Full article here.

I don't know if there is a "cultural bias" against Santeria in Miami (as claimed in the article by a Santeria practitioner), but I absolutely do not agree with this defense: “If they would have been plotting to spray holy water or holding a crucifix in their hand outside the manager’s office, would their bosses instantly feel the intent to harm? Would they have felt intimidated? They probably would have not.”

Um... hello? Honestly, if somebody were to spray me with holy water or brandish a crucifix at me, I WOULD feel intimidated. My reaction would be something like: "Holy shit, this person must be crazy -- is he also dangerous?"

I don't think this kind of stuff is ever appropriate in the workplace. And, to top it all, the perpetrators admitted that they aren't even members of the Santeria religion. *shakes head in astonishment.*

-- Nephele

I'm firmly against any ritual directed at a person, without her consent, regardless if it's black or white or african derived magic, etc.

The defense of those assholes is really lame. I think they are trying to play the "religious intolerance" card.


Yup, so would I, and I'm a christian.

In my part of Europe there are still witches, especially in villages. And they often secretly send charms and quick silver to various houses, to cause pain. I'm not sure, but I think it's because they have sort of a "monthly fee" to pay to the devil.
(And no, I'm not talking about wicca practitioners, but real satanic hags)

So I always get a little upset when I hear about cases like these.

And the Pagan posts:

Obviously I have quite a few things to say about this.

1. Birdseed? Really? That's not a 'spell', that's practical joke with idiotic intentions.

2. As Nephele said NOT for the workplace. The workplace, school, or dare I say ANY public arena is not the place the be practicing your religion.

3. It wasn't even her religion. How the hell does that? That is nothing but an affront and highly offensive to those who do practice practice Santeria. Doing what they did, with no regard to the traditions and spiritual awareness of that religion made a mockery of everything those people (Santeria) stand for by turning it into something that could be so highly condemned and using a sacred practiced intended to harm none to inflict petty revenge. It's disgusting.

If it is not your religion, leave it the fuck alone. Don't delve into their practices. Don't try a 'do-it your self' or '<insert religion here> for Dummies". Spirituality is more than a handbook of ‘how to fuck up someone’s life’. It has deep meaning. To abuse those meanings, those scared ideas, especially for something as idiotic as they did, is truthly cringe worthy and I am shamed for them and they should e ashamed of themselves.

Magic is not a game. You don’t watch charmed or The Craft or Bewtiched or the Skeleton Key, etc..etc.. and suddenly become the Witch Guru. What you see on tv is bullshit. And to get their information from those whom should have been friends and use it in such a way is also a disgrace to that friendship and was wholly dishonorable.

Religion is not a joke. Spirituality is not a joke. Magic is not a joke.

It does not matter which religion you are (Christian, Santeria, Pagan, Jew, Islam, Satanist, etc…) if the intentions are evil, so too is the act that follows it.

Now with that said:

Do I think it was worth losing their jobs over? Actually, no. What they did was wrong, but I think losing their job was a bit harsh. Then again, they brought it on themselves for behaving in such a vulgar way.

Also:



I watched a documentary about that. It was really sad and disgusting to watch. I ended up not being able to finish watching it. I doubt they have any sort of monthly fee but I personally (who is a witch, so to speak) do not feel it right to ever purposely hurt another. Magic shouldn’t be used to bring people pain and misery. There is enough of that already.

Agreed.

Also, that person is sick in the head. As mentioned before, evil intentions only brings about evil action, no matter the religion you are "borrowing" from.

If they were on my staff, I would have had strong words with both of them. I doubt I would have fired them. But then, my staff members aren't police officers.

Considering that one of them was a police officer, I'm kind of inclined to think that she ought to be held to a pretty strict standard regarding appropriate behavior while on duty.

After all, she had been entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the peace. That's not something to be taken lightly, and I guess I'm just kind of fed up with the increasingly widespread attitude of some cops thinking they can do anything.

And the other one -- the office manager -- had been entrusted with the responsibility of management. I don't see how a person who pulls crazy shit like that ought to be managing an office. Talk about creating a hostile work environment...

-- Nephele

I agree, Nephele.

Also, in light of the fact it wasn't even their religion, I would be, and am, much more inclined to be harsher toward them and their behavior.

Yah, I'm not religious, but I feel bad for those who are misrepresented by shallow imbeciles such as these.

-- Nephele

Eh... I think there's a clear violation of trust and principle here. Losing jobs is perfectly fine with me TBH.

I gotta say, if this actually bothers people where you are I'd get myself deported so fast it's be amazing. I could have no end of fun just mailing things to every house on a street.

I KNEW IT! You really are a voodoo witch doctor from hell...

*Midi backs away slowly so as not to startle the demon...*

"Only a little one...."

....'E's a very naughty boy!