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In what is being hailed as a major advance in military religious liberty, officials at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs have agreed to provide worship space for a group of Pagans.

The circle of stones was created after adherents of Paganism and other nature-based faiths asked Academy officials for worship space. The Academy already contains a chapel, and officials agreed to honor the request.

Observers say the move is significant. Four years ago, the situation regarding religious freedom at the Academy was grim. An air of evangelical Christianity permeated the facility, and cadets were encouraged to see films like “The Passion of the Christ.”

During a training session for cadets, an Academy chaplain urged evangelicals to convert their classmates to their brand of Christianity. He told cadets that those not “born again will burn in the fires of hell.” Non-Christian cadets complained of harassment and intolerance.

Calls and e-mails poured in to Americans United, and AU Assistant Legal Director Richard B. Katskee spearheaded an investigation. Katskee interviewed more than 20 cadets, former cadets, faculty and staff and reviewed other documents and information.

Afterwards, Katskee and Americans United Legal Director Ayesha N. Khan prepared a 14-page report detailing incidents of religious intolerance and bias by evangelical Christians at the Academy.

Four days after the AU report was delivered, Defense Department officials announced the creation of a task force to examine the religious climate at the Academy. An Air Force press release stated, “[L]ingering allegations from sources such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State are being taken very seriously by the Air Force.”

The Academy’s current superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, has announced a campaign to promote religious tolerance and acceptance of people of many different faiths and none.

“Cadets learn that to succeed as an Air Force officer they must be able to support and respect the people who we lead, serve with and fight alongside even if they do not share our personal beliefs,” Gould stated. “At the Air Force Academy we focus and will continue to focus on respect for human dignity to ensure all personnel respect the spirit and intent of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

Major Joshua Narrowe, an Academy chaplain, applauded the new atmosphere.

“There’s been a huge shift,” he said. “Previously, if somebody wanted to have special [religious] needs taken care of…that cadet had to petition. That was often denied. The default answer now is, ‘Yes, go ahead.’”

Not everyone is happy with the changes. In February, someone left a large wooden cross at the Pagan site. Sgt. Brandon Longcrier, a Pagan leader, said he considers the action a hate crime. Academy officials are investigating.

In Texas, a right-wing Southern Baptist minister also attacked the Academy’s decision, asserting that it could invoke the judgment of God.

“What we label today as ‘pluralism,’ God called ‘idolatry,’” Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, wrote in a commentary published in the online edition of The Washington Post. “The first commandment from God was, ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.’ To openly violate this most basic law is to invite God’s judgment upon our nation.”

Wiccan/Pagan Military Groups to Support In Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgystan, and Afghanistan Most Recent Update: 06.08.07 To request this list, or for most recent updates; please contact: SGT Eric Cooper at: medicyne_eagle@yahoo.com or Rev. Kay J. Ahl at: t_iahu@yahoo.com Desert Moon Open Circles and Study Groups Sponsored by Aquarian Tabernacle Church – Wiccan/Pagan: http://www.aquatabch.org/ Home Military Group: Forest Moon Grove, Tacoma, Washington: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/forestmoongrove/ - 160 members – founded by Sgt Eric Cooper Wiches Voice page: http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vn_detail/dt_gr.html?a=usaa&id=24566 Iraq Groups and Contacts Camp Speicher Contacts - approx. 40 troops meet on base in Tikrit James Pitman HHC 57th Signal Bn. APO, AE 09393 Email: james.pitman@us.army.mil David Farris HHC 3/25 AVN ATTN S-3 FOB Speicher APO AE 09393 Email: punkrocker0621@yahoo.com Key Elliot 8-11 Soldiers, HSC 1ENG COB SPEICHER APO AE 09393 keyfoxfalcon@hotmail.com Elijah Dougherty 2bct 2nd ID A Co. 1/9 (1st PLT) Camp Corregidor (COP) APO AE 09381 Knifewing7@yahoo.com David Wilkinson NEW NEEDS EVERYTHING HQ, HHT 2-1 Cav 4/2 ID FOB WARHORSE APO AE 09336 Dave-wilkinson@excite.com KOREA Ferguson, Alvin J UNC HONOR GUARD CO needs 6” candles, oil and herb PSC 303 BOX 22 books. Patchouli, jasmine, and sandalwood APO AP 96205 TAJI Paroff, Keith unit 5928 F co. 2-325 AIR Camp Taji, Iraq APO AE 09378 BALAD CONTACT A1C Tucker, Matthew S USAF/332 ESFS/FP APO/AE 09315-9997 FIREDAWG709@YAHOO.COM Marc Williams HHC 412TH ASB 12TH CAB LSA ANACONDA APO AE 09391 forestofmetal@yahoo.com Kuwait Contact Patrick L. Flournoy 1/117th FA (Task Force Dragon) APO AE 09815 Email: dragonkiller1974@yahoo.com Cantu, Christine HHC 1st TSC G6 APO AE 09366 Afghanistan Contact David Horton HHC 82nd CAB TF PEGASUS Bagram Air Field APO AE 09354 Email: Gunslinger377@yahoo.com Victory Base Open Circle Contact - approx. 50 troops meet on base in Baghdad VBOC_Iraq Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VBOC_Baghdad/ - 107 members Witches Voice page: http://www.witchvox.com/lx/dt_lx.html?a=usca&id=32160 Keith Roberts HHOC STB 3ID Unit 42-167 Camp Victory Iraq APO AE 09342 Email: winterwolf_1169@yahoo.com Brittany Tillaine Bartges Cco 101 MI 2BCT 1ID camp liberty APO, AE 09344 Twombly, Frederick HHC, 3rd Sig Bde APO, AE 09342 Twombly71@yahoo.com International Zone Open Circle Contact - IZOCIraq Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IZOCIraq/ - 11 members Witches Voice Page: http://www.witchvox.com/lx/dt_lx.html?a=usca&id=32153 Marcus Rice HHC 2-69 AR (S-6 FOB Rustamiyah APO AE 09390 tsk_sword@yahoo.com McCombs, Jason new group at Camp Loyalty, beginning group will need all the basics C co 1-504th PIR 2BCT 82nd ABN Div Unit #41556.FOB Loyalty APO, AE 09390-1556 iraqibadger@yahoo.com NAVY AE3 Amanda Marron VS-31 Unit 60134 FPO, AA 34099-6507 Amanda.marron@cvw9.navy.mil PENPAL LIST Navy Amanda.marron@cvw9.navy.mil Army firedawg709@yahoo.com Christine Crazypippi17@yahoo.com in Kuwait Camp Arifjahn
A fellow Pagan American and Pagans United member currently serving in Iraq has graciously agreed to pass out care packages to those serving in Iraq. Some specific requests that have been made are: medicated foot powder, bug repellent, ladies ankle socks, GEL candles, incense and mail. These care packages can be sent to: SPC Keith Roberts HHOC STB G2 OPS Camp Liberty APO AE 09342 MM all, I got this yesterday from Sergeant Eric Cooper who is one of our Military personnel who is currently serving and conducting Ritual in Iraq. I have included his personal note, a generic Wish list of care package items, and a listing of Pagan groups that are currently active in Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgystan, and Afghanistan. BB, Victoria & Eugene Chapman Greetings I do have a generic list we used in Desert Moon when we were in Balad and Tal Afar both. The Soldiers do have a PX for snacks but there is certain hygiene items that are hard to come by as in foot powder, chap stick the good stuff, white socks, high rating sunscreen, homemade cookies will always be welcome there, now also think of the holidays coming up, Samhain, Yule etc so decorations are always a morale boost as well as music cd's. Pagan supply wise the biggest demand is candles, incense, and books. I took 500 candles and was through them in 2 months with a group of 30 plus or minus. 4 inch spell candles are best, as well as tea lights. I also know oils and oil burners are always welcome. Look at the generic list and you will get more ideas. Any other questions or issues feel free to email. As for shipping the only illegal items are porn and alcohol. Oh and one other thing, coffee is a must-have, we had Tully's donating coffee so we had no issues but I know these guys and gals are getting tired of Maxwell house. Am also sending you our current list of Soldiers deployed. Keep in touch and ty for all that you do for us. Bright Blessings. Eric GENERIC WISH LIST Any Music in MP3 format is fine I know we loved receiving any Pagan Music it boosted our spirits and morale. Anything from Native American drum, Goddess chants, Enya, Lorenna Mckennit, Sarah Mclaghlin, Blackmore Night etc Any books Pagan or otherwise, beginner books in general and any books involving dragon and Faeries. All Pagan Encyclopedia books. All Beginner and advanced books…hell just any Pagan topic books surprise us we love our books. Also it has been requested for any other books also, ie. Fantasy novels etc. Also pagan magazines, ie. Moon Shadow, Circle, New Witch, Faerie magazine. Candles always preferably the 4” spell candles (candles are always a necessity as I know I took 500 4 inch candles which were gone in a month. Tealight candles Candle holders --- Oils and incense of all types (Again, another continued use item) Small drawstring satchels Censors Divination tools ie scrying mirrors, tarot decks etc Chalices Charcoal Always coffee and flavored creamer or teas. Also requested hot cocoa and hot spiced cider mixes. Some groups would like hot water pots. Snacks would be appreciated Christmas lights and decorations for there home and work areas and Pagan meeting places. Any Altar type tools and extra Ritual items Flutes, drums any musical instruments laying around Facial tissue the soft kind also soft toilet paper Civilian cold meds ie. Theraflu, day flu, Comtrex, Corn cob pipes and tobacco Vegetarian type snacks Anything personal hygiene ie shower gels from Bath and Body works Clove cigarettes Cauldrons Ritual robes if possible STONES Bloodstone Tigers Eye Moonstone Obsidian Hematite Onyx Amethyst Herbs- these are common ones we used I’m sure most would appreciate. Wormwood Holly Lavender Ivy Valerian root Chamomile Dragonsblood Pine Cedar Blessed thistle Frankincense resin Myrrh resin Colts foot Heather Again, thanks for all the support and hope all is well with everyone. Bright Blessings.
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