Well, it's only money, and there's more where that came from.
There are some misconceptions in the article about this space at the AFA.
1. There is an indoor Chapel that is primarily for Christians, but can be used by any faith group at the AFA. Likewise, there is now an outdoor Chapel (Falcon Circle) which is primarily for Earth-Based spiritual groups, but can be used by any faith group at the AFA.
2. The $80,000 cost. The cost cited is a bit misleading. Most of the stones used had been removed from other areas of the AFA and put up there just to get them somewhere out of the way. This was long before Falcon Circle was approved to be constructed. So the previous costs of moving the stones were added into the cost total cited. Even if there was no Falcon Circle, the costs would have been approximately the same. Due to vandalism, an additional cost are the cameras in place around the area.
There have been additional comment on here about if Pagans, Heathen, or other polytheists can serve or should be allowed to serve in the US military.
First, if you believe in the US Constitution, and I do, then the question of if they should be allowed to serve shouldn’t even be asked. Lt Col Dan Brantingham, AFA Cadet Wing Chaplain says it perfectly, ““As an Air Force Chaplain my responsibility is to ensure the free exercise of religion for all cadets to include the minority faith group cadets. When I protect and advocate the freedom of religious conscience for all cadets, I fulfill my oath and because of the brilliance of the First Amendment, I safe-guard my own freedom of religion as well.”
As for if they will serve? Like other religious groups some Pagans will choose the honor of serving, some won’t. I served, my son serves. There are Pagan Veterans groups.
Pagans and Wiccans have died serving their country.
Pagan is an umbrella term and the different Pagans religions vary widely. Very widely. Very, very widely. I don’t worship trees, dance nude, paint myself blue. I pray at home. I celebrate the holidays with my family. I light a candle. I make offerings of wine. You’d be familiar with many of the practices of my religion because Paul, a Hellenized Jew, brought them into Christianity.
Pagans, Wiccans, and polytheists are just as diverse as any other group. We are all over the political spectrum, we live in work in your city, we are from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds, all different income levels. Chances are, you know and work with Pagans - but they keep their religion under wraps because of comments like the ones that have popped up on here.