"I HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY TO EVERY FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN" --Thomas Jefferson
Freedom of Religion.
Posted on 02/03/2010 4:30:45 PM PST by khnyny
Witches, Druids and pagans rejoice! The Air Force Academy in Colorado is about to recognize its first Wiccan prayer circle, a Stonehenge on the Rockies that will serve as an outdoor place of worship for the academy's neo-pagans.
Wiccan cadets and officers on the Colorado Springs base have been convening for over a decade, but the school will officially dedicate a newly built circle of stones on about March 10, putting the outdoor sanctuary on an equal footing with the Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels on the base.
"When I first arrived here, Earth-centered cadets didn't have anywhere to call home," said Sgt. Robert Longcrier, the lay leader of the neo-pagan groups on base.
"Now, they meet every Monday night, they get to go on retreats, and they have a stone circle."
Academy officials had no tally of the number of Wiccan cadets at the school of 4,500, but said they had been angling to set up a proper space since the academic year began.
"That's one of the newer groups," said John Van Winkle, a spokesman for the academy. "They've had a worship circle on base for some time and we're looking to get them an official one."
The Air Force recognizes several distinct forms of neo-paganism, including Dianic Wicca, Seax Wicca, Gardnerian Wicca, shamanism and Druidism, according to Pagan groups that track the information.
Since a 2004 survey of cadets on the base revealed dozens of instances of harassment and intolerance, superintendent Michael Gould has made religious tolerance a priority.
Yet Van Winkle, the academy spokesman, said he could not confirm whether the school's superintendent or senior staff would attend the dedication ceremony.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“Earth-centered cadets”
Would never go to war the by nature hurts the earth.
Why would they join something that hurts the earth?
No one is ever wrong, just different. NOW SIT DOWN.
Reminds me of that “Rome burns” thingy coming to pass.
Freedom of religion means that minority groups who believe in stuff you think is whacko have a right to believe and practice it too...
Won’t be long, they will painting Wiccan symbols on jet fighters and bombers.
Got that right.
Welcome to Obama’s America
At least they’re not Muzzies. Thanks khnyny.
Did you shake your head when the Army recognized Wiccans several years ago? Did you shake your head when the Veteran Administration recognized Wiccan and their religious symbol on headstones some years ago. No my friend...I shake my head in disgust with your inability to recognize that not everyone bows to your religious preference.
I am witnessing the death of Western Civilization in real time, from a front row seat.
How long can we hold on to the remaining shards of our freedom? Not much longer, I think.
Don’t Wiccans worship in the nude??
The legions went wobbly after Jesus replaced Mithras.
Welcome to a military stocked with Clinton, Bush, and Obama selected generals.
We used to have Pattons, now we have Nuttins.
Ten years left? Maybe twenty?
That would be cool.
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