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December 07, 2004
Earth spirituality org provides haven for non-traditional believers
Hundreds of years ago, people practicing certain religions could have been č and were č burned at the stake for their beliefs.
Luckily for Hamline University Students for Earth Spirituality (HUSES), times have changed. Hamline’s newest student organization provides a home for students who practice religions that aren’t a part of historically traditional faiths.
“I was surprised to find out I was the first person that some of our members were ever able to talk to about their own religious beliefs,” said treasurer Kerry Davies at the group’s last meeting.
“Earth spirituality” can mean different things to different people. Kevin Watson, HUSES vice-president, explained that it covers any faiths that are earth-centered, rather than deity-centered.
“We have members from all sorts of different religions exploring earth spirituality,” he said, “including Wicca, Shamanism, and others.”
Wicca is a religion based on pre-Christian paganism. Wiccans place great emphasis on the cycles of nature. In Wicca, where gods and goddesses and priests and priestesses share equal status, gender does not define status. Modern Wiccan beliefs shun some of the religion’s older practices, such as animal sacrifice. These current Wiccan practices were defined by Gerald Gardner, commonly known as the father of Wicca, in 1954.
Throughout history, earth-centered religions have often been persecuted. One of the worst periods, known as “the burning times,” spanned from the 14th to the 18th century, according to the Religious
Tolerance website. The period got its name from 50ą100,000 people (though some earth-centered groups claim numbers in the millions) who were burned at the stake for practicing such religions.
Because of this bloody past, one of the group’s main goals is to be a support system for earth spirituality practitioners.
Watson said that after a recent campus incident where students tore down non-Christian student org
posters in Drew Hall, it is important to have such a support system to discuss and combat such activities.
HUSES now meets at least once a week. One meeting began with a book swap, where each member brought a book that represented and explained their beliefs. At the end of the meeting, members swapped books with one another. Other meetings are spent discussing issues that impact people with earth-centered religious beliefs. Nearly every Friday, the group also practices divination, which Davies described as exercises that helps members glimpse into their futures. These exercises often utilize tarot, pendulums and other introspection-oriented items.
Recently, the group joined with the Jewish student org, Mishpacha, in a search for office space. The two groups want to share space in hopes that having a central location will facilitate the growth and operation of both groups. They also hoped to dispel myths about their beliefs and provide a safe place for those just beginning to practice, said Blaen Ni Shidhe, HUSES president.
“The group is a way to show people that paganism is not simply superstition, and that our beliefs are not cult-like.”
Posted by msveum at December 7, 2004 11:04 AM