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A Haven from religion, an outlet for the gods

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A Haven from religion, an outlet for the gods

A haven from religion: that’s how NIC student Monika Seitz describes her newly founded club. It’s a club for anyone whose beliefs may drift off of the beaten path of religion, a club for people who consider themselves pagan, or even Wiccan.

Haven club, which started in December of last year, is currently seeing around a dozen people show up every week, but it’s Monika’s hope that with Haven’s message reaching more students, the more the club will grow. This message started with a workshop on Monday afternoon which shed some light on what Wicca really is.

Seitz, an anthropology major, says that Wicca is a nature-based religion which is all inclusive. Wiccans generally believe in one god and one goddess from any culture, such as Norse, Greek or even ancient Egyptian. But although most Wiccans do believe in such deities, there are really no rules besides their one golden rule, ‘do what you will, harm ye none.’

“Wicca is the type of religion you create it to be,” Seitz said. “Everyone’s own path is up to them.”

Seitz, along with Cindy Seitz, who is not only the Haven club president but also Monika’s mom, are together focused on getting the truth behind their beliefs out into the open.

“The most common misconception about Wicca is that we worship Satan,” Monika said, laughing. “That we’re like that heavy metal guy in high school that you’re afraid to be friends with because he looks extremely scary. Yeah. That’s not us.”

One of Seitz inspirations for starting the Haven club was to provide more representation for different religions on campus.

“Last semester we had so many students come up to us and say, ‘there are so many clubs on campus, but I would love to see something a little more alternative,’” Seitz said. “And so it was kind of put into our hands that people want more diversity, and since we’re the ones who can do it, we probably should.”

The Seitz women have high hopes for this club and are extremely excited for upcoming opportunities. They are planning a Shinto workshop, a traditional yoga workshop, and also a possible trip to Granite Falls, Washington for the Spring Festival.

“We are desperately trying to have ASNIC allow us to go to Granite Falls for our workshop day and hopefully pay for over twelve students to go,” Seitz said enthusiastically.  “It’s our hope and our goal.”
The Haven club meets every Monday at noon in the Blu Creek Bay.

Gabriel Theander is a fearless, thrill seeking reporter for the Sentinel. There is nothing he won't do to get the story. After long days of work and studying, he enjoys piping hot coffee and rock climbing.

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