In Shreveport LA, a substitute teacher is facing opposition, the authorities say it’s because of her blue hair, she says it’s because of faith. You see, Jennifer Harmon talked to her students about paganism:

Harmon, whose appearance has remained the same since early 2006 and was evident during her substitute application process, doesn’t think it was her hair color or an accompanying nose piercing that got her in trouble. Rather, it was religion.

The same early December day a fellow substitute teacher asked if she was Wiccan, Harmon found herself in Principal Jamie (Rene) Tolbert’s office answering questions about her appearance and whether she had discussed religion with students.

“Not only was I extremely confused and upset because I was never made aware of any policy prohibiting teachers from having blue hair and nose piercings, but when (Tolbert) asked me about religion I started to panic,” said Harmon, who said she is not Wiccan and does not subscribe to any particular religious faith. “Of course, I never spoke to the children about religion. I would never do such a thing.”

Wicca is a pagan faith centered on veneration of the Earth. It emphasizes peace, not harming living things and observance of ancient religious traditions. The religion is often misunderstood and some view it as anti-Christian. [The Shreveport Times]

Paganism’s misrepresentation goes back a ways - but despite more general views, folks of the pagan faith are still going strong. Each year they gather to celebrate in the Black Rock Desert at the Burning Man Festival. For more on what the Burning Man Festival is - point your mouse here.

And if you are looking for an example of how folks feel about Paganism (keep Burning Man in mind) and also a great film to see - check out the 1973’s The Wicker Man (avoid the more recent Nic Cage remake at all costs). A trailer and clip are below: