The Witch of Pungo is no longer a witch. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Monday gave an informal pardon to Grace Sherwood, who 300 years ago became Virginia's only person convicted as a witch tried by water.
"I am pleased to officially restore the good name of Grace Sherwood," Kaine wrote in a letter Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf read aloud before a re-enactment of Sherwood's being dropped into the river.
"With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice," Kaine wrote. "We also can celebrate the fact that a woman's equality is constitutionally protected today, and women have the freedom to pursue their hopes and dreams."
On July 10, 1706, Sherwood was dropped into the Lynnhaven River and floated — which was considered proof she was guilty because the pure water cast out her evil spirit, according to the belief system of the time. The theory behind the ducking test was that if she sank, she was innocent, although she would also drown.
Damn! Wearing men's clothes and being naturally buoyant are evidence that you are a witch? And I thought the judicial system was harsh now!
Pay close attention my little immoral readers, this is the type of persecution you can expect if the Fundamentalists get their way. Any of us who do not embrace their belief system will find ourselves being treated like criminals and have our rights stripped away. That is the way things will work in the "United States of Jesusland". You just wait and see.
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Don't feed the trolls!
It just goes directly to their thighs.