Posted on 11/28/2001 5:56:58 AM PST by Cagey
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (Reuters) - A Kansas retreat that caters to witches and pagan rituals is fighting for survival amid community talk that naked witches may be weaving magical spells in the moonlight.
The owners of the Gaea Retreat Center, a 168-acre camp west of Kansas City that is home to such annual events as the Gaea Goddess Gathering and a "Heartland Pagan Spiritual event" filed suit on Monday in Leavenworth County District Court after county commissioners effectively put the retreat out of business by denying it a renewal of its land use permit.
"They say they're afraid of us, what we do here, the sound of drums. ... They don't know how lucky they are to have us as their neighbors," caretaker Wanda Roths said. "We're very quiet, very peaceful. There has never been any trouble out here."
The Leavenworth County commissioners denied the renewal for the permit, issued six years ago, in late October after a community petition raised accusations that the retreat fostered public nudity, pedophilia, and illegal drug and alcohol use. Neighbors also expressed concern about devil worship.
The suit claims the commissioners' denial is illegal and unconstitutional, as well as violating laws protecting freedom of religious expression and practice.
Lawyers for the county declined to comment.
The retreat denies any illegal activity, and county officials say there is no evidence of any.
Roths said there are "clothing optional" locations on the retreat grounds, and witches, Wiccans and other pagans do sometimes hold nighttime meetings around bonfires. But the retreat at times also attracts more traditional religious followers, she said.
Gaea, which means "Mother Earth," offers sanctuary to a variety of alternative religions and lifestyles, according to Roths. "We accept anybody," she said.
Before its current incarnation, the sprawling site was a church camp.
Accepted. Thanks.
[the word of God] as it was intended - mostly allegorical
Really? Fascinating. What gives you the idea that was the intention?
written by man
By man's hand, yes. Much the same as the Ten Commandments on the replacement set of tablets were written by Moses.
usually years even generations after the events took place and as such they are probably not precisely accurate.
The Scriptures are totally, positively, and precisely accurate. He said they would be but, He didn't say the same about the men reading them. Any logical problem we have with them is a problem with our logic, not His.
I refuse to believe God put us here on earth and gave us the gifts he did with the expectation we would deny ourselves of them at every opportunity.
You are free to refuse.
I further refuse to believe that God will judge me entirely upon my adherance to some arbitrary rules, beliefs and behavior patterns another man said I must follow.
Which "other man"? If it's Christ you refuse, you have made your choice. He said, "I am THE way." There is no other way. You will be judged on that alone. It's not me saying that, it's His Word.
I do believe in God sir,
What are your basis and support for that belief? Many believe there is a God. Even if we believe He is the God of the bible, that's not enough. I had to come to the realization that I am a sinful, vile creature, that I have sinned against my Creator, and that only He could save me. I am powerless to save myself. He is that holy, and I am that unholy.
and I do truly believe he will judge me upon my life as a whole. He will decide if I was a good or bad person, not you or any like you.
He will decide? Amen! Not me or any like me? Amen to that! But, don't believe the lie that you can get into heaven by being a "good person." Heaven is a holy place. Sin can't live there. Sin cannot go unpunished. Sin separates man from God, and causes spiritual death. If He were to judge me or you or Mother Theresa on one's life as a whole, we'd fail miserably! God told us what a "good person" is -- perfection, regarding the adherence to His Laws (not some "arbitrary rules") -- and gave us a single example of Perfection (God Himself came to earth as a man).
All have sinned and fall short. The wages of sin is death. If I don't accept Christ's bodily death to pay for my sins -- He paid the price as only He could, being holy enough to serve as the perfect sacrifice for all the sin of mankind -- I have to pay the penalty myself, which is eternal damnation apart from God.
Now, of course, if you don't believe the bible is the Truth, none of the above means squat. You are free to choose. I pray that you'll choose forgiveness, and accept the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. He died for me, and He died for you.
1.Almost 400 responses so far.
2.It is from a major news wire source (Reuters).
3."The suit claims the commissioners' denial is illegal and unconstitutional, as well as violating laws protecting freedom of religious expression and practice."
Isn't that what FreeRepublic is all about? Discussion of issues that affect us?
Reject is not the right word. However, laws like this one should be repealed. To make this practical, however, many things would have to change, like the elimination of the welfare state so the families would be required to be self supporting. One wife is enough for me, though, thank you.
Correct. There is nothing wrong with nudist camps where people of all ages enjoy social nudity and wholesome nude recreation.
Poop threads get 400 responses. Quantity ain't quality.
2.It is from a major news wire source (Reuters).
"People" magazine is a major publication. So is Playboy. Does that fact alone 1) imply credibility; 2) imply relevance?
3."The suit claims the commissioners' denial is illegal and unconstitutional, as well as violating laws protecting freedom of religious expression and practice."
I don't see constitutionality coming up much in this discussion. But I admit I haven't read every post.
Isn't that what FreeRepublic is all about? Discussion of issues that affect us?
If you're a nudist in a Kansas coven, I can see how this affects you. Otherwise ...
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzttttttttttttttt.......I'm sorry, contestant Eric, but the One True God was prepared for this eventual question, and has already arranged for it........Gene?
"Why yes, it's called prophecy, and He left his stamp there............ahhhh, who else could do such a thing?"...........
Doh!!!!!!! I dunno.............
I love the concept. I just wish it was practiced the same for all religions.
Well, I suppose I misunderstood you. I somehow got the impression that you were praising Leavenworth County's biased actions against this retreat.
Iknow Eric.............and I'll say it again.......that's why you will find a "Word' backed up by things that haven't happened yet..............what more convincing evidence would some need.............then again, that "rising up from the dead" thing didn't seem to impress certain peoiple.
Stupid witches. If they just claimed it was a Harry Potter Literature Appreciation Retreat....or even that it's only "fantasy",...
They'd be gazillionairesses in a year.
11:2 (It was [that] Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
11:4 When Jesus heard [that], he said, ,font colr=red>This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
11:7 Then after that saith he to [his] disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
11:8 [His] disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had [lain] in the grave four days already.
11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat [still] in the house.
11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give [it] thee.
11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:.
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