The Christians and the Pagans.

Last week TLC did a show called My Unique Family, about a wiccan family on the east coast. Curiously all my pagan friends and all my not pagan friends have been silent about the whole thing. Frankly, I found it all a little weird. In the first place, all of the people I know who call themselves witches have been trained, they have read and studied and been mentored. Not that I think it is impossible for an 8 year old to identify as a witch. I just think it is inflammatory. I also found it very strange that the mother, The Rev. Dr. Kendra was modeling her "church" and indeed her clothing so closely on the christian model of worship, the clerical collar, the pulpit etc. I am a solitary and one of the reasons I found paganism in the first place was due to my difficulties with organized religions. Why set up a pagan worship group in that model? I for one was unsettled by her insistence on wearing the collar at all times. I imagine it was more than unsettling for some of my Christian friends. I guess my point is this, religious tolerance is vital to peace in this world I just feel like both TLC and the Rev. Dr. Kendra are exploiting my beliefs. I am sure that TLC will replay, and replay and replay this and other episodes. If you get a chance to see it, let me know what you think. After all, can their be any real tolerance without dialogue?

Along the lines of tolerance and understanding, her are the lyrics to one of my favourite Dar Williams songs. I think scenes like this go much father than explotive TV.

DAR WILLIAMS

The Christians and the Pagans

Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday, Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay."And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree, He watched his song hang candy canes all made with red dye number three. He told his niece, "Its Christmas Eve, I know our life is not your style,"She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and its been awhile,"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table, Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able, And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said, Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch, Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it try that youre a wtich? "His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen, And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "Its true, your cousins not a Christian,""But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share, And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere,"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table, Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able, And where does magic come from? I think magics in the learning, Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, dont bother."Ambers uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father. He thought about his brother, how they hadnt spoken in a year, He thought he'd call him up and say, "Its Christmas and your daughters here. "He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, so his own son tug his sleeve, saying, "Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "Well discuss it when they leave."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table, Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able, Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, andMaking sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.