Beebe Pagan temple offers worship services for Pagans. Because of this, the Beebe Pagan temple is facing prejudice by the city of Beebe itself for not being Christian. The high priest of Beebe Pagan temple was told to close down shop because of his beliefs.

According to an interview by KARK, Bertram Dahl, the high priest of the Beebe Pagan temple was told by Beebe's Mayor to stop setting up his temple. Despite this news of prejudice, initially it wasn't so. Beebe Mayor Mike Robertson reportedly originally supported Dahl plans of a Beebe Pagan temple of a Seekers temple and spiritual good shop in the garage behind his home.

Dahl said in the interview explaining the story of the Beebe Pagan temple, "When they knew we were going to open a church, it wasn't an issue. We explained to [the mayor] the house had a building that we could open the church in, and he had no problem."

However, everything changed once there was mention of Pagan religion. According to Dahl, Beebe Pagan temple plans were thwarted after city dwellers learned that members of the temple were pagan and their outlook changed.

Dahl explained, "We were basically given a cease and desist you know - shut down. We hadn't even unpacked. We aren't even open - how are we getting this."

 According to the Huffington Post, permits for the Beebe Pagan temple have not been applied yet. Even before the permits were filed, Mayor Robertson reportedly spoke of his thoughts on the matter of the Beebe Pagan temple - that Dahl should not be given any form of conditional or special use permits. On the same day, Dahl was told to stop and end altogether his plans of the Beebe Pagan temple when the city's code officer sent a letter which ordered him to do so.

According to Huff Post, Robertson has gone on public record in the past sternly defending Christianity, but apparently to the exclusion of other religions. In a 2010 report by The Arkansas Times on a city newsletter, Robertson wrote in part:

"It is my opinion and the Beebe City Council's that government leaders must pray to God as the true leader of the nation and that a nation cannot exist if they are not one nation under God trusting in God as the leader. It is my opinion government has allowed non-believers far too many liberties taking God out of our daily lives. As mayor of this city I will continue to open our meeting with a prayer and a pledge to our country - one nation under God.

Please remember in the coming November election for leaders of this nation to elect only those who will stand firm doing the will of God and not their will. If placing God or the simple mentioning of his holy name in this newsletter is offensive to some; so be it. I do not and will not apologize, ever, for giving him the praise he is due for all that he has done for our blessed country. Not now, not ever in the future, should we turn our backs to our creator."

According to KARK, City Attorney Barrett Rogers said that Dahl could not be allowed to open the temple as his residential property isn't "zoned commercial." This is reportedly what the Beebe Pagan temple needed and what is required for a place of worship or a retail business in the city.

Dahl defended himself and said that according to the city's code, properties zoned R-2 can be allowed as places of worship and private nonprofits, such as the Beebe Pagan temple. He added that though he was told a permit would never be approved for a Beebe Pagan temple, he had still asked the mayor's office for one.

According to Mayor Rogers, "I haven't seen any of that [permit application] paperwork. My understanding is he has not asked to be given the paperwork. Had he asked for the paperwork it would have been provided."

KARK also asked Mayor Robertson about the paperwork for the Beebe Pagan temple, and he insisted that "there was no permit he could apply for."

When Dahl appealed to his alderman for assistance, KARK said the alderman said Dahl's "God isn't my God."

Beebe Pagan temple may not have been allowed to operate in the area, however, KARK reports that other homes in the neighborhood have businesses at home. Despite current trials, Seekers Temple isn't one to back down. Reports say that Beebe Pagan temple members are planning to attend the town meeting on June 23 to share their voice regarding the unfair treatment. All pagans in the area are encouraged to attend.

Post by Seekers Temple.

Below is the KARK report broadcast June 18, 2104 about the Beebe Pagan temple news.