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The Maetreum of Cybele Continues Its Battle for Legitimacy

"The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities." --Lord Acton, The History of Freedom in Antiquity

The Maetreum of Cybele is a 501c federally recognized tax-exempt organization, locked in a tax battle with the town of Catskill, who do not wish to grant a tax exemption to an "illegitimate religion." This legal battle has been drawn out for seven years, in an attempt to spend the Pagan monastery out of existence via legal fees. If you're not disturbed by this information, you should be.

"If you happen to be thinking that this instance of legal precedence does not concern you because your theology differs from theirs, you ought to think again.  If you believe for a second that your future endeavors to build your own worship space, or convent, or temple to your God(s) is not affected by this, you are sorely mistaken.

Wouldn’t it be a shame if the legal wins of the Maetreum were not available toyour lawyer when your town or local government decides to derail your plans?  Wouldn’t it be a shame if you did not have this legal precedent to fall back on, proving the inherent worth of Alternative Religions, and thus, your religious tradition in your close-minded community? Shame?  Yes.  Shame on you.

So, where is your support?  And if you are serious about Pagan places of worship, temples, convents and the like, then put your money where your mouth is."

The Maetreum’s Paypal is:

centralhouse@gallae.com

Or, send the priestesses a check:

Maetreum of Cybele
3312 Route 23A
Palenville, NY 12463

--Laurel Columbine, Where’s the Support? | Queen of the Waiting Ones.

Jolene Dawe, Pagan author and blogger commented on the Maetreum's battle, "The dominant religious groups cannot be allowed to decide for everyone what does or does not make a valid religion or religious group, what constitutes a legitimate place of worship. There are at least 10,000 pagans in the US."

If you'd like to hear about the Maetreum's battle in their own words, I interviewed The Rev. Cathryn Platine and Rev. Viktoria Whittaker on Raven About Metaphysics a couple months ago.

If you're able, please, please consider donating to their legal fund - it affects Pagans and Polytheists, but it will leave a lasting impact on all minority religions, because this case is a vivid illustration of our lack of security. Imagine all the good works the Maetreum could be doing for their community if they weren't fighting for their very existence.

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Lokean nun, writer, swamp witch. Heather is a Pagan monastic, writer, editor, and mother. She has written and edited for a variety of publications and social media, including science journals, romance novels, and technology blogs. She also holds degrees in education and speech-language pathology, and has a passion for historical linguistics.

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