Pastoral Counceling / confession confidentality

[Xois]

This is kind of an odd question...

What are the rights of privacy for reading / pastoral counciling? (or tarot readings...and such like things)

I know that a confession to a priest (like in the Catholic church for example) is protected like the lawyer / client relationship is...Does anything exist like that for pagans?



Thanks
Xois

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I believe that privacy in pastoral counseling exists for all "religions"/paths.

As far as Tarot readings, I believe that the reading is only discussed with the client. They can share the reading with others, but I wouldn't discuss the details of it with anyone else.

[Xois]

thanks

than here is my second question

if someone told me something confidential during pastoral counscling (i spell that different every time!), than can I refuse to discuss that if I am pressed to (by a sepoena for example) OR do I need to PROVE that I am a Preist? LIke to i need some sort of cerfification?

This is just for my own curiosity...

Thanks
Xois

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

If you are a priest, you should have some sort of credentials. As far as the sepoena goes, I'm not sure. I haven't had an encounter such as this. Sorry!

[Earth Walker]

Originally posted by Xois
thanks

than here is my second question

if someone told me something confidential during pastoral counscling (i spell that different every time!), than can I refuse to discuss that if I am pressed to (by a sepoena for example) OR do I need to PROVE that I am a Preist? LIke to i need some sort of cerfification?

This is just for my own curiosity...

Thanks
Xois

From my knowledge of the law, you would have to
testify if you are subpoenaed, because the law
does not recognize Paganism as legitimate. :mad:

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Well,like all legal questions,the answer is......it depends.Lawyer/client and Psychologist/psychiatrist and client are covered by confidentiality.But they're not covered if the client told them they were going to commit a crime.For past crimes it's covered,future crimes there is a duty by the professional to stop it.Priest/parishioner,such as confession is covered.The gov't can't really mess with it at all.I would think that as a logical extension pastor/church member would be covered,and that should extend to pagan clergy.It would be a case of first impression though,I haven't found a case directly on point,yet.Pagans are notoriously disorganized,we don't have a lot of paid clergy etc.But if the clergy is certified,the same protections should be there.But you would probably have to spend a lot of time in court to prove it,depending on where in the USA you live.Some jurisdictions are probably more open to this idea than others.As far as Tarot readings,I doubt the reader could be subpoenad for what he/she thinks is going to happen in a person's future.But if a person said they were going to hurt someone,the gov't might try to get that out of your average tarot reader.It's a foggy area,for sure.
Peace and Love
Rain BrightStar

[Xois]

Thanks for such a considered response

I doo not use tarot to "read the future" but help discuss with clients what they need to be working on...and I would hate to see that used against someone. I want to be able to tell someone with the utmost certainty that anything they say or we discuss during a reading is protected and confidential. For example, if i tell someone who is having an affair to go slow etc...I would hate to have to reveal that we discussed the "affair" at a divorce preceeding...

I am an "ordained Reverend" but wonder if that would also cover tarot readings or if i wold need to be certified in Tarot in order for it to be covered...

I'll have to do some more research...I live in "liberal land" (massachusetts) thank Goddess (or can anywhere truely be called safe now that Bush is on a destruction course for the USA) so I can't see that it would be too difficult to push.


Thanks :D
Xois

[rantnraven]

I think it's like this. If you are ordered by the court to testify you would have too but, considering the number of readings you do, you could confuse one with another. Your testimony would be shot down in a New York minute.

As for Paganism being a religion, no, not in a general way. However Wiacca was adopted by congress in 1996 as a legitement religion. If you need more info on that, contact your local Covenent of the Goddess. I'm sure the could offer help in the matter.

Their web site is http://www.cog.org

Blessings,
RnR