Pagan and Wiccan Discrimination

On November 23, 2004, I decided to make a new chatroom on America Online. The chatroom title was to be "Teen Wiccans." When I tried to create this chatroom a message came up. It said I was not permitted to create a chatroom with such a name. When I received this message I decided to call America Online.

After getting the run-around I was transferred to the Terms of Service department. A woman informed me that a title such as that could not be created because it was a Terms of Service violation and such a title may be offensive to others.

I then made my argument to this woman. I explained how there were chatrooms entitled "Teen Christians" and "Young Christians." I told her this was discrimination and if you allow Christian or any other religion to have a chatroom of a specific title then you can't refuse other religions of the same rights. You cannot favor one religion over the other. I then gave her an example of discrimination. I asked her "How would you feel if you weren't allowed to make an African American chatroom?" She would not answer me.

Then I addressed her statement that such a chatroom may be offensive to people. I explained how there were chatrooms with titles such as "Nazi" and "Bestiality" and other sexually offensive chatrooms that I would not be allowed to post here. However, if you look in Members Category: Romance and Mature Interests you will see what I am talking about.

It is very difficult for a person to be accepted by the Pagan and Wiccan communities. It is even more difficult if you are a teenager. This room is not meant to convert anyone to Paganism. It is a place for teenagers to express their views about their religion and to learn that you can't just say your a Pagan and that Paganism isn't about dressing in black and listening to heavy metal. Teenagers are not welcomed by adults in many chatrooms. Once the adults in the chatroom realize that a teenager is in the room they either kick them out or fight with them. This is not to say all chatrooms are like this, but many are.

Teen Wiccans and Pagans need a place to call home. They need a sanctuary to learn and feel happy and safe. If other religions can have a teen chatroom then why not all? You cannot allow one without the other. That is discrimination! If you allow certain religions to have teen chatrooms you can't deny other religions.

Please help me fight for our rights! Even if you are not a Pagan please sign. I am not anti-Christian but I'm against discrimination. No matter what religion you are or what race you are please sign because if you do you are standing up against all forms of discrimination. Stand up for your rights. Stand up and say "I will not support discrimination in any form!" Stand up not only for the rights of others, but for the rights of everyone including yourself.