Conference hydra::dejavu

787.0. "The Aquarian Manifesto" by VAXRT::CANNOY (Down the river of Night's dreaming) Tue Jul 05 1988 14:19

	 All sentient beings have the Right to worship Who, What,
         Where, When, Why and How they wish; provided that they do not
         violate the similar Rights of others. All Sentient Beings
         have, as well, the Right (some would say Duty) to develop
         their Talents, mental, physical, psychic and others to the
         highest degree possible; subject as always to the equal
         Rights of others. It is in this complex interplay of Rights
         that the Children of the Aquarian Age may be distinguished
         from their ancestors of previous Ages.

         According to Astrological Tradition, the term "Aquarian Age"
         implies a time in which there is increased concern with the
         ways in which the individual can live by his or her own
         lights, while guaranteeing the same Freedom to all others.
         All those, therefore, who work for the greatest Evolution of
         Consciousness and Freedom may be justly called "Aquarians",
         regardless of the day or year of their actual birth.

         Aquarians--Neo-Pagan, Neo-Christian, Agnostic or of any
         Faith--are by definition tolerant of ALL Pro-Life Beliefs
         and Organizations. They do not proclaim the existence of any
         One-True-Right-And-Only-Way, but rather that every Sentient
         Being must find his or her own Path.

         We will NOT, however, in the name of Tolerance or any other
         Ideal allow ourselves to be persecuted or exterminated by
         Anti-Life individuals or organizations, whether political or
         religious.

         As Aquarians we do NOT, in our religious services, magical
         rituals, psychic activities or in our private lives, engage in
         the commission or encouragement of Felony-Crimes-With-Victims
         (as defined by Civil Law and modern Sociological Research).
         We do NOT, therefore, engage in Ritual Murder, Rape, Maiming,
         Torture of Animals, Grand Larceny, or other Heinous Crimes;
         and we will no longer accept accusations that we do.

         Neither do Aquarians use their Talents--whether we call them
         "psychic," "magical," "spiritual," "paranormal," or
         whatever-- to achieve ends or through means that, if done
         physically, would constitute such
         Felony-Crimes-With-Victims. Accusations in this area will not
         go uncountered either.

         We know full well that the New Witchburners are seeking to
         once again light the Stakes of Persecution with the Fires of
         Bigotry and Hate. Equally well do we know that, despite our
         innumerable differences with one another, the Time has come
         for us to stand Together against the forces of Fear and
         Oppression. The very survival of ourselves, our children, and
         our planet depend upon the outcome of our present struggles.

         The Aquarian Anti-Defamation League will exist for the
         purpose of defending Aquarian Individuals and Ideals from
         those Witchburners who would destroy them. We shall attempt
         to use whatever means exist to preserve, protect, and defend
         our Religious, Civil, Economic,and Human Rights, as well as
         our Reputations, from ALL those who would slander, libel,
         defame, suppress, or otherwise persecute us for our Beliefs.

         We shall no longer Allow self-righteous followers of
         Anti-Life Beliefs to prevent us from the free exercise of our
         Human and Constitutional Rights. We shall no longer allow
         anyone with impunity to publicly accuse of of being
         "Satanists," "Devils Worshipers," "Charlatans," "Lunatics"
         or any other loaded terms of Slander and Libel designed to
         denigrate, defame, or prevent us from the peaceful and legal
         spreading of our Beliefs. We shall no longer hesitate to
         bring Civil and/or Criminal charges against our would-be
         Inquisitors whenever possible, no matter how wealthy or
         powerful they may be.

         Aquarians Together--Witches, Warlocks, and Wizards, Psychics,
         Priests and Parapsychologists; Mystics, Mediums, and
         Magicians; Astrologers, Diviners and Occultists of both Sexes
         and all Races, many Faiths and Traditions, Ages and
         Nationalities; hereby agree upon our Battle Cry as we declare
         War upon those who would persecute us!

         		NEVER AGAIN THE BURNING!!

                                      
                   	The Aquarian Manifesto is Copyright
                   1973 C.E. by P.E.I. Bonewits. Permission
                   to reprint is granted to all
                   Astrological, Neo-Pagan, Occult,
                   Parapsychological, Witchcraft and other
                   Aquarian Media, provided that the entire
                   work (including this notice) is reprinted
                   each time. Further inquiries and/or
                   donations may be made to: Aquarian
                   Anti-Defamation League, Inc., Post Office
                   Box 3720, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Never
                   Again The Burning!
    


    To the best of my knowledge the Aquarian Anti-Defamation League
    is now dead, but Isaac Bonewits spent a few years devoting himself
    to changing anti-occult laws and giving aid to victims of modern
    Witch persecutions. People were/are still losing jobs, being jailed or
    fined for practising Magic.
    

    What does it mean to be "Pro-Life" and "Anti-Life" in the context
    of the manifesto?
    
    Dave
    

    "Pro-Life" and "Anti-Life" have nothing to do with one's political
    stance on abortion. 
    
    In general I have heard the term "Pro-Life" to be used if one is in
    favor of: ecology, nature, free choice in style of life, nature
    worshipping, "good" technology, options, naturism, organic gardening,
    etc. Pro-Life says each must find the Path to god/dess. Basically the
    idea that everything is connected. You know, like all those old hippies
    believe. ;-) 
    
    "Anti-Life" is used towards those who would remove the freedom of
    choice from others. Anti-Life favors:  reduced freedom of religion
    (except traditional Christianity), increased control over others' lives
    (for their own good, of course), military, eliminating choice,
    tradition as the only way to do things, technology without considering
    the consequences. Anti-Life people tend to believe that there is only
    one way to god/dess, and it is their way and anyone who believes
    anything else is wrong.