Asheville, N.C.

Topics: Witness , 

Asheville, N.C., has become the center of an unlikely spiritual clash. The
city of 68,000, known as the home of Billy Graham and his training center,
also has become "America's new freak capital," Rolling Stone magazine said.

"The place overflowed with hippies, neo-hippies, punks, witches, pagans,"
the homeless, homosexuals, thieves, New Agers, drug users, and anarchists,
Rolling Stone said.

Asheville residents are not pleased with the new label for the city, located
in the hills where Methodist revival preacher Francis Asbury rode his horse
spreading the gospel during the second great awakening, CBN news said.

The situation came to a head when the mayor proclaimed the last week in
October "Earth Religions Awareness" week, arousing anger among Christians
for the city's support of paganism, CBN said. About 3,000 Christians
protested in front of city hall, and asked the mayor also to proclaim it as
"The Lordship of Christ" week. She rescinded her earlier proclamation,
upsetting many local pagans.

ReligionToday.com, June 2, 2000.