Since Henry VIII, British government has attempted to control the religious impulses of the British people. The result is an Established church which maintains edifices often more used by tourists than worshippers. The same pattern can be seen across Europe.

In America, because each religion is legally equal, and must support itself financially, all compete in the free marketplace of ideas. As a result, America is the most religious nation in the West.

"The Spirit bloweth where it listeth," and the rising numbers of practitioners of Hinduism, Taoism, Wicca, and other forms of Paganism can no more be suppressed by law than were the non-conforming Calvinists, Catholics, Unitarians, Universalists, and Quakers of past centuries. If this raises anxiety in the Established church, that energy would be better applied to repentence and renewal among themselves,rather than lobbying to use the power of law to suppress the competition.

As to the issue of "a supreme Being":

Since the Enlightenment, many non-conformists have argued that the Trinity is actually crypto-polytheism, rather than the radical monotheism of Judaism and Islam. Is drawing the line at "monotheism" really is the best interest of Trinitarians?

Pagan Theology recognizes that the Lord and Lady (masculine and feminine aspects of Divinity)are united into one Transcendent Whole. If the Christian Trinity passes the monotheism test, then logically, the Wiccan Union of the God and Goddess symbolized by the Great Rite should also be accepted. (For more on Deep Pagan Theology, see www.paganinstitute.org)

Blessed Be! Rev. Dr. Christa Landon Director, The Pagan Institute

   The British government has attempted to control the religious practice of its citizens for centuries. As a result, most "established" churches in Britain -- and in Europe, generally -- serve more as museums than active places of worship.

Wicca holds that the Lord and Lady are united in love just as fully as Christianity claims that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united. As in many forms of Hinduism, the "polytheism" is better understood as "polynominalism," many names for a Transcendent Unity.

Therefore, the law of 1855 is not truly a barrier to the UK's RECOGNITION that worship is being carried on by this non-conforming congregation.

"The Spirit bloweth as it listeth," and if the Established religion/s fear the growth of Hinduism, Taoism, Wicca, and other forms of Paganism, they need to look to their own sins, rather than persecute others.

In America, every religion is equal under the law and must compete for the minds and financial support of its members. This is why America is the MOST religious western nation.

For more information on Pagan Theology and Pagan Studies, see www.paganinstitute.org

Blessed Be! Dr. Christa Landon, Director of the Pagan Institute

   This is discrimination. Buddhism does not worship a supreme being, yet their temples are regarded as religious. If the Goverment argue that it's also a shop they still don't have a leg to stand on as many of our churches and cathederals have shops attached.Well done to Sandra and her group for bringing this discrimination into the open. Cerridwen..HPS Triple Moon Coven Wigan