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LONDON, ENGLAND, February 9, 2004: During pre-Christian times many European countries practised the religion known as Paganism. In recent times, there has been a resurgence of this religion around the globe. Associated Press explains, “Wiccans consider themselves witches, pagans or neo-pagans, and say their religion is based on respect for the Earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons.” In Denmark, the government has allowed a group that worships the Norse gods Thor and Odin to conduct legally-valid marriages. Tissel Jacobsen, president of the 240-member Forn Sidr, indicates that about 1,000 people worship the ancient gods in Denmark. In the U.S. in the state of Virginia, a Wiccan named Cyndi Simpson was not allowed to say a prayer to open a Chesterfield County Board Meeting. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia in collaboration with the Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit on Simpson’s behalf and they won. A U.S. federal judge ruled that Simpson has been discriminated against. Canada claims the greatest Pagan population of 21,080 and Statistics Canada says that Paganism is Canada’s fastest growing religion. Heather Botting, vice-president of the University of Victoria’s 150-member Thorn and Oak Student Pagan Club says, “Tens of thousands of residents on Canada’s West Coast practise Paganism.” In Australia, Pagans are struggling to gain respect after a Christian council member in Melbourne labelled Pagans as members of a satanic cult. Olivia Watts, a self-proclaimed witch, is getting help in the legal battle from the Sydney-based Pagan Awareness Network.

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