YAKIMA – Melvin Neifert is no devil worshipper.
But he is a witch.
He’s heard the criticisms. Devil worshipper. Evil. Anti-Christian. As the president of the Church of the Sacred Moon, the Yakima Valley’s only Pagan church officially recognized by the state, Neifert knows the stereotypes.
None of them are true, says the 31-year-old Neifert. Pagans don’t believe in the devil. They don’t do evil, believing if they do, it will come back to them. And, he says, “I don’t hold any animosity against Christians – just those people who have abused our religion.”
The Pagan church is loosely organized with no central doctrine or scriptures. However, common themes are woven through Pagan beliefs. They believe in environmental stewardship. Also, Pagans have the freedom to do what they want, knowing they must take responsibility for their actions. They subscribe to the idea that whatever you do comes back to you several times over.
“If we send out positive energy, then it comes back to us,” Neifert says.
They celebrate eight main holidays each year. The celebrations invoke many ancient Celtic traditions and are tied to seasons and lunar phases.
And while Paganism draws on many pre-Christian, tribal and mystic beliefs, its adherents are decidedly 21st century, with Web sites, blogs and MySpace postings dedicated to Paganism. There’s also a Pagan 12-step recovery group.
The Church of the Sacred Moon has its own Web site. The church is incorporated as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization with a set of bylaws and a board of directors.
Members of the Church of the Sacred Moon consider themselves Wiccans, which is a denomination within Paganism. Paganism is an umbrella term that encompasses many ancient beliefs, says Neifert.
The church is small; there are only five initiated members now. It’s by choice, says Neifert.
“We are really, really careful who we bring in.”
It’s not enough that prospective members attend study groups and learn the details of Paganism and Wicca.
“We take everything into consideration – the group dynamics, personal energy, et cetera,” Neifert says.
There are other Pagans in the Yakima Valley, but it’s hard to determine just how many because, says Neifert, “networking Pagans is like herding cats.” They’re often individualistic, with little inclination to join in organized worship.
The same holds true nationally and worldwide. Estimates range from 100,000 to 4 million, according to adherents.com, a compilation of religion statistics.
The Church of the Sacred Moon holds a study group on Sunday and Wednesday evenings at Neifert’s Selah home at which anything related to Paganism is discussed. The study sessions, along with the holiday celebrations and lunar rituals, are all open to the public.
The rituals are held “where we feel like doing them,” including back yards and parks, says Neifert.
Though he’s never been harassed by believers in other religions, Neifert thinks he has lost at least one job because of his religious beliefs. He has no concrete proof of job-related religious discrimination, simply a suspicion that it was the real reason he was once fired.
Paganism gives Barry Andrews of Naches something he couldn’t find in other religions. He felt torn between what are considered more traditional denominations. Then a year and a half ago the 40-year-old came to Paganism and Wicca, and it clicked.
“I can now relate to a higher power up there that makes me a better person,” he said.
Brandy Rintoul, 25, says she “never liked going to church because it was always closed in, always inside.”
“I like being out in the air, under the trees and stars. It’s all so peaceful,” she says. Paganism, with its emphasis on nature, let her be outside.
Unlike other religions, Paganism doesn’t tell her what to do, says Rintoul.
“It gives me a choice. It’s more real to me than what’s written in the Bible.”
In February 1999, Neifert says he was at a low point in his life. Trying to kick drug and alcohol addictions, he admits, “I hit bottom. At that point, I needed something.
“I tried the Christianity thing but something was missing. It just wasn’t for me.”
Upon the recommendation of friends, he began to explore Paganism and “it just hit home for me,” says Neifert.
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