ckets,  emblazoned with  rock logos   (Motley Crue,  Black Sabbath,  and Ozzy
Osbourne to name  a few) their interest seems to  be merely one of appearances,
street image. On the  other end of the scale is the  "punks" who inhabit Robson
Square. Outlandish multicolored hair and black (mostly leather) clothing. These
individuals  take their  Satanism (and  their anarchism)  a bit more seriously.
They  are invariably  equipped with:  a) skateboards;  b) liquor;  and, c) felt
pens. Some  actually carry Anton LaVay's  Satanic Bible around with  them. They
scrawl  on the  walls, drink  like drains,  and commit  random acts  of assault
and/or mischief.
  All  this gives  the press  and/or  the  Christian clergy  something to  rant
about (it  also seems to  divert attention from  TV ministry scandals....hmmm).
Kind of a self-fulfilling prophesy.
  Now I am  sure that none of this is  news to you. You may well  wonder what a
police officer is doing writing about it.  I can't really blame you because you
(and some  police officers) have probably  developed a stereotyped image  of me
thanks to those same Hollywood producers. Sure, this situation gives me a great
deal of  work to do,  but that's not  the point. The  point is you  see, I am a
Witch.
  Now I learned  long ago that Hollywood tends to  use the words "Satanist" and
"Witch" interchangably. And it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what
would happen in most police departments if one of their members was found to be
a Wiccan. That member would, in short order,  be placed in the same category as
the aforementioned little crooks, previous  police record not withstanding. Not
a pleasant prospect.
  This  hasn't deterred  me, but  all you  Pagans out  there could  do me a big
favour. Write to the  movie producers and the news media and  tell them to STOP
using  the name  of our  faith  to  describe Satanists,  Devil Worshippers  and
crooks.  Let's educate  people to  equate Wicca  with goodness  for a change. I
don't expect  it to reduce my  work load, but it  would do wonders for  the job
security department.
  In the  meantime, I'll continue chasing  these youthful Hollywood stereotypes
and hope the  Christian society appreciates what this  Pagan policeman is doing
for them.
@pa
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