Wiccan is new state prison chaplain

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ^ | 12/6/01 | Nahal Toosi

[gdani]

Seems to me an issue like this is a great test for those many people who claim to be all for "religious liberty" but are really only for "Christian liberty"

[gdani]

"Rev. Witch?" - Are we sure this wasn't originally published by The Onion?

And, no, this is not all Harry Potter's fault......

[Clifdo]

If we don't stand for something, we'll stoop to anything!!!

Love, Do

[Ratatoskr]

Can anyone explain to me why we pay for any religious ministering in government institutions? These are full time, government paid jobs, yes? One for every recognized religion? Why is the ACLU not all over this?

I can see why it would be especially important to people in prison (and the army, for that matter) to have religious teachers around them. It would seem to me it should be especially important to those religious leaders to provide that instruction without sticking their hands in the public purse.

It's about the souls, not the dole, isn't it?

[gdani]

Can anyone explain to me why we pay for any religious ministering in government institutions? These are full time, government paid jobs, yes? One for every recognized religion? Why is the ACLU not all over this?

Agreed. Those who take consider themselves religious should be particularly concerned because such policies lead to either:

A) Other faiths eventually being represented - something not acceptable to many - or

B) All faiths being represented in a general, mushy feel-good sense that is also unacceptable to many who would rather keep the lines between religions and denominations brightly drawn.

By the way, I *think* the issue of prison chaplains, military chaplains, police chaplains, etc has been litigated with the outcome being that tax-payer funded clergy in these instances are acceptable so long as they do not favor their own denomination and do not actively proselytize.

[blackdog]

Madison syndrome....

[SpikeG]

Yep!

[MarkWar]

>Estimates of Wiccans in the U.S. vary greatly, from 200,000 to 5 million, Fox said, adding, "in the state of Wisconsin, I'm sure there's over 5,000."

Mark W.

[tallhappy]

Seems to me an issue like this is a great test for those many people who claim to be all for "religious liberty" but are really only for "Christian liberty"

No, it shows corruption and collusion which is typically manifested in hiring people unqualified for the the position.

[Dimensio]

No, it shows corruption and collusion which is typically manifested in hiring people unqualified for the the position.

In what way is the chaplain "unqualified"?

[Psalm 73]

this is a great test for those many people who claim to be all for "religious liberty" but are really only for "Christian liberty"

What a great way to kick off a Christian-bashing thread!
Come on all you Liberaltarians, pile on!!

[gdani]

What a great way to kick off a Christian-bashing thread!

It's not Christian-bashing at all. It *is* bashing those who always gripe about religious liberty for their own faith but howl when other faiths receive the same benefits. Such howling is not limited to those who are Christians either.

If that doesn't describe you, then don't worry about it.

[firebrand]

My first thought too. Anything can declare itself a religion. That is why separation of church and state--even though it's not mentioned word for word in the Constitution--is a dandy idea.

[Ratatoskr]

By the way, I *think* the issue of prison chaplains, military chaplains, police chaplains, etc has been litigated with the outcome being that tax-payer funded clergy in these instances are acceptable so long as they do not favor their own denomination and do not actively proselytize.

In a way, that's weirder.

It seems to me that if you really, really believe you have a handle on the one and only True Answer to Salvation, you must favor your own denomination and actively proselytize.

I'm not religious, so maybe I'm missing something important here. But whenever somebody says to me "I never let my religion interfere with my _________", I always assume they don't really believe. If you really and truly believe something, it should permeate with every aspect of your life, shouldn't it? This non-proselytizing, non-denominational stuff is like The Church of Having Someplace to Go on Sundays Before Lunch Because There's Nothing Good on TV. In which case, you might as well be a Wiccan. Or even a Unitarian.

[LantzALot]

Why is the ACLU not all over this?

To ask is to answer. Here they have an ally in opposing "Orthodox" religions, ant the ally actually has some believing [it] is no different from orthodox.

[Kakaze]

" No, it shows corruption and collusion which is typically manifested in hiring people unqualified for the the position. "

Where does this show collusion or corruption?

" McCaughtry said about 10 people were interviewed for the civil service position, which does not require ordination or a theological degree. Witch's interviews, references and background propelled her into the top slot. One selling point was that Witch has extensive knowledge of alternative religions, having previously made presentations on the topic to corrections officials. "

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[WIMom]

Definately. Do you know if the Wiccans are associated with the 'freedom from religon' group, which is based in Madistan? I wouldn't be suprised....

[Dimensio]

This non-proselytizing, non-denominational stuff is like The Church of Having Someplace to Go on Sundays Before Lunch Because There's Nothing Good on TV.

What an utterly silly religion that must be. I just stay in bed.

[biblewonk]

Can a witch even make an argument against the crimes that the prisoners have done? As long as no one was harmed then for Wicca it's ok.

[Dimensio]

Can a witch even make an argument against the crimes that the prisoners have done? As long as no one was harmed then for Wicca it's ok.

I'm not sure I understand you. If the prisonors harmed no one, then what crime got them tossed into prison?