[MR] Religion in the Society (was: heraldry)

[Craig Levin]

Vels:

> Actually: (From Corpora)
> "6. POLICY ON RELIGION (June 1980, revised July 1988)
> Having no wish to recreate the religious conflicts of the period 
> under study, the Society for Creative Anachronism, Incorporated, 
> shall neither establish nor prohibit any system of belief among its 
> members. No one shall perform any religious or magical ceremony at a
> Society event (or in association with the name of the Society) in 
> such a way as to imply that the ceremony is authorized, sponsored, 
> or promulgated by the Society or to force anyone at a Society event,
> by direct or indirect pressure, to observe or join the ceremony. 
> However, this provision is in no way intended to discourage the study
> of historical belief systems and their effects on the development of
> Western culture.
> 
> "Except as provided herein, neither the Society nor any member acting
> in its name or that of any of its parts shall interfere with any
> person's lawful ceremonies, nor shall any member discriminate against
> another upon grounds related to either's system of belief."
> 
> So, You may study all you like, but religion within the SCA is 
> forbidden. There are three occasions where this Policy is not adhered
> to, but they are all for extenuating circumstance.
> 1. Weddings- so long as a wedding is performed in a period manner and
> it is not a 'mandatory' function of an event, then there is no 
> problem with it occuring at an event.

Um, that's in accordance with the quoted part of Corpora. It's
not going to look like the SCA backs the ceremony. Actually, it
doesn't much matter if the ceremony is period or not, since it's
being done in the privacy of your encampment.

> 2. Wakes- Considering that a SCAdien wake is as much like many other
> "celebrations" they are rarely, if ever commented against. Firstly, 
> so long as it is not mandatory for all to attend; secondly, who's 
> going to say that anyone may NOT mourn the passing of a friend.

Again, this isn't a situation in which this section of Corpora is
being ignored. Typically, these are parties in the privacy of a
specific home or encampment. 

> 3. AA meetings- not really religious per se, but the belief in a 
> Higher Power and the commonality of group prayer at such meetings 
> places them in the general realm. However, attendance is only on a 
> voluntary basis, such is the principle of AA. And further, who in 
> their right mind is going to tell recovering addicts that they cannot
> gather together and help each other, no matter where they are.

And, again, this isn't a situation in which anyone's going beyond
the bounds of Corpora.

All of these are held in "private space"-a person's home or
encampment. There's no official notice given or taken. 

So why are you saying that these are situations in which it's
ignored?

Pedro