CultWatch Response Vol. I, Issue 5

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CultWatch Response

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CultWatch Response
Volume I, Issue 5

From the Editor

by Gerald Bliss

Witches are citizens. We are involved in making our neighborhoods safe, providing useful services, working with charities, just like any other American citizen. Even so, we keep getting asked by some people, "What are you doing in the community? You aren't building churches, or hospitals, or day care centers, so what are you doing?"

I know of a number of things that we are doing. However, since we are Witches, and since many people have a strange idea of what that means, we tend to do these things as individuals or network through groups with a single contact individual.

There are many groups who accept our support as Witches, and many others who accept our support as individuals regardless of our beliefs. Until recently, there were no reports of groups rejecting our help (in time or money) because we are Witches. This has changed, as one animal rights group started returning money raised by Witches and forbidding them from raising any further funds for them. (Which is why we published "A Your Type" last issue...) There was also one report of a group in the Pacific Northwest that turned down a donation of food from a Wiccan group (another group gladly accepted the gift, and stated that all future donations would be welcome.)

Major areas of involvement deal with issues such as Freedom of Religion, Women's Rights (since the majority of Witches revere the Feminine side of Deity as well as the Masculine, this is a natural for many Wiccans), Nature Conservancy groups, Animal Welfare, and Food, Clothing, and Housing activities for others who are less fortunate than ourselves.

In many communities, you will find Wiccans involved in blood drives or petitioning City Council to build needed community facilities. An informal polling of Witches and Pagans around the country found an unusually high number of us serving as EMTs, Paramedics, and in the Nursing field or involved in other community service agencies.

I personally support the American Friends Service Committee, subscribe to The Freedom Writer, and receive the Religious Freedom Alert, (Religious Freedom issues), have been a member of the Sierra Club, the Naturist Society, and Greenpeace, and I often take a trash bag with me on my frequent hikes in the mountains. I am a member of an activist labor union, and make frequent appearances on local and regional stages as a folksinger and filker (filk is Science Fiction / Fantasy folk music).

We care about our families, children, pets -- and yours -- and the Earth itself at least as much as you do. Please welcome us and make room for us in your activities. All we ask is acceptance and a willingness toward understanding, and together we can all make this world a better place in which to live.

In This Issue

• Craig Pierce begins a series on his recent visit to an Exodus seminar as an official CWR correspondent;
• Kerr Cuhulain offers another insight into the life of a Pagan police officer;
  
• Rowan Moonstone reviews research articles on Afro-Carribbean religions, and an article on phony claims of Satanism in Missouri;
  
• and more!! (as usual)
  

CWR WATCHES WATCHERS

by Craig Pierce

(On April 14-15, CultWatch Response sponsored correspondent Craig Pierce's attendance at an Occult Crime Training Seminar sponsored by Exodus,S.A. in San Antonio, Texas. The following is the first in a series of eyewitness reports on that gathering.)

It was a week of shock, rock, fear, Satanism, exotic foreign magic, wild allegations, and emphatic denials in San Antonio, TX, April 14 and 15, 1989. The occasion was Exodus San Antonio's Occult Awareness program, held only three days after news of the Matamoros cult killings. The recent revelation of the bordertown bloodbaths only served to intensify the normally tense, forboding atmosphere Exodus appears to generate at its seminars.

Law enforcement officers, parents, and teachers paid $35 to hear a presentation on "occult crime" that would get Geraldo Rivera censored. The shock-talk style of the first mornings' sessions were so grisly and graphic that local law enforcement officials forbade news cameras from filming the presentation.

Detectives, arson investigators, customs officials, and Army criminal investigators heard claims of ritual Satanic murders, rampant bloody sacrifice and convoluted conspiracies involving Smurfs, pornography and heavy metal music, Cinderella, the Wizard of Oz and Golden Books were lumped together with Slayer, Anton La Vey, and D&D as prime weapons in the Anti-Christ's arsenal. Allegations of a single "secret coven" of some 2,000 teenage Luciferians in San Antonio were presented with a straight face by seminar speakers.

Exodus founder Yvonne Peterson claimed one teen cult escapee (whom she did not identify) witnessed 250 Satanic sacrifices in Central Texas counties. Jerry Reider, a former Satanist acting as Exodus youth minister, related his often-told story of how his own infant child was sacrificially murdered by its Satanic mother. Speakers also alluded to the existence of a vast computerized network of Satanists that would make the National Criminal Information Computer system look like a transistor radio by comparison.

Are these people serious? Unquestionably. Exodus S.A. is a four-year-old Fundamentalist group of self-styled, self-appointed Christian "experts" on Satanism and the occult. The organization consists of some 12 core members with about another dozen affiliates. About 150 people are on Exodus' mailing list, according to Craig Peterson, Exodus administrator and newsletter editor. The group has received much local and national attention. It is involved in establishing similar groups in other cities under different names.

That group members are sincere in presenting all these wild claims is clear. Verification of their claims, however, beyond a few pictures of graffiti and vandalism, is lacking. In fact, police officials and Exodus often are at loggerheads with each other on the subject of arcane crime.

When asked about "hundreds of sacrificial victims" in Bexar County, Larry Quintanilla, head of the Bexar County Sheriff's Occult Crime Unit, said, "We don't have any ritual sacrifices or murders in Bexar County. As far as victims go, they (survivors and Exodus `counselors') can't tell us where they are or who killed them."

The embarrassing lack of bodies or any other hard evidence has been a thorn in Exodus' side for quite some time. When questioned about this point during open discussion, Yvonne Peterson pointed to the Matamoros murders, which were linked to the practice of Palo Mayombe. "Now we have them," she said. "They look just how we told you they would look.

Exodus, however, had invited Lt. Cynthia Burgin, Bexar County Sheriff's animal cruelty investigator and expert on African-Carribbean religions, as a speaker. In discussing the killings, she contradicted Yvonne Peterson. "This is not Satanism," she said, "this is a completely different thing."

Yet Exodus sincerely tries to live up to what it believes in. Like the Crusaders of old, Exodus members perceive themselves as warriors of Christ. In step with this Crusader analogy is the fact that many innocent people are once again going down with the baby-eating bad guys -- the truth often being mangled in the process, which in turn can infringe upon the rights of or directly malign ethical non-Christians.

In Exodus' quite commendable zeal to zap the Prince of Darkness, group members frequently misrepresent the symbols and beliefs of peaceful, law-abiding pagans and New Agers as being Satanic. In its literature and according to its lecturers, the '60s peace symbol, the Ankh (the ancient Egyptian symbol of life), the upright Pentagram (the Wiccan symbol of spiritual harmony), and the crescent moon (the symbol of the Goddess Diana) alike are icons of Devil worship.

Exodus frequently intimates that all these symbols are one and the same. Paganism, witch, Wicca, and New Age are used synonymously with Satanism, warlock, black magic and similar terms. The confusion they create in listeners' minds (many of whom look to Exodus as their sole source of information) creates fear of non- Christians who would willingly join forces with them in combatting violent cults.

Exodus' campaign of misinformation also discourages well-intentioned pagans desirous of helping survivors of abusive cults. They fear to step forward becaust they've been lumped in with the homicidal weirdos. The prejudice engendered by this type of group also spills over into the workplace. Wiccans and other pagans have been harrassed and even fired because Christian employers are unjustifiably alarmed by such misstatements.

In their literature, Exodus defines Satanism as "the religion which worships or serves Satan (by whatever name) as their god." When asked if, in her opinion, there was any non-Satanic religion or philosophy other than Christianity, Yvonne Peterson responded, "Jesus said, `You are either for me or against me.' And that's the bottom line."

Obviously, this indicts Buddhists, New Agers, and all nature-religion practitioners as Satanists. When asked if Jews are Satanists, Ms. Peterson indicated she did not believe they were Satanists, but when asked if Jews would be allowed in Heaven, she said, "I'm glad I don't have to judge that one."

Please keep in mind that Exodus folk sincerely believe in what they say. It is a statement of their beliefs and as such, we must extend religious tolerance of them. We should, however, investigate what they are leading others to believe regarding "occult crime" and how this information impacts on the community.

This interesting waltz of allegations-versus-evidence flowing between Exodus and law enforcement officials as well as the pagan perspective will be explored in upcoming articles.

(Next Issue: Craig Pierce continues his report on the Exodus Seminar.)

Hats Change at CWR

Effective with this issue, Vicki Copeland assumes the post of Executive Director of CultWatch Response, Inc.; Gerald retains his duties as Editor and will still share in the correspondence duties. This change is effected due to Vicki's relocation to Colorado, where she can be more involved in the day-to-day activities of CWR than was possible previously.

In another addition to our staff, Craig Pierce (San Antonio) has been named as an Official Correspondent. His role may be expanded in the future if his schedule permits.

Reviews

by Rowan Moonstone

In the light of the recent happenings in Matamoros, Mexico, the staff at CWR thought our readers might benefit from reviews of the following excellent articles on Santeria and Palo Mayombe.

"Brujeria: Manifestations of Palo Mayombe in South Florida" by Charles V. Wetli, M.D. and Rafael Martinez, M.A. (The Journal of the Florida Medical Association, Aug. 1983)

This paper by the Dade County Chief Medical Examiner and the Administrative Officer of Dade-Miami Criminal Justice Council is an excellent introduction to the beliefs and practices of Palo Mayombe. Wetli and Martinez explain that, as opposed to Santeria (which originated with the Yoruba culture of Africa), Palo Mayombe originated in the Congo or Bantu region. Palo Mayombe, according to this article, is a syncretism of the native African beliefs and the Catholicism of the Spanish colonial cultures.

The paper points out that, while Santeria and Palo Mayombe are different belief systems, cases have been encountered in which Santeros also claim to be "Rayado en Palo" or initiated into Palo Mayombe. In cases like this, the altars to the two belief systems are always found in different areas of the dwelling.

Ritual life of Palo Mayombe, according to this report, centers on the nganga (magick cauldron) of the practitioner. This iron receptacle contains human bones (skull and long bones), sticks of wood, herbs, railroad spikes, feathers, sacred stones, and other items of ritual significance to the practitioner. This implement should be ritually dismantled upon the death of the practitioner.

As with their previous article, the authors illustrate their points with excerpts from actual police records. One of these illustrations points out that some practitioners recognise a "white" sect of Palo Mayombe called Mayombero Christiano.

In conclusion, the authors state: "While Palo Mayombe is separate and distinct from Santeria in its origin and orientation, the cult has nonetheless incorporated much of the symbolism of Santeria. This has led to the use of the term `Santeria' in a generic sense to encompass the syncretic religions of both Yoruba and Congo origins. Understandably, those who practice Santeria in the Yoruba tradition (i.e., the white or neutral orientations) resent the association of skulls, grave robbings, and other activities attributable to Palo Mayombe. This is especially true since Palo Mayombe did not originate from Santeria (as, for example, the Protestant sects originated from the Catholic Church). Thus, while practitioners of Santeria do not regard Palo Mayombe as a sect of Santeria per se, outside observers will inevitably associate the two systems with each other because of the syncretism and symbols now common to both." An extensive reference list is included for the reader's benefit should more information be desired.

"Forensic Sciences Aspects of Santeria, a Religious Cult of African Origin"

by C.V.Wetli and R. Martinez,M.A. (Journal of Forensic Science, July 1981)

This excellent paper discusses the origins and practices of the religion known as Santeria. Wetli and Martinez begin the article with a thumbnail sketch of "voodoo" and "obeah", words which are sometimes used synonymously with Santeria. They point out the Afro/Caribbean roots of the belief system and it's connection with Catholicism.

They touch briefly on Palo Mayombe, which is considered by many to be the negative aspect of this belief system. Along the way in this article, the two authors provide a chart on the characteristics of the most important deities of Santeria, and illustrate their research with concrete examples of seven different police cases.

In the conclusion to this paper, Wetli and Martinez write: "Information concerning the beliefs and rituals of Santeria is difficult to obtain because there is no [Santeria] bible and because many practitioners fear public ridicule or police retribution."

A bit further on, they offer: "To our knowledge, the only laws regulating Afro-Caribbean religious practices exist in the Cayman Islands. However, the question of whether or not ritual sacrifice of animals legally constitutes cruelty to animals is frequently raised. In the State of Florida such ritual sacrifice is specifically exempted from the statutes so long as the death of the animal is virtually instantaneous."

An extensive reference list is included at the concslusion of the article for the purpose of further research.

Reprints of these articles can be obtained from:

C.V. Wetli, M.D.
Medical Examiner's Office
1050 N.W. 19th St.
Miami, Fla. 33136

The Plight of the Pagan Policeman - Part 4

by Kerr Cuhulain

The other day, my partner and I were summoned to an apartment building regarding a sexual assault which had just occurred. The scenario goes something like this:

A young "artsy" woman with interests in parapsychology, philosophy, "white" (her words) magick, and other things that she really doesn't understand, goes to a nightclub. She was new in town and kind of lonely. She meets two young men, one of whom engages her in a long conversation on parapsychology, philosophy, "white" magick, and other things that he doesn't understand. When the club closes, these three go for something to eat, and then go to the young mens' apartment, which is in the aforementioned building.

Once there, the artsy female wants to continue the discussion. The artsy male informs her that, as far as he is concerned, the previous conversation was merely a preliminary to sex, which he wants right now. She tries to leave, he tries to prevent her, and the fight is on. He rips some clothes off her. She finally breaks away, naked from the waist up, bleeding from the mouth, and sporting a black eye. She runs to a neighboring apartment, whose occupants call the police.

Upon arrival, I went to the artsy male's apartment with my partner. After I arrested this individual and explained to him his charter rights, he tells me a tale of how a "Witch" had picked him up in the bar after discussing "black" magick and Satansim and had later tried to assault him. After a few minutes of this drivel, I told him to sit down, shut up, and answer some simple questions. Once he became more candid about what the conversation in the bar was about, it immediately became apparent that the female involved was neither a Satanist nor a Witch. As for the female having assaulted him? Well, he had no discernable injuries whatsoever.

I then went downstairs and spoke with the victim. She carried on to me about how she knew that I wouldn't believe her story because the suspect had probably convinced me that she was a Satanist and a lunatic. She said that she didn't know why she had even bothered asking to have the police attend, because a "chauvinist Christian" like me wouldn't understand her philosophy anyway. After a few minutes of this drivel, I told her to sit down, shut up, and answer some simple questions. In this fashion, I confirmed both the content of the conversation in the bar and the superficiality of her "Pagan" beliefs. I then told an open-mouthed young lady that this Pagan officer was neither chauvinist nor Christian.

Both the accused and the victim made assumptions about me that proved incorrect. The accused figured that I'd buy his Satanist story, and didn't count on getting a Wiccan cop to tell it to. Wrong. The victim figured that all police officers were chauvinist Christians. Wrong again! I'm sure that the Goddess had a hand in putting me in the middle of this situation, and a good thing that she did, too. Thus, what might have been labeled another "occult related crime" turned out to be a pretty straightforward sexual assault. I hope that the fundamentalist "occult crime fighters" won't be too disappointed!

TRACKING AN URBAN LEGEND

by Rowan Moonstone

During the course of my investigations of Satanism and `occult related crime' I have kept extensive archives of clippings from all around the country.

Among the several themes that keep cropping up is that of rumors of a Satanic cult interested in obtaining blonde blue-eyed children for use in human sacrifice rituals.

The first reference of this rumor in the archives comes from the Vancouver Sun, June 15, 1982. The story details a call to a local hotline tipping authorities off to a possible infant sacrifice in the area. Investigators later found that the rumor was begun by a member of a local church group that had misunderstood the prayers by members of his church that human sacrifices would not occur to mean that such sacrifices were imminent. (1)

The next reference was in the Daily Oklahoman Oct. 30, 1986 and involved rumors of possible sacrifice of a 14-year-old virgin girl, or as many as 35 children. Law enforcement officials had their hands full assuring panicked citizens that there was no substance to the rumor. (2)

In March of 1987, the Rocky Mountain News reported the rumor surfacing in New Mexico, where police arrested two teenage boys for fear that they would offer themselves as sacrifices. (3)

In April of 1987, a misdirected teletype from a police department in South Carolina set off the sacrifice rumors in Huntsville, Alabama. This prompted a letter from Madison County Sheriff Joe Patterson saying "there is no evidence of criminal activity by any Satanists (in the area)". (4)

In September, 1987, the rumor had travelled to Jacksonville, N.C. where seven local teenagers claimed to be part of such a sacrifice cult. Investigations failed to turn up any evidence. (5)

By far, the most dangerous occurance of this rumor broke out in various parts of Kentucky last September. Parents in these areas became so concerned that many of them pulled their children from schools in fear, and a photographer on assignment from the Kentucky Arts Council was run out of one of the schools by the principal because he feared she might be involved with the alleged cult. (6)

Elijah Hollon, Laurel County Sheriff's Deputy was quoted as saying,"This is the first time to my knowledge that a rumor of this nature has gotten to this proportion. This one seems like its carrying on much more than anything I've ever seen before." (7)

But by far the most frightening comment in this article is attributed to Jackson Mayor Frank Noble who said, "You could have brought a bunch of guns in here and made a fortune." (8) No doubt this comment was NOT comforting to the poor photographer from the Arts Council!

The point to this history is simply that irresponsible reporting by the media, and uninformed comments by various officials can do enormous amounts of damage to totally innocent bystanders. As can be seen by this case history, the rumors seem to be escalating. Hopefully they will not escalate to the point where someone is physically harmed.

FOOTNOTES

1. Vancuver Sun, June 14, 1982, Barbara McLintock
2. The Daily Oklahoman, "Lawmen Tire of Haunting Rumor", by Chris Kingon, Oct. 30, 1986
   
3. Rocky Mountain News,"Police Probing Reports of Satanic Cult in N.M." (AP) March 15, 1987
   
4. (AP Newswire) Huntsville, Alabama, April 20, 1987
   
5. (AP Newswire) Jacksonville, N.C., Sept. 2, 1987
   
6. "Devil Rumors Force Photographer From Town" (AP) Oct. 4, 1988
   
7. The Bismarck Tribune, "Rumors of Satanistic Child Sacrifice Plague Kentucky" (AP) Oct. 13, 1988
   
8. Ibid.
   

PENNSYLVANIA CONTEMPLATES BILL ON SATANISM

The legislature of the State of Pennsylvania is contemplating a bill on Satanism. The draft bill reads in part:

WHEREAS the organized, ritualistic, social glorification of Satan promotes an outlook dominated by the principle of evil, and the proliferation of evil practices that flow as a consequence of that evil outlook; and,

WHEREAS the proliferation of evil practices constitutes a threat to the inherent rights of mankind stipulated in Article 1, Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; and,

WHEREAS the Framers of the Pennsylvania Constitution, who state in the Preamble, "We the people... grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty and humbly invoking His guidance..." did not intend to promote evil (Satanic) practices in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and,

WHEREAS Satanic rituals "tend to corrupt" the individuals participating in the rituals; and,

WHEREAS it has been well-established by professional studies that participation in the acts of mutilation, didmemberment, torture, and/or ritualistic sacrifice of animals and/or human surrogates induces a homicidal outlook in the mind of the person who participates in such acts; and,

WHEREAS the U.S. Supreme Court states in Cantwell v. Connecticut 310 U.S. 296 that one may have any religious belief one desires but one's conduct remains subject to regulations for the protection of society; and, WHEREAS the U.S. Supreme Court in Reynolds v. U.S. 98 U.S. 445 states that Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere opinion, but was left free to reach actions which were in "violation of social duties or subversive of good order."

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Satanic Rituals and Practices Prohibition Act.

It is the purpose of this Act to protect the health and safety of the people of pennsylvanis from the menace of the organized, ritualistic, social glorification of Satan as subversive and destructive of the foundation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

All group activities and practices which have as their main purpose the glorification of Satan shall be prohibited. All individuals engaged in the organized, ritualistic, social glorification of Satan shall be deemed to be in violation of this act.

Satanic acts, practices, and rituals which constitute the organixed, ritualistic, social glorification of Satan include, but are not strictly delimited to :

• a) The consumption of human blood;
• b) The ritualistic consumption of animal blood, and/or animal blood intermixed with urine and/or feces;
• c) Ritualistic animal mutilations, dismemberments, and sacrifices;
• d) Ritualistic use and abuse of human fetuses;
• e) Ritualistic hanging, torturing and/or crucifying animals on crosses;
• f) Ritualistic hanging, torturing, and/or crucifying animals on inverted crosses;
• g) Ritualistic sexual abuse of children, as well as ritualistic symbolic sexual abuse of children;
• h) Ritualistic sexual abuse of men and women, as well as ritualistic symbolic sexual abuse of men and women;
• i) ritualistic psychological abuse of children;
• j) Ritualistic cannibalism.

Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be fined up to $15,000 and shall be subject to a jail term of seven years. The crime will be considered a Felony of the third degree.

Any person who violates any provision of this Act a second time shall be fined up to Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) and shall be subject to a jail term of ten years. the crime will be considered a Felony of the second degree.

Any person who violates any provision of this Act a third time shall be fined no less than Twenty- Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) and shall be subject to a jail term of twenty years. The crime will be considered a Felony of the first degree.

[Editorial comment: On the surface, this appears to be a very good thing; after all, no one wants to go on record as approving of animal cruelty, child abuse, torture, murder, etc. But look at this proposed bill in another light. Surely there are already laws on the books in Pennsylvania preventing animal cruelty, fetus abuse, child sex abuse, and all the other ills mentioned in this bill. The portion that is of the most concern to me is item i. "Ritualistic psychological abuse of children". This can be construed to mean anything. It could even be applied to Fundamentalist sects who do not allow their children to watch television, dance, go to movies, etc. This clause leaves the door open to a VERY broad interpretation. The idea of a law, however phrased, aimed at controlling ANY religion leaves a decidedly bad taste in my mouth. Enforce the laws that are already on the books, and leave religion alone. Today the Satanists, tomorrow, who knows. It could be YOUR church that is declared evil next. It all depends on who is in power. -- Vicki Copeland.]

MISSOURI POLICE INVESTIGATE CLAIMS

by Rowan Moonstone

Police in several areas of Missouri have answered many of the questions posed in the article on Ritual Child Abuse (CWR Vol.1, Issue 3).

According to an article from the Joplin Globe News, dated Jan.19, 1989, which ran on the front page, investigators have checked out several rumors of Satanic activity, including one woman's account of witnessing an infant sacrifice, only to come up empty handed. Further investigation and questioning of the woman led her to admit that "she made the false accusations to get attention."

Another question that we raised in the child abuse article had to do with the allegations of criminal activity posed by 'survivors' of cult groups who appear on various national talk shows. Joplin police Lt. Dave McCracken said in this article that "two incidents reported on national television that we determined to be fabricated" were investigated. The police disproved the allegations made by a man who appeared on a Geraldo Rivera show. The individual in question had made allegations that law enforcement agencies are themselves involved with Satanism. According to the article, "the claims were made because the man is mentally ill."

After posing questions about this very thing, it is a relief to see that at least one law enforcement agency is attempting to investigate the outrageous claims that are being made. And it is even more encouraging to find out that CWR's position that the alleged crimes do not exist is being borne out by thorough investigation by trained professionals.

Further information can be obtained from the article entitled "Claims Prove False, Authorities say Satanic Allegations Untrue, Costly" by Debby Woodin, Joplin Missouri Globe News, Jan 19, 1989, P1.

NOTES:

Changes Made in Texas

The work done recently by a group of Wiccan elders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who have been conducting seminars to educate the law enforcement community about the Craft has resulted in the local law enforcement authorities changing the name of their unit from the OCCULT TASK FORCE to the DEVIANT CULT TASK FORCE...and they have removed Witchcraft and Druidism from the list of targeted groups!

From Other Sources

An editorial in the May, 1989 issue of Religious Freedom Alert contains some interesting quotes. I will attempt to keep them in context in the space available.

"A close look at the implications of the Matamoros tragedy is in order before professional `anti-cultists' and `anti-Satanists' begin distorting the facts to fit their pre-conceived theories..."

"...the popular press is asserting that the killings have a sociological connection (if not direct organizational links) to a Medieval European heresy whose gory symbols have recently become popular among teen-age fans of `heavy metal' music. In this sociological sense, the claim that the Matamoros killings were `Satanic' is wholly false..."

"A number of hidden agendas underlie the Satanism hysteria. Opportunists are feeding the hysteria for the sake of profit or celebrity. Some Christian publications, seeing the rise of Satanism as a confirmation of their beliefs, have not worked hard enough to dig for the truth in their reporting of the Satanism issue. One of these, a small newsletter called File 18, has been so sloppy with its facts that its editors appear to need reminding that the Truth is not in need of any help from falsehood..."

"Until more convincing proof has been produced, Americans should view the `Great Satanist Conspiracy' with healthy skepticism."

We at CultWatch Response applaud the skepticism inherent in this line of reasoning. Religious freedom is for everybody, not just certain majority groups.

CWR Changes Publication Schedule

Effective immediately, CultWatch Response will be published 6 times per year, with regular Samhain and Beltein issues. All subscriptions already received will still run their full number of issues.

The new annual subscription rate is $15.00; this is actually the same price as before. Sample copies are $2.00, and only one sample will be sent to an address. See the back page for subscription details.

Editorial Policies

CultWatch Response is published by CultWatch Response, Inc., a non-profit Corporation under the laws of the State of Colorado. We publish many original works in the interest of supplying law enforcement officials with information on the Craft in the United States and Canada; we also republish (with permission) articles from other sources, such as United Campus Ministry, The Freedom Writer, AP, UPI, and others.

Each issue is distributed to our mailing list, including subscribers, contributors, and major law enforcement officers. We encourage groups and individuals to republish each issue for the purpose of distribution to police, media, and community organizations in their area.

We welcome articles, reviews, etc. We do ask that our contributors not UNFAIRLY promote any race, cultural group, either sex, or any magickal group or tradition above another. We emphasize careful research and/or well thought-out opinions, and will not consider articles suggesting harm to anyone or anything.

CultWatch Response, Inc., is supported totally by subscription revenues, and any shortfalls are made up from the pockets of Board members. It is not supported by any religious, political, or business group, and does not favor any tradition above another. We are in the business of promoting understanding about and among the Craft, making it safe for responsible people to practice their chosen religion.

If you are interested in helping CWR reach its goals, or simply would like to read CWR as it is published, please subscribe. A coupon is provided for that purpose on the last page.

Excerpts from the By-Laws of CultWatch Response, Inc.

[Ed. Note: This is a nearly complete rendition of CWR's By-Laws. All omissions are shown by ellipses {...}. A complete copy is available on request to all paid subscribers.]

I. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• A. The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of five members. All vacancies shall be created, and all seats shall be filled, at the discretion of the seated Directors at any properly convened meeting. The initial Board will be set forth in the Articles of Incoporation.
• B. The term of a Director is one year. Any Director may serve any number of consecutive terms.
  
• C. Eligibility for a position on the Board will be determined by the Directors, and the conditions for eligibility may be made public at the discretion of the Board. No person may be considered eligible for a position on the Board without their prior consent that they will serve if selected.
  
• D. Meetings of the Board shall be held at least twice yearly, and may be called by any Director so long as all members have been informed of the meeting in time to make proper arrangements. Meetings may be held with any member either in attendance or attending via telephonic or computer linkage, so long as at least two-thirds of the Directors participate in such a meeting.
  

II. OFFICERS

• A. Executive Director - This office serves to chair all meetings, conduct all the day-to-day business of the Corporation, ensure that proper records are kept of all meetings, and otherwise carry out the functions necessary to the Corporation...
• C. Editor - This office shall be responsible for collecting, editing, and publishing articles for the CultWatch Response newsletter, and be responsible for all of the daily business of the newsletter except as overseen by the Board and its office-holders. The person holding this office need not be a Director, at the discretion of the Board.
  

III. PURPOSE

The primary purpose of CultWatch Response, Inc., is to create and disseminate CultWatch Response, a newsletter written to inform the law enforcement and media communities regarding the realities of the Old Religion as practiced in North America. Secondary goals may include developing presentations on the Craft to law enforcement groups and/or the general public in the form of talks, workshops, or seminars, or arranging for speakers to appear on behalf of the Craft. In all of these efforts, it is of primary importance to network with various Craft groups and individuals. It should ever be remembered that our responsibility is to inform, never to attack.

IV. DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEWSLETTER

...The Editor of the Newsletter has full authority to implement any means he/she finds available in this effort.

V. FUNDING

Our only sources of funding include the funds given the corporation by members of the Board and donations by individuals, plus subscription revenues from the newsletter. CultWatch Response, Inc., is a non-profit corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado...

VI. SECRETS

Except as each of us is bound by our individual oaths to our Gods, CultWatch Response, Inc., will attempt to abide by the maxim, "No More Secrets!" We do not, as a group, feel that keeping our secrets will benefit the Craft in the coming times. Nonetheless, no person working on behalf of CultWatch Response, Inc., should violate any of their oaths, and none will be expected or required to do or say anything that they cannot do or say in good conscience.

ADOPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1988

Please enter my subscription to CultWatch Response. I have enclosed $15 (U.S. Funds -- Canadian subscribers please send $20.40 U.S.). I understand that this payment will entitle me to the next 6 issues of CultWatch Response (one year).

NAME:_____________________________________ Phone (Opt.) (____)____-________

ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP:__________________________________________________________
(Or City, Province, Postal Code)

Mail this coupon or facsimile to:

CultWatch Response, Inc. - P.O. Box 1842 - Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1842