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Pagan Information |
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On the following pages you will find humor and local news from The Toledo Blade as it appears to inform you of developments and local misinformation regarding the Pagan society. First is a political cartoon that followed an article about a particular neighborhood disturbance between neighbors and one local priestess. The article and photo are also included. If you feel the need for a good laugh, please feel free to go to the next page featuring a humorous column from Tom Ensign, our local tongue-in-cheek commentator. He has some insight on the lighter side. More information about our narrow-minded society here in Toledo! |
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A local wiccan priestess is trying to practice her religion, a form of witchcraft. But the flames of her faith may be doused - literally. The Toledo fire department has responded several times to 2244 Ward St. since Memorial Day because of neighbors' complaints about Roberta Stebbins's backyard fires that are used for cooking and religious rituals. Melvin Przybylski, who has lived in a house down the street from Ms. Stebbins since 1961, said smoke from the fires enters his open windows and aggravates his asthma. In addition, he said, it's just "not right". "They've got something set up down there for witches, warlocks, and devils." said Mr. Przybylski, who has never called the authorities about the fires. "I wish they were out of the neighborhood. I really do." Ms. Stebbins, also known as "Lady Azurene" to her wiccan compatriots, has erected a stone altar in her backyard illuminated by 16 candles and a two-foot wide fire pit. When the pit was first built, the fire department was contacted for guidelines about bonfires. A garden hose is kept nearby for emergencies, she said. Prejudice against her religion, not safety hazards, is the real issue, she said. Fire is neccessary to perform wiccan rituals in which incense and pieces of paper with prayers written on them are burned. "It's really persecution, and they can't do it anymore." she said. "Witchcraft is legal." Whether Ms. Stebbins's backyard fires are legal is another matter. Toledo residents must have a permit to build a bonfire, unless it's used strictly for cooking. said Lt. Bill Johnson of the fire prevention bureau. If Ms. Stebbins is using the bonfire for purposes other than cooking, she could be cited. Her candles may pose another legal question, Lieutenant Johnson said. "A lot of these codes aren't black and white. There are a lot of gray areas, and we have to use common sense," he said. Ms. Stebbins has not received any citations for the fires, but Toledo police may cite her in the future if the fire department can indicate a specific code she is violating, according to a police report filed after fire and police units responded to complaints Monday night. The wiccan priestess was planning a future gathering at her altar to "cleanse the backyard of negative energy" and "cast a mirror" around the altar to reflect more bad vibes. "We're not casting anything against anybody," Ms. Stebbins said. "We don't fault them for this. It is fear and ignorance." |
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This letter is in response to the comments made by a neighbor of Roberta Stebbins regarding her religious practices. She holds fires in her backyard, a ritual of her religion. Her neighbor's comment was, "They've got something set up down there for witches, warlocks, and devils" and that it's just "not right." This comment gives a very negative connotation to her religion, and I don't believe anyone has the right to do that. His comment cries out ignorance, because if one were to research the religion of Wicca, one would find that it is not a form of devil worship. It is completely unfair to condemn this woman on the basis of her beliefs. I can understand that the fires can be a nuisance. However, please address the problem at hand and avoid the cheap shots. |
If the people on Ward Street want to complain about Roberta Stebbins's backyard fire and candles, they should complain about the barbecues and "mosquito torches" in other' backyards. It is not the fire to which they object, but the religion that Ms. Stebbins practices. Remember that one of the ideas this country was built on was freedom of religion without persecution. It could be your religion that is persecuted next. |
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