| Pagans
in the Military |
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Links
to Information
Pagans in the U.S. Military
On this page:
General
Information on the U.S. Military - Everything
Military, from Air Force 1 to Westpoint
- very in-depth U.S. military information site
Number
of Pagans in the U.S. Military
- (From
Pagan Educational Network - article no longer on-line) "John
Machate, Coordinator/CEO of the Military Pagan Network, estimates
there are 10,000 practicing Pagans in the US military (active
duty, guard, reserve, and dependants). This
figure is based on surveys conducted for MPN and is accepted
by the Armed Services Chaplains Board."
E.g., as of November
2002:
Air
Force Officer total: 71,006. Pagans: Druid - 5, Pagan
8, Shaman 2, Wicca 8.
Air Force
Enlisted total:
292,141. Pagans: Druid 60, Pagan 139, Seax Wicca 3,
Shaman 24, Wicca 227.
Original source
of information:
Air Force Personal Center
(no longer on-line)
Information
on Religious Accommodation Policies in the U.S. Military
- including Conscientious Objector Status
See Pagan
Institute
Military
Information on Wicca
from Ontario
Religious Tolerance Org :
"The US Army had prepared a book for the guidance of its chaplains
when dealing with a soldier of a non-traditional faith.The
book is: "Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain
Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains" (1990).It
appears to be no longer available for purchase
Pages 231-236
contain an excellent description of Wicca."The
full text is available on this site.
Legal
Status
from Witchvox
article By
Dana D. Eilers, J.D., 9/9/2001
 The
United States Military Courts of Justice have spoken upon
the subject of Wicca/Witchcraft.The
United States military courts have upheld the rights of Wiccans
and have found Wicca to be a bona fide religion meritorious
of First Amendment protections: United States v. Phillips,
42 M.J. 346 (1995); and 38 M.J.42.Judge
Wiss, who wrote the concurring opinion in that case, stated:
"First, Wicca is a socially recognized religion. It is acknowledged
as such by the Army.See
Dept. of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 165-13-1, Religious Requirements
and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains
(April 1980), revising A Pamphlet 165-13, Religious Requirements
and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains
(April 1978).Further,
it is acknowledged as such in courts of law.
Affirmation
of Military Personnel's Religious Freedom
Covenant of
Unitarian Universalist Pagans
Press
Release - July
2, 1999
Recently,
statements by governmental leaders and representatives have
been made regarding the religious freedoms of military personnel
who are Wiccan and attend Wiccan worship services on their
respective bases.We
find these remarks not in alignment with the rights guaranteed
American citizens under the US Constitution.
The
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, officers and board
of trustees affirms and promotes the free and responsible
practice of religion and spirituality as a fundamental human
right.
The
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) was chartered
by the Unitarian Universalist Association at the General Assembly
in 1987 for purposes of enabling: networking among Pagan Identified
UUs; providing outreach of Unitarian Universalism to the broader
Pagan community continentally; providing educational materials
on Paganism for Unitarian Universalist congregations and the
general public; promoting Pagan - Jewish & Christian dialogue;
encouraging the development of theo/alogical and liturgical
materials based on earth and nature centered religious and
spiritual perspectives; encouraging greater use of music,
dance, visual arts, poetry, story, and creative ritual in
Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration; providing
support for Pagan-identified UU religious professionals and
ministerial students; and fostering healing relationships
with our mother the Earth and all her children.
We
recognize Wiccan, Pagan, and all earth religions as authentic
faith communities, and support the free exercise of religious
rights by them in full social and legal equality.
In
this context, we specifically affirm and support the members
of the Armed Forces who identify with Pagan, Wiccan and other
earth religious communities.We
oppose any effort to infringe upon the rights of military
personnel to practice religions consistent with military codes
and regulations.
We
call upon our country's governmental and religious leaders
to uphold the religious freedoms dictated in the US Constitution,
whether for an American walking down the street or one working
in our Armed Forces
The
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) is an organization
dedicated to networking Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists
(UUs), educating people about Paganism, promoting interfaith
dialogue, developing Pagan liturgies and theologies, and supporting
Pagan-identified UU religious professionals.The
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) was chartered
by the Unitarian Universalist Association at the General
Assembly in 1987.)
Religious
Freedom & Networking Support For Wiccans & Other Pagans
in the U.S. Military
Lady
Liberty League of Circle Sanctuary Org
Wiccans
in the Military: Often
Caught in the Middle
by
David L. Oringderff
Army and Air Force
chaplaincy information
U.S. Air Force Chaplaincy
Guide to Wicca
U.S. Army - Chaplain Center
and School
more
in Military - News Stories
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