Summer Solstice Pagan Festival has Pahokee residents outraged

[ZombieHorde]

By Amanda Ramos-Guy

PAHOKEE—Pahokee residents, church members, and pastors are outraged over an upcoming event at the Lake Okeechobee Resort and Marina. The marina will be hosting its first Lake Okeechobee Summer Solstice Festival – a program that organizers hope will become an annual event.

~snip~

Pastors from various churches in Pahokee attended Tuesday night’s city commission meeting to express disappointment in city leaders for allowing the event to come to Pahokee. The crowd cheered in agreement as, one-by-one, pastors from around the area admonished city officials for allowing festivals containing witchcraft and occult practices into the city.

“I just found out about this today. I am disappointed in the city of Pahokee for allowing this group to come,” said Pastor Brad Smith, Florida Director of Kids for Christ. Smith called the event “an abomination”.

“We don’t need this in our town. Not now. Not ever,” said Rev. Raul Rodriguez, of Church of God Door of Jesus Christ.

One of the speakers was concerned about belly dancing. Hasn't he seen Footloose?

http://florida.newszap.com/belleglade/122791-113/summer-solstice-pagan-festival-has-pahokee-residents-outraged?fb_comment_id=fbc_198309993652046_691033_198342696982109#f27235188525c68

[niyad]

1. let's see-the fundies are always whining about how THEY are being persecuted---wow, just. . .

wow.

[cprsource]

63. Pagans educate local town

Follow this link for an update on situation.




[link:https://www.facebook.com/notes/lady-liberty-league/lll-update-summer-solstice-festival-in-pahokee-fl/10152870383740790|

[hrmjustin]

64. Welcome to DU and welcome to the religion room.

[Yooperman]

2. So much for freedom too worship how we wish ....

The hypocritical Christians at it again. Free as long as you claim "Christ" as your savoir.

Makes me sick.

YM

[Shrike47]

3. Oh, it starts with belly dancing but before you know it, rock and roll!!!

[Kurovski]

43. I certainly hope Satan makes an appearance.

[lindysalsagal]

51. Yes. Please snap a pic for us, will you?

Much obliged.

[Kurovski]

60. That's easy.

He's my roommate!

[riqster]

76. I'm a fan of Phil, myself.

"The prince of insufficient light".

[Kurovski]

81. I thought you were going to say...

"Phil Mac Crackin"

[riqster]

82. Or the band named

"Phil 'n' The Blanks

[ejpoeta]

4. they get to have christmas celebrations for like a month.... i don't think they should get to bitch

[Shadowflash]

12. Just a month?

I wish I lived there. Here in Michigan Christmas starts before Thanksgiving.

[shawn703]

34. All year round

If you happen to live in Frankenmuth.

[Shadowflash]

44. Heh.

Yeah.

Went there once and that was enough.

[ejpoeta]

45. well i am counting after thanksgiving, but you are right. most places seem to be

christmas for at least a month. decorations everywhere, 24 hour christmas music stations, christmas music in the stores... that seems to start earlier and earlier.... a whole onslaught of christmas

[Squinch]

53. And Christmas is just a little christianity slapped on a very fabulous pagan festival.

[In_The_Wind]

5. They should celebrate the solstice also.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

6. Yep. Gimme that OLD time religion.

[In_The_Wind]

7. Yep!

[DirkGently]

8. The god racket doesn't like competition. (nt)

[rug]

11. What's your position if this is held on public property?

[LostOne4Ever]

16. I know you were not asking me

But imho if its open to all religions equally, then I have no issue with it. If it is only open to certain religions or one get favoritism then its not okay.

[DirkGently]

18. If it's a true public space, religious speech / activity is fine.

Dedicating public space or taxpayer dollars to one religion or another is another kettle of fish.

But the "quad" at a public park or university? Sure. That's what public space is for.

[kath]

20. This resort is a PRIVATE facility.

They can rent their facilities to anyone they damned well please.

[PNW_Dem]

30. Pegans pay taxes too.

[rug]

9. Why are they complaining about the city? It's on private property.

[felix_numinous]

10. Religious Tolerance. org

U.S. Law:

One law which attempts to define a religion is:

The Civil rights Act of 1964 states "To be a bona fide religious belief entitled to protection under either the First Amendment or Title VII, a belief must be sincerely held, and within the believer's own scheme of things religious." (USCA Const. Amend 1: Civil Rights Act 1964 701 et seq., 717 as amended 42 USCA 2000-16)

http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_rel.htm

I wish the US wasn't so bigoted.

[pangaia]

13. Too bad these stupid monkeys have no idea

what real 'belly dancing' is.

[Downtown Hound]

14. And these are the people that thought they could "liberate" Iraq

It would be funny if it wasn't so damn sad.

[Dragonfli]

15. Why oh why do other people enjoying their own festival cause them outrage?

Is it because they don't feel invited or does the thought of someone somewhere having fun really harm their delicate little souls and cause them pain?

Very nice comment left by an organizer of the festival

Bruce Mullins
Blessed be,
Bruce and Sharon Mullins of Midnight Fire Festivals LLC Head Coordinators and founders of the Lake Okeechobee Summer Solstice Festival, well it seems our festival has caused quite a stir in your community, with thoughts and accusations of dark and sinister workings.
We are posting to let you know that by all means we are neither dark nor sinister, we are followers of the path of the God and Goddess the Universal Spirit which is in all of us. we hold sacred our Mother earth and all of her inhabitants.
We embrace our fellow Christians in unity and love. As we embrace the people of Pahokee...This festival offer's opportunity for your community through commerce in an area that is in need.
Our festival is an eclectic group of spiritual believes but we assure you none are of a dark nature.
We heal the land, we hold sacred the land...our festival is about the summer solstice, a time of joy and life!
We would be happy to talk with you in an environment free of hostility, with an atmosphere of understanding and tolerance...
Feel free to contact us if you like...
Bright Abundant Blessings to all! Bruce Mullins / Midnight Fire Festivals LLC.

[BlueJazz]

21. I can see why the town is in an uproar. This Bruce Mullins guy sounds quite dangerous.

[Dragonfli]

23. He will start cussin', "Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again" these types are vile

Or "Merry meet and cherry tarts and Mary Tyler Moore", I forget the phrasing sometimes.

[LostOne4Ever]

17. Hypocrisy much?

Freedom for you and me, but not for thee....again.

[love_katz]

19. What a bunch of bigots and hypocrits.

I wish we could ship them all to another universe.

[The Wizard]

22. I know it's only rock & roll

[Spitfire of ATJ]

24. I hear this promotes witchcraft too...

[DakotaLady]

32. Love love love this!

Loved how you used this iconic image! Bewitched was a favorite.

... I wish I lived nearby I'd be at this event with bells on.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

35. Believe it or not, back then there actually were fundies claiming Bewitched promoted witchcraft...

The difference between then and now is that people openly LAUGHED at them for being so STUPID.

Now we have talking heads on TV that would say, "Well, they've got a point."

[kristopher]

25. The American Taliban is alive and well. nt

[immoderate]

26. I'll paraphrase -- they live in the dire fear, that someone, somewhere, is having fun.

And that cannot be tolerated!

--imm

[madrchsod]

27. most of the christian festivals are "pagan" based

it`s really sad that people have no understanding of history of ancient religions.


oh well, let them find solace in their ignorance of the world around them.

[hrmjustin]

28. Do they not believe in freedom of religion?

[okasha]

50. Only for their own, apparently.

But just for the record, those belly dancers' outfits are a lot more modest than some of the scraps of cloth I've seen on fundamentalist Christian girls.

[hrmjustin]

54. Hey I got a star by the way.

[LostOne4Ever]

55. Congrats! (nt)

[hrmjustin]

56. Thanks!

[okasha]

57. Nice!

[Mariana]

72. Obviously they do not.

In some places in this country, the local populations simply will not tolerate the presence of non-Christians in their midst. That's just a fact.

They say they are praying that this event will not take place. Let us hope that they restrict themselves to prayer in their efforts to prevent it from happening, and do not attempt to employ other methods such as disruption and threats.

[AsahinaKimi]

29. I remember going to the Summer Solstice Festivals in

Santa Barbara. It was pretty awesome. I am sure they have them in San Francisco as well. Its so lovely to live in a city where religious bigots are virtually hard to find.

[niyad]

31. thank you for sharing those great pics. could you post as a separate thread so we can rec it?

[AsahinaKimi]

48. I could but its not really newsworthy

Any one who has visited Santa Barbara will probably know about the Summer Solstice festival. Its one of the major events of the city. The event is normally around June 23rd or so. Its an annual thing, and a big attraction for people around the state. There is probably a ton of info you can find, using google.com.

The main website is here: http://www.solsticeparade.com/

[niyad]

66. a belated thank you for the link. I am now on their mailing list.

[lindysalsagal]

52. Truly evil parade images: Xtians prefer the dead guy dying on the cross, bleeding, suffering.

So, I can understand all the fear about these happy paraders. Not enough suffering. Not enough blood. Not enough dead.

[AsahinaKimi]

59. you forgot to mention

*gasp* they are almost naked!

[amuse bouche]

33. Oh how I will enjoy

watching religies get their panties in a twist over this

[demwing]

36. “We don’t need this in our town..."

"...Not now. Not ever,” said Rev. Raul Rodriguez, of Church of God Door (Don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out) of Jesus Christ.

[lunasun]

37. God Door of Jesus Christ.?

whats a God door?
sounds like they want the door to stay shut.......
We are opening ourselves up to things we should not, like belly dancing and magic spells,” said Daniel Mondragon. “We do not welcome these things

belly dancing and magic spells,oh my!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

46. Jesus wore a union suit under his robes.

You're welcome.

[lunasun]

49. HA ! I always wanted one of those doors for winter wear when I was a kid

[rocktivity]

38. May I remind the pastors that in America, ALL religions are created equal

and that their followers were lion meat about two thousand years ago?


rocktivity

[nakocal]

39. Probably not a real Christian among the "pastors"

The group of pastors that voiced opposition to this festival probably also support republican policies that kill the sick, throw the poor out in the street, and starve children.

[Mariana]

73. Most likely they are all very sincere Christians

who truly believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God, born of a virgin, performed miracles, died for the sins of humanity, was resurrected, etc, etc.

[nakocal]

74. Words without actions mean NOTHING

By that logic, my believing that Danny Devito is the greatest NBA player ever makes it so.

[Mariana]

79. They probably believe their actions in opposing this festival

are pleasing to God. They happen to interpret God's wishes differently than you do. If you're right, and their interpretation is incorrect, that may make them bad Christians, but it doesn't mean they aren't real Christians.

[caseymoz]

40. Maybe having it private property isn't good enough.

“We cannot expect our city to survive and prosper if we allow these things,” said Pastor Eugene Babb, of Harlem Church of God.

No, I don't think the pagans will keep your town from surviving and prospering. I think it more has to do with the town's third grade average education, needed to provide fertile soil for so many Christian cults. Here are the ones mentioned in the article:

Church of God Door of Jesus Christ
New Destiny Community Church
Harlem Church of God
Saints on the Move
Hispanic Nazarene Church

Maybe the Solstice pagans should march down Main Street, too. Or maybe they should go door to door to gain converts. Set up a permanent temple.

His daughter, Ruby Rodriguez said that this came as a shock to her. “We do live in a free country but of all of the cities in Florida, why would they choose Pahokee?” she asked.

Obviously, because you're living in a backwater with cheap hotel rates-- despite all the good weather and sunshine-- due to all the bigotry and weirdo Christian cults you cultivate there.

These townspeople better hope that bigger Christian churches are always as tolerant as they are now. History has left that question open.

[davidthegnome]

41. Uhh... witchcraft?

Seriously? Like, uhm, magic spells... I don't know what they're expecting... fire balls? Ugly old women flying around on broom sticks? Hmm. Magic... hmm. Maybe they're more afraid of people doing things like... oh, I don't know... magical things, like turning water into wine, turning rivers red with blood, resurrecting the dead, healing the blind... and so on....

Honestly, I think it's hilarious that they're afraid of pagans. OMG, help, help, they're waving incense at me!

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

61. Someone ought to take one of these to the party, a real flying witch!

[niyad]

65. I WANT ONE!!!!!

seriously, thank you soooooo much for posting this!!

[Tabasco_Dave]

42. If the Christians have a problem with this

they can have a PEACEFUL & LAWFUL protest, otherwise they can STFU.

[Heywood J]

47. God Door? Is that like Heaven's Gate? (NT)

[longship]

58. DUzy worthy! nt

[ZombieHorde]

71. One of my old professors was a member of Heaven's Gate.

He is a sociology professor who specializes in cults, and he joined in order to check them out. Really fun class.

[moobu2]

62. Ironic since those Christians have no idea they worship the sun themselves.

The Romans held a festival on December 25 called Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, "the birthday of the unconquered sun." The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped together, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god; Sol, the patron god of Emperor Aurelian (AD 270-274); and Mithras, a soldiers' god of Persian origin.[2] Emperor Elagabalus (218-222) introduced the festival, and it reached the height of its popularity under Aurelian, who promoted it as an empire-wide holiday.[3]

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus

John 1:3-5
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 3:18-20
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

John 9:5
5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

etc etc etc...

[niyad]

67. they are bitching about people celebrating summer--or are they so stupid they don't realize

that the summer solstice is the first day of summer?

[Marrah_G]

68. Here's a true story for you

Isle of Wight, VA at the Gathering of the Tribes pagan festival many moons ago: A local irate preacher decided to come and confront the evil witches. He was ARMED. My partner at the time was a LEO and disarmed the man. The police were called.

When the police arrived the man told the police he was armed because he needed to be able to defend himself from all the satan worshipers. He was arrested. The chief put a couple cops at the gate for us and the next day he came back to attend the festival with his wife and kids.

THEN later that night he came back to watch the fire dances....minus wife and kids

[ZombieHorde]

69. Damn. I am glad he didn't shoot anyone.

Sounds like a fun night otherwise.

[Marrah_G]

70. It was a great week :)

[yardwork]

75. I have a question about this word "abomination."

In the religious tradition in which I was raised - high church Episcopal - I don't recall anybody ever using this word "abomination" to describe anything. Now I see this word being used a lot by certain denominations. It's used when discussing gay people - we're "abominations." Now I see it applied to Pagans.

What does this word "abomination" mean in the tradition of certain denominations? Where did it come from? Why this particular word? I'm really curious about this.

[dimbear]

77. Another loan word from Latin. Nowadays just means hated,

despised, but originally just as it looks it meant 'of bad omen.'

abominor, L. hate, despise
abominandus L. thing to be hated

(Cassell's)

[yardwork]

80. So when a fundamentalist preacher says that gay people are abominations

he is simply saying that he hates gay people?

That's what we thought they were saying!

[okasha]

83. The term is usually "quoted" from Deuteronomy or Leviticus.

Except that the Hebrew word actually used means "ritually unclean."

[ellenfl]

78. i might have to attend. eom