child endangerment and religious significance?

[Patricia Horton]

>
>OK.  What I'm getting out of the child-endangerment situation is that:
>
>   Someone was endangering a child, and was exhibiting behaviors associated
>   with some religious movement.  
>
>   In response, a ban on all visible religious items was put into place
>   (or at least that's what I think I read in my Black Star).
>
Yes, we have had two child endangerment situations here in the Kingdom. One
was allegdly associated with a religous practice, which was taken very
seriously by the parent. Both have been reported to the police. One resulted
in charges.

We have also been accused of trafficing in children for reglious practices
by a Cult "specialist" who, unfortunately, is teaching this to Law Enforcement
and has resulted in some of our groups being investigated (those groups have
been informed).


>My question is:
>
>   Is there, in Ansteorra, a ban of any sort in place on the wearing of 
>   religious items?
>
>   If so, could someone post the exact text of it here?
>
>   If not, could someone please post that fact, and reiterate the current
>   policy on religious ceremonies at SCA events?
>
>My confusion would decrease immensely if I could get some resolution on this.

There has never been a "ban" on the wearing of religious symbols. There has
been correspondance with the Seneschals asking for common sense in how we
present ourselves to the public at demos. The Society Seneschal has distributed
guidelines for demos, which includes a section on religious symbolism and
how it can effect our image. This has been forwarded to the Seneschals and
the Kingdom Hospitler. No one will tell you to take off your jewelry if you
are wearing it.  Just use common sense. Some of our actions of late have
brought some undue attention to ourselves, which has had reprecusions to
members of our populace. Actions have consequences.

We have a problem where some at our events are pushing the limits of our
bylaws, and are outright breaking mundane law. We are and have taken care of
both. We are keeping our eyes open. We have lost some good people due to
activity at our events. The officers of this Kingdom are now admitting we
have activity that breaks both Corporate and mundane rules and have asked
the populace (through the Seneschals and the Crown) to pay more attention to
those rules.

After a meeting with the board of directors in January, Mikael, Mikaela,
myself and Don Jeremy were given their interpretation of G+PD6, the 
policy on religion in Corpora. Basically, there will be no religious or
magical ceremony publically held at any society event. The SCA can not
be suggested as supporting or promulgating any religion. No ceremonies
will be heralded at an event, mentioned in court or feast, advertised in
a society publication. They explained to us the fine line between study and
Practice of religion at events. What you do in private is your own affair.

A letter was sent to all Seneschals in February of this year. I would suggest
you get a copy of this as it explains everything in detail. It is quite
lengthy and I would rather not post the whole thing here. All correspondance
that goes to my Seneschals is supposed to be forwarded to you at meetings. If
it is not, you need to speak to your Seneschals (and let the regional know).
Those letter go out to dispel stuff exactly like this.

Maire