Excused absences for pagan worship!

Vanderbilt University in Tennessee has added Wiccan and pagan holidays to its annual academic calendar.  The university calendar informs faculty and students what days qualify for excused absences.  This calendar recognizes Christian holidays, Jewish holidays, Muslim holidays—and now Wiccan/pagan holidays.  Wicca is an officially recognized “religion” in the United States and many other nations.  So now, witches can request days off to observe the Feast of the Dead and worship the sacred marriage goddess (USA Today, August 17, 2011).

Witchcraft has existed for thousands of years and is even mentioned in the Bible.  Numerous scriptures in the Old Testament clearly condemn witchcraft, sorcery and all forms of pagan idolatrous practices (Exodus 20:1-8; Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).  This same condemnation is found in the New Testament.  While Christians are not to practice violence against anyone, the Apostle Paul clearly states that “those who practice such things [sorcery, witchcraft, idolatry] will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:18-21).  It is sobering today, to see the return of paganism—especially in “so-called” Christian nations like the U.S. and Britain.

Long ago God prophesied about the Israelite-descended nations, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?  No!  They were not at all ashamed, nor did they know how to blush” and, “They have gone after other gods to serve them” (Jeremiah 8:12; 11:10).  With students and faculty allowed to miss class or reschedule exams for Wiccan holidays, what will be allowed next?