A particularly disgusting additive puts a crimp in the ancient tradition of baptism in the river Jordan. (Yuck)

Hunger Strike or Hissy fit?

A Rastafarian student goes on a hunger strike because his college cafeteria doesn't offer Ital food- but his definition of ital requires a bit more than reasonable accommodation.

"Shacking up" still a crime in Virginia

A convict finds his parole delayed because Virginia law makes it illegal to live with his girlfriend out of wedlock. The ACLU is on the case, and will hopefully convince the state that it is, indeed, 2006, not 1206.

Sikhs gaining respect, losing rights

Speaking of getting with the times, a popular brand of coffee in Scotland has altered its racist packaging, which now depicts a soldier and a Sikh enjoying a cup of coffee together, where before it displayed an image of a Sikh servant. Now, if we could only see the end of Aunt Jemima...

Sikh students in France who refuse to give up their turbans are being kept in isolation from other students, who apparently cannot be exposed to students who stand up for their rights. Borg uniforms are still optional.

A new documentary tells the story of Balbir Singh, a victim of a tragic post 9-11 hate crime.

The NYT reports on an exhibit of Sikh devotional art.

Miracle returns?

The Wisconsin farm that has been home to two rare white buffalo (most notably the buffalo calf known as Miracle) has just welcomed the arrival of a third. WEhite buffalo are exceedingly rare and for one ranch to play host to three is unprecedented. The yet-unnamed calf has big shoes to fill: he is expected to usher in an era of balance and racial unity. More on the White Buffalo legend.

Pagan fumble

Another reporter fumbles when reporting on Paganism, Jason at WildHunt has some advice for reporters who continually make gaffs such as these. (My own advice is much simpler: Google!)

Druid Demands return of artifacts

A Druid activist group called "Dead to Rights" is calling for human remains to be returned to ancient burial sites, and specifically, that the "red lady of Paviland (who is in fact male) be returned to the cave from which he was disinterred.

Satanic Panics

The hysterics are already decrying halloween costumes as "witchcraft." Angels, clowns and bible characters have been declared safe, however. (Now I'm frightened...)

More ritualistically slaughtered sheep have been discovered in Devon, England.

Slaughtered farm animals discovered in a North Carolina cemetery are blamed on "devil worship" and witchcraft.

Residents of a Michigan town complaining about a local Pagan event accuse the town's witches of "scaring children" and compare the 'threat' of paganism to a poisoned water supply.

Police in Scotland are accused of using improper techniques on child witnesses who accused eight innocent adults of "Satanic" sexual abuse.

Pat Robertson doles out some scary advice. (HT: J-Walk)

Links

Weird: The Mabus Project attempts to identify the antichrist prophesied by Nostradamus.

Funny: Street-sign style tarot