confusing enough. NOW imagine what it's like when you're a members of a minority religion, one which is misunderstood by so many. Most Pagans -- of any age -- have some issues about revealing their religion to their families, or to some members of their families. I asked a teen Pagan, who was raised in the Old Religion, "What it's been like for you being a 17 year old Pagan with supportive parents? What's exciting? What's worrysome? Sean wrote,
Chances are, One of the big Questions before
teen Pagans is how to come out of the broom closet at home. What
was it like for YOU to "come out" of the broomcloset, and who
have you shared it with? Send me a paragraph or two or three about YOUR
experience, and it will appear here. We will sign you off ONLY with your
first name.
Send YOUR BIG QUESTION to the Editor. |
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Conscientious Objector Status The machinery is in place to renew the draft, probably for women as well as for men. A new treaty with Canada makes refuge there impossible. If you aren't Amish or Quaker, it's important to establish your CO status BEFORE you are called. ideally, years before you are required to register for Selective Service (age 18). Unitarian Universalist Resources, including a registry of COs created by the UUA http://www.uua.org/news/2003/iraq/militaryservicefacts2.html http://www.uua.org/uuawo/issues/respond/military.html Information on Military Service and Conscientious Objection Fact Sheet on Conscientious Objection UUA Statements and Actions Regarding Conscientious Objection, the Draft, and personal safety in congregations Did you know that 23% of UUs have identified "Earth-centered spirituality" as their PRIMARY Theological orientation? |
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Two Teen Wiccans Explain
Their Beliefs
: Girls say they're not evil or out for blood; they celebrate positive energy (from Indystar.com) By Keisha Mitchell, 15, and Peter DePaolo, 14 Y-Press August 22, 2004 ...Allison wishes more people would check the dictionary before making assumptions about her faith. "The definition is accurate, and I'm surprised people don't look it up more often, so they don't associate it with other things such as Satanism," she said. Because of these misconceptions, and because her parents are Christians, Allison chooses to be in the "broom closet," she says, referring to the Wiccan expression for a secretive witch. Allison says she had a Wiccan friend chased out of a Christian church. "He got invited and somebody in the middle called him out, saying he was a witch and believed in reincarnation. He had to run for his life from that church as they tried to beat him," she said. ... ypress@in.net 24 Aug 2004 06:17:59 -0700 (PDT) Read the whole story at http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/172057-1078-047.html Excerpt used with permission. |
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Updated May 6, 2005