Source: Beliefnet.com

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/151/story_15161_1.html

On August 20, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "When the gods of antiquity were upset, they churned up a tempest or dispatched a few choice lightning bolts. The people who still follow them get a lawyer and grumble - at least during the Olympics. 'Let's just say we're not taking part in the all the hype,' said Panaghiotis Marinis, who leads a...

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/151/story_15106_1.html

On August 17, 2004 Beliefnet reported that, "reconstructionists are a group of neo-pagans–people who look to pre-Christian cultures for their faith–different branches of which worship the gods of ancient Norse, Roman, Egyptian, and Druid peoples. And while scholars say their numbers are only a fraction of the neo-pagan community, they also say they are a vibrant illustration of the...

Source: Religious News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/151/story_15144_1.html

On August 17, 2004 Religious News Service reported, "Police in Great Falls, S.C., Tuesday investigated the killing of a Wiccan high priestess' parrot, which was beheaded and whose heart was cut out. About a dozen pagans attended the Great Falls Town Council meeting Monday to show their support for Darla Wynne, who found her 8-year-old pet slain last week with a note attached that said...

Source: Beliefnet.com/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/151/story_15148_1.html

On August 15, 2004 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, "In the weeks before these Summer Games began, a few outspoken and fundamentalist-minded priests preached that old-time religion, complaining --- in print --- that the Olympics were sacrilegious. 'We're reveling too much in the pagan pastimes. I don't approve,' Father Peter, a priest in Marathon,...

Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1092482565306790.xml

On August 14, 2004 Kalamazoo Gazette reported, "Artists with a flair for paganism will be featured at this year's Pagan Pride Day festival scheduled for Sept. 18 in Milham Park. Up to 30 new and established artists will be featured at the day-long event. 'The theme of the show will be that of the Pagan Pride Day event, with shamanism,...

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/9380053.htm

On August 12, 2004 Contra Costa Times reported, "After U.S. military personnel pelted American Wiccan servicemen and servicewomen in Iraq with bottles and rocks as they worshipped in a sacred circle, the Pentagon turned to Patrick McCollum of Moraga... Wiccans represent a small fraction of the military, roughly 1,500 among 1.4 million active personnel, but the Pentagon wants...

Source: Crosswalk.com/CNSNews.com

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1278310.html

On August 10, 2004 CNSNews.com reported, "A long-running dispute between two Christian city councilors and pagans in Australia is heading for the courts, where the public officials face complaints of vilification under a law which some Christians fear is being used to stifle free speech. Rob Wilson, the mayor of a city on the edge of Melbourne, will defend himself Thursday...

Source: AP

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/9351133.htm

On August 9, 2004 AP reported, "Some local government leaders in South Carolina are continuing to pray to a specific god at meetings, despite a federal appeals court ruling that such religion-specific prayers are unconstitutional. Charleston County Councilman Tim Scott described the ruling as part of a continuing attack on Christianity, and he said he hopes his council will fight back by...

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/080704dnrelgreekfaith.9d1.html

On August 6, 2004 The Dallas Morning News ran a feature article on the ancient Greek gods and goddesses, as a precursor to the upcoming Olympic Games in Athens: "You'll soon be hearing a lot about Apollo, Dionysus, Athena, and their friends and relations. The ancient Greek gods and goddesses will be...

Source: Smokey Mountain News

http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/08_04/08_04_04/fr_wicca.html

On August 4, 2004 Smokey Mountain News reported, "Lammas ritual leader, Chris, adopted her Gardenarian Wiccan faith after renouncing her Catholic faith. She made the decision after being told that she was forbidden to become a priest (women are not allowed to serve as Catholic priests) and later, publicly chided for arriving late to Mass. She first read...

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: AP

Source: Associated Press

http://www.thecarolinachannel.com/news/3596744/detail.html

On July 30, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "The Great Falls Town Council has agreed to fight a decision by a federal appeals court that bars using the name of Jesus Christ in prayers before meetings. The council agreed unanimously to ask the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the case. Great Falls Mayor H.C. Starnes said most of the people in the town would want the...