Think of it this way, your child, whilst in public school, has to observe 3-5 minutes of school endorsed "prayer." So one day, being the smart pagan that he/she is decides to take their personal Book of Shadows to school. Instead of the "Christian Prayer" that every else seems to be saying silently to themselves, the smart pagan child begins to read "A Prayer to Isis".
How well do you think that scenario would go over? Don't think that would cause a major stink? It's a prayer, can't offend anyone so should be legal. How long before the fundies have their panties in a twist? So why should we as non-traditional believers be subjected to their prayers? Oh,,, and the child of the Islamic faith, the one 2 chairs down from our smart pagan child, he learned a few years back that his prayer isn't welcomed either. Only the "Christian" one is.
Get my point,,, we are a melting pot of cultures, of religions. Why should one religion (Christianity) have a stranglehold over all others in the public sectors of our government.
This is not just an atheist issue folks, as you can see all of us, believers as well as those of us that are non-traditional, have a very large stake in the matter. Do you really want to be pigeon-holed? Do you really want to be forced to endorse a doctrine that you do not support?
Extremist? Fringe? Well guess what,,,
Heard of the Seekers Temple? If not, I expect you will before long.
It's a pagan temple and store that says it has run into a slew of headaches in attempting to pursue its business and religion in Beebe, Ark.
Bertram and Felicia Dahl, the high priest and priestess of Seekers Temple, have this extensive account, "Problems in Beebe." They say Beebe officials had welcomed their move from El Paso until they found out they were pagans. The accusations range from prior-restraint code enforcement to discriminatory park rental policies to arrests for complaining about harassment from another church by means of a rotating lighthouse beacon flashing on their home.
According to Dahl's narrative,
Mayor Robertson said that we were not zoned for a church or business, so we pointed out two churches across the street. He said that our side of the street is not zoned for it, so we pointed out commercial property for sale next to us and a business out of a barn next to that and a business out of a house next to that (run by our alderman). He said that the business zone ends at our property and was not allowed from there on down, so we pointed out a business next to us on the other side, run out of a home. He said that in Beebe, they zone individual property and ours was not zoned for it, so we ask what we had to do to get it re-zoned. He said we do not have enough parking, so we pointed out that we have more parking than some of the restaurants in town and much more than the other businesses run out of homes. He said there was no way we were having our church there, so we ask about just opening the store and keeping our group as a small in-house meeting of friends. He admitted that he can not stop us from having friends over, but that he would be watching and he would break it up if we had too many people over (true to his word, police sit and watch our house often). He said we would have to speak with the city attorney about opening a store and what we could have in it and he would have that person call us (this never happened) and that was the end of our meeting. We have ask many times since then, but he has not granted us another meeting.Regretfully the harassment then began, starting with a local church, "After that, we started getting visits from the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church from across the street,,, The last time they came, the person who we would later find to be Bishop Jason E. Scheel began to warn us of the ’evil trickery of the Pagan Devil’ and how it would be best if we came to the church.
Then the local police, "The next week, to the day, 2014 May 28, two officers came and arrested me for Disorderly Conduct and Harassing Communications. This had been filled by Jason E. Scheel (who had in fact harassed us) and John Scheel (whom we have never met nor talked to),,, We had to pay $320 to get me out of jail with a plea date of July 9.
This ongoing incident is a travesty and a clear cut violation of SOCAS. That aside for the moment the Dahl's need help as they face an uphill battle.
This much we know. Beebe Mayor Mike Robertson, whom the Dahls say has been resistant to their operation, has demonstrated before his thinking on church-state separation. In 2010, we wrote about some religious practices there and quoted the mayor:How you can help--
It is my opinion and the Beebe City Council's that government leaders must pray to God as the true leader of the nation and that a nation cannot exist if they are not one nation under God trusting in God as the leader. It is my opinion government has allowed non-believers far too many liberties taking God out of our daily lives. As mayor of this city I will continue to open our meeting with a prayer and a pledge to our country – one nation under God.
If you are local to the area, "We are asking that people show up at City Hall at 6:30pm on the fourth Monday of each month until we are heard,,,"
A petition (with further information and updates) has been started in support Dahl and the Seekers Temple
Letters of support can be sent via e-mail: Priest@SeekersTemple.com or snail mail to:
Bert and FeliciaOr you can contact the Mayor directly: Mayor Robertson via the City of Beebe contact form here:
High Priest and Priestess of
Seekers Temple
608 E. DeWitt Henry Dr.
Beebe, AR. 72012
Monetary donations are being accepted to offset legal costs associated with arrest and subsequent legal battle in regards to Lighthouse Pentecostal Church.
Via Paypal to: SeekersTemple@yahoo.comSpeaking of religion: Pagans stir a fuss in Beebe | Arkansas Blog | Arkansas news, politics, opinion, restaurants, music, movies and art
Or send your donation via mail to:
Seekers Temple
608 E. DeWitt Henry Drive
Beebe, AK 72012
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