I wouldn't exactly call this article positive reinforcement of the thought that all Pagans are harmless and only wish to practice their faith in peace.
Mr. Jones is arrested for carrying his athame into a Pub (or bar) in Wales, after leaving his ex-wife's house. The ex-wife claimed to be alarmed that Mr. Jones had this "knife" on his person, and call the authorities.
The courts decided Mr. Jones would have to pay 85 pounds, forfeit his athame, and have a curfew not allowing him to go outside between 7pm-7am except on the nights when there was a full moon so he could physically practice his current faith of Wicca.
Lucky for Mr. Jones in the states people are not usually allowed to have their sentences placed on hold so that they may attend religious ceremonies or celebrations. Regardless of what they believe or practice.
All in all the article shows how misinformed the writers of the article and general public are to the terms used in Wicca. And also shows that Mr. Jones's ex-wife Julie Jones was rightful in her assumption that Mr. Jones could have been a dangerous element as he was previously arrested, convicted and served 2 years in January of 2003 for several "firearms offenses and making threats to kill". Upon his release in September of 2005 he claims to have found Wicca.
Why Mr. Jones would carry his athame (which is commonly only used for rituals, castings, etc in the practice of Wicca) on his person to a public drinking establishment makes no sense. And it clearly shines a doubtful light upon the rest of us who practice Wicca as being calm responsible individuals.
Out of curiosity why was this link posted with no reason or personal thought attached?
I found this to be interesting. It is a harsh punishment for one who practices the craft but understandable for one who has had past issues with the law. I am saddened to see such a story especially when it paints an ill image of those who practice the craft. He should have known better than to carry his athame into a public place. I think he got the punishment he disserved when he had to surrender his weapon and pay the fine. The curfew just seems extreme .
I think a curfew for carrying a weapon in a public place is a light sentence.
Of course, I'm a little harder on criminals than most people are. I'm all for taking away the religious rights of those behind bars since they clearly didn't care about the rights of others that they infringed upon.
Considering his past offenses, allowing him to roam the woods a couple times a night and being home the rest of the nights is like a slap on the wrist. While this may be his personal ritual, he is more than capable of worshiping his deities within his home.
I understand the UK is working to understand and accept pagan faiths within the legal system, I just hope people aren't using this as a scape goat because it would only tarnish pagan traditions.
But in a magickal beings perspective an athame is harmless, only used for magickal purposes but still, he should know better than to carry an athame into the place like its a cat or something. :)
Over the years, I have seen a few news reports on Wicca/Witch affairs. And out of them all, I'll have to say this is the 2nd most stupidest thing a Wiccan can do. When I still had my small spider athame I would only carry it when I had a rite, spending time in Nature at the woods, or in my house. Unless he had plans to do a Rite after going to a Pub, Like Dew said doesn't make since, then it is understandable.
England has a Act that allows Wiccans and Witches be open and do what they do. That is why they still allowed him to go out on Full Moons. Unlike the USA were they might not even think about it. But even so, an knife is still a knife.
If you like to know, I have seen a report on the news about a guy going to the bank and Hypnotizing the banker. That was what the banker told the police, that he asked for the money and he give it to him out of his free will. Not sure if he was a Therapist needing cash or a Wiccan. But it is still a good lesson to be learned, even if you can do it you can still get in trouble. Or so called Karma or the 3 fold rule.
