“Religion” by Fiat

Boston University gets into the sticky business of defining what is and isn’t a religion with their decision to recognize a group of Wiccans as part of an official religion (with full rights to a guaranteed weekly meeting place; a listing in the Chaplain’s office; religious protection; and participation in interfaith initiatives). The group, which has been lobbying for recognition for three years, finally succeeded after changing their name from “Pagan” to “Wiccan,” in deference to administrators’ complaints that Paganism is not a religion, but an umbrella term for a number of non-monotheistic religions.