| Copyright 2009 by Christopher Aldridge, All Rights | | | | that it is very hard to prove that your boss fired you |
| Reserved. | | | | because of your religion. It would mostly be tough to |
| | | | | prove that beyond the shadow of a reasonable |
| The year is now 2009 in the United States of | | | | doubt. |
| America. We are so quick to assume that we are | | | | But if you’ve worked a job for a year or |
| past religious persecutions in this country, and for the | | | | more without any trouble and you are fired shortly |
| most part we may be, but the problem still lurks in | | | | after your religion is discovered or comes out, there |
| many forms with more influence than you may think. | | | | is clearly something fishy, and should be highly |
| If you think that we live in a country full of tolerance | | | | investigated by the proper authorities. |
| and where no one at anytime would ever be harmed | | | | Due to a lot of Christian and media propaganda, |
| or discriminated against because of their religion, think | | | | Wiccans and Pagans tend to get a bad, disgusting |
| again! | | | | label. Sadly, this leads to their discrimination and even |
| I cannot say for sure that these things happen | | | | danger to their safety. Some Wiccans have told me |
| on a large scale, but they are still wrong, big or small. | | | | that they see a lot of hatred and discrimination |
| Let’s say there are two thieves, on steals $100 | | | | toward Wiccans and Pagans in their areas. There was |
| the other $1000. Big or small, they are both thieves. | | | | one I spoke to from the deep south who told me of |
| Many Wiccans and Pagans I have met are in | | | | how religiously intolerant his area was. One even |
| hiding. I have known several who stay in hiding for | | | | went as far as to tell me that if I would start telling |
| fear of losing their job or even being killed or harmed | | | | how the Bible came from Paganism in their area, I |
| in certain places simply because of their religious | | | | could be killed. |
| beliefs. | | | | I pray that the religiously intolerant is only a few |
| Now I am sure that if someone harmed or killed | | | | who speak louder than the majority who are tolerant. |
| another simply because of religion and the criminal | | | | If my religion was discovered at my place of |
| would be caught, they would be punished to the | | | | employment, I would not be ashamed, but I would |
| fullest extent of the law (this may be in question in | | | | fear losing my job. Even our former President George |
| the deep south). But because there are so many in | | | | Bush spoke out against Witchcraft being practiced on |
| hiding for fear of losing their job, shows there is a | | | | military bases when he campaigned for President for |
| problem. Being fired because of your religion is a | | | | the first time. I think we need the New Age that is |
| harsh reality. And the real tragedy here is the fact | | | | growing larger and larger everyday. |