Well said, Amos.

And I agree, up to a point: Wicca was not the reason for this girl's death. But I don't think that "the press noise" can be dismissed so easily with "notwithstanding". The lead is particularly poisonous:

"A SCHOOLGIRL who believed she was a white witch and was influenced by the television programme Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

only perpetuates the assumption that Wiccans are delusional folks unable to deal with so-called 'reality'. And this, in turn, will make other non-Wiccans even more afraid of the religion then they are now, and this will lead to even more teasing and hate speach.

I mean, really -- what does her being a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer have to do with it? Granted, the "White witch" on the show has "powers" with no foundation in reality, any more than in Bewitched. And it is true that many teenagers are initially attracted to Wicca because they want such powers for themselves. But if they stick with it, and really try to learn something, they will grow past that stage. I can't help wonder if the lead would have even been slightly similar if she had been attracted to Christianity because she watched Touched By an Angel, and was taunted because of that.

The article is shameful because it puts the emphasis on her beliefs rather than the bullying. That's the real issue, here: that a culture of physical and psychological violence is practically expected to exist in our schools. That's what has to change.