22 Apr 2007
Rangers beg volcano visitors not to leave offerings

In heathen practice, food offerings or libations are supposed to attract things that will eat them - it's a sign of acceptance of the offering by whatever powers were paying attention. The rangers at the park are worried about attracting rats, but methinks I smell rats of a different sort here.

If the park management were that concerned with "cultural sensitivity", they could easily set up a special area for such offerings. And there's no explanation as to how, exactly, the small quantities of rotting food left on the top of a volcano are endangering the nene goose.

in fact, I think that allowing any organized group of Hawaiian pagans to set up a small temple on the site might be completely appropriate.

Rangers at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are launching a program to stop people from leaving religious offerings at the summit of Mount Kilauea -- including food they say attracts rats and cockroaches.

(link) [CNN.com]

08:59 /Asatru | 0 comments | permanent link