Networks like ABC have hyperventilated about the "outrage" of "endangering" soldiers with rifle sights with "secret Bible codes" on them. They worried about Christian proselytizing on the campus of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Will these TV reporters notice as the Air Force responds to the liberal-media complaints by opening an outdoor chapel space for Wiccans and Druids?
If Christians in the military were emblematic of George W. Bush, would the media suggest that this great Pagan Opening is symbolic of the Obama era?
From an offical Academy press release:
The Air Force Academy chapel will add a worship area for followers of Earth-centered religions during a dedication ceremony, which is tentatively scheduled to be held at the circle March 10....
Tech. Sgt. Brandon Longcrier, NCO in charge of the Academy's Astronautics laboratories, worked with the chapel to create the official worship area for both cadets and other servicemembers in the Colorado Springs area who practice Earth-centered spirituality...
The presence of diverse worship areas reflects a sea change from five years ago, when reports surfaced alleging religious intolerance at the Academy. Sergeant Longcrier became Pagan shortly after arriving at the Academy in 2006 and said he believes the climate has improved dramatically.
"When I first arrived here, Earth-centered cadets didn't have anywhere to call home," he said. "Now, they meet every Monday night, they get to go on retreats, and they have a stone circle. ... We have representation on the Cadet Interfaith Council, and I even meet with the Chaplains at Peterson Air Force Base once a year to discuss religious climate."
Earth-centered spirituality includes traditions such as Wicca, Druidism and several other religious paths that, while relatively new, trace their roots to pre-Christian Europe, Sergeant Longcrier said. Gerald Gardner founded the first Wiccan tradition in England in 1952, with neo-Druidism following in the early 1960s.
Some Earth-centered traditions involve the worship of gods and goddesses, whereas others may involve only one deity or none at all. Reincarnation is a popular concept, as is rebirth and celebrating the cycle of the seasons.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
roots
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 00:32 ET by WesenPick a flavor at the USAFA. Maybe the peyote eating Sun Dancers will make it over the threshold next.
Our Founders refered to religion in the Army as "denominations of religion" and not the ranks of witchcraft.
"Sir Richard Sutton read a copy of a letter relative to the government of America from a [Crown-appointed] governor in America to the Board of Trade [in Great Britain] showing that. . . . If you ask an American, “Who is his master?” He will tell you he has none – nor any governor but Jesus Christ." This is the heritage of America and making room for Earth-lovers is I think unfortunate. I appreciate their need for fellowship with the like-minded, have at it but it's a mistake to give them a place at the table. Somewhere someone in an Academy office lacked the Giulianis to say "No". You don't give your kids everything they want.... dittos here.
I would like to know how.............................
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 11:19 ET by Patriot IIThe spirit of anti-christ got into our military? They can't mention the name of Jesus Christ but will make a place for a cult to have meetings? Give me a break! Anyone with any gray matter left should be asking themselves....what is it in the name of Jesus that makes it so powerful? Then start searching for him...!!!
I guess this is on keeping
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 00:36 ET by rbosqueI guess this is on keeping with Pelosi's use of a broomstick.
The Circle
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 00:46 ET by sudmufWill this "religious circle" be inclusive of the Globalwarmalists and their worship of Gaia?
The media treatment
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 01:25 ET by ApacheThe media treatment will be hypocritical since anything other than Christian is fine with them. But true Wiccans can be a fairly conservative group. Nothing to it that would suggest a big government knows best. The media stereotypes these people as badly as other religious groups even if it is more tolerant of them.
We need to get some of
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 01:48 ET by BKeyserWe need to get some of these "rebirthers" in the streets of Afghanistan looking for roadside bombs.
What's next?
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 03:28 ET by OxyConA temple for Zeus and a place where witch doctors can make voodoo dolls? How about a pyrimid for Aztec human sacrifices?
They all qualify as ancient religions. After all we don't want to descriminate.
It is quite odd that this
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 05:17 ET by MrSnugglesIt is quite odd that this fellow converted to witchcraft AFTER he
joined the Air Force. Makes me wonder, what did he convert from?
Atheism? Did he convert just to make a big stink?
You tell me...
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 10:34 ET by misterbee241Before he became a pagan, nobody knew him or about him. Now he's converted to paganism, he's in the news and the world knows who he is. I cant judge his heart, only his actions.
"I dont need to read a newspaper to know the world's been shaved by a drunken barber."
Walter Brennan, The Colonel, Meet John Doe, 1941
Jesus! What will they think of next?
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 06:31 ET by ThalpyJesus! What will they think of next?
Solomon
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 10:31 ET by misterbee241As King Solomon said a couple of thousand years ago, there is nothing new under the sun.
"I dont need to read a newspaper to know the world's been shaved by a drunken barber."
Walter Brennan, The Colonel, Meet John Doe, 1941
That's right, misterbee.
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 14:37 ET by BO STINKSThe pagans will behave themselves for awhile. Soon, though, they will begin worshipping in the nude and/or committing blood sacrifices (hopefully of small animals and not babies). THEN, the AFA will have to re-evaluate their policy. Of course, they could save themselves some effort and our money by not allowing it in the first place. That would make too much sense, however.
One thing you can be sure of: the pagans WILL expose themselves (rim shot).
Liberal Hypocrites: Change the channel when the Super Bowl comes on. We don't want to offend your delicate sensibilities.
The Bible says, Luke 17:26
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 07:42 ET by ChattychitoThe Bible says, Luke 17:26 "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." it means that when Jesus makes his second appearance the people of the earth will all be doing what seems right in their own eyes (practicing all sorts of religions and rituals), there will be violence in the land, Giants (seen those wrestling entertainment guys lately, dwarfing Hulk Hogan they do.) Sexual immorality and bestiality.War and Aliens co-habitating with man (ok ok we haven't seen any of them yet. hem or have we?) and man will be living just as he always has marrying and giving in marriage not paying attention to the word of God.
Have you been inside
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 10:53 ET by doug1950a Walmart lately?
War and Aliens co-habitating with man (ok ok we haven't seen any of them yet. hem or have we?)
No I haven't been to
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 21:05 ET by ChattychitoNo I haven't been to Walmart Kmart or even to a minimart.
But Aliens Co-habitating (and I don't mean Mexicans, Haitians or those kind of Aliens) when they begin to mate with mankind look out.
I wonder if all the blood and guts spewed out over that Virginia 15 acre farm some years back. Nah!
Here's your sign!
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 09:43 ET by Red JeepTo be posted at all Recruiting Centers:
Until further notice only Christians and Jews may ask to join the United States Military. All others need not try to join.
Yeah, ya gotta wonder...
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 10:13 ET by falcon...when it all hits the fan and these guys have to climb into their jets, will they have the cajones to actually complete their mission - which will include shooting down bad guys and bombing stuff? I guess you could ask that of any devout follower of any religion (or "religion," as I like to categorize the other weird stuff), and I'm sure their instructors and commanders do just that. But for the USAFA to kowtow to people who just yell louder...that's despicable. Squeaky wheel syndrome is alive and well, apparently. What we need to do is refuse the grease.
‘When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.’ - Edmund Burke, 1770
I'm sure the USAFA had no
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 10:30 ET by misterbee241I'm sure the USAFA had no choice in this. In fact, every person in this country is guaranteed to be able to worship according to the dictates of his conscience. And that includes Wicca and paganism.
But, OT Isreal came to disaster when their Kings, starting with Solomon, turned from God and worshipped pagan idols and led their people into doing so. And they also allowed their children to pass through the fire, a metaphor for child sacrifice. Of course, we are already doing that with abortion.
I would just ask the services to consider carefully what they do.
"I dont need to read a newspaper to know the world's been shaved by a drunken barber."
Walter Brennan, The Colonel, Meet John Doe, 1941
We will never win another
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 10:52 ET by mattmWe will never win another war, if this diversity crap keeps up.
Too far gone
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 11:19 ET by iveseenitallWill this stop? Or are we too far gone? I think the latter. Sad.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Muslims Too
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:41 ET by slickwillie2001I'm okay with keeping muslims out of our military as well, until perhaps we find some way of guaranteeing that they put country before religion.
This is going to sound
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 14:28 ET by HockeyKidThis is going to sound snarky, but it's an honest question. What prevents anyone from declaring his religion to be that he himself is god? Clearly, such a declaration would result in psychiatric examination rather than preferential treatment, but why should that be the case? Under the guidelines set forth in this case, that person should be allowed to conduct himself in whatever manner comports with his belief, and to have a worship area dedicated to himself constructed on the campus. Why is this considered absurd, but these new "alternative religions" are not?
Another honest question: do "Earth-oriented religions" object to dropping bombs on the Earth? Does this make them de facto conscientious objectors, and not suited for military service?
These examples illustrate the complete absurdity of kowtowing to
every "religion" that walks down the path. When we were schoolkids, we used
to joke about avoiding PE class by claiming religious exemption.
Sadly, it is no longer a joke (or perhaps a bigger joke than ever).
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Thanks for the reminder
Mon, 02/01/2010 - 19:29 ET by AdampmThis is part of the reason I'm no longer a Republican. All of you are assuming the worst. Last I checked the constitution gives us all freedom of religion and not just freedom to be christian.
Yes, there are quite a few people who practice Earth-centered religions that buy into the whole liberal BS of AGW. We refer to them as 'fluffy bunnies'. They think the world is some sort of Disney movie and as such they have a distorted world view.
There are also many of us who look at the research and claims and see it for the crap it is.
I proudly served my country in the Armed Forces and my dogtag had Wicca for my religion. I served because in this country I have the freedom to be myself and worship as I see fit.
Yep, you are all free to voice your opinions and I fully support it. But I would urge those of you bashing on this decision to actually do some research that isn't based on propaganda. Maybe the guy did it to get press attention and maybe he did it out of a genuine desire to exercise his freedom of religion.
I've been coming to the site for a while now and usually it's the news stories that piss me off but in this article it's the reactions of all of you.
I'm really hoping the Republicans sweep the House and Senate elections in November but if the rapid Christian Coalition people are going to go on the usual crusade then it'll once again be a decision on whether I want to keep my money or my freedom.
Hey what ever happened
Tue, 02/02/2010 - 08:29 ET by Chattychitoto separation of church and state? When the AF gives one a permanent place of worship over another then they are promoting a religion.
these hypocritical Atheist normally come to the rescue to deliver us from religion in the Government and schools they are the ACLU. Where are you?
did you also know that Wiccan clubs at high schools have never been scrutinized while a Bible clubs have been ridiculed and banned at some high schools.ACLU never once raised or batted an eyebrow at wiccans but if it is Christians or Bible they are white on rice.
Where are all the Atheist ACLU phonies to protest the separation of church and State? ACLU Atheist hypocrites panty waists. come on where are you?
The reason you haven't said anything is because you're not anti-religion you are anti-christ.