freedom of pagan,wiccan, and even for satanists religion?

Question

dont you think its wrong when sites like mysqace and others delete you cause you have stuff like graqhics on your page with wiccan,pagan and others things like pentegrams? i sure hate it with a passion!! some sites think that if your not a christian that its a terrible thing! but thats wrong! we all have a right to be a wiccan, pagan or anything besides being a christian! i got deleted onec cause i stuck a pentacle on my page!! but its my religion!! im a satanic witch! i have a riht to my religion. pLEASE GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON RIGHTS OF RELIGION

ok not only rights of religion on the internet, but in real life too, i believe wiccans and pagans have jst as much right in the internet and the real world just as much as others

you guys are right, but the only other thing i had on there that i can think of was a upside down pentegram and i said i was a satanic witch

Answer 1

Its unfortunate that so many people just want to blindly follow instead of educating.

I bet if you had a crucifix or a star of David up there it wouldn't be deleted ...

It really annoys me, but I try very hard to brush aside that negative energy, and being Pagan, so should you. Keep moving forward and eventually society will catch up...

Peace and love to you and your family ...

Answer 2

Unfortunetely Myspace and other websites of that nature are privately owned sites and can do as they please. They can delete and keep on anyone they choose. It sucks and yes deleting someone because they are not Christian definitely shows poor taste on their part but there isn't much that can be done. Now if those websites were government owned you would have a case since the government can't show any preference towards any religion. But since they are privately owned sites and the First Amendment only monitors the behavior of the government, not individuals, well you might just have to do with finding a site that will allow it.

If you want a blogging site that will be a bit more friendly, try LiveJournal, GreatestJournal, or InsaneJournal. I've used LiveJournal for years, starting back in the days when I was still a Satanist, and haven't had any problem with them.

Answer 3

Do those sites claim to promote religious freedom?
Do those sites claim they'll remove things which are offensive to others?

Of the above which comes first?

It's usually the 2nd, which is usually invoked without a right of appeal when someone reports it (If a person finds something offensive it's really difficult to challenge it.)

You'd have to put SOME kind of limits on it, and people SHOULD have a right to complain. Likewise it has been /is abused some kind of limits should be placed there. Perhaps examples where you think they acted unwisely in the past, might help to prevent repeat actions.

Perhaps some kind of petition saying it's just not on, might make them aware of the issue. They may not be taking you as an individual seriously. If others back your opinion up they may realise you aren't a nutter.

Failing that you'd could resort to "name and shame", and you should take your "business" elsewhere. When you go make sure that you send an email saying why you left. That way you have told what you find unacceptable.

Even Internet businesses need to have customers. You leave and they are one step towards ceasing trading. If lots of people leave, they start to worry, and MAY take so remedial action. If too many people leave, they fold, and become remembered not for "providing a new/innovative service" but for alienating too many of their customers.

If you've tried being reasonable, and got nowhere, as a Pagan, I recon it would be ethical to "bind" the site to change it's unfair attitude. (and remember computers seem to be VERY susceptible to magic....)

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If any such site is (partially) hosted in the UK, report it as it IS likely to breaking UK law. Doesn't matter if they are privately owned as that which on the Internet is (in the UK) deemed to be published.
Perhaps mention it to the PF (Pagan Federation), as they are good at dealing with discrimination against pagans.

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Ah you used the word "satanic"....

That tends to be seen, correctly, or not, as working AGAINST Christianity . So whether you were or not, it was perceived that you INTENTIONALLY set out to antagonise Christians.

It unfortunate, but the only solution I can see is to find another way of putting it, and avoid using ANY TERM the Christians/Others could find offence with, unless you REALLY need to. Try to use you own terms.

Answer 4

I don't have any satan worshipper penpals, but I have a lot of Wiccan/Pagan. I find they are more willing to talk about religion and the Bible than supposed Christians.

And they already know that much of Christian doctrine is pagan.

As long as you are not killing others/torturing others (no offence to you, but there are some claimers to these religions who do torture not only animals, but people....a good friend of mine was tortured from babyhood by a Father and Grandmother who were into something like this....it was some sort of honor thing at their services....she is in the USA so it went on secretly).

I do believe in freedom of religion as long as these kind of atrocities aren't going on. My friends torture was both physical and sexual.

I don't know what it is you belong to or what you do, but if you are interested in discusssing religion and such in a reasonable fashion, you can email me.

Best wishes,
Debbie

Answer 5

Unfortunately they get to pick and choose what they allow. Just keep finding the other websites that don't discriminate and spread the word. Get on Wiccan and Satanic discussion boards and spread the word. Activism can be effective.

Appeal to them that they are discriminating against your religion and point out that you weren't advocating violence, drug use (or whatever they object to) and ask for reconsideration.

Hang in there - it's one of the things we deal with when not part of a mainstream religion.

Answer 6

Rights of religion are not respected by private companies. It sucks but it is the truth. However I am doubting your story, my girlfriend has had a pentagram up for months and nothing seems to happen to her page. Either way you should just create a new page, they probably won't find it this time.

In the real world, it is mostly dominated by religions that hate ours. Screw them, you're a witch right? Use your magic and curse the f*ckers! I hear death spells are in this season.

Answer 7

If myspace deleted your page because of pentegrams I would be shocked. Please if this is true, I would publicize that, because that is simply ridiculous.

However I have a feeling that isn't all that was on your page, and I'm sure there was something else that got it deleted if you are declaring yourself to be a satanist.

My thoughts on rights of religions are thus...

If it doesn't hurt anyone or infringe upon anyone else's rights, then they should be free to practice their religion.

Answer 8

Considering that myspace hosts a page for a band called pentagram (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=35768879), I'm finding it unlikely that they have an anti-pentagram policy. Was there something else on the page that could have been offensive?

However, the fact is myspace can host whatever they want. It's their service. You have the right to follow your own religion, but you do not have the right to require other people to help you promote it.

Answer 9

It's ridiculous that they would erase your religious symbols. It's not like it was pornographic or anything, right? Whether or not someone else is objectionable to it, you have the right to express your religious beliefs. There's a religious rights pagan group that helps with legal matters about this kind of thing. Forget their name, maybe someone else will post their web site.

Answer 10

I wasn't aware that Myspace was doing this. They haven't given me grief about my Norse Heathen celebration/runecasting pictures. This is news to me. Could it be that what was deleted was done so because the material was inappropriate otherwise? (i.e. graphic violence or sexual situations).

It would have to be really inappropriate as I know some Norse heathens that post some fairly violent things.