LETTERS TO L.A. LIFE : GROUP STRIVES TO CORRECT MISINFORMATION ON WITCHES.

I am writing on behalf of United We Circle to correct some serious misinformation and misunderstandings presented in the (May 1) article ``Witch path to power?'' by Janet Weeks.

United We Circle is an organization composed of members of the L.A. Wiccan religious community. Our purpose is to combat negative images and myths perpetuated in our culture about our beliefs and practices. That does not mean that we are going to protest every silly movie or newspaper article about witches, but it does mean that we will do our best to correct any misinformation being disseminated about our religion.

First of all, I would like to correct the notion that United We Circle was protesting against the movie ``Hocus Pocus'' solely because of its silly and negative portrayal of witches. ``Hocus Pocus'' was reprehensible because it denigrated and belittled an actual event in American history in which dozens of innocent people lost their lives. This is no more a subject for a zany comedy than is the Holocaust.

The most glaring error in the article is the linking of devil worship with witchcraft. This is a serious error and does great harm to those who follow our religion.

In addition, witches are not silly adolescent girls ``dabbling'' in some arcane art for personal power. Your bank teller, your doctor, your lawyer, your next-door neighbor (male or female) may well be a witch. It is important to note that any use of religion for personal power or self-aggrandizement is abhorrent to us. The member groups of United We Circle forbid the use of magic for coercive means. No one has the right to interfere with the free will of another person. Therefore, the love spells, make-the-cheerleader-bald spells and other manipulative spells reported in the article as part of the plot of this film are diametrically opposed to all that we believe. To misrepresent such actions as an element of our religion is unconscionable.

Witchcraft has been called the fastest-growing religion in America today. It is time for the media to treat us with the same respect that is shown all other religions.

- The Rev. Shane DerbyBurras

- Barbara Amadea

Board of directors

United We Circle, Hollywood

Violence, lack of morals: Reel life to real life?

There recently has been more attention given to the problems of today's kids and tomorrow's teen-agers. There is a tremendous amount of concern that the crime rate will significantly increase with this new generation of teen-agers. The (May 5) article ``Violent kids perplex therapists'' focuses on the criminal behavior of kids as young as 6 years of age, without any sign of remorse for what they have done.

A review of 28 movies in a recent L.A. Life Weekend section showed that 15 of the movies had ratings with violence, drugs, sex and obscene language, with an additional four containing mild sex scenes, scattered profanity or frightening scenes.

This indicates that violence and lack of morals comprise 65 percent of our ``educational'' entertainment. Did everybody forget that we are harvesting what we grow?

- Michael Hariton

North Hills

Country music stars credit higher source

The Academy of Country Music Awards was held last month at the Universal Amphitheatre. A number of the country music singers, including Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks, won various awards and gave some speeches. However, one of the highlights of the evening was when the country singers gave some credit to God for their success.

Since we live in a society that is not as God-fearing as it once was, it was refreshing to hear their comments. Wish we had more like them.

- James Cody

Rosemead