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CultWatch Response
Volume I, Issue 5
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From the Editor
by Gerald Bliss
Witches are citizens. We are involved in making our neighborhoods safe,
providing useful services, working with charities, just like any other
American citizen. Even so, we keep getting asked by some people, "What are
you doing in the community? You aren't building churches, or hospitals, or
day care centers, so what are you doing?"
I know of a number of things that we are doing. However, since we
are Witches, and since many people have a strange idea of what that means,
we tend to do these things as individuals or network through groups with a
single contact individual.
There are many groups who accept our support as Witches, and many
others who accept our support as individuals regardless of our beliefs.
Until recently, there were no reports of groups rejecting our help (in time
or money) because we are Witches. This has changed, as one animal rights
group started returning money raised by Witches and forbidding them from
raising any further funds for them. (Which is why we published "A Your
Type" last issue...) There was also one report of a group in the Pacific
Northwest that turned down a donation of food from a Wiccan group (another
group gladly accepted the gift, and stated that all future donations would
be welcome.)
Major areas of involvement deal with issues such as Freedom of
Religion, Women's Rights (since the majority of Witches revere the Feminine
side of Deity as well as the Masculine, this is a natural for many
Wiccans), Nature Conservancy groups, Animal Welfare, and Food, Clothing,
and Housing activites for others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
In many communities, you will find Wiccans involved in blood drives
or petitioning City Council to build needed community facilities. An
informal polling of Witches and Pagans around the country found an
unusually high number of us serving as EMTs, Paramedics, and in the Nursing
field or involved in other community service agencies.
I personally support the American Friends Service Committee,
subscribe to The Freedom Writer, and receive the Religious Freedom Alert,
(Religious Freedom issues), have been a member of the Sierra Club, the
Naturist Society, and Greenpeace, and I often take a trash bag with me on
my frequent hikes in the mountains. I am a member of an activist labor
union, and make frequent appearances on local and regional stages as a
folksinger and filker (filk is Science Fiction / Fantasy folk music).
We care about our families, children, pets -- and yours -- and the
Earth itself at least as much as you do. Please welcome us and make room
for us in your activities. All we ask is acceptance and a willingness
toward understanding, and together we can all make this world a better
place in which to live.
------------------------------------
In This Issue
-- Craig Pierce begins a series on his recent visit to an Exodus seminar as
an official CWR correspondent;
-- Kerr Cuhulain offers another insight into the life of a Pagan police
officer;
-- Rowan Moonstone reviews research articles on Afro-Carribbean religions,
and an article on phony claims of Satanism in Missouri;
-- and more!! (as usual)
CWR WATCHES WATCHERS
by Craig Pierce
(On April 14-15, CultWatch Response sponsored correspondent Craig Pierce's
attendance at an Occult Crime Training Seminar sponsored by Exodus,S.A. in
San Antonio, Texas. The following is the first in a series of eyewitness
reports on that gathering.)
It was a week of shock, rock, fear, Satanism, exotic foreign magic,
wild allegations, and emphatic denials in San Antonio, TX, April 14 and 15,
1989. The occasion was Exodus San Antonio's Occult Awareness program, held
only three days after news of the Matamoros cult killings. The recent
revelation of the bordertown bloodbaths only served to intensify the
normally tense, forboding atmosphere Exodus appears to generate at its
seminars.
Law enforcement officers, parents, and teachers paid $35 to hear a
presentation on "occult crime" that would get Geraldo Rivera censored. The
shock-talk style of the first mornings' sessions were so grisly and graphic
that local law enforcement officials forbade news cameras from filming the
presentation.
Detectives, arson investigators, customs officials, and Army
criminal investigators heard claims of ritual Satanic murders, rampant
bloody sacrifice and convoluted conspiracies involving Smurfs, pornography
and heavy metal music, Cinderella, the Wizard of Oz and Golden Books were
lumped together with Slayer, Anton La Vey, and D&D as prime weapons in the
Anti-Christ's arsenal. Allegations of a single "secret coven" of some 2,000
teenage Luciferians in San Antonio were presented with a straight face by
seminar speakers.
Exodus founder Yvonne Peterson claimed one teen cult escapee (whom
she did not identify) witnessed 250 Satanic sacrifices in Central Texas
counties. Jerry Reider, a former Satanist acting as Exodus youth minister,
related his often-told story of how his own infant child was sacrificially
murdered by its Satanic mother. Speakers also alluded to the existence of a
vast computerized network of Satanists that would make the National
Criminal Information Computer system look like a transistor radio by
comparison.
Are these people serious? Unquestionably. Exodus S.A. is a
four-year-old Fundamentalist group of self-styled, self-appointed Christian
"experts" on Satanism and the occult. The organization consists of some 12
core members with about another dozen affiliates. About 150 people are on
Exodus' mailing list, according to Craig Peterson, Exodus administrator and
newsletter editor. The group has received much local and national
attention. It is involved in establishing similar groups in other cities
under different names.
That group members are sincere in presenting all these wild claims
is clear. Verification of their claims, however, beyond a few pictures of
graffiti and vandalism, is lacking. In fact, police officials and Exodus
often are at loggerheads with each other on the subject of arcane crime.
When asked about "hundreds of sacrificial victims" in Bexar County,
Larry Quintanilla, head of the Bexar County Sheriff's Occult Crime Unit,
said, "We don't have any ritual sacrifices or murders in Bexar County. As
far as victims go, they (survivors and Exodus `counselors') can't tell us
where they are or who killed them."
The embarrassing lack of bodies or any other hard evidence has been
a thorn in Exodus' side for quite some time. When questioned about this
point during open discussion, Yvonne Peterson pointed to the Matamoros
murders, which were linked to the practice of Palo Mayombe. "Now we have
them," she said. "They look just how we told you they would look.
Exodus, however, had invited Lt. Cynthia Burgin, Bexar County
Sheriff's animal cruelty investigator and expert on African-Carribbean
religions, as a speaker. In discussing the killings, she contradicted
Yvonne Peterson. "This is not Satanism," she said, "this is a completely
different thing."
Yet Exodus sincerely tries to live up to what it believes in. Like
the Crusaders of old, Exodus members perceive themselves as warriors of
Christ. In step with this Crusader analogy is the fact that many innocent
people are once again going down with the baby-eating bad guys -- the truth
often being mangled in the process, which in turn can infringe upon the
rights of or directly malign ethical non-Christians.
In Exodus' quite commendable zeal to zap the Prince of Darkness,
group members frequently misrepresent the symbols and beliefs of peaceful,
law-abiding pagans and New Agers as being Satanic. In its literature and
according to its lecturers, the '60s peace symbol, the Ankh (the ancient
Egyptian symbol of life), the upright Pentagram (the Wiccan symbol of
spiritual harmony), and the crescent moon (the symbol of the Goddess Diana)
alike are icons of Devil worship.
Exodus frequently intimates that all these symbols are one and the
same. Paganism, witch, Wicca, and New Age are used synonymously with
Satanism, warlock, black magic and similar terms. The confusion they create
in listeners' minds (many of whom look to Exodus as their sole source of
information) creates fear of non- Christians who would willingly join
forces with them in combatting violent cults.
Exodus' campaign of misinformation also discourages
well-intentioned pagans desirous of helping survivors of abusive cults.
They fear to step forward becaust they've been lumped in with the homicidal
weirdos. The prejudice engendered by this type of group also spills over
into the workplace. Wiccans and other pagans have been harrassed and even
fired because Christian employers are unjustifiably alarmed by such
misstatements.
In their literature, Exodus defines Satanism as "the religion which
worships or serves Satan (by whatever name) as their god." When asked if,
in her opinion, there was any non-Satanic religion or philosophy other than
Christianity, Yvonne Peterson responded, "Jesus said, `You are either for
me or against me.' And that's the bottom line."
Obviously, this indicts Buddhists, New Agers, and all
nature-religion practitioners as Satanists. When asked if Jews are
Satanists, Ms. Peterson indicated she did not believe they were Satanists,
but when asked if Jews would be allowed in Heaven, she said, "I'm glad I
don't have to judge that one."
Please keep in mind that Exodus folk sincerely believe in what they
say. It is a statement of their beliefs and as such, we must extend
religious tolerance of them. We should, however, investigate what they are
leading others to believe regarding "occult crime" and how this information
impacts on the community.
This interesting waltz of allegations-versus-evidence flowing
between Exodus and law enforcement officials as well as the pagan
perspective will be explored in upcoming articles.
(Next Issue: Craig Pierce continues his report on the Exodus Seminar.)
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Hats Change at CWR
Effective with this issue, Vicki Copeland assumes the post of
Executive Director of CultWatch Response, Inc.; Gerald retains his duties
as Editor and will still share in the correspondence duties. This change is
effected due to Vicki's relocation to Colorado, where she can be more
involved in the day-to-day activities of CWR than was possible previously.
In another addition to our staff, Craig Pierce (San Antonio) has
been named as an Official Correspondent. His role may be expanded in the
future if his schedule permits.
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Reviews
by Rowan Moonstone
In the light of the recent happenings in Matamoros, Mexico, the staff at
CWR thought our readers might benefit from reviews of the following
excellent articles on Santeria and Palo Mayombe.
"Brujeria: Manifestations of Palo Mayombe in South Florida" by Charles V.
Wetli, M.D. and Rafael Martinez, M.A. (The Journal of the Florida Medical
Association, Aug. 1983)
This paper by the Dade County Chief Medical Examiner and the
Administrative Officer of Dade-Miami Criminal Justice Council is an
excellent introduction to the beliefs and practices of Palo Mayombe. Wetli
and Martinez explain that, as opposed to Santeria (which originated with
the Yoruba culture of Africa), Palo Mayombe originated in the Congo or
Bantu region. Palo Mayombe, according to this article, is a syncretism of
the native African beliefs and the Catholicism of the Spanish colonial
cultures.
The paper points out that, while Santeria and Palo Mayombe are
different belief systems, cases have been encountered in which Santeros
also claim to be "Rayado en Palo" or initiated into Palo Mayombe. In cases
like this, the altars to the two belief systems are always found in
different areas of the dwelling.
Ritual life of Palo Mayombe, according to this report, centers on
the nganga (magick cauldron) of the practitioner. This iron receptacle
contains human bones (skull and long bones), sticks of wood, herbs,
railroad spikes, feathers, sacred stones, and other items of ritual
significance to the practitioner. This implement should be ritually
dismantled upon the death of the practitioner.
As with their previous article, the authors illustrate their points
with excerpts from actual police records. One of these illustrations points
out that some practitioners recognise a "white" sect of Palo Mayombe called
Mayombero Christiano.
In conclusion, the authors state: "While Palo Mayombe is separate
and distinct from Santeria in its origin and orientation, the cult has
nonetheless incorporated much of the symbolism of Santeria. This has led to
the use of the term `Santeria' in a generic sense to encompass the
syncretic religions of both Yoruba and Congo origins. Understandably, those
who practice Santeria in the Yoruba tradition (i.e., the white or neutral
orientations) resent the association of skulls, grave robbings, and other
activities attributable to Palo Mayombe. This is especially true since Palo
Mayombe did not originate from Santeria (as, for example, the Protestant
sects originated from the Catholic Church). Thus, while practitioners of
Santeria do not regard Palo Mayombe as a sect of Santeria per se, outside
observers will inevitably associate the two systems with each other because
of the syncretism and symbols now common to both." An extensive reference
list is included for the reader's benefit should more information be
desired.
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"Forensic Sciences Aspects of Santeria, a Religious Cult of African
Origin", by C.V.Wetli and R. Martinez,M.A. (Journal of Forensic Science,
July 1981)
This excellent paper discusses the origins and practices of the
religion known as Santeria. Wetli and Martinez begin the article with a
thumbnail sketch of "voodoo" and "obeah", words which are sometimes used
synonymously with Santeria. They point out the Afro/Caribbean roots of the
belief system and it's connection with Catholicism.
They touch briefly on Palo Mayombe, which is considered by many to
be the negative aspect of this belief system. Along the way in this
article, the two authors provide a chart on the characteristics of the most
important deities of Santeria, and illustrate their research with concrete
examples of seven different police cases.
In the conclusion to this paper, Wetli and Martinez write:
"Information concerning the beliefs and rituals of Santeria is difficult to
obtain because there is no [Santeria] bible and because many practitioners
fear public ridicule or police retribution."
A bit further on, they offer: "To our knowledge, the only laws
regulating Afro-Caribbean religious practices exist in the Cayman Islands.
However, the question of whether or not ritual sacrifice of animals legally
constitutes cruelty to animals is frequently raised. In the State of
Florida such ritual sacrifice is specifically exempted from the statutes so
long as the death of the animal is virtually instantaneous."
An extensive reference list is included at the conslusion of the
article for the purpose of further research.
Reprints of these articles can be obtained from:
C.V. Wetli, M.D.
Medical Examiner's Office
1050 N.W. 19th St.
Miami, Fla. 33136
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Plight of the Pagan Policeman
Part 4
by Kerr Cuhulain
The other day, my partner and I were summoned to an apartment
building regarding a sexual assault which had just occurred. The scenario
goes something like this:
A young "artsy" woman with interests in parapsychology, philosophy,
"white" (her words) magick, and other things that she really doesn't
understand, goes to a nightclub. She was new in town and kind of lonely.
She meets two young men, one of whom engages her in a long conversation on
parapsychology, philosophy, "white" magick, and other things that he
doesn't understand. When the club closes, these three go for something to
eat, and then go to the young mens' apartment, which is in the
aforementioned building.
Once there, the artsy female wants to continue the discussion. The
artsy male informs her that, as far as he is concerned, the previous
conversation was merely a preliminary to sex, which he wants right now. She
tries to leave, he tries to prevent her, and the fight is on. He rips some
clothes off her. She finally breaks away, naked from the waist up, bleeding
from the mouth, and sporting a black eye. She runs to a neighboring
apartment, whose occupants call the police.
Upon arrival, I went to the artsy male's apartment with my partner.
After I arrested this individual and explained to him his charter rights,
he tells me a tale of how a "Witch" had picked him up in the bar after
discussing "black" magick and Satansim and had later tried to assault him.
After a few minutes of this drivel, I told him to sit down, shut up, and
answer some simple questions. Once he became more candid about what the
conversation in the bar was about, it immediately became apparent that the
female involved was neither a Satanist nor a Witch. As for the female
having assaulted him? Well, he had no discernable injuries whatsoever.
I then went downstairs and spoke with the victim. She carried on to
me about how she knew that I wouldn't believe her story because the suspect
had probably convinced me that she was a Satanist and a lunatic. She said
that she didn't know why she had even bothered asking to have the police
attend, because a "chauvinist Christian" like me wouldn't understand her
philosophy anyway. After a few minutes of this drivel, I told her to sit
down, shut up, and answer some simple questions. In this fashion, I
confirmed both the content of the conversation in the bar and the
superficiality of her "Pagan" beliefs. I then told an open-mouthed young
lady that this Pagan officer was neither chauvinist nor Christian.
Both the accused and the victim made assumptions about me that
proved incorrect. The accused figured that I'd buy his Satanist story, and
didn't count on getting a Wiccan cop to tell it to. Wrong. The victim
figured that all police officers were chauvinist Christians. Wrong again!
I'm sure that the Goddess had a hand in putting me in the middle of this
situation, and a good thing that she did, too. Thus, what might have been
labeled another "occult related crime" turned out to be a pretty
straightforward sexual assault. I hope that the fundamentalist "occult
crime fighters" won't be too disappointed!
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TRACKING AN URBAN LEGEND
by Rowan Moonstone
During the course of my investigations of Satanism and `occult related
crime' I have kept extensive archives of clippings from all around the
country.
Among the several themes that keep cropping up is that of rumors of
a Satanic cult interested in obtaining blonde blue-eyed children for use in
human sacrifice rituals.
The first reference of this rumor in the archives comes from the
Vancouver Sun, June 15, 1982. The story details a call to a local hotline
tipping authorities off to a possible infant sacrifice in the area.
Investigators later found that the rumor was begun by a member of a local
church group that had misunderstood the prayers by members of his church
that human sacrifices would not occur to mean that such sacrifices were
imminent. (1)
The next reference was in the Daily Oklahoman Oct. 30, 1986 and
involved rumors of possible sacrifice of a 14-year-old virgin girl, or as
many as 35 children. Law enforcement officials had their hands full
assuring panicked citizens that there was no substance to the rumor. (2)
In March of 1987, the Rocky Mountain News reported the rumor
surfacing in New Mexico, where police arrested two teenage boys for fear
that they would offer themselves as sacrifices. (3)
In April of 1987, a misdirected teletype from a police department
in South Carolina set off the sacrifice rumors in Huntsville, Alabama. This
prompted a letter from Madison County Sheriff Joe Patterson saying "there
is no evidence of criminal activity by any Satanists (in the area)". (4)
In September, 1987, the rumor had travelled to Jacksonville, N.C.
where seven local teenagers claimed to be part of such a sacrifice cult.
Investigations failed to turn up any evidence. (5)
By far, the most dangerous occurance of this rumor broke out in
various parts of Kentucky last September. Parents in these areas became so
concerned that many of them pulled their children from schools in fear, and
a photographer on assignment from the Kentucky Arts Council was run out of
one of the schools by the principal because he feared she might be involved
with the alleged cult. (6)
Elijah Hollon, Laurel County Sheriff's Deputy was quoted as
saying,"This is the first time to my knowledge that a rumor of this nature
has gotten to this proportion. This one seems like its carrying on much
more than anything I've ever seen before." (7)
But by far the most frightening comment in this article is
attributed to Jackson Mayor Frank Noble who said, "You could have brought a
bunch of guns in here and made a fortune." (8) No doubt this comment was
NOT comforting to the poor photographer from the Arts Council!
The point to this history is simply that irresponsible reporting by
the media, and uninformed comments by various officials can do enormous
amounts of damage to totally innocent bystanders. As can be seen by this
case history, the rumors seem to be escalating. Hopefully they will not
escalate to the point where someone is physically harmed.
---------
FOOTNOTES
(1) Vancuver Sun, June 14, 1982, Barbara McLintock
(2) The Daily Oklahoman, "Lawmen Tire of Haunting Rumor", by Chris Kingon,
Oct. 30, 1986
(3) Rocky Mountain News,"Police Probing Reports of Satanic Cult in N.M."
(AP) March 15, 1987
(4) (AP Newswire) Huntsville, Alabama, April 20, 1987
(5) (AP Newswire) Jacksonville, N.C., Sept. 2, 1987
(6) "Devil Rumors Force Photographer From Town" (AP) Oct. 4, 1988
(7) The Bismarck Tribune, "Rumors of Satanistic Child Sacrifice Plague
Kentucky" (AP) Oct. 13, 1988
(8) Ibid.
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PENNSYLVANIA CONTEMPLATES BILL ON SATANISM
The legislature of the State of Pennsylvania is cntemplating a bill on
Satanism. The draft bill reads in part:
WHEREAS the organized, ritualistic, social glorification of Satan promotes
an outlook dominated by the principle of evil, and the proliferation of
evil practices that flow as a consequence of that evil outlook; and,
WHEREAS the proliferation of evil practices constitutes a threat to the
inherent rights of mankind stipulated in Article 1, Section 1 of the
Pennsylvania Constitution; and,
WHEREAS the Framers of the Pennsylvania Constitution, who state in the
Preamble, "We the people... grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of
civil and religious liverty and humbly invoking His guidance..." did not
intend to promote evil (Satanic) practices in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS Satanic rituals "tend to corrupt" the individuals participating in
the rituals; and,
WHEREAS it has been well-established by professional studies that
participation in the acts of mutilation, didmemberment, torture, and/or
ritualistic sacrifice of animals and/or human surrogates induces a
homicidal outlook in the mind of the person who participates in such acts;
and,
WHEREAS the U.S. Supreme Court states in Cantwell v. Connecticut 310 U.S.
296 that one may have any religious belief one desires but one's conduct
remains subject to regulations for the protection of society; and, WHEREAS
the U.S. Supreme Court in Reynolds v. U.S. 98 U.S. 445 states that Congress
was deprived of all legislative power over mere opinion, but was left free
to reach actions which were in "violation of social duties or subversive of
good order."
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as
follows: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Satanic Rituals
and Practices Prohibition Act.
It is the purpose of this Act to protect the health and safety of the
people of pennsylvanis from the menace of the organized, ritualistic,
social glorification of Satan as subversive and destructive of the
foundation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
All group activities and practices which have as their main purpose the
glorification of Satan shall be prohibited. All individuals engaged in the
organized, ritualistic, social glorification of Satan shall be deemed to be
in violation of this act.
Satanic acts, practices, and rituals which constitute the organixed,
ritualistic, social glorification of Satan include, but are not strictly
delimited to :
a) The consumption of human blood;
b) The ritualistic consumption of animal blood, and/or animal blood
intermixed with urine and/or feces;
c) Ritualistic animal mutilations, dismemberments, and sacrifices;
d) Ritualistic use and abuse of human fetuses;
e) Ritualistic hanging, torturing and/or crucifying animals on crosses;
f) Ritualistic hanging, torturing, and/or crucifying animals on inverted
crosses;
g) Ritualistic sexual abuse of children, as well as ritualistic symbolic
sexual abuse of children;
h) Ritualistic sexual abuse of men and women, as well as ritualistic
symbolic sexual abuse of men and women;
i) ritualistic psychological abuse of children;
j) Ritualistic cannibalism.
Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be fined up to
$15,000 and shall be subject to a jail term of seven years. The crime will
be considered a Felony of the third degree.
Any person who violates any provision of this Act a second time shall be
fined up to Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) and shall be subject to
a jail term of ten years. the crime will be considered a Felony of the
second degree.
Any person who violates any provision of this Act a third time shall be
fined no less than Twenty- Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) and shall be
subject to a jail term of twenty years. The crime will be considered a
Felony of the first degree.
[Editorial comment: On the surface, this appears to be a very good thing;
after all, no one wants to go on record as approving of animal cruelty,
child abuse, torture, murder, etc. But look at this proposed bill in
another light. Surely there are already laws on the books in Pennsylvania
preventing animal cruelty, fetus abuse, child sex abuse, and all the other
ills mentioned in this bill. The portion that is of the most concern to me
is item i. "Ritualistic psychological abuse of children". This can be
construed to mean anything. It could even be applied to Funda- mentalist
sects who do not allow their children to watch television, dance, go to
movies, etc. This clause leaves the door open to a VERY broad
interpretation. The idea of a law, however phrased, aimed at controlling
ANY religion leaves a decidedly bad taste in my mouth. Enforce the laws
that are already on the books, and leave religion alone. Today the
Satanists, tomorrow, who knows. It could be YOUR church that is declared
evil next. It all depends on who is in power. -- Vicki Copeland.]
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MISSOURI POLICE INVESTIGATE CLAIMS
by Rowan Moonstone
Police in several areas of Missouri have answered many of the questions
posed in the article on Ritual Child Abuse (CWR Vol.1, Issue 3).
According to an article from the Joplin Globe News, dated Jan.19,
1989, which ran on the front page, investigators have checked out several
rumors of Satanic activity, including one woman's account of witnessing an
infant sacrifice, only to come up empty handed. Further investigation and
questioning of the woman led her to admit that "she made the false
accusations to get attention."
Another question that we raised in the child abuse article had to
do with the allegations of criminal activity posed by 'survivors' of cult
groups who appear on various national talk shows. Joplin police Lt. Dave
McCracken said in this article that "two incidents reported on national
television that we determined to be fabricated" were investigated. The
police disproved the allegations made by a man who appeared on a Geraldo
Rivera show. The individual in question had made allegations that law
enforcement agencies are themselves involved with Satanism. According to
the article, "the claims were made because the man is mentally ill."
After posing questions about this very thing, it is a relief to see
that at least one law enforcement agency is attempting to investigate the
outrageous claims that are being made. And it is even more encouraging to
find out that CWR's position that the alleged crimes do not exist is being
borne out by thorough investigation by trained professionals.
Further information can be obtained from the article entitled
"Claims Prove False, Authorities say Satanic Allegations Untrue, Costly" by
Debby Woodin, Joplin Missouri Globe News, Jan 19, 1989, P1.
------------------------------------
NOTES:
Changes Made in Texas
The work done recently by a group of Wiccan elders in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area who have been conducting seminars to educate the law enforcement
community about the Craft has resulted in the local law enforcement
authorities changing the name of their unit from the OCCULT TASK FORCE to
the DEVIANT CULT TASK FORCE...and they have removed Witchcraft and Druidism
from the list of targeted groups!
From Other Sources
An editorial in the May, 1989 issue of Religious Freedom Alert
contains some interesting quotes. I will attempt to keep them in context in
the space available.
"A close look at the implications of the Matamoros tragedy is in
order before professional `anti-cultists' and `anti-Satanists' begin
distorting the facts to fit their pre-conceived theories..."
"...the popular press is asserting that the killings have a
sociological connection (if not direct organizational links) to a Medieval
European heresy whose gory symbols have recently become popular among
teen-age fans of `heavy metal' music. In this sociological sense, the claim
that the Matamoros killings were `Satanic' is wholly false..."
"A number of hidden agendas underlie the Satanism hysteria.
Opportunists are feeding the hysteria for the sake of profit or celebrity.
Some Christian publications, seeing the rise of Satanism as a confirmation
of their beliefs, have not worked hard enough to dig for the truth in their
reporting of the Satanism issue. One of these, a small newsletter called
File 18, has been so sloppy with its facts that its editors appear to need
reminding that the Truth is not in need of any help from falsehood..."
"Until more convincing proof has been produced, Americans should
view the `Great Satanist Conspiracy' with healthy skepticism."
We at CultWatch Response applaud the skepticism inherent in this
line of reasoning. Religious freedom is for everybody, not just certain
majority groups.
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CWR Changes Publication Schedule
Effective immediately, CultWatch Response will be published 6 times
per year, with regular Samhain and Beltein issues. All subscriptions
already received will still run their full number of issues.
The new annual subscription rate is $15.00; this is actually the
same price as before. Sample copies are $2.00, and only one sample will be
sent to an address. See the back page for subscription details.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Editorial Policies
CultWatch Response is published by CultWatch Response, Inc., a non-profit
Corporation under the laws of the State of Colorado. We publish many
original works in the interest of supplying law enforcement officials with
information on the Craft in the United States and Canada; we also republish
(with permission) articles from other sources, such as United Campus
Ministry, The Freedom Writer, AP, UPI, and others.
Each issue is distributed to our mailing list, including
subscribers, contributors, and major law enforcement officers. We encourage
groups and individuals to republish each issue for the purpose of
distribution to police, media, and community organizations in their area.
We welcome articles, reviews, etc. We do ask that our contributors
not UNFAIRLY promote any race, cultural group, either sex, or any magickal
group or tradition above another. We emphasize careful research and/or well
thought-out opinions, and will not consider articles suggesting harm to
anyone or anything.
CultWatch Response, Inc., is supported totally by subscription
revenues, and any shortfalls are made up from the pockets of Board members.
It is not supported by any religious, political, or business group, and
does not favor any tradition above another. We are in the business of
promoting understanding about and among the Craft, making it safe for
responsible people to practice their chosen religion.
If you are interested in helping CWR reach its goals, or simply
would like to read CWR as it is published, please subscribe. A coupon is
provided for that purpose on the last page.
Excerpts from the By-Laws of CultWatch Response, Inc.
[Ed. Note: This is a nearly complete rendition of CWR's By-Laws. All
omissions are shown by ellipses {...}. A complete copy is available on
request to all paid subscribers.]
I. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of two and a
maximum of five members. All vacancies shall be created, and all
seats shall be filled, at the discretion of the seated Directors at
any properly convened meeting. The initial Board will be set forth
in the Articles of Incoporation.
B. The term of a Director is one year. Any Director may serve any
number of consecutive terms.
C. Eligibilty for a position on the Board will be determined by the
Directors, and the conditions for eligibility may be made public at
the discretion of the Board. No person may be considered eligible
for a position on the Board without their prior consent that they
will serve if selected.
D. Meetings of the Board shall be held at least twice yearly, and
may be called by any Director so long as all members have been
informed of the meeting in time to make proper arrangements.
Meetings may be held with any member either in attendance or
attending via telephonic or computer linkage, so long as at least
two-thirds of the Directors participate in such a meeting.
II. OFFICERS
A. Executive Director - This office serves to chair all meetings,
conduct all the day-to-day business of the Corporation, ensure that
proper records are kept of all meetings, and otherwise carry out
the functions necessary to the Corporation...
C. Editor - This office shall be responsible for collecting,
editing, and publishing articles for the CultWatch Response
newsletter, and be responsible for all of the daily business of the
newsletter except as overseen by the Board and its office-holders.
The person holding this office need not be a Director, at the
discretion of the Board.
III. PURPOSE
The primary purpose of CultWatch Response, Inc., is to create and
disseminate CultWatch Response, a newsletter written to inform the
law enforcement and media communities regarding the realities of
the Old Religion as practiced in North America. Secondary goals may
include developing presentations on the Craft to law enforcment
groups and/or the general public in the form of talks, workshops,
or seminars, or arranging for speakers to appear on behalf of the
Craft. In all of these efforts, it is of primary importance to
network with various Craft groups and individuals. It should ever
be remembered that our responsibility is to inform, never to
attack.
IV. DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEWSLETTER
...The Editor of the Newsletter has full authority to implement any
means he/she finds available in this effort.
V. FUNDING
Our only sources of funding include the funds given the corporation
by members of the Board and donations by individuals, plus
subscription revenues from the newsletter. CultWatch Response,
Inc., is a non-profit corporation, incorporated under the laws of
the State of Colorado...
VI. SECRETS
Except as each of us is bound by our individual oaths to our Gods,
CultWatch Response, Inc., will attempt to abide by the maxim, "No
More Secrets!" We do not, as a group, feel that keeping our secrets
will benefit the Craft in the coming times. Nonetheless, no person
working on behalf of CultWatch Response, Inc., should violate any
of their oaths, and none will be expected or required to do or say
anything that they cannot do or say in good conscience.
ADOPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1988
Please enter my subscription to CultWatch Response. I have enclosed $15
(U.S. Funds -- Canadian subscribers please send $20.40 U.S.). I understand
that this payment will entitle me to the next 6 issues of CultWatch
Response (one year).
NAME:_____________________________________ Phone (Opt.) (____)____-________
ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP:__________________________________________________________
(Or City, Province, Postal Code)
Mail this coupon or facsimile to:
CultWatch Response, Inc. - P.O. Box 1842 - Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1842