Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Neo-Pagans Get Worship Circle at Air Force Academy
FoxNews.com ^ | February 1, 2010 | Jpseph Abrams

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: airforce; antichristian; chapel; notamericanheritage; notchristian; pagan; pagans; pc; politicalcorrectness; politicallycorrect; usaf; usafa; wiccan
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-82 last
To: LomanBill

Tommy Robespierre Jefferson needs to take lessons in humlity from Christian boys...you too

81 posted on 02/07/2010 5:10:39 PM PST by eleni121 (For Jesus did not give us a timid spirit , but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: eleni121

>>Troops pray to Jesus

What, run out of lies and decide to jump on soldier’s coat tails now?

There are no atheists in fox holes.

What impact you suppose it has on their faith when revisionist liars like you get caught in the act of manipulating the truth?


82 posted on 02/07/2010 5:11:53 PM PST by LomanBill (Animals! The DemocRats blew up the windmill with an Acorn!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-82 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson