University Of Missouri To Observe Pagan, Wiccan Holidays
The University of Missouri is now observing Pagan and Wiccan holidays.
The school’s recently-published “Guide to Religions: Major Holidays and Suggested Accommodations” lists eight Pagan and Wiccan holidays next to such widely-observed dates as Christmas, Hanukah, and Thanksgiving. According to The College Fix, the guide asks professors to avoid scheduling exams or projects around these dates.
The “Guide to Religions” describes itself as an “educational tool” that can be used by faculty and students to learn about the various holidays observed around campus.
The university explains:
“Not only does this section offer crucial information about dates and practices, we also hope that the information about recommended academic and food accommodations will be valuable to those planning classroom activities and other academic and co-curricular events.”
University of Missouri officials said they are simply trying to include the beliefs of everyone who has chosen to study at the school. However, the updated list isn’t without its detractors.
Radio talk show host Tammy Edwards told Fox News that she believes the observation of Pagan and Wiccan holidays simply gives people an excuse to skip out on their responsibilities and obligations.
She explained:
“It almost seems as though we’re looking for excuses for people to not have to take their commitments seriously. It’s beyond political correctness; it’s almost like an excuse to do nothing. It’s like societal nihilism, where nothing matters.”
Pagan and Wiccan holidays listed in the university’s guide include the equinoxes, Feast of Pan, and the Lammas harvest celebration. The guide describes the Wiccan New Year — also known as Halloween — as “a time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, welcome those born during the past year into the community, and reflecting on past relationships, events and other significant changes in life.”
Do you think the University of Missouri should observe Pagan and Wiccan holidays?
[Image by Wikimedia Commons]
Tags : guide to religions, mizzou, pagan and wiccan holidays, pagan holidays, university of missouri, wiccan holidays
Posted: February 16, 2013
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Feb 16, 2013
Why not? They seem to observe every other holiday.
Feb 17, 2013
I actually had professors at my university count my observance of Pagan holidays against me. I had one class docked a letter grade because Fall Equinox and Halloween both occurred on days I had their class, in addition to the 2 days that I had to miss for being extremely ill after that. Their words to me: if you hadn't skipped class for calling two days religious holidays, you would have had the free pass for when you were sick.
Feb 18, 2013
yes freedom of religion means any religion.
Feb 18, 2013
Of course! Don't they observe Christian Holidays? Paganism is not only one of the oldest religions but, it is also federally recognized. I think the real question here is why don't all colleges recognize it? If they are trying to imply that Pagans are looking for excuses to get out of work…. Can't the same thing be implied to each Christian, Muslim and Jewish holiday?
Feb 18, 2013
I wouldn't want a test scheduled for Christmas, so it's only fair that people get their holidays off too. But paganism is so diverse, it seems a bit odd that all pagans would be happy about "Feast of Pan" or "Lammas"….I don't think that applies to all pagans…
Feb 18, 2013
It doesn't apply to me. If I want to get real snarky I could make the claim that the Aztec calender has a holiday twice every month most of the year. xD
Feb 18, 2013
I don't celebrate "Feast of Pan" but the fact it's recognized is a huge step in the right direction. I worked with a visiting professor to get some understanding at my university. Since Paganism is so diverse, we wanted the other staff to understand there are different holidays celebrated by different "sects". I know a few Hindus who had a hard time, except from their fellow Hindu professors (my uni had a high influx of exchange students.
Feb 18, 2013
Every day is sacred to me.
Feb 18, 2013
I want off for cthulhumas
Feb 18, 2013
I think I will go to that school but not take tests on days that are sacred to Catholic Saints. In other words, I won't be attending school. Ever.
Feb 18, 2013
what fucking holidays? Pagans never agreed with each other so how could they have common holidays? Does a Celtic pagan celebrate the rising of the Nile? Does a Babylonian celebrate Augustus's birthday….for fucks sake why are pagans and wiccans so keen on being Christians? This is christian crap which is why some of them form "churches" and other fundamentalist claptrap which seems to indicate that they really want to be christians but have issues.
Feb 18, 2013
I'll bet if we researched every religion we could find just about every day is a "holy" holiday.