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Okay, I live in Louisiana in a neighborhood that my aunt calls "The Bible Belt." We're writing a letter to the senator because my school doesn't let Wiccans out for Beltane, which is coming up. She's getting me to write it, even though I'm just 15, because I have persuasion skillz. =3 This is what we have so far.

"I am writing to express my concern about the school systems. I have noticed that the school doesn't recognize any of the holidays, other than the Christian calender-documented. I understand that the majority of Louisiana is Christian, but there are other religions, and the children need to be let out of school on certain grounds, such as, if their religion includes lengthy rituals or celebrations.

I also understand that a child may say that they are a certain religion so that they can get out of school whenever they want, but it's nothing for one of the teachers, or ANYONE for that matter, to call the parents and ask. Also, if the child can't tell you anything about the religion, or the holiday they're getting out for, then they don't need to be taken out of school.

If the child is too young to actually know, then just call the parents. Most people in my neighborhood believe that any religion other than their own is "evil" and that the member is "going to Hell."

I'm Wiccan Pagan (no, I do not do evil), for example, and I know that there are other Wiccans in Louisiana. Alot of people believe that Wiccan Paganism members are "evil" and are going to "Hell." You would think that the people would want more Wiccans because the five elements are involved with the Earth, and our motto is to harm none, so I don't know what's so evil about it. Wiccan Pagans don't believe in "Hell," and we're usually very peaceful.

One of our largest holidays is Beltane, and it's coming up May 1st. On Beltane, we celebrate the height of Spring and the flowering of life. If you have any questions about Wiccan Paganism, you can email me, but I would like for you to take a plan of action for all Wiccans in this state."

Right now, we're thinking of ways to explain Beltane, but we don't wanna use the "wrong words." o_O

It's important as citizens to participate in government and take a role in letting our elected officials know what we all think and feel about their decisions. Writing to your congressmen and senators is a good way to make your voice heard.

That being said, it is also important to remember that we are a government by and of the people. This includes all the people. We, as Wiccans, are still in a minority in this country and our voices don't always ring out as loudly as we would like them to. We should remember foremost that our faith is a faith of tolerance and we should attempt to gain an understanding of why things are the way they are and be accepting of that.

When a government looks to change a long-time tradition, such as government holidays, they must consider all the potential results. Consider for a minute, what would happen if they decided to honor the holidays of every religion in the same way. Being that there are so many traditions, each with their own dates and holidays, it would become a problem of when people would actually work. Following an international calendar, almost every day could claim some reason to have a national holiday. It would get kind of nuts.

Instead, what my daughter and I do is this......

We take a regular day absent from school on our holidays, just as if she had a flu and couldn't come. But, we also continue our work on the national holiday. This is how we show our tolerance, by allowing them to honor theirs and us to honor ours.

Consider coming up with options and compromises to include in your letter. You could ask that religious grounds be considered as acceptable causes for absence instead of giving the whole school a day off. Just something to think about.

Let me know how it goes!! and Good Luck.