Submitted by Berkana on Sat, 10/18/2003 - 4:21pm.
Witch Needs Rescue!
Full story with contact info:
http://dominick.cc/witchrescue.htm
Kathy's Produce, in Apopka, Florida has a 'Halloween' display. They have created a life size 'witch', tied her to a stake, and piled wood at her feet, ready for burning.
(There is also another figure, in white, hanging from a noose nearby.)
Historical ignorance is not a crime, but glorifying an act of religious persecution should be.
This re-enactment of a historical period which carried out terrible, disgusting and immoral miscarriages of justice is just ignorant, and people need to be educated.
Simply expressing that this is unacceptable, that it offends many citizen’s religious beliefs, that it is in very bad taste and it encourages religious persecution – hopefully, the message will get through.
I must also note that, when questioned about the display, the person at the stand stated that it's just all in good fun. When asked if they think it's funny, this person said no, but for each one complaint, they get a hundred compliments. When told that this was a horrific practice that cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of human beings, the response was, Well, not in America!
As if burning a human being to death because of their spiritual beliefs is okay, as long as it isn't in our country? Not to mention the 'witches' that were definitely persecuted here.
A local group went to speak to the woman who owns the stand and, after a couple of hours, they managed to reach a compromise. The group was allowed to come onto the property and hold a ritual, consecrating the witch as a memorial of the Burning Times. They left offerings and flowers at the witch's feet. Photos of the ritual are provided on the site.
A link is also provided to a local TV news website. One of the things mentioned is that the fervor started when the witch's photo was posted on a website and that the fruit stand owner has since been barraged with mail from around the world.
Blessings
~Berkana
Get a taste of religion.
Lick a Witch!