Post by jadedsage on Oct 21, 2004 20:23:23 GMT -5
Township worries over new neighbors
Lapeer County house practices Wicca
By Debra Steele
Oregon Township — (10/21/04)--They're new to the neighborhood and they say they are Wiccans who practice a religion called Wicca.
Neighbors say they are devil-worshiping witches, and they are concerned. Debra Steele had more.
They moved into the neighborhood about a month ago. They do acknowledge that they practice Wicca, but they say their neighbors are overreacting and they have no reason reason to fear them.
It was the sign that was put up in the front yard that got the attention of their neighbors. That's when neighbors say they went to Internet and didn't like what they read.
"Our concerns are they worship Satan," said one neighbor. "We're concerned there could be some sacrificing, possibly of animals. We haven't seen anything yet, but we are concerned."
So much so that about 40 people who live in the neighborhood held a meeting with township officials to discuss their new neighbors.
"They just want to make sure that it's a safe neighborhood and they are concerned. And until we find out anything, there is not much that we can do until we check out the ordinances," said Oregon Township Supervisor Eldon Card.
Township officials say they can only find the residents in violation of one ordinance: They say the sign is too big.
The people who live in the home did not want to go on camera but they did say they do not believe in the devil and they are not a Satanic cult. Some of their neighbors are still uneasy.
Neighbors say the occupants plan to build a temple on the property to be used for worshiping. But the occupants told us that it would be a spiritual temple.
The supervisor of Oregon Township says they are looking into whether the new residents are violating any other codes besides the sign being too big.
The new residents say they are peaceful people who would never cause harm to a fellow human or animals, and they'll be glad when this whole thing blows over.
Lapeer County house practices Wicca
By Debra Steele
Oregon Township — (10/21/04)--They're new to the neighborhood and they say they are Wiccans who practice a religion called Wicca.
Neighbors say they are devil-worshiping witches, and they are concerned. Debra Steele had more.
They moved into the neighborhood about a month ago. They do acknowledge that they practice Wicca, but they say their neighbors are overreacting and they have no reason reason to fear them.
It was the sign that was put up in the front yard that got the attention of their neighbors. That's when neighbors say they went to Internet and didn't like what they read.
"Our concerns are they worship Satan," said one neighbor. "We're concerned there could be some sacrificing, possibly of animals. We haven't seen anything yet, but we are concerned."
So much so that about 40 people who live in the neighborhood held a meeting with township officials to discuss their new neighbors.
"They just want to make sure that it's a safe neighborhood and they are concerned. And until we find out anything, there is not much that we can do until we check out the ordinances," said Oregon Township Supervisor Eldon Card.
Township officials say they can only find the residents in violation of one ordinance: They say the sign is too big.
The people who live in the home did not want to go on camera but they did say they do not believe in the devil and they are not a Satanic cult. Some of their neighbors are still uneasy.
Neighbors say the occupants plan to build a temple on the property to be used for worshiping. But the occupants told us that it would be a spiritual temple.
The supervisor of Oregon Township says they are looking into whether the new residents are violating any other codes besides the sign being too big.
The new residents say they are peaceful people who would never cause harm to a fellow human or animals, and they'll be glad when this whole thing blows over.