It is unlawful for an adult Wiccan/Pagan to teach Wicca or Paganism to a anyone under the age of 18 without the express written consent of the custodial parent(s).

To do so is considered contributing to the delinquency of a minor, otherwise known as juvenile delinquency, which is a punishable offense in the State of Oklahoma. I have quoted sections of the law as they apply to this particular instance.

      Any person who knowingly and willfully:

    1.  Causes, aides, abets or encourages a minor to be, to remain or to become delinquent, in need of supervision or dependent and neglected, or

    2.  Omits the performance of any duty, which act or omission causes or tends to cause, aid, abet, or encourage any minor to be delinquent, in need of supervision or dependent and neglected, with the purview of the Oklahoma Children's Code¹ or the Oklahoma Juvenile Code², upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, as applicable, shall be punished pursuant to the provisions of Section 856, 858.1 or 858.2 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

¹ Title 10, § 7001-1.1 et seq.

² Title 10, § 7301-1.1 et seq.

A first offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or both. Any subsequent violation shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in a State correctional facility for up to three years, or by a fine not exceeding $5,000.00 or both.

Source: O.S. 2000 Supplement p. 1578-1580

§ 1101 (a) The term "delinquent child" means (1) any male person under the age of sixteen years and any female person under the age of eighteen years, who has violated any federal or state law or municipal ordinance, excepting a traffic statute or ordinance, or any lawful order of the court made under this act. Violating a municipal curfew falls under this provision. [sic.]

(b)  The term "child in need of supervision" means any person under the age of eighteen years who is habitually truant from school, or who is beyond the control of his parents, guardian or other custodian, or who habitually deports himself so as to injure or endanger the health or morals of himself or others.

Health includes mental and emotional health as well as physical.  To injure, includes psychological trauma. To endanger includes any verbal communication, physical act or behavior which threatens mental or emotional health.[sic.]

(c) The term "dependent or neglected child" does not apply in this instance, except where the child is dependent upon the public for support, a ward of the state, mentally or developmentally disabled. [sic.]

Source: O.S. 1970 Supplement p. 23

Please note that even though this statute remains intact, it has been replaced by O.S Title 10 Chapter 73 § 7301-1.3 (11), Legislative Session 2002

To view current Oklahoma legislation and statutes, please visit the Oklahoma Supreme Courts Network. Click on the Legal Research tab to access the statutes, citationized or to conduct a search of past laws.

"Parents have a right to determine the religious upbringing of their children.  The government usually may not interfere with parental decisions based on religious beliefs unless the child's life is thereby threatened.  Generally, minors have no independent rights to act on their own religious beliefs when these differ from those of their parents.  A court will not order parents, for example, to allow their children to attend or join a church of their choice if the parents object.  On the other hand, the government will not usually intervene to force children to obey their parents with regard to attending a church of the parents' choice.  An exception may be made if the minor runs away from home.  Although the general rule is that children must accede to their parents' wishes in religious training, there has been some judicial recognition of children's independent religious rights when some other aspect of their lives is also implicated.  This is particularly the case where the state and the child's parents have different views as to what is best for the child.  Court's will frequently consider a mature minor's independent religious views when deciding whether to order life-saving medical treatment for him or her against the parents' religious beliefs."

Source: Contemporary Legal Issues: Children, Young Adults, and the Law by Lauren K. Arnest; ABC-CLIO, Inc.; Santa Barbara, 1998; p. 247.

This notice is not intended as a substitute for an attorney's advice.  If you have any questions or concerns as to the applicability or legitimacy of this notice, you are advised to seek legal counsel.

Parents: Not all of the content in Dove's Light Coven, is Wiccan or Pagan in nature.  The Newsletter section has news tickers with articles from the Associated Press on many subjects concerning politics, economics, ecology, et. al and serves as an excellent source of information on current affairs.  The only portions of the Newsletter which may not be suitable for children are the Comics, Wiccan News, Advice Column, and Personal Ads.  The section entitled "Merlin's Lectures" covers the more advanced topics of Subsistence Perspective and Globalization and its Discontents.

This website is intended to be both educational and cross-cultural.  However, if you feel that this website is not suitable for your children, one of the following might prove helpful if you would like to keep your children out of Dove's Light Coven.

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