Wiccan priestess Deborah Maynard of Cedar Rapids delivered an invocation at Iowa’s House this past Thursday, issuing a call to “God, Goddess, Universe, that which is greater than ourselves to be here today.”
Democrat Rep. Liz Bennett invited the priestess to address lawmakers, half did not attend the first ever prayer delivered by a member of the Wiccan religion.
“Any time there’s something a little bit different there can be people who have some concerns,” Bennett stated. “I have met with some people on both sides of the aisle just to let them know that the invocation or the prayer Deb will be offering will be very inclusive.”
Maynard, who is also known as a “cabot witch,” is believed to be the first Wiccan leader to offer an invocation at the Iowa Legislature. After she spoke, House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, shook Maynard’s hand, but more than half of the 100 House members were not present for the opening prayer with some reportedly boycotting her remarks. Rep. Rob Taylor, R-West Des Moines, who is a Protestant, turned his back to the podium as Maynard spoke, saying it was a way for him to peacefully protest.
Wicca is a neopagan, witchcraft religion developed in the 20th century that is symbolized by a five-pointed star within a circle. It is considered a diverse religion with no central authority. Many Wiccans believe in magic. Maynard, 43, who works as a project manager for an eastern Iowa business, is the leader of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans in Cedar Rapids.
Rep. Liz Bennett, D-Cedar Rapids, who invited Maynard to offer the invocation, says she considers the House chamber to be a place that should be open to everyone. She says she’s known Maynard for years, adding that she has also invited two Christian pastors and a Jewish rabbi who have offered daily prayers in the House.
“When we say we believe in religious freedom and we believe in religious liberty, that means that we don’t endorse one religion over another as a government,” Bennett said. “And in fact, when you look at other countries who do show preference or endorsement for one religion over another, you can see it’s not a very good situation. That’s something the founders of our nation knew.”
Pastor Michael Demastus of the Fort Des Moines Church of Christ organized a group of Christians who prayed at the Capitol on Thursday morning in response to Maynard’s appearance. He said he doesn’t dispute Maynard’s constitutional right to pray as she wishes, but he would rather have legislators hearing lessons from the God of the Bible.
“We feel that this is completely out of sync with the traditions of our state and our nation to seek guidance from the occult. We believe it is just not a good idea,” Demastus said. He noted that Thursday marked an annual day at the Capitol for the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators, and hundreds of Christians were expected.
Rep. Taylor said he prayed often the past several days about how to respond to the Wiccan prayer. “I thought to myself, ‘What would Jesus do?’ Jesus would be in the chamber from my perspective. He would passively protest and then he would seek that individual out and have a peaceful conversation with them about why his way was the best way, and so that is what I did today.”
Sara Smith, DAni K Guinen, Joel Guinen this is what I mentioned
Maryann Cole, in other words your magic sky daddy and zombie son are more believable than her pagan beliefs. I find it funny that you think your belief is any more convincing. There is no war on your religion, thete is an uprising of those who believe differently to simply have their voice heard. The Christian majority has had privelege for far too long in a country that (on paper), endorses NO religion over any other. Get some education, your bigotry and ignorance are showing.
Faith – Belief in something for which there is no proof. That being said you can not have a “right” or “wrong” faith. Morality of said faith is another issue all together.
Not Iowa
Just because it may not be your God, Don’t knock some one else’s. I don’t pray to a jew, it is surely not a towel head keep your stupid comments to yourself
So don’t know Wiccan then lol
To those who think America was founded as a Christian nation, may I refer you to the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli, signed by John Adams? As for your comments regarding my being delusional, I suggest you look in the mirror.
America was founded by masons lol they symbolism is everywhere, they also believe in the Grand Architect, the Creator and God lol they never specified a faith tho
Gee “$#%&!@*”, you make light of my faith expecting me to buckle. They are butchering muppets in Hussein’s beloved 57 islamic states, are they. You don’t believe in the Lord God, I’ll pray for you. Gays aren’t targeting Christian businesses because they want to hear the Good News, are they. Hussein hasn’t virtually outlawed our Faith for nothing, has he. The fact that you mock Jesus and His Father shows Christians are marked by this regime and the drooling toadys who worship ayatollah Hussein.
I will pray for you and Tiffy, as well as all the others. I’m no saint, just another sinner working toward a better way of life. All you have is venom, lies and emptiness.
Amen!