I think governments should monitor and help fund alternative religions

Oooh no! In my opinion too keep the darn government out of my religion!! If they have a hand in it such as in funding they get to change it to suit their own selfish agendas way too much!! Besides that if we want equal respect, recognition, and acceptance as any other religion we have to abide by the same rules they do. A Wiccan "church" can receive the same things already as other religions, tax exemption being a big one, but we should not receive more than another religion! Fair is fair!

I don't think it's a good idea for the government to control any religion, because once politics & religion mix trouble often comes up. Paganism & Wicca have their own set of rules and they often teach their wisdom only to those who are willing to learn them.

I don't think any one religion should be standardized and controlled by the government. Especially minorities. People should be able to define their own religions and teach or not teach it as they like. Government really should not be involved in people's daily lives.

I think the government should keep their nose out of religions altogether. the only thing they should have anything to do with is making sure that any religion is treated equally under the law. to be honest, I don't think I want them standardising Paganism. after all, look at what the dictionary definition says, compared to what Pagans actually beleive. if it's standardised then anyone whos beleif falls outside of that may be outside of religious discrimination laws.

The first amendment of the Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." SHALL MAKE NO LAW ... that means for or against, no law to aid or assist, no law to harm or detract NO LAW The government, from the first Amendment of the Bill of Rights, says that what you are suggesting is not to be done. Each time we allow the government another control we lose another freedom. Except for Native Americans, we came here for the freedoms that America offers. The freedom of religion is one of the greatest freedoms we take for granted. We need to keep vigilant so that these freedoms are not taken away. I want to be able to worship and practice as I please not how the government decides I should.

I personally believe that "church" and state should remain separate. Paganism and Wicca does not need to be controlled and standardised. That just defies the rule do what ye will with harm to none. We've already seen how the government deals with "alternative religion" (eg. witch burnings and torture). Even as recent as the late seventies and eighties people were getting arrested for practicing things such as tarot card reading. I don't quite understand what you mean by funding alternative religions. I don't need money to practice my beliefs and I definitely don't need any government monitoring. That just takes us a step back several hundred years.

agreed...