Couple accused of using drugs and witchcraft to lure teen into sexual relationship

This is an interesting article published by one of Fox's local channels. First of all, the article makes the statement that the couple was "accused of using sex and drugs and the Wicca religion to lure a 15-year-old girl into a world of seduction." What, may I ask, is a "world of seduction"? Sounds pretty lurid, doesn't it? Secondly, the words "sex", "drugs" and "Wicca" are all strung together as though they are somehow related. Third, since according to the article, "She (the victim) was a willing participant, if you will,". Since this quote comes from a representative of the Santa Maria Police Dept., apparently it was the journalist who decided to use the word "victim" to describe the 15 year old. It is important to keep in mind here, the POSSIBLE crimes committed were sex with a minor and illegal drug use. Wicca is a religion and protected by the First Amendment.

"She was lured into this couple's grasp through the Wicca religion and utilizing ceremonial witchcraft and drugs -- both marijuana and Ecstacy -- to lower her inhibitions." I, somehow, don't think one would ever see a statement like "She was lured into the couple's grasp through the Christian religion utilizing intense prayer and drugs", although, I am sure, that this has occurred at least once. Furthermore, Wicca and/or ceremonial magick are not any more or less useful in "luring" than intense prayer would be.

Finally, I want to mention that the couple was arrested at their apartment near an elementary school. Nice. Since 15 year olds do not attend elementary school, and since California is very over crowded, and it is hard NOT to be near SOME elementary school or another, this clearly intended to make an association between Wicca and child pornography. Again... nice.

In all fairness, I actually found this article on ReligionNewsBlog.com, (http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18729/wicca-4) which includes in handy readiness notes explaining Wicca to an uninformed reader. However, I think that it is interesting that the BLOG is acting in a more responsible fashion than a Fox News "journalist".