The Second Pagan Internet Conference

Friday December 29, 2000

<RaeFaery> Onto the next speaker..

<RaeFaery> The co-owner and Reviews Editor of The Wiccan/Pagan Times

<RaeFaery> Boudica is a reader, writer, teacher and general all around eclectic solitary witch.

<RaeFaery> With her significant other, Imajicka, they have attempted to bring to the community over the last year those movers, shakers, writers, leaders, artists and musicians who have influenced our community, our movement and those who are now defining and redefining who we are and what we are becoming.

<RaeFaery> Please Welcome Boudica!!

<Abby_W> applause...................applause..............applause.......... :-)..

<Lisa_McSherry> *applause*

* Dazzle^ applauds

<Kes-trel> wooooohooo!

* Alithia claps

<Melibelle> Yay! *applauds*

<boudica_> thanks all

<boudica_> Merry Meet one and all:

<boudica_> I would like to thank all of you for coming here tonight, and I would also like to thank the PIC group for inviting me back to speak again.

<boudica_> This evening I want to talk a little about our involvement in the Mundane Community.

<boudica_> Our community has experienced many different kinds of problems over the last few years in dealing with the mundane community (or for those who have read Harry Potter, the muggles).

<boudica_> We live in the mundane world and we have to work in it. 

<boudica_> This evening I want you all to think about your personal involvement with the mundane community and decide how you want to work with it.

<boudica_> Though it would probably take me a full two hours or more to address a lot of the issues properly, I would like to address two issues specifically here tonight.

<boudica_> The first issue I would like to address is our voice within the muggle community.

<boudica_> We do have a voice in the outside world. 

<boudica_> All Americans do. It's called the vote.

<boudica_> Wait, the election is over, isn't it? We voted and we weren't heard.

<boudica_> Let me clarify something. Voting occurs every year. 

<boudica_> We vote yearly, on not just a president, but on legislators, on mayors and governors, on issues that effects our community.

<boudica_> Some of us have the right to vote on School Boards. 

<boudica_> And we have the right, every day, to express our opinions to these officials we elected by sending them email or regular mail about issues we feel strongly about.

<boudica_> I see a lot of mail going out to different legislators regarding religious freedoms from our community.

<boudica_> I see some mail going out about environmental issues.

<boudica_> The faces though are always familiar. 

<boudica_> The same people send messages over and over but not many new voices are heard.

<boudica_> I hear a lot of complaining from people about elected officials, and when asked directly, they did not vote.

<boudica_> We have a duty as citizens of the United States to vote. 

<boudica_> Gore was actually the winner if we count the popular vote. 

<boudica_> We lost in the Electoral College.

<boudica_> Other than a personal note that maybe the Electoral College should be examined more closely, we did manage to almost override Bush's election.

<boudica_> Though there are many who would have chosen other than the two major candidates to be the winner, we did manage to express an opinion.

<boudica_> The bottom line is if you do not vote, you will not be heard. 

<boudica_> Our goal is to have each voice out there speak, and maybe we will be heard as a unified group.

<boudica_> We will be counted only if we exercise our rights. 

<boudica_> And if you do not vote, you have only yourself to blame for the lack of involvement your community offers you.

<boudica_> The second issue here is a touchy subject, but that has never stopped me.

<boudica_> I would like to discuss a little about mundane laws and witches/pagans.

<boudica_> I am on many, many email lists. 

<boudica_> Every day I hear someone discussing on public pagan/witch lists indiscretions that are committed within their small local community.

<boudica_> Some of these discussions have turned into out right accusations, and then into what now has become known as Witch Wars.

<boudica_> I would like to address something right up front. 

<boudica_> Though a lot of these witch wars are egos battling against each other, some are discussions of mundane laws that are being broken.

<boudica_> Rape, abuse, theft, threats and innuendoes...examples that are illegal under mundane law.

<boudica_> Posting these accusations on email lists does not serve to make our community good.

<boudica_> If someone is breaking the law and you know it for a fact, or suspect it for good cause, do not take it to email lists, take it to the law enforcers in your area.

<boudica_> Allow mundane law to take action against offender of these laws. 

<boudica_> If they break a mundane law, then they are subject to mundane punishment.

<boudica_> It is our duty as citizens and spiritual people to end abuse, rape, theft and the people who perform these acts.

<boudica_> Do not hint about it, report it.

<boudica_> Do not threaten people with "telling on them". Do it. 

<boudica_> I use these acts of violence as examples, but I have seen many accusations on lists for various offenses.

<boudica_> Besides, for those who follow the Wiccan Rede, "Harm None" also means allowing others to become harmed by your own inaction.

<boudica_> Give that some thought.

<boudica_> Now, for the second part of this message. 

<boudica_> If you do not know these things are fact, then shut up. 

<boudica_> There is no nice way to say that, I am sorry.

<boudica_> Spreading liable and slander is also against the law. 

<boudica_> Also, for those who make these things up, you too can go to court and jail.

<boudica_> Do not spread hear say and gossip if you receive one of these kinds of letters.

<boudica_> You then become just as guilty as the party that initiates it.

<boudica_> Finally, remember, the majority of email lists are public domain. 

<boudica_> Yes, that means anyone, and I do mean anyone, can access these lists, read about what you have written there, and use it any way they want.

<boudica_> Yes, I know, there are laws that say people can not use someone's written email without their permission.

<boudica_> Truth of the matter is, someone accesses an e-group, takes the material there, publishes it in a newspaper or writes an expose on it for television and by the time you find out about it, the damage is done; to yourself, to your family, to your friends, to your community.

<boudica_> Give that some serious consideration before you send out that next email.

<boudica_> I hope I have given you some food for thought today. 

<boudica_> If you were looking for a lesson here on something dealing with witchcraft and paganism, I think I gave you a completely different approach than what you were expecting.

<boudica_> The time has come to leave behind the simplistic beginnings of Wicca 101 and move on to the day to day living of our chosen Spiritual Paths.

<boudica_> Thank you and Merry Meet Again.

<Dazzle^> thank YOU, boudica!!!!!!!!!!! (snaffu & all! *G*)

* Umbria claps.

* Melibelle applauds wildly!!!!!! That was great!

<Abby_W> applause......applause.......applause...... :-)

<Umbria> Thank you very much.

* Moonwhite applauds bodica with a hugh WELL DONE

* Alithia stands and claps for boudica_

<Melibelle> You brought up really great points.

<Umbria> To ask questions pls double click @Alithia.

<Moonwhite> gave everyone food for thought

<boudica_> thanks

<Umbria> Abby_W you have a question?

<Abby_W> You have said some things we as a community need to hear. What is a good 1st step for us to take?

<boudica_> wow

<boudica_> first step 

<boudica_> register to vote

<boudica_> think about that email before you send it, then think again, wait 24 hours, then re read it

<boudica_> get involved in your community

<boudica_> many things comprise first steps

<Abby_W> especially school boards

<boudica_> oh, yea

<boudica_> especially school boards

<boudica_> and local district councils

<Abby_W> I really liked what you said, even though it was sometimes hard to hear

<boudica_> read your local newspaper, find out what is going on beyond your four walls and your computer monitor

<boudica_> hard to hear?

<boudica_> i wonder sometimes

<boudica_> we all hear, just we hear what we want to hear

<Abby_W> sometimes it is hard to look at our own short comings LOL

<boudica_> aahh, that too

<Umbria> Our RaeFaery has a question:

<RaeFaery> you mentioned Harry Potter, how do yo feel about these books?

<boudica_> sure

<Alithia> lol

<boudica_> i love harry potter

<boudica_> nothing more to say

<RaeFaery> (sorry if im a lil off topic)

<boudica_> sok

<boudica_> im a bookaholic

<RaeFaery> me too :D im on the 4th right now

<RaeFaery> thank you

<Dazzle^> glad my hubby isn't here, boudica...i might have competition *G*

<boudica_> lol

<boudica_> sok

<boudica_> anyone else?

<Abby_W> Do you want to comment on how Happy Potter has been received by the piublic?

<boudica_> that too abby

<Umbria> (Ceryaelt) of Iowa...

<Ceryaelt> I'm wanting to help our state by forming a group that will speak to our state legislature and to look over potential new laws to ensure our freedom of religion. A PAC in essence. How does someone get one of these started and, in your opinion, will it succeed?

<boudica_> Ceryaelt, there are many sources to help you work this out

<boudica_> What state are you in 

<Ceryaelt> I'm in Iowa

<boudica_> OK

<boudica_> Check with Larry Cornett in Ohio

<boudica_> he has his own website, and he can stear you towards people in your state who are working in this direction

<boudica_> I believe there is a group working there already, you may want to join forces or expand their material

<boudica_> Iowa does have some grass roots organizations as I remember

<boudica_> Also check with WARD

<boudica_> they may have someone who you can work with there too

<Ceryaelt> I know that there has been talk of it but no one has started it yet. I was hoping to get it jump started.

<boudica_> or they may need someone

<Umbria> More questions Ceryaelt?

<Ceryaelt> That's it. Thanks.

<boudica_> Well, find out who is talking and tell them to start walking the walk, not just talking

<Umbria> A Q from WillowCoyote of Michigan

<WillowCoyote> Do you have any suggestions for how young Pagans/Wiccans should be involved in the Mundane world?

<boudica_> hello WillowCoyote

<boudica_> I believe the voting age is 18 in the US

<boudica_> are you registered to vote?

<WillowCoyote> i'm 16

<boudica_> aaahhh

<boudica_> ok

<boudica_> first start looking at your community, become familiar with your representatives

<boudica_> what issues are discussed in your community

<boudica_> you know, most people dont know who their govenor is, and so many more dont know their state representatives

<boudica_> lack of interest

<boudica_> become interested

<boudica_> this is what you are going to inherit for yourself and your kids

<boudica_> become aware

<boudica_> and make it a promise to yourself to register to vote when you are 18

<boudica_> and then use that right

<Umbria> More questions WillowCoyote?

<WillowCoyote> Thank you. That's it

<Umbria> Say hello again to ElQliphoth from Maryland ;)

<boudica_> hello ElQliphoth

<ElQliphoth> Hello :)

<ElQliphoth> I'm openly pagan in my personal life, but closeted at work

<ElQliphoth> I'm considering running for town council next year

<boudica_> bold move

<ElQliphoth> are there resources that can help me deal with the problems I'm goin to face?

<boudica_> oh yea

<boudica_> lets see

<boudica_> aclu

<ElQliphoth> yeah..i knew that...heh

<boudica_> larry cornett is the keeper of the lists of legal resources

<boudica_> maryland isnt as bad as some places

<ElQliphoth> k

<boudica_> but, the big question is

<ElQliphoth> yeah, but it's a small town..heh

<ElQliphoth> I'm worried

<boudica_> are you ready to come "out of the closet" in your place of business

<boudica_> aclu is your best friend dear

<ElQliphoth> but it's gotta happen...yeah, I have to...I've seen what they've done to other pagans..and it wasn't pretty...

<boudica_> and check with larry, he has some resources just about everywhere

<boudica_> are you running on a platform of being "pagan"

<ElQliphoth> but there are a number of us around here...we need a voice bad...no, definitely not

<boudica_> or are you running on a platform of "working for your community"

<ElQliphoth> but it will come out

<ElQliphoth> yes...working for community

<boudica_> yes it will

<ElQliphoth> my main thing is education

<boudica_> and it should not be the forefront of the issues

<ElQliphoth> it will be, here

<boudica_> i know

<boudica_> get a good grip, dear, and get ready for the ride

<ElQliphoth> heh...thanks

<boudica_> and congratulations on your daring move

<boudica_> but we need more people like you

<boudica_> people with guts

<boudica_> i have some contacts in maryland, let me know if you need some support

<ElQliphoth> thanks a lot...I'll do that

<boudica_> 8-)

<ElQliphoth> and I WILL be talking to the aclu

<ElQliphoth> ;o)

<boudica_> oh yes

<boudica_> without a doubt

<Umbria> More questions ElQliphoth?

<ElQliphoth> no, that's it..thanks!

<Atropa> If it is illegal to ask a person'a religion on a job application, is it not also illegal to ask a politician's faith?

<boudica_> yes

<boudica_> and yes

<boudica_> but that has never stopped a reporter

<Atropa> I can remember the Kennedy's getting flack for being Catholic, but I haven't heard anything like that for years.

<Atropa> I can just imagine a Pagan politician getting outted....

<boudica_> we would like to believe that everyone abides by the laws as strictly as we would like the laws to be

<boudica_> but in reality, it doesnt happen

<boudica_> the bottom line is, if you go into politics, dont hide anything

<boudica_> be out in the open

<Atropa> Absolutely.

<Atropa> Thank you. I'll step aside.

<boudica_> then you dont get those kinds of problems

<boudica_> you are welcome

<Umbria> ª Moonsidhhe ª would like to say something.

<boudica_> sure

<boudica_> merry meet Moonsidhhe

<Moonsidhhe> Here in the Bible Belt, often a pagan is the only one family friends, and coworkers know

<Moonsidhhe> With that comes a big responsibility

<Moonsidhhe> to "act right" as my Momma would say

<boudica_> without a doubt

<boudica_> oh yes

<Moonsidhhe> Those that know the lone pagan will judge all pagans by the integrity of the one

<Moonsidhhe> of lack of

<boudica_> without a doubt

<boudica_> and what I hoped I would get across tonight

<Moonsidhhe> I'm just nodding in agreement with your lesson ;)

<Moonsidhhe> Since I put those bumper stickers on my van, I certainly drive more politely lol

<boudica_> thank you Moonsidhhe

* Dazzle^ *applauds* boudica once again

<Umbria> Thank you boudica_ ;)

<Abby_W> applause................applause................applause......... :-)

<boudica_> and you are all welcome

<boudica_> thanks abby

<Lisa_McSherry> *applause* Thank you Boudica

<Kes-trel> Well said, boudic

* Melibelle applauds again

<Alithia> Thanks boudica

<boudica_> hehe, thanks all