Posted on 11/26/2011 5:28:51 PM PST by mandaladon
Reporting from Colorado Springs, Colo.— In the still of a cold November evening, a small gathering of pagans, led by two witches, begins preparations for the coming winter solstice. But these are not just any pagans, and this is not just any setting. They are future officers of the United States Air Force practicing their faith in the basement of the Air Force Academy's cadet chapel.
Their ranks are slim. According to the academy's enrollment records, only three of 4,300 cadets identified themselves as pagans, followers of an ancient religion that generally does not worship a single god and considers all things in nature interconnected.
Still, the academy this year dedicated an $80,000 outdoor worship center — a small Stonehenge-like circle of boulders with propane fire pit — high on a hill for the handful of current or future cadets whose religions fall under the broad category of "Earth-based." Those include pagans, Wiccans, druids, witches and followers of Native American faiths.
Witches in the Air Force? Chaplain Maj. Darren Duncan, branch chief of cadet faith communities at the academy, sighs. A punch line waiting to happen, and he's heard all the broom jokes.
For the record, there are no witches among the cadets this year. But the two spiritual leaders for all Earth-based religions — one a civilian, one an Air Force reservist — are witches and regularly cast spells, which they say is not so different from offering prayer. There also are no druids this year. But there could be next year.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I think the communists in Washington refer to it as “fundamental transformation”.
They’d better stick to
“God Is My Co-Pilot”.
The 1st Harry Potter Fighter Wing. Oh boy.
Disgusting. God and Freedom, that’s the two things it takes for a nation to prosper. Both are under constant attack.
USAFA is the most progressive of the service academies, IMHO. I say that because I flew/worked with a lot of its grads; and, they were, more than not, flaming liberals. There are almost always exceptions.
Absolutely disgusting.
BS
Modern Paganism was invented in the sixties.
The Pagans had no written language and the last of the Pagans died in the first millennium. No one really knows what the Pagans believed in other than human sacrifice; given all of the peat bog mummies that are found to have been ritually strangled.
Ah, just what we need, military members that believe we should do no harm to anyone. OK sure. We are in deep doo doo.
“pagans, followers of an ancient religion that generally does not worship a single god and considers all things in nature interconnected.”
Bleh and horse hockey. The folks calling themselves pagans today have little to no connection to any of the pagan faiths of ancient times. Wicca in fact, dates back only to the 1950s or so. It’s essentially the religious equivalent of a fantasy role playing game - meaning a bunch of folklore and legend (and apocrypha) blended into a palatable, New Age-y product with no serious intellectual or philosophical underpinnings.
Now, if that’s how someone wants to spend their weekend, that’s their business. Knock yourself out. But let’s be real about it is and is not.
“Peterson Tower, this is Broomrider flight of two, holding short, ready for takeoff.”
“The 1st Harry Potter Fighter Wing. Oh boy.”
I would really laugh at that as it was funny, unfortunately the AF has gone sooo looney PC that I am afraid it will get someone killed.
73. No military functions are to be performed “Skyclad”.
“Wicca in fact, dates back only to the 1950s or so. “
Yep. Wicca and Scientology were cut from the same cloth in the same year, 1950.
“I say that because I flew/worked with a lot of its grads; and, they were, more than not, flaming liberals.”
Toally agree. Many I knew/know are “preppy” types, which is liberal in itself. They were always into who was popular and thin skinned as can be. Very liberal.
“preppy” types
Exactly! Very appropriate.
“pagans, druids, witches and Wiccans”
Know these phoney types.
Hate Christians with a passion.
Subservient to Islam.
Rick Perry says he will repeal don’t ask don’t tell.
We need to stop the erosion.
Pretty pathetic. Since I live in Colorado Springs, I read about their outside worship area and the AFA even goes as far as setting up cameras so the area can be watched to prevent any vandalism.
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