sâmbătă, 16 octombrie 2010

[WitchesWorkshop] Digest Number 4549

Messages In This Digest (10 Messages)

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1.

Psychic Development Circle - Wollongong, 10/20/2010, 7:00 pm

Posted by: "WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups.com" WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups.com

Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:57 am (PDT)



Reminder from: WitchesWorkshop Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WitchesWorkshop/cal

Psychic Development Circle - Wollongong
Wednesday October 20, 2010
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
(This event repeats every week.)
Location: Smith Street, Wollongong

Notes:
Explore your psychic gifts and the world of the unseen.

Within these circles the atmosphere is calm and protected, so you are free to explore your connections through meditation and practical techniques, in a safe environment.

Increase your knowledge of Meditation; Tarot; Oracle; Psychometry; Aura Reading; Dowsing; Spirit Connection; Angels; Fairy and many other psychic energies and tools, as we explore the unchartered world of psychic wisdom together.

Our Psychic Circle runs every Wednesday evening at 7pm

All are welcome and no experience is needed.

Contact Ali on 042 020 8879 or email alison@shamanicspirit.com.au

www.shamanicspirit.com.au

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2a.

NMR is looking for new authors

Posted by: "Nuin Macdonald" nuin@nmrjournal.com   nuinmacdonald

Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:26 pm (PDT)





New Moon Rising, A Journal of Pagan Thought & Magick is looking for new
contributors

New Moon Rising is a journal of pagan thought and magick, begun in 1989 and
committed to being a vital international stimulus in the continuing Pagan &
Magickal Renaissance as an intelligent forum on Magick, Pagan culture,
history and practice. NMR aligns with no particular school or tradition.
It seeks to explore all within their paradigms. It is published in print 6
times a year

We continue to explore and request articles and artwork in such varied
subjects as: magickal theory and practice, grimoires, world mystery
traditions, pagan pantheons both western and eastern, book, media & product
reviews, biographies, heathenry, Northern Tradition, classical paganism,
neo-paganism, ceremonial magick in all its aspects, chaos magic, druidry,
shamanism, totems, folklore, voodoo, Santeria, African Traditional
Religions, alchemy, Thelema, setianism, rituals, witchcraft, poetry, fiction
and a variety of other mind-provoking and related subjects.

New Moon Rising is continually evolving and is entering upon a new focus.
Whereas in the past NMR focused upon the pop media market of paganism and
Wicca, it has now directed it's focus to a more mature, in depth study of
magick and paganism without becoming a dense scholastic journal. The
articles which were published previously do not necessarily reflect the
current focus.

Through the years, many of today's most popular authors found their start in
our magazine. We continue to welcome aspiring authors and artists to submit
their work for publication. Your comments and ideas are always welcome.
Please contact the editor.

For more information please consult our Guidelines on our website:
<http://www.nmrjournal.com/> NMRJournal.com .

Regards,

Nuin Macdonald

<mailto:editor@NMRJournal.com> editor@NMRJournal.com

New Moon Rising

PO Box 16273

Phoenix, AZ 85011

Phone 602.743.8350

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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3a.

Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

Posted by: "frances_tdm" lunanoire1@adam.com.au   frances_tdm

Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:28 pm (PDT)



Thanks for that clarification, Amethyst.

If only Govt departments would talk to each other. The SA Police were handed an extensive amount of information a number of years ago re Wicca, Paganism etc (with respect to the changes to the SA knife laws), so if they had some kind of Govt data base to house such information, your time explaining things to the ATO may have been shortened.

BB - Frances

--- In WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups.com, "a2zamethyst58" <amethyst@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Frances for your comments. Appreciated.
> In terms of the info supplied to the ATO about our claim, I have deliv=beratly pointed out to them the underpinning tenets of ecelectic Wicca and have made it very clear that what we do is not always representative of other Wiccan groups/covens/temples. I have never suggested that our group represents all groups but rather that we have a middle of the road approach/eclectic apporach to the fundamentals of Wicca.
>
> --- In WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups.com, "frances_tdm" <lunanoire1@> wrote:
> >
> > Greetigns Amethyst et all
> >
> > Amethyst wrote:
> >
> > > .... when I first made the submission to the ATO last year, I naively assumed that many other Wiccan groups had done it before
> >
> > By this comment, I take it you are referring to covens as opposed to actual Pagan organisations such as PAN Inc, CAW, or even PASA etc. The answer to your assumption may lie in the fact that the majority of covens (at least that I am aware of or have been a part of) have been a tad too small to constitute a "congregation" in the eyes of the ATO, and whose members have not been at all interested in claiming tax exceptions etc
> In terms thereafter if any other Wiccan groups also seek the concession then of course they would not have to adhere to our view of Wicca. That is not what I have said to the ATO but rather that all covens/temples/groups approach Wicca in differnt ways. However, assuming the sum=bmission is accepted, it will be easier to make a case for subsequent groups.
>

> As a last comment in response to your own last comment Frances, let me make it very clear that I have not informed the ATO that cciwi"s view of Wicca is representative of all Wiccan groups. I have made it very clear that all groups/temples/covens have thjeir own view and are absoltuley entitled to that. I would not presume to speak on behalf of all Wiccans and have not done so. I have spoken on behalf of cciwi which if approved will help pave the way for other sizeable Wiccann groups to do the same if they want to.
> Many regards as always,
> Amethyst

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3b.

Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

Posted by: "frances_tdm" lunanoire1@adam.com.au   frances_tdm

Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:37 pm (PDT)



Greetings Tim et all

Tin wrote:
> splitting of hairs on the issue of religious recognition,

Splitting hairs it may seem to be however there has been a generalised perception stemming back a number of years now that the Australian Govt recognises religion in much the same way as the US Govt does. This is incorrect. The Australian Constitution clearly states this.

Even if the ATO recognises a body/group/religion re taxation purposes, it is doubtful if such exemption actually holds any legal standing (at least as far as I am aware - but I am no solicitor). There is only one statute (again as far as I am aware) where the High Court was forced into ado[ting a concept of the status of religions nad religous groups - that was the 1983 case of the Church of the New Faith v Commission of Pay-Roll Tax (Victoria).

The descriptions etc of this to a simplified extent can be found here - http://www.templedarkmoon.com/ozpagan.htm

BB - Frances

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3c.

Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

Posted by: "Brock Ulfsen" brockulfsen@yahoo.com.au   brockulfsen

Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:17 pm (PDT)




The basic test was determined over conscientious objector status, I
think around WWII. There has been frankly too little judicial
examination of the question and we will unfortunately need legislation
to make up for that at some point.

The current situation is far from perfect, the HREOC use the current
"standard" test, admittedly with reservations. For example, Theravada
Buddhists while failing the legal test (the bit about Gods or
supernatural figures) are clearly members of a religion.

There are a number of places where "validity" of a religion and
"membership" of that religion may come up in court. The one we are
most likely to come across is the question of Lawful Excuse when it
comes to possessing, using, transporting and having on our person or
in our hands such things as knives, swords, axes and even maces/staves/
wands. Not to mention candles, bonfires and other visible trappings of
a pagan ceremony. Recognition of the incorporated entity you pay
membership dues as a Religious charity by the ATO may help your case.

Finally, being a paid member of such a body may allow a firmer footing
in matters of discrimination, at least in terms of not having to
reinvent the wheel. Took me about an hour to walk a HREOC staffer
through to a tick next to Religion about 7 years ago in a matter of
discrimination against Pagans by the local university.

Likewise when it comes to applying for funding from government bodies,
being not just a registered charitable body for the purposes of tax
deduction, but a religious one may influence the application process.

...Brock.
(I am not a lawyer and don't even play one on Television)
(Always check anything I say with a suitably qualified person.)

On 16/10/2010, at 7:37 AM, frances_tdm wrote:

> Greetings Tim et all
>
> Tin wrote:
> > splitting of hairs on the issue of religious recognition,
>
> Splitting hairs it may seem to be however there has been a
> generalised perception stemming back a number of years now that the
> Australian Govt recognises religion in much the same way as the US
> Govt does. This is incorrect. The Australian Constitution clearly
> states this.
>
> Even if the ATO recognises a body/group/religion re taxation
> purposes, it is doubtful if such exemption actually holds any legal
> standing (at least as far as I am aware - but I am no solicitor).
> There is only one statute (again as far as I am aware) where the
> High Court was forced into ado[ting a concept of the status of
> religions nad religous groups - that was the 1983 case of the Church
> of the New Faith v Commission of Pay-Roll Tax (Victoria).
>
> The descriptions etc of this to a simplified extent can be found
> here - http://www.templedarkmoon.com/ozpagan.htm
>
> BB - Frances
>
>
>

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Messages in this topic (23)
3d.

Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

Posted by: "Brock Ulfsen" brockulfsen@yahoo.com.au   brockulfsen

Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:34 pm (PDT)




On 16/10/2010, at 7:37 AM, frances_tdm wrote:
> Splitting hairs it may seem to be however there has been a
> generalised perception stemming back a number of years now that the
> Australian Govt recognises religion in much the same way as the US
> Govt does. This is incorrect. The Australian Constitution clearly
> states this.
>

Just a further point, the Constitution doesn't really state anything
clearly about Religion. It would be nice if it did. What it does say is:

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/chapter5.htm
116. The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any
religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting
the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be
required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the
Commonwealth.

Most importantly, that is binding on the Commonwealth, not individual
states. Which is why in 1910 Queensland was able to have a referendum
and impose Christian prayer and Bible readings in State Schools,
amongst other things. It is also why Howard was able to outsource
almost all of the Commonwealth's welfare work to religious
organizations, and why the Commonwealth is funding Priests (misnaming
them Chaplains) in schools. By using "non-denominational" Christian
groups to run Chaplaincy they claim not to be supporting any
particular religion.

...Brock.

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3e.

Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

Posted by: "David Garland" paninc@optushome.com.au   djkgarland

Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:56 pm (PDT)



Hello Brock,

I believe it says everything, especially in regards to religions not be recognised like they are in the USA as they can not be recognised they can not be un-recognised or made illegal, where they can in the US. There is a big difference.

This is where I believe there may be a miscommunication in regards to the ATO recognising a religion (on either side not pointing fingers), as it clearly can not, as a commonwealth body, it can at best recognise the institution that is making the application, not the religion that the institution is stating it is a representative of.

You are correct with the State laws being able to exist separately from the commonwealth, this is how the Witchcraft laws lasted as long as they did, however one of the important points in getting them overturned was not only the fact that they were archaic but that they were unconstitutional.

Regards
David

----- Original Message -----
From: Brock Ulfsen
To: WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2010 9:34 AM
Subject: Re: [WitchesWorkshop] Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

On 16/10/2010, at 7:37 AM, frances_tdm wrote:
> Splitting hairs it may seem to be however there has been a
> generalised perception stemming back a number of years now that the
> Australian Govt recognises religion in much the same way as the US
> Govt does. This is incorrect. The Australian Constitution clearly
> states this.
>

Just a further point, the Constitution doesn't really state anything
clearly about Religion. It would be nice if it did. What it does say is:

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/chapter5.htm
116. The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any
religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting
the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be
required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the
Commonwealth.

Most importantly, that is binding on the Commonwealth, not individual
states. Which is why in 1910 Queensland was able to have a referendum
and impose Christian prayer and Bible readings in State Schools,
amongst other things. It is also why Howard was able to outsource
almost all of the Commonwealth's welfare work to religious
organizations, and why the Commonwealth is funding Priests (misnaming
them Chaplains) in schools. By using "non-denominational" Christian
groups to run Chaplaincy they claim not to be supporting any
particular religion.

...Brock.

----------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.862 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3199 - Release Date: 10/16/10 05:34:00

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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Messages in this topic (23)
3f.

Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

Posted by: "Brock Ulfsen" brockulfsen@yahoo.com.au   brockulfsen

Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:11 pm (PDT)



That isn't in the Constitution, it is in the interpretation of it.
While the wording is similar, unlike the US our Constitution has been
seen as having very limited power over the doings of states.

This is a fairly good item
http://australianatheist.blogspot.com/2007/11/religion-in-australia-constitution.html

Recognition by all Commonwealth Government departments is always of an
organization, states differ, like in Queensland Christianity as a
religion has all sorts of special privileges.

The unfortunately untested unconstitutionality of various state
Witchcraft laws had to do with the Foreign Affairs Powers of the
Commonwealth to make international treaties and bind the states to
them. The argument was framed in terms of human rights treaties we
were collectively obliged to comply with.

...Brock.

On 16/10/2010, at 8:56 AM, David Garland wrote:

> Hello Brock,
>
> I believe it says everything, especially in regards to religions not
> be recognised like they are in the USA as they can not be recognised
> they can not be un-recognised or made illegal, where they can in the
> US. There is a big difference.
>
> This is where I believe there may be a miscommunication in regards
> to the ATO recognising a religion (on either side not pointing
> fingers), as it clearly can not, as a commonwealth body, it can at
> best recognise the institution that is making the application, not
> the religion that the institution is stating it is a representative
> of.
>
> You are correct with the State laws being able to exist separately
> from the commonwealth, this is how the Witchcraft laws lasted as
> long as they did, however one of the important points in getting
> them overturned was not only the fact that they were archaic but
> that they were unconstitutional.
>
> Regards
> David
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brock Ulfsen
> To: WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2010 9:34 AM
> Subject: Re: [WitchesWorkshop] Re: Taxation dept may finally
> recognise Paganism as a valid religion
>
> On 16/10/2010, at 7:37 AM, frances_tdm wrote:
> > Splitting hairs it may seem to be however there has been a
> > generalised perception stemming back a number of years now that the
> > Australian Govt recognises religion in much the same way as the US
> > Govt does. This is incorrect. The Australian Constitution clearly
> > states this.
> >
>
> Just a further point, the Constitution doesn't really state anything
> clearly about Religion. It would be nice if it did. What it does say
> is:
>
> http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/chapter5.htm
> 116. The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any
> religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting
> the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be
> required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the
> Commonwealth.
>
> Most importantly, that is binding on the Commonwealth, not individual
> states. Which is why in 1910 Queensland was able to have a referendum
> and impose Christian prayer and Bible readings in State Schools,
> amongst other things. It is also why Howard was able to outsource
> almost all of the Commonwealth's welfare work to religious
> organizations, and why the Commonwealth is funding Priests (misnaming
> them Chaplains) in schools. By using "non-denominational" Christian
> groups to run Chaplaincy they claim not to be supporting any
> particular religion.
>
> ...Brock.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.862 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3199 - Release Date:
> 10/16/10 05:34:00
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>

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Messages in this topic (23)
3g.

Re: Taxation dept may finally recognise Paganism as a valid religion

Posted by: "Moggie" wayland@iinet.net.au   waylandmoggie

Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:13 pm (PDT)



Pretty much correct David.

The ATO does not recognise religions as such. What they do is recognise a body which is making the application as a legal entity and grant the body legal status as a "charitable body" which then gives that body tax exempt status and the ability to accept donations which are tax deductable for the giver.

BB

Wayland (ex ATO)

--- In WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups.com, "David Garland" <paninc@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Brock,
>
>
> This is where I believe there may be a miscommunication in regards to the ATO recognising a religion (on either side not pointing fingers), as it clearly can not, as a commonwealth body, it can at best recognise the institution that is making the application, not the religion that the institution is stating it is a representative of.
>
> Regards
> David
>

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Messages in this topic (23)
4.

It's the Arts mein darlinks... the 'Dark' Arts!

Posted by: "Tim Hartridge" ozpagan@ozpagan.com   wwwozpagancom

Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:59 pm (PDT)



Under the Blue Moon Festival – the festival of all things darkly
beautiful returns to haunt Sydney's inner west from Oct 26th to 31st
Oct 2010.

Rising from the shadows the Under The Blue Moon Festival begins on
Tuesday 26th with the UTBM Art Prize opening night at Polymorph
Gallery, Enmore a piecing studio by day and dark alternative gallery
by night. The finalists have worked under the theme 'art that
transports you through the Looking Glass'. The show opens 7:30pm and
is a free event all ages event.

Check the Site for More Info

http://www.underthebluemoon.org.au/

http://www.facebook.com/underthebluemoon

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