Welcome to the Street Prophets Coffee Hour cleverly hidden at the intersection of religion, art, science, food, and politics. This is an open thread where we can share our thoughts and comments about the day. In November 2024, Amy Hardy-McAdams gave the opening prayer at the Tulsa, Oklahoma, city council.
McAdams describes herself as a Third-Degree High Priestess of the Artemisian Faerie Faith Tradition of Witchcraft.” Her prayer:
As a Priestess of the Goddess, I invoke the Gorgonaea, champions of equality and sacred rage. I call to Medusa, monstrous hero of the oppressed and abused. I open the Eye of Medusa, the stare that petrifies injustice. I call upon the serpent that rises from this land to face the Stars, the movement of wisdom unbound. May these leaders find within themselves the Embodied Divine, the sacred essence of the spark of the Universe and the breath of the Awen. Place in the hands of these leaders the sacred work of protecting the sovereignty and autonomy of all our people. Gorgon Goddess, make them ready and willing to be champions for all in this city, not just those in power. Shine a light for them, that they may walk the path of justice, protected and prepared, illuminating the darkness. Endow them with the fire of courage, the waters of compassion, the air of truth, and the strength of the earth itself. As Above, so below. As within, so without. As the universe, so the soul. May there be peace among you all. And so it is.
While none of the city council members responded negatively to the pagan invocation, the public pagan prayer was not well received by some Christians in the community. Some of the community’s Christians called it a “Satanic prayer” and Ryan Walters, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction said:
“Satanic prayers are welcome in Hell but not in Oklahoma.”
Governor Kevin Stitt said:
“Satan is trying to establish a foothold, but Oklahoma is going to be shining city on the hill.
Tulsa City Council needs to stand strong against actions like this, and Tulsans need to remember who allowed this at the ballot box.”
It should be noted that Amy Hardy-McAdams gave a similar invocation in the council in June 2021 and there was no backlash.
(Thanks to the Friendly Atheist for the information about this story).
Open Thread
This is an open thread—all comments, both Christian and Pagan, are welcome.