Alternative religious groups are uniting against President Bush's Faith Based in

Within the first month of his administration, President Bush has taken a bold step to fill the
gaps between the sacred chasm of Church and
State. Many alternative faith based minority
groups are uniting and speaking out against this attempt to fund selected faith groups with taxpayer
money. One of these groups is the Alternative
Religions Educational Network, also known as
AREN. On February 19th the board and members
of AREN drafted a public letter explaining their concerns about this proposed marriage of Church
and State.

The letter addressed two main concerns. The first
concern questions giving tax dollars to faith groups
while witholding funds from secular organizations.
Concerns also revolve around publically funding
religious organizations that may promote hate and
intolerance associated with religious, race and
ethnic supremacist ideals. There is a fear of how
these religious groups will utilize the funding, and
they don't want taxpayer money to support
discriminatory and exclusionary ideals or theology.

The second main concern is with equality. It's
noted how the public has been cushioned by
reassuring pillowtalk that there won't be any
discrimination or civil rights violations related to
the initiative, however the actions and words
coming from government officials and
representatives have cast Wicca out of the running
for funding consideration. The letter brings to light
the fact that Wiccan and earth based organizations
have been qualifying for IRS tax exempt status and
state incorporation. Even the U.S. Army's
Handbook for Chaplains has an entire section
devoted to Wiccan and Pagan practices and
beliefs. If the Wiccan faith is recognized by the
U.S. Military, and the Internal Revenue Service,
then how can the government continue to
deny Wiccan's the same rights afforded by other
religious denominations?

The letter wraps up with a reminder of the
principles this governement and nation were founded on and asks for unification of
America in the form of freedom and equality for
all. Some of the initial signatories to the letter are
well known in the greater pagan community, and
hundreds of signatures have been added each day.
Not only have many Wiccans, Pagans and other
earth spiritual people signed the letter, but support
is coming in from many other faith groups around
the country.

You are also invited to show your support in
opposition to this new Faith Based government
initiative. Just point your browser to the AREN
website at http://www.aren.org.