Wiccans Having Problems in Iraq
Go figure. Military guys don't like Wiccans. Hopefully one of the rights that they are supposedly fighting for over there will include the First Amendment right to Freedom of Religion. But that would be just too logical, eh?
United States (and occupied territories): Wiccan service people face a number of problems. In one incident, a small circle was pelted with bottles and stones by fellow squaddies while worshipping in Iraq. Military chaplain Patrick McCollum described some of the other problems:
An advisory team became a Pentagon priority when Wiccan military personnel reported problems while conducting rites and religious activities.The Wiccans said that some chaplains were trying to convert them and that commanding officers made it difficult to practice, McCollum said.
Wiccans also have been pressuring the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow a Wiccan emblem, most likely the pentacle (sic.), for armed forces burial headstones or markers. Mike Nacincik of Veterans Affairs, said the department authorizes 38 emblems, including one for atheists, but none for Wiccans.
The military should honor the beliefs of Wiccans asked to fight and die to uphold freedom of speech and religion, McCollum said.
If these freedoms are taken away while they're defending these values, it creates a paradox.
Interestingly, the Air Force boasts the highest number of Wiccans - perhaps a fast jet is the closest they'll ever get to a broomstick.
Military casts Wicca in the shadows - Contra Costa Times (via Religion News Blog), 12th August 2004.
Comments
Hi, I am a US Air Force wife and a Wiccan. I have found that being in the military you have to show a different face to the world than at home. It may just be that I live in the south at the moment and there is a LARGE Baptist community here. They seem to think that anyone that thinks differently than they do is wrong and that goes for other Christians as well. I have heard that the military is trying to have Wiccan Services in the Base Chapels, but as of yet there is nothing here, and I would never think of going to a Chaplin for anything to do with Wicca. But I am more concerened about my husbands career than anything, so I keep my religion to myself. If the wrong people (the bigots) knew that he (a Catholic) was married to a Wiccan they would do what they could to stop his promotions. The people who do know I am Wiccan seem not to have a problem with it, but They are mostly younger men and women and they don't have any direct impact on my husbands career. Freedom of Religion in mostly Christian world is an ideal that will always be hard fought. I hope to see it in my lifetime, but I am doubtful.
Thanks for leting me rant.
Wildflower
Posted by: Wildflower | November 9, 2004 11:05 AM
I agree with you. I too am wiccan and I recently just started a new job where i was asked to not wear my pentacle. I have been wearing it all my life i never take it off and honestly forget its there. But when it was brought to my attention i was appaled i could some one ask me to hide who i am? I work in a catholic hospital where they (the hospital) felt it would be disrespectal to where it. They kindly asked me to either take it off or hide it. I filed a complaint but as of yet i still don't know the out come. So every day when i walk into the doors i hide the pentacle under my clothes and then put on my work badge. I hate that i have to hide who i am b/c of ignerant ppl that don't know anything. My argument is this if you were muslim or jewish or hindu or w/e and you were coming into a hospital that yes was of catholic background but had good doctors wouldn't you be a little taken aback if all the employees had ashes on there heads b/c it was ash wednesday to them but to you just another day? That was my argument that they should be open to new thought and ideas and new religions that although new to the public eye have been around for ages. I hope things get better w/your situation.
Posted by: Tiffwitch69 | February 20, 2005 02:05 PM