Rev. Terry Riley

Rev. Terry Riley
Keeping the Faith in the Biblebelt

Monday, January 9, 2012

Article from Aquarian Tabernacle Church

http://www.panegyria.com/news/check-out-what-our-members-are-doing

This is an old article from our Mother Church, ATC, in Index, Washington. It is the Panegyria Magazine published by the ATC. I am proud to a member of the ATC since 1993, when Rev. Pete (Pathfinder) Davis ordained me.
Back then when we were having so much trouble with the local Christian community, here in Jonesboro, trying to establish a public Wiccan presence, Pete was there, offering help, counseling, advice, and the opportunity to legalize our Church.
We now have four ATC affiliated Pagan Churches in our tri-state area and we are family. We work together very closely with the same goal in mind: "To make Wicca and Paganism more accessible to the general public." and serve the larger Pagan community. Our dream is that someday Wicca and Paganism will attain the same equality and respect as the other major Faiths of the world and we shall continue to promote them as the beautiful, life confirming religious and spiritual paths that there are.

1 comment:

  1. There are some good viewpoints in Terry's book. In my opinion I would also add that it is important that the "both the all-powerful Priest/Priestess and the all-compassionate counselor" be altruistic and not self centered or have a different personal agenda. I am sure this is what Terry Riley meant by stating having his "ego in check" and Psychologically speaking, the Leader" is the "Big Person" the parent, teacher, the authority figure, and they are the standard against which the congregation judge themselves".
    This is very true. It is similar to being in politics as the "Leader's" behavior is constantly being scrutinized. It is important that they be able to apologize when wrong and not have any activities such as Jim Bakker or Jimmy Swaggart, etc. "the truth will out" as Shakespeare said. Karma has impacted the two leaders above as they have never again reached the heights that they had before. We must look at ourselves before telling others how to behave and insure we are not saying, "do as I say not as I do". Leading by example is the best way to get your point across. I personally am not saying I want others to follow me as a leader as I have enough trouble taking care of my own family. But before giving advice I would look at myself.
    I would like to see Wicca socially accepted as I believe people should be able to worship as they like as long as they don't hurt anyone. Some such as those mentioned above wanted personal gain with disastrous results.
    Perry K. Parsons, LCSW, ICADC, LADAC.

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