Firstly and foremost, if you're not familiar with the situation, I recieved a complaint from two chatters, not counting the anonymous report delivered today by a NN. As always, nothing reported by a NN is taken seriously.

The specifics are as such: Joseph apparently was RPing some sort of evil character. His picture was apparently some sort of wiccan or druidic symbol of white (healing) magic.

In the course of his role-play, Joseph was interrupted by an un-named to me RPer. (do note, the complainers went to great lengths to make sure I was well aware it was Joseph Cain on one side of this argument. Naturally that means the other party is unimportant, right?) This un-named RPer took exception to Joseph using that particular image with that particular character type in that sort of role-play.

The screenshots I recieved were of Joseph saying: "Druids can kiss my ass oo; *edited* the terms and all that for now this is my first Dark Mage now LETS RP." This was reported as being a violation of rules #3 and 5. The people who reported this to me didn't mention, not once, the fact that the other party had broken rule #1, no criticizing of another person's RP/RP style.
I doubt, in their zealous search for blame on one party, that this notion even occurred to them.

Now, in reading this screenshot, I see plenty of foolishness. I'll run through it for you:

1. Joseph (the character name was: "Rubian Bloodstar" at the time), in his effort to role-play, interrupted because his picture didn't fit what someone thought it should.

IT. IS. A. PICTURE. @_@ The meaning a person applies to that picture is what's important. Any person with an evolved sensibility knows that, for example, the meaning applied to the Christian cross in a church isn't the same as the meaning applied to it when someone nails a short and long piece of wood together in their garden to hold up a grape vine.

Joseph was undoubtedly using the picture because it was pretty and looked like something magical. He obviously didn't know what it meant, and obviously didn't care. If that is fact, then what's the point of getting angry about it?
2. Someone else complaining that Pagans and Wiccans would be pissed because people aren't paying attention to their religion.
This in itself is really rather funny, considering the fact that religious icons are used for many things all over the world other than the religion itself. I've seen a Buddha piggy bank for god's sake, people. Get over yourself.

Naturally, I've not been given all the facts. All descriptions I got from this event were sketchy at best, and conflicting statements at worst.
What I believe I have here is yet another campaign to get someone a person doesn't like banned.

1. Those who complained so furvently about Joseph complained none at all about the other rule breaking that was going on.
2. The statement Joseph made, in my opinion, doesn't count as bigotry, nor does it count as vulgarity or offensiveness. What I find offensive about this is the fact that someone has the audacity to believe they reserve the right to dictate how and where a symbol is used. It's.... self-delusion at best.

A Druidic symbol is always very attractive. People adorn themselves in them for jewelery, most don't know what they mean. If a woman were wearing the Celtic Love Knot or the Scottish Luckenbooth while flipping people off and cursing, would you think she seriously understood what that pretty pattern means? Of course not. Would you get upset? If you're enough of a fool to believe that will make a difference, probably you would.
You probably thought I didn't know what those things were. :P

3. Once again, the screenshots I recieved were of Joseph's comment, nothing before, nothing after.
I'll say it again: I need the SITUATION captured in a screenshot, not just what you think is enough to fool Andy.

I've decided not to be willing to hear anymore discussion on this point. The personal biases are so obvious it sickens me. I've made my judgement, and it's final.

My judgement is, while Joseph was incorrect in responding OOCly to the complaints, and was rather uncouth, his actions aren't enough to warrent banning.

If you believe I interpreted the events incorrectly, or know some of my facts are wrong, that's just too bad. Perhaps this will be a lesson to all that when a complaint is made, I expect neutrality, detailed explanations and proper evidence. No more evidence or explanation will be accepted regarding this complaint. Anyone who contacts me about it will be promptly ignored.

I've known several Wiccans in my lifetime, personally. Face-to-face, not hidden by the anonymity of the internet. They were all very wise, very considerate women whom I was proud to call friend. They claimed that their patience and kindness were fundamental tenets of their faith, when we spoke of it.

When I think about a Wiccan getting upset because someone is using a Celtic symbol as decoration, it really makes me chuckle. I can't see these women being angry over such a thing. These women were refined, wise beyond me, loving and slow to anger. I came to associate that with the Wiccan faith, not simple bickering over a design pattern.

Aren't there more important things in life a person's passion could be directed toward?