North Carolina teacher suspended for being Wiccan
Holly Grimmett
http://www.fayettevillenc.com/foto/news/content/2000/tx00jan/n11wicc.htm
Tuesday, January 11, 2000
Wiccan teacher sent home
School officials confirm an investigation of an 11th-grade English teacher,
but offer no other details.
By Matt Leclercq
Staff writer
LAURINBURG -- A Scotland County teacher, Shari Eicher, said she was
suspended from her job Monday because she is Wiccan.
Eicher
Eicher, an 11th-grade English teacher at Scotland High School, said school
officials escorted her off campus after telling her she was suspended with
pay indefinitely.
"All I ever wanted to do is teach, and I thought I was doing a pretty good
job," Eicher said, crying. "To have someone tell me because I'm not the same
I can't do my job, that hurts on a level I can't even explain."
School Superintendent Shirley Prince would not comment except to say that an
investigation is under way.
Wicca is a pagan religion often referred to as witchcraft. Wiccans say it is
a nature- based religion that is older than Christianity and say most
Wiccans focus on positive energy.
The religion has been the topic of debate recently as Wiccan soldiers on
Fort Bragg have asked for a place to worship on post.
Eicher and her husband, Richard, are ordained Wicca ministers. They have
been Wiccans for 16 months, and they are in a small coven called WillowFyre.
They said rumors about their beliefs began swirling around Scotland County
and their town of Wagram last week. They believe some people saw a Web site
that describes their coven and includes pictures of them.
Because of the rumors, the Eichers said they and other members removed their
names from the Web site Monday.
The Web site also contains four pictures of naked people colored with body
paint. Shari Eicher said she is not one of the people in the nude pictures.
"There are certain beliefs within pagan groups that ritual nudity is a way
of stripping away all disguises before a deity," she said. "It is not a
practice I personally engage in."
In the past few days, the Web site has had about 500 hits, evidence that
people are talking about it, Richard Eicher said. A warning tells visitors
not to proceed if they are offended by pictures of people practicing a
religion while naked.
"If they did see it, they went looking for it," Shari Eicher said.
Beliefs not a secret
Prince, the school superintendent, would not confirm whether Shari Eicher
was suspended or why the teacher is being investigated.
"According to our attorney, we have to have reasonable cause to have
inappropriate behavior by an employee," Prince said. "In my mind, we had
more than reasonable cause."
Prince became superintendent eight months ago. She said she was unaware of
any previous problems with Shari Eicher.
Prince would not comment on whether people have recently complained about
Shari Eicher's beliefs or the Web site.
"We have a responsibility to students and to the community, and we needed to
act," she said. "We would always take constitutional rights very seriously,
and that would come into consideration."
Shari Eicher said she did not keep her beliefs a secret from administrators
at Scotland High School, where she has taught for three years. Although she
usually does not discuss her beliefs with anyone, she said, she told
administrators 14 months ago so they would not be surprised if they learned
of her religion from others.
Until Monday, she assumed it was not a problem with Principal Roger Edwards,
Eicher said. Edwards and Assistant Superintendent Norwood Randolph were at
the meeting with her Monday, she said.
Richard Eicher said he lost his job in December because he is a Wiccan, but
he didn't think it would happen to his wife. He would not say where he
worked because of possible litigation.
"I thought that's what the First Amendment was for," he said. "I can't
believe that in the United States in 2000, there are people who want to go
back to the Middle Ages and burn witches."
Richard Eicher said he thinks school officials will reinstate his wife as
soon as the public realizes what happened.
"I do not think that Scotland County administrators are so ignorant of the
laws that they don't know they crossed the line," he said.
Kristie Garber, who is co-director of Pagans in Action Council of Truth,
said discrimination against Wiccans is widespread. The national group
educates people about paganism and clears up misconceptions that Wiccans are
devil worshippers, Garber said.
"What all this revolves around is fear," Garber said. "Most members of pagan
religions do not have any beliefs in Satan or a purely evil entity."
Deborah Ross, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of
North Carolina in Raleigh, said an employer generally cannot fire someone
for speaking on a matter of public concern.
"The only way she could be fired is if her speech so disrupted the work
environment so people couldn't do their jobs," Ross said.
Ross said it would be different if someone was trying to convert students at
school into being witches.
"It sounds like it's going to be pretty hard for them to defend," Ross said.
Shari Eicher said she never talked about her beliefs with students.
"I don't discuss my beliefs, especially with children," she said.
(end of article)
--
:-)---Holly---<--<-@
hgri...@earthlink.net
Valarie
North Carolina, USA. [snip] "It has come to my attention that apparently a
student using a computer accessed an internet web site by the name of
Willowfyre Coven¹ .. encourage people to go to the Eicher apartment to learn
about Wicca, Druidism or Paganism. .. Shari Eicher and her husband displays
pictures of full
frontal nudity of both males and a female." [snip] "However, she does not have
a right to disregard that standard of common decency and moral restraint
required of all responsible citizens, the exercise of which continues to insure
our freedoms."]]
** Though the article does go on to state that [not all facts are known], if
these individuals are subjecting minors to nude photos & pics then this is a
crime according to the laws of man.
The article further states [[.. the unargued conflict between sincerely held
religious beliefs of many American Pagans relative to ritual Pagan nudity, and
various non-Pagans and their religions, and governmental entities, laws,
opinions, etc.]]
** Bullshit. This is a blantent example of trying to make a religious
argument when one does not exist. Most state laws clearly state that it is
"contributing to the delinquency of a minor" when you discuss religion with
them if they are under the age of 17 (some states are 18). Unless the
parents give permision.
I can understand this law. All too often have I seen junior & high school kids
come to the house wanting to know about "witchcraft" b/c they know my kids are
Pagans. All too often I told them - quite frankly - that it was against the
law for me to do so b/c they were minors, still living at home, & it was their
parents responsibility to teach them religion (if any).
heart in hand ...
Valarie
heart in hand ...
Valarie
Robert Posey
Valarie wrote:
>
> ** Bullshit. This is a blantent example of trying to make a religious
> argument when one does not exist. Most state laws clearly state that it is
> "contributing to the delinquency of a minor" when you discuss religion with
> them if they are under the age of 17 (some states are 18). Unless the
> parents give permision.
Has any Christian been charged under this law?
> Valarie
>
> heart in hand ...
> Valarie
======================================= MODERATOR'S COMMENT:
Beyond that, what they are trying is the "harmful to minors" provision which the Supreme Court has repeatedly stated is too vague. This is what kill the CDA. -Donal
Donal
>The article further states [[.. the unargued conflict between sincerely held
>religious beliefs of many American Pagans relative to ritual Pagan nudity, and
>various non-Pagans and their religions, and governmental entities, laws,
>opinions, etc.]]
> ** Bullshit. This is a blantent example of trying to make a religious
>argument when one does not exist. Most state laws clearly state that it is
>"contributing to the delinquency of a minor" when you discuss religion with
>them if they are under the age of 17 (some states are 18). Unless the
>parents give permision.
However, the web page clearly stated that anyone from 5-18 who wished
to attend could ONLY do so if accompanied by both parents or by the
custodial parent (in the case of divorce).
The only question is whether the nude pictures that WERE there (they
have been removed) appealed to "the prurient interests of minors
regarding sex". This will not stand in court because there was no sex
involved and the photos were no more or less than can be seen in most
copies of National Geographic (and of considerably less quality.
Whether or not the school district will be able to dismiss her is less
clear. She has showed an amazing lack of good sense throughout this,
and she will probably be dismissed by the "morals" clause in her
contract.
---
Donal mailto:do...@brewich.com http://www.brewich.com/users/donal
SysAdmin of The Brewers' Witch BBS http://www.brewich.com
Modkinus Primus of soc.religion.paganism http://www.brewich.com/org/srp
RingMaster of The WebCircle WebRing http://www.brewich.com/webcircle
BW Internet Services http://www.bwis.com Pagan-owned and operated ISP
Baird Stafford
<snip>
> Has any Christian been charged under this law?
Oddly enough, yes, or one similar to it. A case occurred in Colorado
Springs, Colorado (of all places!) a few years ago in which a Christian
fundamentalist denomination baptized a fairly large number of children
without getting permission from the kids' parents first. As far as I
know, all the kids came from good Christian families (though some may
have been Jewish), and the parents very rightly resented this invasion
of their parental perogatives. The sect was prosecuted, and lost - or
at least, that's how I remember it.
Nat, Hampster or anyone else out there - comments?
Blessed be,
Baird
--
Modkin for soc.religion.paganism,
Modstaff for alt.religion.wicca.moderated
Visit me at <http://bairdstafford.com>
Natalie Ramsey
Baird Stafford <ba...@gate.net> wrote:
>
>Oddly enough, yes, or one similar to it. A case occurred in Colorado
>Springs, Colorado (of all places!)
Hey, it's been years since we burned a witch. ;-)
>a few years ago in which a Christian
>fundamentalist denomination baptized a fairly large number of children
>without getting permission from the kids' parents first. As far as I
>know, all the kids came from good Christian families (though some may
>have been Jewish), and the parents very rightly resented this invasion
>of their parental perogatives. The sect was prosecuted, and lost - or
>at least, that's how I remember it.
>
>Nat, Hampster or anyone else out there - comments?
Well, I'm not sure that Cornerstone Baptist Church qualifies as
a denomination, though I don't doubt they're fundamentalist --
their (lame) web site specifies that they use the King James
1611 Version of the Bible exclusively. Cornerstone is an
independent Baptist church.
What Cornerstone did was send out buses into various neighborhoods
promising to take kids to a carnival or some such. What they
got, of course, was not a carnival in any sense I would agree
with. The kids were pressured into going through with baptism,
without the knowledge or consent of their parents (though that's
disputed by Cornerstone). Of course, most of the kids were from
Christian households, and many had already been baptized.
As far as I recall, Cornerstone was not prosecuted, but rather
was sued by the angry parents. I don't honestly recall how
the suit turned out, but it was a Big Deal in all the local
media, and of course there was a big stink raised by the
Pikes Peak Interfaith Council and so forth.
...
After calling Citizens' Project, a local church-state separation
group of which I'm a member, I can report that judgment was
rendered against Cornerstone, but only for about $1000. I
suppose a moral victory is better than no victory at all.
Blessings,
Natalie
PS The things I do for this newsgroup. :-) -N.
--
Natalie Overstreet Ramsey --------------------------- <nat...@col.hp.com>
alternate moderator, soc.religion.paganism; please cc all responses via e-mail
I am not speaking for Agilent Technologies.
bmf
"Wren's Nest" located at "The Witches' Voice"
http://www.witchvox.com/xwrensnest.html (I apologize for the large
size of this post, didn't want to leave out any relevant info)
Area Ministers Say Website Nudity, Not Religion
The Focus Of Meeting About Wiccan Teacher
January 24, 2000
100 ATTEND MINISTERS' MEETING ON WICCAN TEACHER-by Thomas
Lark, Laurinburg Exchange (1/24/00)
About 100 local church members turned up at Northview
Harvest
Ministries to protest what they see as Internet
pornography,
disseminated by Wiccan ministers Shari and Richard Eicher,
who
live in Wagram.
At Saturday evening's rally, area ministers claimed theirs
is
not a religious objection. Instead, they protested the
Eichers
on the grounds of what they view as indecency. They
emphasized
that the Eichers are free to practice whatever religion
they
choose; in the Wiccan world, nakedness within ritualized
contexts is a frequent occurrence. The pastors and their
followers took great offense at the photographic
depictions of
this nudity on the Internet web site, saying they did not
want
their children exposed to such things and that school
teachers
should be held to higher moral standards.-FULL STORY
LINKED
FROM- MEETING
Ministers, Lawyer Will Hold Meeting Concerning Wiccan
Teacher
Tonight
January 22, 2000
MINISTERS, LAWYER TO HOLD MEETING ON WICCAN TEACHER-by
Thomas
Lark, Laurinburg Exchange
A group of fundamentalist Christian ministers and a local
lawyer will hold a meeting Saturday night on the subject
of
Shari and Richard Eicher, Wagram residents who are at the
center of a religious controversy.
Shari Eicher, an 11th-grade English teacher at Scotland
High
School, was suspended from her job on Jan. 10. Mrs.
Eicher,
who runs a Wiccan group called WillowFyre Coven with her
husband, said the suspension is because of the coven's web
site, which contained photographs of coven members
practicing
ritual nudity.-FULL STORY- MINISTERS TO HOLD MEETING
Commandments New Political Issue For Conservatives
January 19, 2000
POLITICS OF THE COMMANDMENTS-by Stacy A. Teicher,
Christian
Science Monitor (1/19/00)
Posting the Mosaic law in prominent places, especially
schools, is emerging as the new clarion call of Christian
conservatives. But the movement is gaining adherents from
the
ranks of judges, teachers, parents, and politicians who,
confronted by school violence and a perceived moral
decline in
the United States, hope the Decalogue will be chiseled
into
young minds as it once was chiseled into stone.
Every step of the way, the movement is met by defenders of
the
separation between church and state. The ensuing clashes -
in
courts, statehouses, and even Congress - spring from
disagreement over how much separation is enough and what
place
religious codes should have in civic spaces. -FULL
ARTICLE-
POLITICS OF TEN
School Board Takes No Action On Eicher's Suspension
January 18, 2000
NO ACTION TAKEN ON SUSPENDED TEACHER-by Kevin Degon,
Editor,
Laurinburg Exchange (1/18/00)
Scotland County Board of Education Chairman Buck Carter
would
not comment on the status of suspended Scotland High
School
teacher Shari Eicher after Tuesday night's board meeting.
Carter said he would not comment on any aspects of the
case.
Eicher was suspended Jan. 10. Eicher has said she was
suspended because of a Wiccan web site she and her husband
maintain.-Story Linked From NO ACTION and moved to
archives
the next day.
N.c. Educators Assoc. Say, "school Officials Overreacted"
January 15, 2000
WICCAN TEACHER'S REMOVAL CRITICIZED-by Matt Leclercq,
Fayetteville Observer (1/15/00)
LAURINBURG -- The North Carolina Association of Educators
says
Scotland County school officials overreacted when they
suspended a Wiccan teacher.
John Wilson, the association's director, said lawyers for
the
association have had preliminary meetings with the
teacher,
Shari Eicher. She teaches English at Scotland High School.
Wilson said the school system has handled the case
improperly.
School officials should have put Eicher's suspension in
writing, he said.
The NCAE's initial conclusion is that Eicher has done
nothing
to warrant a suspension, Wilson said.-FULL STORY- REMOVAL
CRITICIZED
Eichers Say Misconceptions About Wicca Driving Controversy
January 13, 2000
EICHERS-MISCONCEPTION IS DRIVING FORCE IN CONTROVERSY-by
Thomas Lark, Laurinburg Exchange (1/13/00)
Shari and Richard Eicher, the Wagram couple whose lives
have
been turned upside down in the wake of Shari Eicher's
suspension from her teaching job at Scotland High School,
say
the uproar about their religion and Mrs. Eicher's access
to
Scotland County's children is rooted in misconception.
Richard Eicher wants people to know the details about
their
faith, which is simultaneously very old and very new.
"We do not worship Satan," he said. "We don't believe in
Satan. We don't make sacrifices."-FULL STORY LINKED FROM
FRONT
PAGE OF LAURINBURG EXCHANGE- MISCONCEPTIONS
(See also- RELIGIOUS FREEDOM A TWO EDGE-SWORD - As the
controversy surrounding Shari and Richard Eicher
continues,
area members of the Christian clergy are having their say
about the Wiccan ministers.)
Pagan, Christian Groups Draw Battle Lines Over Eicher
Suspension
January 12, 2000
PAGAN, CHRISTIAN GROUPS TAKING SIDES ON EICHER'S
SUSPENSION-by
Kevin Degon, Editor, Laurinburg Exchange (1/12/00)
Groups on both sides of the argument over the suspension
of
Scotland High School teacher Shari Eicher are drawing
lines
and digging trenches.
Mrs. Eicher, who is a practicing Pagan, says she was sent
home
from her job because of her religious beliefs. She was
suspended indefinitely with pay on Monday afternoon.
Local attorney Michael Schmidt sent a letter also signed
by
six ministers to school board members charging that a web
site
maintained by Mrs. Eicher and her husband, Richard,
violate
child-protection laws.-FULL STORY LINKED FROM- EICHER'S
SUSPENSION
Wiccan Teacher Will Not Return To Classroom
January 27, 1900
EICHER WILL NOT RETURN TO SCOTLAND HIGH JOB-by Kevin
Degon,
Laurinburg Exchange (1/27/00)
Shari Eicher will not return to her job as an 11th-grade
English teacher at Scotland High School, according to a
statement released Thursday by the Scotland County Board
of
Education.
Mrs. Eicher was suspended from her job on Jan. 10 because
of a
Wiccan web site she and her husband maintain that
contained
ritual nudity.
Part of the statement reads, "Both the Scotland County
Board
of Education and Ms. Eicher agree that it is in the best
interest of her students and the school community that Ms.
Eicher not return to the classroom."-FULL STORY LINKED
FROM-
EICHER WILL NOT RETURN TO CLASSROOM (If story has been
moved,
check Laurinburg Exchange archives)
A STATEMENT FROM RICHARD EICHER-
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please re-post and forward this announcement to any and
everyone you know who who may have been taking action on
behalf of Willow in North Carolina.
The situation regarding Rev. Shari 'Willow' Eicher is
resolved! This evening (January 27th) the matter was
concluded
by a vote of the Scotland County Board of Education with
the
acceptance of an agreement by both parties.
The formal press release follows along with some
additional
information not provided therein that I am at liberty to
release:
The Scotland County Board of Education (SCBOE) and Mrs.
Eicher
have come to the following
agreement regarding Mrs. Eicher?s Employment with the
Scotland
County Schools.
1) Ms. Eicher has been associated, either knowingly or
unknowingly, in name only, with a
website that contains pictures that, by some community
member?s standards, might appeal to
prurient interest;
2) Ms. Eicher?s effectiveness in the classroom has been
undermined at the present time by media and community
attention;
3) Both the Board and Ms. Eicher agree that it is in the
best
interest of her students and school community that Ms.
Eicher
not return to the classroom;
4) SCBOE has not infringed on Ms. Eicher?s civil rights,
including without limitation her right to religious
freedom,
neither has Ms. Eicher proselytized her religious beliefs
to
her students, peers, or community;
5) Neither party will make any other statement, now or in
the
future, regarding this matter to the media or any other
person
except to say that this matter has been resolved to the
satisfaction of the Board and Ms. Eicher.
OK, that is the formal statement. But what can I tell you
beyond this? Nothing regarding the specifics of the case,
but
I CAN tell you about going forward.
Willow retains her teaching credentials as well as full
record
of her performance and copies of all performance
evaluations
'at least at standard' and showing most performance
ratings at
'above standard' or 'exemplary.' She also maintains full
credit for her additional activities regarding Public
Education in North Carolina including participation in a
State
BOE PRAXIS exam review committee.
Willow has ALREADY RECEIVED an unofficial offer of
employment
in a neighboring school district. This offer is
'unofficial'
because it came directly from a sitting board member, but
her
immediate application and presentation of her portfolio is
requested.
We will be more than able to continue our professional
lives
in a comfortable manner.
And this just in: Willow and Obsydyan are planning to
acquire
10-20 acres of land for
purposes of a permanent home for both ourselves and as a
permanent residence for WillowFyre Coven. We expect this
acquisition to take place near the time of the start of
the
2000-01 school year.
So folks, the community did indeed stand together and win
this
one! It is wonderful to know that as the focus of specific
issues change that we can all stay in touch and keep our
efforts focused on the relevant points whether it be
Religious
Rights, Freedom of Speech, or any of our other freedoms.
We cannot begin to thank all of those who helped us
enough. Of
course Rev. Wren Walker and the staff of The Witches Voice
for
their frequent updating and posting of information, to
Pagans
in Action Council for Truth (PACT), and especially to PACT
National Co-Directors Selena and Kat who, in the midst of
their own personal trials continued to direct action, post
updates, communicate with media outlets, etc. For Lady K.
and
her family as well as to Jon & Tay at PACENC for their
unending legal research on our behalf, and of course to
the
community as a whole! We received literally THOUSANDS of
e-mails, letters
and phone calls of support from all over the WORLD on this
issue from every type of Pagan, and many outside our
community
who understand the issues we face and offered their
support as
well.
This was not a pleasant experience for us, and Willow and
I
both hope that no one ever has to go through anything
resembling our personal recent stresses. HOWEVER, if
anyone
does, we stand ready to provide the same aid that was so
graciously given to us. Our legal reference library is
much
improved and we stand prepared to assist those in
distress.
Now, in conclusion let me add these VERY ESSENTIAL points:
1. Please end the massive ongoing public education
campaign
that has been launched in
SUPPORT OF WILLOW. The matter is now resolved and we THANK
YOU
for your ongoing efforts.
2. There are other issues here in Scotland County North
Carolina that I personally will continue focusing on and
would
appreciate any assistance the larger community may wish to
consider. These issues are:
A. The personal involvement of a County Commissioner in
recent
events here that violate
both their own authority and the legal rights and
responsibilities of District Administrators.
B. The vote by the Scotland County Commissioners to post
the
Ten Commandments in Public Schools on January 10th (The
same
day this all started)
C. The apparent clear violation of the Equal Access Act in
the
recognition of a new student group at Scotland County High
School. The group is sponsored by a group outside the
school
(that is strike 1) and non-students are present at all
meetings (strike 2) to make sure the group is administered
properly (strike 3). Please be sure
to check the archives of the Laurinburg Exchange from
January
24th for the full story on this issue
http://www.laurinburgexchange.com
And again THANK YOU ALL for your wonderful support through
this! We could not have done it without you!
Rev. Richard ?Obsydyan? Eicher
Co-Founder, Priest & Scribe of WillowFyre Coven
National Parliamentarian of PACT