2.05.2008
Freedom, Pagans, and Prison
Cherry Hill Seminary and the Lady Liberty League have released a joint press-release concerning Pagan chaplain Patrick McCollum's upcoming presentation before the US Commission on Civil Rights in Washington, DC.
"The Rev. M. Patrick McCollum will be part of a six-member panel of experts presenting to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on Friday, February 8, 2008, on Religious Discrimination and Prisoners' Rights. The panel is being convened to shed light on the nature and extent of the problems which have arisen in this context and to discuss what can be done to resolve inmate grievances in United States prisons ... 'It is an honor to be invited to participate in the dialog and to share a Wiccan's point of view,' said McCollum in a recent interview. 'Those in minority faiths are seldom [offered] the opportunity to be heard, even when the issue concerns their rights. I am hopeful that this invitation is indicative of what we can expect going forward; that there is truly a desire on the part of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to ensure that inmates receive equal treatment, and a willingness to better serve minority religions.'"
McCollum's historic testimony comes at a time when the issues concerning minority faiths in prison have never been more visible. Lawsuits are being fought over the hiring of Pagan chaplains to service the growing number of Pagan inmates, the issue of Pagan syncretism and dual-adherence in prisons is becoming a heated topic, and numerous legal challenges are taking place as Pagan prisoners try to carve out more rights for themselves.
Issues of religious freedom in places like prison or the military, two places where Pagans have been making waves lately, are bellwethers for the eventual entry of modern Paganism into the social and political mainstream. The days of non-Christians feeling left out are slowly coming to an end. In its place will come greater visibility, political power and influence, and harsher scrutiny from those opposed to our growth. If you think Mormons and Muslims have it rough now, just wait till Pagans, Buddhists, and Hindus start making themselves heard.
So when McCollum swears to the Goddess to tell the whole truth, and gives his testimony on Friday, he will be talking about Pagans in prison, and the chaplains who want to serve them. But he will also be inching modern Paganism that much closer towards full inclusion and participation in deciding how America looks at minority faiths.
ADDENDUM: Speaking of Pagans in prisons, you might want to check out Get Religion's coverage of the recent Christo-Pagan inmate story.
ADDENDUM II: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has released its own press release on Friday's panel discussion, and has included a full list of scheduled speakers.
"Abu Qadir Al-Amin, Imam, San Francisco Muslim Community Center; Carolyn Atkins, Warden, Maryland Correctional Institution-Jessup; Frank Cilluffo, Director, Homeland Security Policy Institute, The George Washington University; Lane Dilg, Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief; Gary Friedman, Chairman, Jewish Prisoner Services International; Alex Luchenitser, Senior Litigation Counsel, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State; Patrick McCollum, Statewide Wiccan Chaplain, California Department of Corrections; Steven T. McFarland, Director, Task Force For Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Office of the Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice; Patrick Nolan, Vice President, Prison Fellowship; Joseph Pryor, Chaplaincy Administrator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons; and Gregory Saathoff, Executive Director, Critical Incident Analysis Group, University of Virginia."
For info as I come across it.
Labels: Chaplaincy, Cherry Hill Seminary, Circle Sanctuary, Paganism, Patrick McCollum, Prison, Religious Freedom
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The Coast Guard Report (coastguardreport.org) is looking for current and former employees and associates who have either worked for or with Terri A. Dickerson. Ms. Dickerson is currently serving the Director, Office of Civil Rights, United States Coast Guard. Her previous employment includes the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and U.S. Small Business Administration. Additionally, Coast Guard Report would like to hear from anyone employed or previously employed as a Civil Rights Service Provider (CDCRO's and CDEEO's). You can either leave a comment at the blog or contact us privately at editor@coastguardreport.org.
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The Coast Guard Report (coastguardreport.org) is looking for current and former employees and associates who have either worked for or with Terri A. Dickerson. Ms. Dickerson is currently serving the Director, Office of Civil Rights, United States Coast Guard. Her previous employment includes the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and U.S. Small Business Administration. Additionally, Coast Guard Report would like to hear from anyone employed or previously employed as a Civil Rights Service Provider (CDCRO's and CDEEO's). You can either leave a comment at the blog or contact us privately at editor@coastguardreport.org.
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