Margot Adler, Redefining the "Witch Word"

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:25:36 -0400

Witches, Goddesses and Public Radio

Margot Adler stands out in two worlds that we, admittedly, find pretty interesting - public radio and paganism. Radio junkies know her as an NPR reporter and master storyteller. And pagans consider her a preeminent scholar of earth-based religion. The former Jewish-atheist joins us to talk about the changing perception of the "witch word" and why if you look far enough back, all of us come from a Pagan heritage.

Margot Adler, Pagan Earth Religionist, NPR correspondent, and author of "Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today"

Sarah Palin’s Churches, Past…

Begins at 22:55

For more than 20 years, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin attended the Wasilla Assembly of God, a Pentecostal church where the Bible is inerrant, worshipers speak in tongues, and God is present and active in the world. Palin left the church back in 2002, but many say it has continued to shape her worldview.

J. Lee Grady, an ordained Pentecostal minister and editor of Charisma Magazine

…And Present

Begins at 28:24

Gov. Palin's new congregation is the Wasilla Bible Church, a non-denominational evangelical church. Sociologist Scott Thumma says that like the Assemblies of God, her new brand of worship stresses the absolute truth of the Bible and the real existence of Heaven and Hell.

Dr. Scott Thumma, professor of the Sociology of Religion at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research

Campaigning From the Pulpit

Begins at 37:46

Later this month, a group of pastors will illegally endorse political candidates from their pulpits – hoping to spark a legal battle about the separation of church and state. Their goal is to overturn a 54-year-old tax law, which forbids churches and other tax-exempt organizations from opining on their favorite candidates.

The law-breaking preachers say that it's the job of the pastor, not the IRS, to determine the content of their sermons. Opponents say that without the law, churches will become another sparring ring for political mud-slinging.

Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel, the Alliance Defense Fund

Rob Boston, senior policy analyst, Americans United for Separation of Church and State

This Week's Interfaith Calendar

September 22 – Autumn Equinox/Mabon (Pagan/Wiccan)

This harvest festival is a time to give thanks for the fruits of the earth. Also called Harvest Home.

September 22 – Ohigon (Buddhist)

A Buddhist celebration of the fall equinox.

Interfaith Voices - Wicca