Yesterday was the 236th birthday of the Marine Corps and today is Veterans Day. Semper Fi Marines! Thank you for your sacrifices in the air, on land and at sea. To all our veterans thank you for your sacrifice around the world. Without our Heroes, and those who are now our Angels, we would not have the freedoms we hold dear. Because of you, we choose our leaders, we exercise our inalieable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. May today find you in your loved ones arms, and if not, may you be in safety and know you are one day closer to being home.
Blessings and gratitude to you, our Heroes
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Key Moments
A few key moments for pagans in the military:
July 29, 1775 George Washington establishes the chaplaincy corps to bring morality and ethics.
1997 Patrick McCollum becomes the first Wiccan chaplain recognized by the U.S. government (nonmilitary).
August 1997 High Priest David Oringderff helped set up the military's first Wiccan Open Circle at Ft Hood, Tx.
1998 No service members identify themselves as Wiccan, but 20% identify as "no religious preference" according to the July 1998 Army Religious Times. (Did they miss asking the 300 part of the Circle at Fort Hood in 1997? Or is that misleading information because "other" was the only option on the form?)
2001 Wicca is recognized as a religion and guidelines given to chaplains through the U.S. Army's: Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains.
October 1, 2001 In an online interview George W. Bush said, "I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the U.S. military to promote it."
2004 4,000 members of the US Military declared themselves pagan.
2005 Circle Sanctuary started a support group called Warrior Circle for active duty Pagans and their families. As of August 2011, they've continued to maintain a military support altar and hold Warrior Blessing Rituals.
2006 Army chaplain Don Larsen applied to become the Army's first Wiccan chaplain. His request was denied, he was removed from the chaplaincy program and pulled out of Iraq.
April 23, 2007 The five pointed star is added to the list of approved emblems that can be put on military gravestones.
May 2011 Air Force Academy opens an outdoor worship space for cadets of earth-centered religions.
July 29, 1775 George Washington establishes the chaplaincy corps to bring morality and ethics.
1997 Patrick McCollum becomes the first Wiccan chaplain recognized by the U.S. government (nonmilitary).
August 1997 High Priest David Oringderff helped set up the military's first Wiccan Open Circle at Ft Hood, Tx.
1998 No service members identify themselves as Wiccan, but 20% identify as "no religious preference" according to the July 1998 Army Religious Times. (Did they miss asking the 300 part of the Circle at Fort Hood in 1997? Or is that misleading information because "other" was the only option on the form?)
2001 Wicca is recognized as a religion and guidelines given to chaplains through the U.S. Army's: Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains.
October 1, 2001 In an online interview George W. Bush said, "I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the U.S. military to promote it."
2004 4,000 members of the US Military declared themselves pagan.
2005 Circle Sanctuary started a support group called Warrior Circle for active duty Pagans and their families. As of August 2011, they've continued to maintain a military support altar and hold Warrior Blessing Rituals.
2006 Army chaplain Don Larsen applied to become the Army's first Wiccan chaplain. His request was denied, he was removed from the chaplaincy program and pulled out of Iraq.
April 23, 2007 The five pointed star is added to the list of approved emblems that can be put on military gravestones.
May 2011 Air Force Academy opens an outdoor worship space for cadets of earth-centered religions.
My Country & My Flag, NOT My God & My Religion
Every time I hear politicians begin arguing they clearly divide the country between conservative Christian Republicans and atheist liberal Democrats. So where should pagans stand? The general stereotype is that pagans are extremely liberal, welfare leeches, and anti-military.
Where does this stereotype come from? Well, the hippies. As anti-witchcraft laws were repealed in the 50's, a wave of people interested in witchcraft came forward and founded the modern religion of Wicca. This wave of returning to old pagan beliefs coincided with the anticultural movement of the 60's and anti-war movement of the 70's. Wicca became entangeled with this anti-cultural atmosphere of experimentation and many experimented with drugs and sex - really anything that rebelled against the societal norms of conservative Christiandom. Then they continued to adopt anti-war viewpoints during the Vietnam War. Because the Celts were so anti-war, right? Please.
Unfortunately, subsequent generations continued drug use and superliberal views. So what about those of us witches who are anti-420 (smoking marijuana) or abusing any substance that alters one's ability to function, anti-illegal drug use, pro-military, and for the political values which support rewarding people for working hard and believe that people should support themselves rather than being dependent on the government? We exist!
The belief that to be patriotic must mean following a certain religion is ridiculous. The founding fathers were a mix of Christians, Deists, Atheists and who knows what else. Ever read this piece in history class? (Note: 's' were written as 'f ' back then.)
Where does this stereotype come from? Well, the hippies. As anti-witchcraft laws were repealed in the 50's, a wave of people interested in witchcraft came forward and founded the modern religion of Wicca. This wave of returning to old pagan beliefs coincided with the anticultural movement of the 60's and anti-war movement of the 70's. Wicca became entangeled with this anti-cultural atmosphere of experimentation and many experimented with drugs and sex - really anything that rebelled against the societal norms of conservative Christiandom. Then they continued to adopt anti-war viewpoints during the Vietnam War. Because the Celts were so anti-war, right? Please.
Unfortunately, subsequent generations continued drug use and superliberal views. So what about those of us witches who are anti-420 (smoking marijuana) or abusing any substance that alters one's ability to function, anti-illegal drug use, pro-military, and for the political values which support rewarding people for working hard and believe that people should support themselves rather than being dependent on the government? We exist!
The belief that to be patriotic must mean following a certain religion is ridiculous. The founding fathers were a mix of Christians, Deists, Atheists and who knows what else. Ever read this piece in history class? (Note: 's' were written as 'f ' back then.)
"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.." 1796 Treaty with Tripoli
(Yes, we've been at war with various Muslim factions since the 1700s).
So where does the logic spring from which dictates that to be for this country we must be Christian? Some point to the Pledge of Allegiance; "One nation under God". Did you know that the words "under God" weren't added until the Communism scare of the 1950's? As it is "to the flag of the United States of America" wasn't added until the early 1920's (the Pledge was written in 1892).
I pledge allegiance to my flag and am loyal to my country and to the freedoms it was founded on. My patriotism has everything to do with my country, and nothing to do with my religion. My political viewpoints have everything to do with my knowledge and logic, not what my religion mandates I believe or don't.
Let's strive to end the ridiculous belief that a persons religion dictates their political affiliation and vice versa.
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
- Thomas Jefferson to a committee of the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut, Jan. 1, 1802
Politics are About My Flag and My Country,
NOT My God and My Religion.
Curious what the founding fathers original arguements for The Constitution were? Want to read them in modern English so their letters are easier to understand? Check out "The Original Arguement: The Federalists' Case for the Constitution Adapted for the 21st Century".
Happy 4th of July!
We’d like to take a moment to thank the men and women in uniform
who serve our great country.
Millions of Americans have surrendered their rights so we don’t have to surrender ours. They voluntarily surrender their rights to choose what they wear, where they live, and sometimes if they can see their families. Many have surrendered their lives to insure we don’t surrender our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to them we are eternally grateful.
Everyday Americans raise their right hand and swear to protect us from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and the laws which keep our country free. Some are Witches, some are Christians, some are Atheists, and some are Buddhists. They come from every socioeconomic background, culture, race and corner of the globe – some believe in the freedom America offers so much that they are willing to defend it with their lives before they’re officially citizens.
Often times we lose sight of the liberty we enjoy. We get bogged down in political debates, campaign nightmares, legalism and ‘tolerance’. Let’s take time this 4th of July to reflect on the liberties we have and the courageous members of our military, past and present, who protect them.
We are a beacon of hope and freedom to the world,
and no matter how many rockets or bombs our enemies use against us, our flag is still there.
and no matter how many rockets or bombs our enemies use against us, our flag is still there.
Video by SpiritofStLewis. Song "Where the Stars & Stripes and the Eagle Flies" by Aaron Tippin.
5 Tips for Pagans in the Military
While there is opposition to pagans, in particular to Wiccans and witches, in the military from conservative Christian groups such as the Family Research Council, military members can openly practice their beliefs. As an active duty Marine, I attended a Wiccan "Sunday school" while in boot camp on Parris Island and later while stationed in North Carolina I was able to meet with other pagans serving with me for religious meetings when off duty.
There are a few things that military members need to be aware of when requesting the right to worship:
1. Pagan holidays are not recognized as government holidays, except for the Spring equinox ("Easter") and Yule ("Christmas"), so do not expect to receive these days off. As when requesting leave at any other time, you will need to speak with your command and put in the proper requests to receive Sabbath days off. Also as with any other leave request, such requests can be denied.
2. Upon request, the military must provide religious clergy for you to speak with. Be aware that this will usually mean a Christian chaplain who's taken a "what is Wicca" course. They'll be largely unknowledgeable, but are very kind and trustworthy. I spoke with my Christian chaplain many times and greatly appreciated him. More and more chaplains are joining the military as Wiccan chaplains, so ask - you never know who you'll be blessed with!
3. You can have an altar in your barracks like you can have a stereo system. As long as your tools, books and herbs comply with allowable materials (not illegal drugs, Nazi worship, or other ridiculous items) you are allowed to have them. Know that you may have to stow your supplies and put away your altar during inspections, just like you may have to do with stereo equipment or decorations.
4. Don't take sacred items to a training environment. Religious reading material such as the Bible is allowed to be taken into basic training and other training environments. Because there is no officially recognized "scripture" for pagans, you aren't guaranteed the right to bring your Book of Shadows. In training environments you aren't normally allowed unncessarily equipment, so don't bring your tools as you'll just have to ship them home or have them stored.
5. Be conscious of your barrack mate's comfort level. If they are an evangelical Christian, don't expect them to be open and accepting of your need to meditate or cast Circles. Religious discrimination is not tolerated in the military, so report instances up through your chain of command - always start at the lowest level to try and resolve problems, such as with your squad leader.
There are a few things that military members need to be aware of when requesting the right to worship:
1. Pagan holidays are not recognized as government holidays, except for the Spring equinox ("Easter") and Yule ("Christmas"), so do not expect to receive these days off. As when requesting leave at any other time, you will need to speak with your command and put in the proper requests to receive Sabbath days off. Also as with any other leave request, such requests can be denied.
2. Upon request, the military must provide religious clergy for you to speak with. Be aware that this will usually mean a Christian chaplain who's taken a "what is Wicca" course. They'll be largely unknowledgeable, but are very kind and trustworthy. I spoke with my Christian chaplain many times and greatly appreciated him. More and more chaplains are joining the military as Wiccan chaplains, so ask - you never know who you'll be blessed with!
3. You can have an altar in your barracks like you can have a stereo system. As long as your tools, books and herbs comply with allowable materials (not illegal drugs, Nazi worship, or other ridiculous items) you are allowed to have them. Know that you may have to stow your supplies and put away your altar during inspections, just like you may have to do with stereo equipment or decorations.
4. Don't take sacred items to a training environment. Religious reading material such as the Bible is allowed to be taken into basic training and other training environments. Because there is no officially recognized "scripture" for pagans, you aren't guaranteed the right to bring your Book of Shadows. In training environments you aren't normally allowed unncessarily equipment, so don't bring your tools as you'll just have to ship them home or have them stored.
5. Be conscious of your barrack mate's comfort level. If they are an evangelical Christian, don't expect them to be open and accepting of your need to meditate or cast Circles. Religious discrimination is not tolerated in the military, so report instances up through your chain of command - always start at the lowest level to try and resolve problems, such as with your squad leader.
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