It looks like the media is suddenly, with witches, pagans, and the like almost too numerous to mention.

Another suburban Christian with more free time than common sense is on an anti-Harry Potter crusade, resurrecting the oft-repeated and still ridiculous claim that the books contain "real magic." Please, if that were true, would I have waited two weeks for Costco to repair my specs? I think not.

On the flip side, a pagan takes a swipe at the right, making a case that that "Republicans for Voldemort" is more than a bumpersticker slogan.

ABC uses the Wicker Man movie as a launching pad for a "Primer on Paganism" that is more of a recipe for confusion- but does let us know that Wicca comes in flavors like "Dianic," and the Burning Man is a Pagan rite.

The "Delnor witchcraft case" has a fifth plaintiff, a female youth who also alleges that part of her therapy with psychologist Letitia Libman included witchcraft. What sort is never specified.

Not the Best Way to Be Rid of a Curse

Voodoo is also very much in view this week, after distraught father drowned his children and then committed suicide, apparently convinced his ex wife's family had placed a curse on him. The papers are actually doing a decent job explaining the religion this time around, rather than sensationalizing the story.

The news isn't all dreary: this cute but unfortunately titled human interest story decribes the marriage of a Freemason and his Voodoo priestess wife.

There's even a bit on Umbanda in Santa Cruz.

My Tax Dollars Did What?

The Federal Courts are probably even higher up than Harry Potter on the list of things that annoy the evangelical right. The latest swat was a federally funded program designed for the sole purpose of converting prisoners to Christianity. Prisoners who signed up for the taxpayer supported evangelical program received special privileges (from nicer cells on up to possible early parole) while Christians and non-Christians alike who didn't tow the program's fundamentalist stance were harassed or expelled from the program.

Never Fall Asleep in Church

A woman who fainted while attending church services is now suing the Church and the Priests who then performed an unwanted exorcism, which involved verbal abuse, choking, and imprisonment for more than two hours.

Cultists With Good Penmanship

Roseland, Indiana, is home to a horrific religious cult- at least, that's what one city official believes after vandals have spray painted parts of his house purple. Oh, those evil religious cults- what horrible crime will they commit next? The official alkso expresses his wish that the vandals would attend town council meetings rather than tag his house.

It's not Mr Roger's Neigborhood...

A Portland paper profiles their local Satanic priest, while a Chicago paper opts for their neighborhood Ceremonial magician. Both with great pics.

On Second Thought, Bring Jesus Back

After a theft deprived Ohio's Harrison County School DSistrict of the opportunity to squander taxpayer money defending a hideous poster of Jesus, they were bereft- but they cheered up quickly when presented with a new opportunity to rid themselves of the useless cash miraculously presented itself.