A recent New York Times article focuses on the topic of the ritual usage of Mercury.
I’ve never seen it used, myself, but I don’t doubt there are folks who have used it in their practices.
I can understand why the EPA is concerned about the issue, but I doubt their warnings and restrictions will do much to affect its usage in the religion.
Also, the cases mentioned in the article mostly sounded like issues of people not cleaning up properly… Especially in the case of the young child who had absorbed a lot of the mercury, it’s no different than any other dangerous substance. What if there had been rat-poison, broken glass, etc. lying on the ground? Would there be some warning about the dangers of these items?
A lot of attention is given to the public’s unawareness of its danger, but I don’t buy that… People know it’s bad news… That’s why you don’t see it at the front of the botanica next to a sign saying, “Mercury! 30% Off!”
If you use mercury, be safe about it. Use gloves. Don’t let it touch your skin. Just use common sense. Or, better yet, find something safer to use instead.
I read that article as well, thinking back to when I was a little boy and me and my brother liked to play with mercury by rolling it around in our hands. Yikes!
Anyway, I wanted to let you know about the NJ case, “Mother pleads guilty over Paterson bloody religious ritual”
http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/052311_Mother_pleads_guilty_over_bloody_religious_ritual.html
I don’t know how the 1st amendment doesn’t apply. This sets a very dangerous precedent, and should really go to the supreme court–but since she pleaded guilty, it won’t. Thought you’d be interested.
Thanks, Scott.
It’s amazing how little has been added to the story than what got reported back in January. http://www.northjersey.com/news/012111_Judge_to_decide_today_whether_case_is_child_endangerment_or_religous_practice_.html I guess the court system is anything but quick, though, eh?
I think a lot of these folks take a plea deal or whatever simply because they can’t afford decent representation. This case may have been a bit “iffy”, but when you look at cases like the guy where drug enforcement got him for possession of human skulls, I can’t imagine it would’ve played out the same if he was a white guy in a slightly better economic situation, you know?