5.12.2008
Code Pink Makes Some See Red
There has been a conservative news field-day over a themed protest held by anti-war activist group Code Pink in Berkeley last Friday. The theme? Witchcraft against the war.
"In a call to activists on the Web, the antiwar group appealed to "witches, crones and sirens" to come to the center to "cast spells, weave magic, invoke the foremothers, share wisdom, lead rituals to banish war and violence and bring peace" ... Fox News cameras, which were there to capture the showdown between the Code Pink's theatrical coven and counterprotesters from the pro-military group Move America Forward, which had vowed to stage a "witch hunt" in response to Code Pink's eye-of-newt action."
Some Pagans, most notably Chas Clifton and Anne Hill, took exception to activists appropriating Pagan religion to create a spectacle so they can get more media coverage.
"...they pick the stereotype green-faced Halloween witch instead. They parody our religion for their futile cause. Somehow I don't feel the compliment. One ex-military Pagan wrote to conservative columnist Michelle Malkin to say he was embarrassed by Code Pink too. And that is the thing about today's Pagans: for every lefty pacifist there is one (or probably more) military Pagan."
Which comes to the point that modern Paganism is a religious movement, not a political one. There is no idealogical entrance exam to be a polytheist (or pantheist, or duotheist). Diversity of thought is a hallmark of Pagan existence, and attempts to politicize our movement, for whatever end, are ultimately doomed to failure and marginalization. Code Pink sought to make media waves by sensationalizing Pagan practice, but may have created a magic not of their choosing.
"Ironically, it's actually helped us by putting our name out. We're now well known. And people know who we are, and where we are, and they come in to talk to us about enlisting. They've gotten us the publicity that we could've never afforded to pay for ourselves," Wheatcroft told FOXNews.com. "Just in the last three weeks, 10 people came in looking to apply, looking to become Marine officers, and that's much higher than normal," he said."
Meanwhile, the Pagan community in Berkeley held their annual Pagan Festival and Parade. An event that didn't ignite the newswires, but was possibly more accurate in portraying our shared goals and values.
"People from all walks of life joined in the fun Saturday at the 7th Annual Pagan Festival and Parade. It was a showing of acceptance and celebration across all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations and faith traditions at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. The event, organized by the Pagan Alliance, brought out a large crowd under this year's theme, "We are Change." The mission of the Pagan Alliance is to promote acceptance of faith and to work for justice. The aim of the event was to foster change, connect communities and promote spiritual diversity. Organizers said they also wanted to dispel common misconceptions that paganism is about devil worship."
Not to sermonize, but modern Pagan faiths embrace both the pacifist and the soldier (not to mention all the people between those two poles). Our diversity and commitment to a personal connection to the gods makes any attempt to codify a single and universal "Pagan politics" frustrating at best, and dangerously fractious at worst. Media feeding-frenzies like this may help Code Pink in the short-term, but can possibly damage outreach and dialog efforts by modern Pagans in the longer term. As Pagan faiths head into the future, we will have to find a way to avoid polarizing our movement into "right" and "left" camps, and maintain the common ground needed to advance rights and privileges for us all.
Labels: Anne Hill, California, Chas Clifton, Code Pink, Military, Pagan Soldiers, Paganism, politics, Wicca, Witchcraft
5.01.2008
Pulling The Threads Together
I have long believed that many of the important stories involving modern Paganism are ultimately interconnected. We may not always see the pattern, but sometimes everything gets distilled in such a way that all becomes clear. Yesterday, Jason Leopold of The Public Record published an article that links the controversy over the National Day of Prayer to several other stories that have been reported at this blog.
"At least half-a-dozen active-duty military officials have been working closely with a task force headed by the far-right fundamentalist Christians planning religious events at military installations around the country to commemorate Thursday's National Day of Prayer ... the declaration signed by the military officials says that they promise to 'ensure a strong, consistent Christian message throughout the nation' and that National Day of Prayer events scheduled to take place at their military installations 'will be conducted solely by Christians.'"
To comment on these troubling violations of church-state separation, Leopold talks to Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Weinstein has been targeted with extremist Christian death-magic, and is currently suing the Defense Department for widespread discrimination and hostility towards atheists and minority faiths.
"...please immediately note that the Military Religious Freedom Foundation fully intends to include this despicable collusion in our current Federal litigation against the Department of Defense as yet another stunning example of a pernicious and pervasive pattern and practice of unconstitutional rape of the precious religious liberties of our honorable and noble United States soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen."
The "Christianization" of our (theoretically) secular military has been a hot topic for several years now. A consequence of this movement is the harassment and marginalization of religious minorities in the military culture. Which incorporates yet another thread into Leopold's story: Don Larsen's derailed quest to become the first Pagan military chaplain.
"Rodda said she and Weinstein were 'surprised' to come across the name of Chaplain Kevin L. McGhee of the Missouri National Guard. According to the NDP Task Force website, Maj. McGhee is scheduled to participate in the NDP Task Force prayer rally at Missouri State Capitol. This is the same Chaplain McGhee who, last year, came to the defense of Chaplain Bob Larsen, when Larsen converted from Christianity to Wicca and applied to be the first Wiccan chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces. When Larsen's application was denied, and he was removed from the chaplain corps, McGhee, who was Larsen's supervisor at Camp Anaconda in Iraq, said that a "grave injustice" had been done, and that "What happened to Chaplain Larsen -- to be honest, I think it's political. A lot of people think Wiccans are un-American, because they are ignorant about what Wiccans do." MRFF informed Chaplain McGhee during a conference call last week of the discriminatory nature of the Missouri State Capitol event and the pledge on the part of its organizers to exclude non-Christians and asked him to reconsider his participation. McGhee has not responded to an email sent yesterday from MRFF asking if he still planned to participate."
So it all comes together. A Christian "task force" that has hijacked the National Day of Prayer celebrations across our nation and in the military (with the help of groups like the Alliance Defense Fund), an organization that is fighting for a return to secular values within the military on behalf of men and women who aren't conservative evangelical Christians (and receiving death threats because of it), and the ongoing struggle of modern Pagans to gain equal treatment within the military. An interwoven thread of people and organizations that point to a single problem: the improper influence of Christianity on our military (and, to varying degrees, our government).
The solution to this problem will most likely require a new president committed to "cleaning house" in our military forces (no clear answer on who that might be), and an ongoing grass-roots campaign to fight for the rights of minority faiths (both in the military and out). So on this National Day of Prayer, which happens to fall on May Day, why not say a prayer or perform a working to empower those fighting for us, and bind those acting against us.
Labels: Chaplaincy, Christianity, discrimination, Don Larsen, Military, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, National Day of Prayer, Paganism, Religious Freedom
4.02.2008
Update: SIGIR's Wiccan Scandal
Government official (and alleged Wiccan) Ginger Cruz is in the news again. A deputy of Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), Cruz had been accused of sexually harassing co-workers, cooking the books, and threatening hexes on those who crossed her.
Ginger Cruz
"Current and former SIGIR employees have told investigators that Cruz threatened to put hexes on employees and made inappropriate sexual remarks in the presence of staff members. Cruz is a self-described wiccan, a member of a polytheistic religion of modern witchcraft..."
While a grand jury investigation into these claims did not produce any indictments, a new grand jury investigation is underway to see if Cruz and Bowen improperly read staff e-mails.
"In 2007, after the Army ruling [against e-mail monitoring], Bowen and Cruz continued to monitor staff e-mails, according to SIGIR employees at the time. At one point, Cruz held a stack of papers in her hand and claimed they were e-mails of a senior employee, one official said. Staff members also said that Cruz bragged to senior staffers in early 2006 about reading workers' e-mails and in one case shared e-mails from one employee."
According to Bowen's attorney, Bradford A. Berenson, the reading of staff e-mails was a part of established SIGIR policy that staff had been made aware of.
"...as part of an authorized internal investigation into possible press leaks. SIGIR policy permits such e-mail reviews and all employees are notified, regularly reminded and trained on these policies."
Ginger Cruz maintains she is the victim of a smear campaign by former employees, and that she isn't a Witch.
"A previous article in the Post quoted unnamed sources and employees who claimed Cruz was a "witch", allegations that she vehemently denies, calling the allegations "ludicrous"."
So, is Cruz an innocent victim caught up in a vendetta by former employees? Did she ever truly consider herself a Wiccan, or is she now disavowing the faith under political and social pressures? It seems odd that people would invent Wiccan allegiance for Cruz, did they think it would strengthen claims of sexual harassment? It should be noted that her disavowal of Witchcraft is recent, and appeared in a local Guam (her native land) television station web site.
Whatever the eventual outcome of this latest grand jury hearing, it is comforting to know that no indictment was handed down relating to claims of "hexing" or "witchcraft". Perhaps we can avoid the slippery slope to "spectral evidence" for awhile longer. As for Cruz, whether Wiccan or not, it is clear that the press jumped at the chance to sensationalize claims of magical malfeasance, almost to the point of overshadowing the more serious claims of fraud. If this was a smear campaign, it looks like cries of "witch" worked just fine. Perhaps next time claims of "witchcraft" will be met with a bit more skepticism by reporters.
Labels: Ginger Cruz, Iraq, Military, persecutions, SIGIR, Stuart Bowen, Wicca
1.23.2008
Christian Military and Malicious Magic
The Philadelphia Jewish Voice has posted a chilling interview with Michael Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, and a former Naval serviceman who served with the Reagan Administration. Since 2004 Weinstein has been waging a very public battle over what he sees as the pernicious influence of a certain strain of evangelical Christians on our supposedly secular military. Since starting his organization, Weinstein claims that nearly 7000 active duty members of our military have come forward complaining of harassment due to their religious faith.
"By last week, over 6,800 active duty members of the United States Marine Corp, Navy, Army and Air Force have come to our foundation pretty much as spiritual rape victims/tormentees and the shocking thing is 96% of them coming to us are Christians themselves. Roughly three-quarters are traditional Protestants, like Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodist. We get Mormons, we get Assembly of God, Church of Christ, Southern Baptist. One-fourth of that 96% percent of that total universe of 6,800 --- more each day --- one-quarter of that 96% are Roman Catholic. About 4% will be Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, Jain, Shinto, Native American spirituality or atheist or agnostic."
Weinstein has also received death threats, "talks" from fellow Republicans and military men who tell him that the Jews who died in the Holocaust are burning in hell, and malicious magical prayer workings from evangelical Christians.
"I wanted to say one more thing. You know, we do not talk about this a lot, but our family has a lot of stress. We get death threats practically every day. We've had the largest windows in our house shot out, we've had dead animal sacrifices put on our front door. We've had feces and beer bottles thrown at the house. My wife and I have a group of what we presume are fundamentalist Christian women who call about every eight to 10 days, for most of the last 34 months, and they just chant on the phone, "Mikey Weinstein, bullet in the head, praise the Lord, he's finally dead." We've got little children, three or four years of age, call and say, "Now we lay you in your grave, there was no way you could be saved; you hate our Lord and he can tell, which is why you burn in hell." And that's not the worst part. The worst part is listening to the adult males and females in the background telling them what to say and how to do this."
Anyone from a Pagan tradition that practices magic will instantly recognize those phone-calls for what they are, directed group workings with the goal of Weinstein's death. The kind of "black magic" that is almost universally seen as morally repugnant within our communities. These claims of abuse, intolerance, and mistreatment towards soldiers of the "wrong" faith, while shocking, points to a trend I have been reporting from the Pagan angle for some time now. A trend that puts our Pagan troops in danger, and is a scary harbinger of what our military could become if left unchecked.
For those wanting to help Weinstein in his struggles, there is a page for making monetary donations to his (non-profit) organization, and I'm certain he wouldn't mind prayers, devotionals, and workings from Pagans to help counteract the "magical war" being waged against him by Christian groups. For the latest news from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, click here.
Labels: litigation, Military, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Paganism, Religious Freedom, Wicca
1.10.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The Baltimore Sun runs a touching obituary for Disney employee and Wiccan Heather Hurd, who died tragically in a car accident on January 3rd.
"In 2006, she entered an intern program at Walt Disney World, where she was an employment assistant for two years. This year, she was promoted to the diversity team. Last year, Miss Hurd received the Mousecar Award, presented by Walt Disney Studios, for her work. "She loved everything about Disney," said her father, W. Russell Hurd III of Abingdon. Miss Hurd, who was a Wiccan, enjoyed attending the theater and was interested in Celtic music and culture. "Her dream was to go to Ireland and visit Cork, where our family came from," Mr. Hurd said."
The family is starting a fund in her name to support other Disney interns who are having trouble making ends meet.
Today is National Vodun (aka "Voodoo") Day in Benin, the commonly acknowledged birthplace of the syncretic faith, where the country's 4.5 million practitioners, in addition to pilgrims from around the world, converge to honor their faith and remember the legacy of the slave trade.
"After Benin lifted a previous ban on the practice of Voodoo, it was declared an official religion in the former French colony in the mid-1990s and Jan. 10 is celebrated as National Voodoo Day, a public holiday ranking with Christmas and the Muslim Eid ... Such celebrations draw thousands of tourists each year to Benin, especially to the coastal city of Ouidah, from which hundreds of thousands of African slaves were shipped by European traders in past centuries to the Americas and the Caribbean ... Voodoo has a strong popular presence in Haiti and similar African-origin rituals are celebrated in Cuba under the name of "Santeria" and in Brazil as "Candomble"."
The Reuters article linked above also looks at concerns about the spread of "bird flu" virus (H5N1) through chicken blood used in traditional ceremonies, an issue I have discussed previously on this blog.
The Hallmark Channel is airing a new original movie entitled "The Good Witch", starring Catherine Bell (an adherent of Scientology, btw) as a mysterious woman who moves to small town and attempts to open a metaphysical store.
"Cassie is an enchanting beauty with a gentle spirit, an outrageous sense of fashion and a "wicked" sense of humor. She also seems to be something of an enchantress. She has a magic touch with men (although Jake is slow to respond, as he hasn't quite gotten over his wife's death several years ago); she has a magic touch with children (Jake's kids, Brandon and Lori, are drawn to her, maybe because she smells "like gingerbread"); she even has a magic touch with savage beasts (Cassie rescues the children from an attacking dog, then "tames" it with a few choice words). It seems that Cassie has the ability to charm everyone she meets, with the exception of Martha Tinsdale the mayor's busybody wife who also is the tsk-tsking head of the local Citizen's League. In fact, when Cassie opens a shop called Bell, Book and Candle - a "new-age" shop that carries Celtic, metaphysical and Wiccan items - Mrs. Tinsdale immediately launches a protest."
I wonder if they will actually make the character a Wiccan. Some of these movies end up with the character vindicated of all strangeness, and shown to be far more "normal" than the antagonists originally suspected. Maybe instead of a Witch, they will all discover she is really a Scientologist, and there will be free stress-tests for everyone!
In a final note, Religion Clause brings word of a court ruling that could have broad ramifications for Wiccans and other Pagans who wish to file as conscientious objectors.
"In Hanna v. Secretary of the Army, (1st Cir., Jan. 9, 2008), the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision held that the Army's Conscientious Objector Review Board had no basis in fact for denying conscientious objector status to Army doctor, Captain Mary Hanna. It rejected the Army's reliance on the timing of Hanna's claim and its argument that Hanna's beliefs were not gained through rigorous training, study or contemplation. Chief Judge Boudin, dissenting, argued that pacifism is not a belief of Hanna's Coptic Church, that her position could not easily be described as reflecting rigorous study, and that the timing of her application could be considered as a factor. The majority's decision affirmed last year's decision by a Massachusetts federal district court."
This ruling would help address the problem of philosophic and moral diversity concerning objectors to military participation (or participation in wars believed to be unjust) for religions that aren't explicitly pacifist like Wicca (or Catholicism, for that matter). If this decision stands, it could make it far easier for pacifist Pagans to register for Conscientious Objector status in the case of a draft.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: law, Military, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Passings, Religion Clause, Television, Vodou, Voodoo, Wicca
12.24.2007
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The National Post discusses the "trouble with Mary" (specifically her virgin birth), and archetypes of belief that collectively influence us.
"Christ is born at the darkest time of the year. That's not an accident. There are a lot of extremely complex ideas behind that. So here's one: the redeeming hero emerges when the need is greatest. The hero is born not only when things are darkest but also when tyranny has reached new heights. There are dozens of examples like that which underlie the way these stories are constructed; they are stunningly profound and people relive them all the time."
That quote, from psychologist Prof. Jordan Peterson, ties into his theory that belief is as "necessary as air and water" (and also echoes a point Pagans have been making during this time of year for ages). That everyone, no matter their philosophic orientation, holds onto core beliefs (because the universe "is far more complicated than we are smart") to steer them through life.
American Indian columnist Dorreen Yellow Bird weighs in on the recent "Lakota Freedom" movement, and admits it is a good idea, but a good idea come too late.
"Means and his group have some points - perhaps 200 years too late, but they do have some points ... We have, however, gone beyond those years. We have taken on the federal government as our government, too. That means the government also provides us funding and supplies for programs such as Head Start, housing, social services and so on - just like it does for the rest of the country ... Finally, there the treaties. For the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Fort Laramie treaties of 1851 and 1886 provided land. True, the U.S. government took some of that land rather surreptitiously, but we were able to hold the line because of that legal document - a treaty. Those documents are important, shouldn't be abrogated and should be taken seriously. Means and his group are seemingly out of step, but they remind us of our tragic history."
The Baltimore Chronicle & Sentinel has printed an editorial from Jason Leopold that paints a chilling picture of Christian indoctrination at basic training camps.
"The Christian right has been successful in spreading its fundamentalist agenda at US military installations around the world for decades. But the movement's meteoric rise in the US military came in large part after 9/11 and immediately after the US invaded Iraq in March of 2003. At a time when the United States is encouraging greater religious freedom in Muslim nations, soldiers on the battlefield have told disturbing stories of being force-fed fundamentalist Christianity by highly controversial, apocalyptic "End Times" evangelists, who have infiltrated US military installations throughout the world with the blessing of high-level officials at the Pentagon. Proselytizing among military personnel has been conducted openly, in violation of the basic tenets of the United States Constitution."
Leopold says that much of the military evangelism is carried out by Military Ministry, who have gained unprecedented access to places like Fort Jackson Army base in Columbia, South Carolina. The question remains on how safe our Pagan solidiers (and other religious minorities) will be if this increasingly Christian military is left unchecked.
Coming back to the Green Bay Pentacle wreath controversy, Muskego Mayor John Johnson explains why his city won't be dealing with the problems Green Bay now has.
"You have to be respectful of all religions and if you start putting one display up, you have to put up displays for everybody," Muskego Mayor John Johnson said. "If you put up a Nativity scene and then a group asks you to put up a Hanukkah display or a display for the Muslim holiday, do you tell them no? You can't."
Always refreshing to hear from someone in Wisconsin who understands how to manage a Constitutional holiday display. In related news, you can now download the NPR program Here On Earth featuring interviews with Circle Sanctuary's Selena Fox (who put up the Pentacle wreath in Green Bay) and Graham Harvey, professor of Religious Studies at the Open University, UK, discussing the Winter Solstice.
"This hour on Here on Earth: Radio Without Borders, Lori Skelton and her guests celebrate winter solstice, the longest night of a year with stories from different religions and cultures around the world."
You can download the show, here (mp3 link).
That is all I have for now, may your celebrations of the returning sun be festive tomorrow.
Labels: American Indian, archetypes, Christianity, Circle Sanctuary, Green Bay, Lakota Freedom, Military, NPR
12.15.2007
SIGIR's Wiccan Scandal
I never thought I would have to type these words, but a government fraud scandal is gaining press for the (alleged) involvement of a modern Pagan. Wiccan Ginger Cruz, a deputy of Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), is being accused of sexual harassment, cooking the books, and threating co-workers with hexes.
"Cruz, a former spokeswoman for the governor of Guam, originally joined SIGIR as a contractor working for the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. Current and former SIGIR employees have told investigators that Cruz threatened to put hexes on employees and made inappropriate sexual remarks in the presence of staff members. Cruz is a self-described wiccan, a member of a polytheistic religion of modern witchcraft. "We warned Ginger not to talk about witchcraft, that it would scare people," a former SIGIR employee said."
Ginger Cruz
From Harpers:
"Among the charges is that Cruz pressured an employee to come up with bogus numbers proving that SIGIR's work had saved taxpayers some $10 billion, a figure that was used to justify the agency's request of $30 million in the Fiscal Year 2007 budget. The true savings were said to be only in the tens of millions at best ... Cruz reportedly told employees that she was a Wiccan who could cast spells on people, and said she preferred hiring young "hunks" to work in the office. She is also accused of propositioning junior employees in a crude fashion, once even proposing a threesome."
The question now is how true are these allegations? According to Wonkette, Bowen's office has been leaking rumors that the investigation is a retaliation for his office rooting out fraud and abuse in Iraq, while Cruz has denied the allegations made against her.
"Cruz denied making comments of a "sexual nature" and noted that she was cleared of wrongdoing by an internal SIGIR investigation."
Obviously Cruz could be lying, and SIGIR's investigation into her alleged wrongdoing could be an exercise in sweeping things under the rug, but it seems strange to me that "hexes" and her Wiccan religion were mentioned at all. Could it be that Cruz was simply too open with her religious preferences in an all-too-Christian military environment? Leaving aside the charges of cooking the books, doesn't it seem a bit too convenient (almost stereotypical in a male-fantasy sort of way) that the the young female Witch would go around propositioning three-ways with men and claiming to put hexes on people (no doubt on men who would refuse her sexual wiles)?
It certainly has become a dominant theme of the story. Boing Boing mentions it, and Wonkette has posted a video of Cruz with over-dubbed "sexy" porno music playing in the background. Almost no-one is entertaining the possibility that Cruz is being smeared by those eager to see her removed from office. It does a wonderful job of deflecting attention from the real issues of this investigation (and the issue of fraud in Iraq's reconstruction). Is this how you "burn a Witch" while "ducking" charges of malfeasance?
Labels: Ginger Cruz, Iraq, Military, persecutions, SIGIR, Stuart Bowen, Wicca
11.11.2007
Pagans on Veterans Day
This past year has been one of blessings and setbacks for Pagans serving in the military. After years of struggle the government relented under legal pressure and made the Wiccan Pentacle an approved emblem of faith. This allowed Pagan veterans to have the symbol inscribed on their grave markers or tomb stones.
But this victory can seem isolated in a military culture that can often have deep prejudices and hostility towards religious outsiders. This has led to incidents of religiously motivated discrimination and even threats of violence.
"Master Sgt. Kathleen Johnson, 40, a career soldier from north Florida who enlisted in 1985, said many soldiers do worry about invisible things and pressure others to do the same ... Johnson said she has been threatened with failing a mandatory course if she didn't bow her head during prayer. One military chaplain bragged to her about how he had stalled some Wiccan soldiers when they asked for a place to gather until they finally just gave up."
While we won a victory with the Veteran Pentacle Campaign, we also lost in our best attempt so far to have a Pagan chaplain approved. The candidate, who was ideal by military standards, was forced out thanks to the leaking of personal information and the judicious use of military "catch-22s".
"When Larsen came along last spring, Sacred Well's leaders thought they finally had someone the military could not possibly reject: a physically fit 6-foot-4 clergyman originally ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who holds a master's degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Moreover, Larsen had spent 10 years as an officer in the National Guard, finished near the top of his class in chaplain's training and was already serving as a chaplain in Iraq. But Oringderff said that his group, like Larsen, underestimated the institutional resistance. "Each time we advance to a scoring position, they change the rules," he said."
As we seek to fully honor Pagan co-religionists who have served in our country's military, we continue to face an uphill struggle. The military bureaucracy can be hostile to our decentralized notions of religion, and some Christian organizations are trying to establish a permanent place of power and influence within the theoretically secular military.
The good news is that modern Pagans, emboldened by the success with the Pentacle issue, are forming larger coalitions to work towards fully equal acknowledgment and treatment within the military. The coming struggles won't necessarily be easy, but if modern Pagans choose to be involved in our military forces then they should be honored equally and given the same benefits, options, and treatment as any Christian soldier. So honor the Pagans who served our country this Veterans Day, and know that their struggles for acceptance and equal treatment are not only for them, but for all Pagans who believe that our government shouldn't play favorites when it comes to faith.
Labels: Military, Paganism, Veteran, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Veterans Day
10.13.2007
Pagans Take Stand on Military Intervention
Yesterday, a group of prominent Pagan organizations and individuals sent out a press release concerning the possibility of preemptive military action in Iran. The statement, spearheaded by M. Macha NightMare, Ellen Evert Hopman, Maureen Duffy-Boose, and Nancy Machin, calls for political leaders to use diplomacy as the primary means of dealing with recent tensions between the United States and Iran.
"We are an ad hoc group of Americans who practice diverse Earth-based religions. We affirm the wisdom of peace, tolerance, and justice. These principles are consistent with the values and beliefs of our Pagan religions. We seek to exist in goodwill and fellowship with all peoples, cultures, and nations. In so doing, we express our love for the Earth and acknowledge our interconnectedness with all living things.
In the face of escalating international tensions regarding Iran, we urge the use of diplomatic actions for a peaceful resolution of differences. We reject any rush to military action, since we believe that diplomatic means will lead to a safer, more just, and more constructive solution. Therefore, we call on our political leaders to use diplomacy to create goodwill, peace, and harmony among nations, religions, and peoples."
Among the organizations signing on to the statement are the Coalition of Earth Religions for Education and Support, CUUPs, Lady Liberty League, the ADF, Reclaiming, and the Church of All Worlds. The last time such a coalition statement was made, it was in support of the Ninth Circuit's 2002 ruling to remove "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance (a ruling that was thrown out by the Supreme Court on a technicality).
M. Macha NightMare, one of the organizers of the statement, admits that such a statement will carry little influence with the administration, but she hopes it will act as the beginning of a big spell-working and a catalyst towards further solidarity actions within the Pagan community.
"I know we rushed this. I felt a sense of urgency. I don't know how widely this will eventually circulate, and I am not so naive as to think it will do much good in terms of influencing the administration, but I do believe it shows solidarity among Pagans, concern for the commonweal, and a willingness to stand up and be counted. The more we can act in solidarity, the more seriously we may be taken as a valid voting block ... I'm viewing this as a big spell-working."
No matter your view on relations with Iran, it should be interesting to see if this does inspire more coalitions of Pagan and Heathen individuals and organizations to start taking stands, and injecting their voices into debates over political and social issues.
Labels: America, Iran, Military, Paganism, politics, press release
10.11.2007
The V.A. and Emblems of Faith
Since the US Department of Veterans Affairs relented on allowing the Pentacle symbol to be engraved on the graves of Pagan veterans, some Pagan organizations have gotten together to work towards getting two more symbols approved: the Thor's Hammer (for Asatru), and the Awen (for Druidry). But will these attempts be any easier than before? A Harvard Crimson editorial analyzes the new post-settlement V.A. regulations and finds they still place an undue burden on believers.
"Although the VA has rectified this specific mistake, it is no closer to a more expansive definition of religious legitimacy. In January 2007, the VA proposed a new set of criteria to determine when it ought to recognize a new emblem of belief. The new criteria seeks to ensure that "there is an immediate need" for a new emblem, and that the belief system is a "genuine and non-frivolous group of religious opinions, doctrines and/or principles believed or accepted as true by a group of persons." The VA has also established a new bureaucratic procedure for applying for new emblems of belief. Although the proposed definition wisely uses the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition of a religious institution as one of its many criteria, the new overall process is seriously flawed."
The new restrictive criteria includes prohibiting active soldiers or veterans from petitioning on their own behalf, Constitutionally dodgey requests for "information about the structure" of the soldier's religious organization (something the IRS doesn't require), and prohibitions against "social, cultural, and ethnic" emblems (a fine line for any indigenous faith group). Joshua R. Stein's editorial calls for a complete overhaul on the approval for emblems of belief.
"While it is laudable that the VA has accepted the Wiccan Pentacle and begun to examine their highly entrenched, anachronistic system, this single action is not enough. The system of emblems of belief - which places an undue, indeed unfair, emphasis on one's religious identity - needs to be reevaluated entirely so that soldiers can be remembered in a way most appropriate to them."
While I hope I'm wrong, I fear that needed reevaluation will only come in the wake of further lawsuits, very likely from a modern Pagan faith.
Labels: Military, Paganism, Religious Freedom, The Harvard Crimson, Veteran, Veteran Pentacle Quest
10.10.2007
Are Our Pagan Troops in Danger?
The Pew Forum has posted a report from the Religious News Service on Atheist soldiers in the military. The report talks about recent litigation filed by Army Spc. Jeremy Hall, an atheist who claims his religious freedoms have been trampled, and the threats of "fragging" (friendly-fire killings) that have come in the wake of his actions.
"What most soldiers do not get, however, are threats of "fragging" -- military slang for death by friendly fire -- because of their beliefs. That's what Army Spc. Jeremy Hall, 22, said happened to him after he organized a meeting of atheists at his base in Iraq in August. The threats came after Hall filed suit last month against the Department of Defense and Maj. Freddy Welborn. Hall said Welborn told a group of atheists that their unbelief was disgracing their country, and threatened to bar Hall's re-enlistment. Since the threats, the Army has assigned a bodyguard to Hall for protection from his colleagues in arms."
According to some sources on the ground in Iraq, anyone who doesn't toe the conservative Christian line are harassed, denied basic rights, and threatened. This includes Pagan soldiers serving overseas.
Pagan soldiers at a nighttime ceremony. Photo: UMPA
"Master Sgt. Kathleen Johnson, 40, a career soldier from north Florida who enlisted in 1985, said many soldiers do worry about invisible things and pressure others to do the same ... Johnson said she has been threatened with failing a mandatory course if she didn't bow her head during prayer. One military chaplain bragged to her about how he had stalled some Wiccan soldiers when they asked for a place to gather until they finally just gave up."
Are our Pagan troops in danger? Not just from road-side bombs and terror attacks, but from Christian members of their own military if they decide to get too "uppity" and advocate for equal treatment? While I'm sure some Christian commanding officers are fair and treat their troops justly, there is also an ominous pattern of resistance developing to non-Christian forms of belief in the military. People have been warning for some time that conservative Christian groups have been slowly taking over the military, are we now starting to see the bitter fruits of that project?
Labels: atheism, law, Military, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Paganism, Religious Freedom, Wicca
9.20.2007
Onward Christian Soldiers?
Two major stories this past year in the Pagan world have been the fight over getting the Pentacle approved for military gravestones and markers, and the (so far unsuccessful) struggle over the approval of a Pagan military chaplain. In both cases accusations have been made that there is a unspoken bias against non-Christians in our military, and in the case of some religious groups, outright hostility. Now the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, seeking to prove claims of religious bias, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of U.S. Army Specialist Jeremy Hall.
"A U.S. Army soldier who unsuccessfully tried to hold a meeting for atheists and other non-Christians is suing Defense Secretary Robert Gates and an Army major, saying his right to religious freedom was violated. The lawsuit filed Monday in federal court alleges a pattern of practices that discriminate against non-Christians in the military. According to the filing, Spec. Jeremy Hall received permission to distribute flyers around his base in Iraq for a meeting of atheists and non-Christians. When he tried to convene the meeting, Hall says, Maj. Paul Welborne stepped in, threatening to file military charges against Hall and block his reenlistment."
I think it is key here to look at the language that the MRFF is using. While Hall is an atheist, they are specifically including "non-Christians" in this mix, which includes Pagans, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and any other "non-Christian" faith. Allowing them to file numerous lawsuits (which they threaten to do), and draw on much larger body of evidence.
"Since he launched his watchdog organization nearly two years ago, Weinstein's web site has been bombarded by over 5,000 active duty and retired soldiers, many of whom served or serve in Iraq, who pleaded for the Foundation's help as they were pressured by their commanding officers to convert to Christianity, or face other consequences."
Which raises the question, how soon before the MRFF subpoenas evidence relating to the alleged anti-Pagan documents from the VA, or material relating to Don Larsen's convenient "catch-22" that effectively blocked him from being approved as the first Pagan chaplain. Will Pagan issues within the military get wrapped up in the MRFF's larger struggle?
Labels: atheism, Chaplaincy, law, litigation, Military, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Paganism, Religion, Religious Freedom, Veteran Pentacle Quest
8.30.2007
Bush Apologizes For Snub
It looks like the negative backlash over the President's "oversight" of not inviting Wiccan widow Roberta Stewart, but inviting her husband's extended family to a private meeting, has resulted in an apology call from the President.
"Fernley resident Roberta Stewart, widow of Wiccan soldier Sgt. Patrick Stewart, received an apology from President Bush Thursday morning for not being invited to meet with him during a recent visit by the president to Reno. Stewart received a message from White House staff Thursday morning asking her to return a call from President Bush. After receiving the message, Stewart said she called the White House and was patched directly to the president. During a seven-minute phone conversation, the president extended his apologies for all Stewart's grief over nearly two years since her husband Sgt. Patrick Stewart's death in Afghanistan in September 2005. Bush asked Stewart to accept his apology for the oversight, she said. Bush said he admired Stewart hoped they would meet someday. He seemed truly sincere as he apologized, she said, accepting his apology. "I am happy that I was able to speak with him and hope that now I can truly move forward and close this chapter," said Stewart."
No word on if Stewart asked Bush why her husband was dishonored by his administration, as she said she would if able to meet the President. But still, it is nice to see George Bush do the right thing and apologize. If this private chat with a modern Pagan represents a new attitude towards modern Pagan political concerns remains to be seen.
ADDENDUM: American's United has a press release out on the apology. When Stewart was asked if the Wiccan religion was touched on in their conversation, she replied that Bush said "he would not discriminate against someone because of their religion." Let's hope that statement holds true for Bush and his administration from now on.
Labels: Bush, Military, Paganism, Patrick Stewart, Roberta Stewart, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca, Witchcraft
The Shunning of a Wiccan Widow
It seems that our President isn't one to forgive a political loss, or make nice with religious minorities, even if they are they are married to a soldier killed in the war on terror.
"When President Bush took time Tuesday to meet family members of some of the fallen soldiers from Northern Nevada, a woman whose husband made the ultimate sacrifice was notably absent. Roberta Stewart of Fernley, who lost her husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, when the helicopter he was in was shot down in Afghanistan in September 2005, said she was not invited to the meeting that followed Bush's speech to the American Legion's national convention in Reno. Other members of the Stewart family were invited to the brief, private meeting, including her husband's parents and brother, as were family members of others who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan."
For those not up on current events in Pagandom, Roberta Stewart is the woman who successfully challenged the government on allowing the Pentacle on veteran's gravestones and markers (after her husband's grave marker was initially denied a requested Pentacle emblem). It seems that George "witchcraft isn't a religion" Bush is petty enough to snub war-widows (while inviting the rest of the family) if they don't meet his personal criteria of allegiance (or he just hates Wiccans that much), a behavior that Americans United director Rev. Barry W. Lynn called "shabby".
"The president should issue an apology to Roberta Stewart ... She stood courageously for religious freedom for all soldiers, and the president was wrong to treat her so shabbily ... President Bush seems to be continuing a pattern of hostility toward the Wiccan faith ... That's an outrage."
As for Stewart, she isn't surprised at the snub, and guesses that Bush wanted to avoid criticism for his part in blocking approval of the Pentacle.
"I would have loved to have spoken to President Bush and ask him why he dishonored my husband. That's probably why I wasn't invited."
I sincerely doubt that any apology will be forthcoming, Bush has made his distaste for Pagan religion and deserved criticism (even in private) quite clear. But this would be an excellent chance for any of the Presidential candidates (Republican or Democrat) to weigh in on this issue, and rise above such small-minded partisanship and religious bigotry. As for the Veteran Pentacle Quest, a coalition has formed to work on getting the Thor's Hammer and Druid's Awen approved next, and any military families involved in this campaign now know what behavior to expect from the Bush administration.
ADDENDUM: A Department of Defense official claims it was an "unfortunate oversight" and not an intended snub, but AU director Rev. Barry Lynn isn't buying the excuse saying "so called oversights often cover up a multitude of sins."
Labels: AU, Bush, Military, Paganism, Patrick Stewart, politics, Rev. Barry Lynn, Roberta Stewart, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca, Witchcraft
7.24.2007
Army Closes off Sacred Sites
In a highly controversial move, the US military has shut off all visitation access to sacred sites within the Makua Valley on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu.
"Long-simmering differences between Native Hawaiians and the military over access to Makua Valley have flared anew, with the Army notifying two prominent groups that they will no longer be allowed access to four sacred sites they've visited in the past. Malama Makua and Hui Malama say the Army's notice, contained in a June 12 letter, may violate a 2001 court order guaranteeing cultural access to many sites in the valley, including the four sites they can no longer enter."
The military is alternately claiming safety issues (they use the valley for training purposes), objections by unnamed descendants, and (perhaps most ironically) the preservation of the sacred sites. This struggle over access between the military and the Native population is nothing new, in fact it has been going on since World War Two.
"The Makua Valley access debate dates to World War II "when the Army took over the valley in early 1943 and kicked out the residents," Dodge said. "And there was an agreement that six months after the war was over, the valley would be returned in a condition satisfactory to the state. "And when that didn't happen, the territory sued and it was in and out of the courts until statehood. It was a condition of statehood that the issue be resolved." In 1964, for the sum of $1, America's youngest state leased the lower third of Makua Valley to the Army for 65 years, Dodge said."
Since these obstructionist tactics seem to violate a 2001 court decision granting Hawaiian Native groups visitation access to sacred sites, the matter will most likely end up in court again.
"Denying access to sacred sites denies Native Hawaiians the ability to honor their ancestral spirits within those locations, Aila said. He said the Native Hawaiian groups will continue to seek access to the restricted areas. If their requests continue to be denied, they'll let a judge make the decision."
This is just another example of the total disregard the military, the National Park Service, and other government agencies have for the remaining rights of Native peoples. The courts are often the only resort left to check the land-grabs done in the name of "progress" and "security", and as seen here, even that isn't always enough to guarantee justice.
Labels: Hawaii, indigenous, litigation, Military, Native American, Religion
7.07.2007
Pagan Rally Follow-Up
As readers of this blog may know, there was a large Pagan rally in Washington D.C. on July 4th to celebrate the Veteran Pentacle Quest win, and to work towards true Pagan equality within the military.
"Help us voice a further agenda for Pagan Religious Rights: We want a Pagan chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces. And we need to keep the focus on the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept Thor's Hammer, religious emblem of the Asatruar, and the Druids' Awen symbol ... While we have won the quest for the Veterans' Pentacle, the Pentacle is a single victory in the longer campaign for universal religious freedom. We need to hold a clear intent: we want to further the free expression of all religions, Pagan and otherwise. And we need to send that message now, while America still remembers that a department of the federal government systematically denied Wiccan soldiers their full rights."
In the days that have followed there have been some reports from the event, news stories, and other media of interest to people following this new pan-Pagan effort. First off, Stars and Stripes ran a very nice article about a dedication ceremony for the first Pentacle-incribed headstone at Arlington National Cemetary.
"The Rev. Selena Fox said Wednesday wasn't the first time she visited a Wiccan's grave site at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. It was just the first time one was identified that way. "This is the first time the Christian cross and Wiccan pentacle have both been engraved on a tombstone here, and it's great news for us," said the senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, a Wisconsin Wiccan community. "It's recognition we've fought for for so long." On Wednesday Fox, members of her congregation and other pagans held a consecration ceremony at the grave site of Jan Deanna, a Wiccan minister who passed away more than two years ago."
The Rev. Barry Lynn (executive director for Americans United) interviewed several participants in the July 4th rally for his radio show "Culture Shocks". Guests included Diana Paxson, Rev. J. Michael Akins, Rev.Selena Fox and Caroline Kenner. You can download an Mp3 of the entire show at this link.
Finally, author and ritualist Diana Paxson has also written an initial post-mortem of the rally on her blog.
"I'm still pretty jazzed by how well the Pagan Religious Rights Rally in Lafayette Square Park (across from the White House!) came off. This was a real pagan interfaith operation, and provided an opportunity to do some extremely useful networking regarding heathen military work..."
She (and AFA head Steve McNallen) are now looking for a relative of a deceased Heathen veteran so they can start the process of applying for the Thor's Hammer symbol for military headstones and markers.
"I also had the chance to talk to Steve McNallen. One thing we all agree on is that the Hammer should be added to the VA list of faith-symbols, however for that to happen, someone's kin have to apply for a tombstone. Our gods have been taking very good care of our serving personnel, and I'd like that situation to continue, so what we need is to find the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran who served in an earlier war who is willing to petition the VA for a heathen tombstone. If anyone knows of such a person, I can put them in touch with those who will be able to tell them what to do next."
So it looks like this rally has given an important start to further activism towards expanding the freedoms afforded modern Pagans within the military (and in general). As always, if you know of any pictures or reports from the rally please post about them in the comments.
Labels: AU, Culture Shocks, Diana Paxson, Military, Rev. Barry Lynn, Thor's Hammer, Veteran Pentacle Quest
6.09.2007
Checking In With The Pagan Military
Stars and Stripes profiles a military Pagan study group on a base in Japan. The article shows that (some) Pagans in the military are becoming less shy about asking for the same privileges granted to other faith groups.
"At a base that's 75 percent Christian - a proportion generally found across the military - Misawa's Pagan community is striving to be treated like any other religious group on base. "I want to get to the point where you can say Pagan or Wicca and not get a bad reaction," said Staff Sgt. Katie McDaniel, 31, a Wiccan ... In a meeting last week they requested with Chaplain Lt. Col. Steven Nicolai, six group members asked for the same base exposure afforded other religious groups to publicize their weekly meetings."
The chaplaincy seems somewhat hesitant about this call for equal treatment, but at least recognizes that the Pagans have a legal right to assemble and speak (even if they have yet to be listed on the base's chaplaincy page).
"It all goes back to the First Amendment," he [Chaplain Lt. Col. Steven Nicolai] said. "On the one hand, the government cannot establish a religion. But on the other hand, the government can also not prohibit people from assembling, and they can worship as they please. Just the fact that they walk into my office, say we have a need, we look at it."
But while advances are being made, the military is still not giving ground on some issues, like appointing a Pagan military chaplain. Aside from the disgraceful "catch-22" denial of Don Larsen's application, it seems everyone has a different answer on why a Pagan (who meets the education and training requirements) can't become a chaplain.
"There are no Pagan chaplains in the U.S. military. McDaniel said she inquired about becoming one but was told there was no precedent. 35th Fighter Wing chaplain Lt. Col. Steven Nicolai said the earth religions don't have a standardized theological training process."
Despite these setbacks, equal treatment within the military is one cause that a large coalition of Pagan groups (military or otherwise) can get behind, and we may soon see more legal pressure for the appointment of a Pagan chaplain. This, along with a growing sense of pride among Pagan soldiers seem to point to future advances in equal treatment.
"We put ourselves out there ... We represent ourselves in a certain way. We wear certain jewelry. We have certain things in our home, and it's not to be in your face. That's just the way we choose to live our faith and our path. It is obviously going to draw questions. It's a good thing. If someone wants to know, they'll ask ... and if not, merry part, be on your way."
With the momentum that is building, perhaps we'll see a Pagan chaplain, and greater recognition of Pagan soldiers, sooner than we expect.
Labels: Military, Pagan Soldiers, Paganism, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca
4.24.2007
Dare We Call It Conspiracy?
While I'm pleased that victory has finally been accomplished in the Veteran Pentacle Quest, I was somewhat disappointed that the issue didn't go to court. Why? Because now we'll never have direct proof of anti-Wiccan/Pagan bias by VA officials. Before a trial begins a process of "discovery" happens in which both parties hand over (or are forced to hand over) documents and materials relevant to the case. Before the discovery process happened in this case the VA tried a stalling tactic.
"The VA argued in a motion filed Jan. 19 with the U.S. District Court in Madison that the lawsuit should be put on hold until after the department finalized its new rules related to accepting new grave marker symbols. That process could take up to 12 months but the VA would make a decision on the Wiccan request within a month after the process ended, the government's motion said. The Wiccans' attorney objected, arguing that nothing commits the VA to finalize its rules within that time frame, or take up the Wiccan request at all."
Luckily the judge sided with the plaintiffs and a trial date was set for June 29th 2007. The discovery phase moved forward. It was during this point that Americans United allegedly came across some damning evidence.
"Lawyers familiar with the case said that some documents suggested the VA had political motives for rejecting the pentacle ... During his first campaign for president, then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush told ABC's 'Good Morning America' in 1999 that he was opposed to Wiccan soldiers practicing their faith at Fort Hood, Tex. 'I don't think witchcraft is a religion, and I wish the military would take another look at this and decide against it,' he said. Lynn, of Americans United, said references to Bush's remarks appeared in memos and e-mails within the VA. 'One of the saddest things is to learn that this wasn't just a bureaucratic nightmare, there was a certain amount of bigotry,' he said. 'The president's wishes were interpreted at a pretty high level. . . . It became a political judgment, not a constitutional judgment.'"
Pagan academic Chas Clifton echoes these claims at this blog.
"From what I heard last November from the spouse of one of the lawyers involved, Americans United pretty well had the VA nailed for violating their own regulations and were counting on the potential embarrassment of a court trial to scare the VA into doing the right thing. It looks like that legal strategy worked."
But we will never get hard proof thanks to the terms of the settlement.
"The settlement stipulates, however, that the plaintiffs must not keep or disclose any documents handed over by the government during the discovery phase of the lawsuit."
Now the VA can claim the moral high ground by stating they settled "in the interest of the families involved", and to save the taxpayer's money. But if it was in the interest of "families involved" it certainly is a sea-change from the past nine years of struggles against the stonewalling tactics of the government agency. There is an illusion that our military is purely "secular", and while that may be true to a point, it doesn't acknowledge the very real persecutions and setbacks imposed upon openly Pagan soldiers by an overwhelmingly Christian (and conservative) chaplaincy and command structure.
So in my mind this victory is a bit bittersweet. I wish we could have gone farther in this case and gotten documents and testimony into the public records. I certainly don't blame AU, Circle Sanctuary, and the other plaintiffs for taking the settlement, it was the promise of a sure victory in a very long struggle. But I fear that government agencies will continue to use Bush's anti-Pagan comments as unwritten policy, an excuse to disenfranchise minority religions. As for the VA, one wonders what will happen when Asatru organizations start applying for a gravestone symbol.
Labels: Military, Paganism, Pentacle, Veteran, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca
3.31.2007
Canadian Military Chaplains Leading the Way
In the ongoing struggle by Pagans in the American military to gain the same level of respect and treatment as other faiths, it seems the Canadian military is showing the way forward.
"Canadian Forces chaplains are in Afghanistan for everyone. Maj. Malcolm Berry smiles as he recalls being approached on the NATO base in Kandahar a few weeks ago by a group of soldiers of the Wiccan faith - a neo-pagan religion strongly tied to nature. "They wanted to welcome the spring in a ceremony where they are very thankful to Mother Earth and the new moon with pagan prayers," said Berry, the senior chaplain for Task Force Afghanistan. "We had no difficulty with that. We just didn't want them to do it 'sky-clad' (naked) in this environment because it would be too dangerous." The six Wiccans - a Canadian and five Americans - were invited to hold their service outside the Christian fellowship centre. They were given water, candles and food that they were welcomed to eat inside the centre after the ceremony. The Wiccans were treated with the same respect as any Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist."
How refreshing! Pagan soldiers given the same treatment and options that any other faith group would receive. Now if our own government would follow suit and quit stonewalling the pentacle for veteran grave markers, blackballing would-be Pagan chaplains, and trying to pass legislation that would privilege Christians in the military we might be able to see that being supportive of each soldiers own faith expression isn't damaging to discipline or morale. In fact its just the opposite.
"Maj. Lisa Elliot, a Wiccan, said being allowed to openly celebrate her beliefs makes her a better soldier and makes it easier to serve her tour in Afghanistan. 'You are challenged when you come over here just to deal with the situation, and by somebody supporting your faith it makes it less challenging,' said Elliot. 'It gave me the extra energy to go on with my job. I felt re-grounded. I felt at home.'"
Lets hope our own military starts to see that accommodating our Pagan soldiers isn't just the right thing to do, but the best thing to do.
Labels: Canada, Chaplaincy, Military, Pagan Soldiers, Paganism, Veteran Pentacle Quest, Wicca
12.17.2006
Wiccans in the War Zone
One thing that underscores the veteran Pentacle quest is that there are modern Pagans serving in war zones right now as we speak. The case of Patrick Stewart, who died while serving in Afghanistan, isn't a rare fluke that happened to bring up the issue of honoring the faith of all veterans. Thousands of modern Pagans are currently active in all branches of the military, many in dangerous "hot spots" as Sgt. Stewart was. This point is driven home in a New York Times spotlight on Rev. Shareen Fischer, captain and a chaplain in the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division.
"There's so much going on militarily as you get ready" was how Captain Fischer put it. "Not enough time, not enough days. So I like to have my quiet time. When David said, 'I look to the hills' and 'My strength comes from the Lord,' he was alone in the desert. And I have to remember where my strength comes from. Because if I am not strong, how can I be a strong leader for my paratroopers?"
While Rev. Fischer is a Christian (a graduate of Oral Roberts University who is an ordained Pentecostal) as chaplain she has to oversee the spiritual and religious needs of her entire unit.
"She led worship services for Christian soldiers and helped arrange them for guardsmen of other faiths. She made sure Jews and Muslims received kosher and halal Meals Ready to Eat. She taught lessons on Bible passages that were set in Mesopotamia. After her unit was attacked, she conducted the required stress debriefing for the victims. And sometimes she simply held the men and women who were crying...Lately she had been surveying her soldiers to determine their religious backgrounds and so meet their needs. She has found Muslims, Jews, Roman Catholics, Protestants of myriad stripes, Eastern Orthodox adherents and even a few Wiccans."
Those "few Wiccans" in her division, while accommodated in life, are serving knowing that the government won't (at this time) honor their service after death by acknowledging the faith that defines them. The growing reality is that modern Pagans can be found in almost any profession and situation in America, this includes our military. It is time that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs catches up to the what chaplains like the Rev. Shareen Fischer are already doing, trying to meet the needs of all faiths currently serving.