Suspects charged after double prison beating - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

An update of sorts to this story posted back in April.

The man accused of beating another prisoner from Southern Regional Jail waives his preliminary hearing.

Mercer County deputies say 41-year-old Bradford Spencer, along with another inmate named Shannon Comer, beat 56-year-old James Irvin with their handcuffs while they were in a cell together. Spencer waived his preliminary hearing Thursday.

Spencer and Comer are each charged with unlawful wounding and conspiracy.

If you recall, Irvin faces multiple child sex charges after police say he claimed to be a warlock in order to assault young girls. Deputies say the two other inmates wanted to hurt Irvin because of his crimes, and he needed several staples after cuts on his head after the attack.

Suspects charged after double prison beating - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

Culture and Community: The Complexity of Pagans in Prison | The Wild Hunt

If one looks at this from the perspective of "equal access under the law," there is a glaring discrepancy within the prison system. The "we'd love to have a Pagan chaplain in our system but not in my prison" mentality experienced by the many commenters not only needs addressed, but stopped.
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The reality is that these numbers show a significant need for continued prison ministry, something that Pagan chaplains have continued to do as a part of their service to the community. Yet there is a significant lack of understanding about the needs of prisoners in general, and Pagan prisoners more specifically. It is very common for general society to lock the realities of prison life out of the mind of the average person. Yet the reality of the prison industrial complex should be a concern to everyone, not just Pagan chaplains.

In exploring the needs of Pagan prisoners and religious services within State and Federal facilities, there are many things to consider. The racial disparities, systemic inequities, structural challenges and overall demands of prison take a toll on individuals emotionally and spiritually. Going into the various levels of the prison facility that the average person cannot see gave me a perspective for the toll that spiritual life could take on the psyche, as well as the spiritual impact that it could have.

If equality in access to alternative spiritual guidance is important for the well-being of all prisoners, it also lends a question of how challenging it is to get Pagan clergy to assist with a myriad of clergy needs, not just the standard Wiccan-like framework of practice with which many Pagan clergy come into service. Are prisoners able to get clergy support when they practice African Traditional Religions or even paths like Hellenic practices? Do we have the capacity as a Pagan community to provide clergy support that encompasses some of the cultural differences within our community?

[,,,]
The ongoing discussion surrounding Pagans who are incarcerated and the community’s role in this supportive obligation is one that has gone on for some time. Inadequate clergy services can be just as harmful as not having any at all, and yet the community appears to be limited in resources to address this need. Prisoners are potentially vulnerable to misinformation at a time when they may looking for some way to connect to meaning inside of the prison walls, and without ways to access community, additional resources or even verify information they are being told. The lack of specific requirements of training to make someone qualified to do prison ministerial duties can cause problems for the inmates and for the community at large. Furthermore not everyone has ability or skill to navigate the political and potentially manipulative dynamic of working with the behaviors of prisoners.


Culture and Community: The Complexity of Pagans in Prison | The Wild Hunt

Wiccan Minister Kathryn Jones to Run for Office in Pennsylvania | The Wild Hunt

A political candidate who also happens to be a Wiccan minister; just as there are 15 or so members of Congress who happen to be doctors, numerous lawyers, and 5 denominational ministers. Being Wiccan, a doctor or a lawyer should mean nothing, but for many that is not the case. Many seems to forget that we should be voting for the person and what they can do for all their constituents, not for or against ones religion. What Jones brings is diversity, something much needed in the political landscape of today.

As Jones explains concerning her beliefs, "I didn't want to lead with my Faith, but I have been in the news locally for reasons other than running for office, and the Wiccan label was already out there. I have to work within the existing parameters....and I will do my best to honor Pagans and the Green Party.
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On June 7, Rev. Kathryn Jones, a Wiccan minister from Uniontown, Penn. announced her candidacy for state representative in the 51st District. Rev. Jones is running on the Green Party ticket against Democratic incumbent Timothy S. Mahoney. Although this will be her first time running for public office, Jones has had years of experience working around and with the structure of local politics.

[,,,]
The 51st District of southwestern Pennsylvania is a region with a long coal mining history. It has been a Democratic stronghold for years. Rep. Mahoney has been the district’s state representative since 2006 and, before him, other Democrats have won the seat since 1969. Republicans do not even regularly offer opposition. Jones says that if she doesn’t run, Rep. Mahoney will run unopposed once again.

For years Jones herself was a Democrat but, over time, she became disillusioned with the local political scene. She says, “The [region's] Democratic Party has done a disservice to our community and to the national Party in general.” She adds that they are “way too corrupt” and only want “perpetuate the status quo.”

Wiccan Minister Kathryn Jones to Run for Office in Pennsylvania | The Wild Hunt

Speaking of religion: Pagans stir a fuss in Beebe | Arkansas Blog | Arkansas news, politics, opinion, restaurants, music, movies and art

[See my initial post for some background on this issue,,,]

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:

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.

How you can help--

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 Felicia
High Priest and Priestess of
Seekers Temple
608 E. DeWitt Henry Dr.
Beebe, AR. 72012

Or you can contact the Mayor directly: Mayor Robertson via the City of Beebe contact form here:

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.com

Or send your donation via mail to:

Seekers Temple
608 E. DeWitt Henry Drive
Beebe, AK 72012

Speaking of religion: Pagans stir a fuss in Beebe | Arkansas Blog | Arkansas news, politics, opinion, restaurants, music, movies and art

Bluefield man claiming to be magical warlock arrested for sex crimes against children » Breaking News » Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

This piece of shit is no Wiccan or Pagan that I know of, he is a sick twisted individual who abuses power and manipulates innocent children. In the seven years I have been blogging and sharing news stories, this is the first time I have seen an accusation as such. And before all you religionists get your panties in a bunch, I will not condemn the Pagan and Wiccan belief system based on ONE incident, compared to the DAILY postings I make concerning the Abrahamic religions.

I can guarantee there will be no tacit agreement with this sub-humans actions. I can guarantee that no one will suggest "praying" for this man's healing whilst ignoring the victims. I can guarantee that it will not be swept under the rug for 40+ years. So yes I will continue to condemn religionists whilst looking at this as an anomaly.

Do what thou will, BUT HARM NONE!!
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A Bluefield man claiming to be a “magical warlock” has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and sexual abuse of juveniles.

James “Jim” Irvin, 57, of Bluefield, was arraigned Monday before Mercer County Magistrate Susan Honaker on five counts of sexual assault and 10 counts of sexual abuse. The victims in the case were 9, 3 and 13 years of age at the time of the alleged abuse, according to Detective K.L. Adams of the Bluefield Police Department.

Adams said the investigation has revealed that Irwin was a practicing pagan and wican, and used his religion to allegedly get close to the children and ultimately sexually abuse them.



Bluefield man claiming to be magical warlock arrested for sex crimes against children » Breaking News » Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

‘F**king Witch!’ Florida Pagan Family The Target Of Hate Crimes | Addicting Info

From extremism we go to intolerance and ignorance,,,

In what can only be described as hate crime, a Pagan family in Florida has been harassed and even had their house fired on. The Withers live in New Port Richey, Florida in a house they call the Glitter Dome. They painted it in kaleidoscopic hues to make people who see it happy. But some of their neighbors didn’t get the memo.

It began as drive-by yelling and horn-blowing but soon escalated as a pellet gun was fired into the home’s windows. Then, 2 weeks ago – on the same day as the Boston Marathon bombings — two acid bombs were tossed into their yard. Kyrja (KEE-ruh) Withers says that the situation has become very tense,,,

‘F**king Witch!’ Florida Pagan Family The Target Of Hate Crimes | Addicting Info