Pagan worship at Air Force Academy
A few years back, when I was in the US Congress, I took the Army to task for permitting the practice of Wicca on its bases, including at Ft. Hood in Texas. After speaking with a number of officers and military leaders, and meeting with several former military who adhere to the practice of Wicca, I was convinced that a belief in or practice of witchcraft, was not necessarily incompatible with the good order and discipline essential to a military lifestyle. However, one might legitimately wonder just how far such tolerance should extend.
The US Air Force, at no less a prestigious location than the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, has taken the notion of religious tolerance to a new level, in creating an outdoor worship area for pagans. The site, apparently sacred to pagans, consists of an inner and an outer circle of large stones. I’m sorry, but this truly is hilarious. Don’t get me wrong, if someone “has little or no religion and delights in sensual pleasures and material goods,” which is the definition of a “pagan,” then I say live and let live.
But I have to tell you, if I were in the Air Force and was being commanded by an officer who practices hedonism as a religion (another part of the definition of “pagan”), and who dances around a circle of stones in the woods carrying a lighted candle, I would be more than a little worried about following him into battle.
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330 comments Add your comment
paganman
February 18th, 2010
10:14 pm
wiccans are pagan. asatru are pagan. druids are pagan. many hindus consider themselves pagan. many native americans consider themselves pagan. some buddhists consider themselves pagan. practitioners of african traditional religions often consider themselves pagan. practically every indigenous “shamanic” or “earth based” religious group in the world, is considered pagan.
what makes us a religion? tolerance of each other, and a shared sense of kinship not inspite of, but “because of” our differences. if creating a worship space for non-abrahamic religions will allow pagans freedom from persecution by the proselytizations of the arrogant and ignorant, I say go for it! I’m sure the “deist” founding fathers (and mothers) of the USA would be all for it, if not right in step in our sacred dances and celebrations!
Drew
February 18th, 2010
10:27 pm
Bobby boy, you have not a clue what you are talking about and to use the Air Force Academy as an example?? Have you not been paying attention of past coercive CHRISTIAN proselytizing there? Yes, please read up on what the Pagan religions really are…and, oh yes, study the horrific and brutish ways your Christian ancestors did away with them as Christianity was FORCED into central and northern Europe. Your diatribe here is an ill-informed joke.
Ken JP Stuczynski
February 18th, 2010
11:02 pm
Sorry but the author lacks both knowledge and wisdom on this subject. It also leans towards the attitude of neo-atheism — the world’s newest and most prolific bigotry. Ritual, regardless of rational belief, is an important aspect of human expression, spiritually and psycho emotionally, not just culturally as a mainstream or even fringe practice.
Bob Hubbard
February 18th, 2010
11:07 pm
Bob, you might want to educate yourself on a topic before you open mouth and insert foot. I echo those who stated they are ashamed to have supported your run in 2008.
buttboy
February 18th, 2010
11:12 pm
apparently the comment posting filters won’t allow a person to point out that bob barr looks like a flaming homo? no offense, and never mind if it’s truth or just a stereotype presumption (irony there). I have a couple real and mutually loyal friends who are quite homo. just saying. if it’s stereotypes we’re all discussing, let’s get down to the heart of it. wasn’t this too a point for military discrimination not so long ago? that of course, assuming it still isn’t… bob barr, you look like a flaming homo… maybe appearances and ignorant presumptions alone are enough to formulate judgments about a person’s (or a group’s) character… ? and so what if you (may or may not) keep a wife for appearances sake…
M. J. Fowlie
February 18th, 2010
11:18 pm
I’m not going to bark out Bob Barr’s unfortunate stupidity, since so many others have already done it. Instead, I’m going to do what I’ve read only one other person did, and I don’t recall their name (sorry about that).
To you who put your morals aside-regardless of your religion- to protect me, my daughter, and my rights as an American citizen, thank-you. With all that I am, thank-you for the personal sacrifice you must make whenever you’re forced to use your weapon; thank-you for the emotional pain of being away from your families, thank-you for the physical pain of your injuries, and here’s a thank-you to the dead who have given your lives throughout the history of this country so that I, today, may wear my pentagram openly. Because of these brave men and women, I don’t have to lie to my child and tell her “this is just a different way of attending Church” when I cast a circle, I can walk out my front door without a cowl and not fear being stoned or beaten to death, I can drive and have a car in my name, my daughter can recieve the best education I can afford to give her, she’ll someday be able to drive, vote, hold a job, own a house, and practise any religion that best fits her if one at all. Thank-you to all branches of the US Military.
I’m talking out my ass, but this is something I believe: when war stops being ugly to you, you are damned (religion has nothing to do with this). Because of this particular belief of mine, for all of your sakes I hope war will forever be ugly, and I also hope that there will someday be no need for it. Another thank-you to those who witness and commit the ugliness of war so pussies like me don’t have to. *hugs*
As far as the sacred circle in Ft. Hood…. Sure, tear it down for all I care, so long as you tear down the monotheistic chapel as well. If you won’t tear down the chapel, then you shouldn’t tear down the sacred circle.
~M. J. Fowlie
Ieuan
February 18th, 2010
11:41 pm
“However, one might legitimately wonder just how far such tolerance should extend.”
It should extend precisely as far as my tolerance for Christianity extends: until its fist meets my face. Which is precisely what has occurred at the Air Force Academy.
Grow up, Bob. Other faiths are just as legitimate as yours.
Erik
February 18th, 2010
11:49 pm
Couldn’t disagree with you more Bob, you un-American prick.
B.A.
February 19th, 2010
12:15 am
How dare you ridicule the rituals of someone else’s religion (when you obviously know nothing about them) as a backhanded way of knocking down a straw man. The Great Rite is a symbolic form of the hieros gamos (its later ancient Greek name), a New Year Ritual from Mesopotamia at least 5,000 years old. Pagan means “of the countryside”, not hedonism, you idiot. How magnanimous of you to admit that Neopagan religions are “not necessarily incompatible with the good order and discipline essential to a military lifestyle”. How far should tolerance extend? you ask. To the same extent as tolerance of Christianity. To the extent that you don’t break the highest law of the land, the Constitution of the United States whose First Amendment stands between you and religious war. (Or do you think theocracy works so well in the Middle East, after all). You’re a libertarian so long as it’s freedom of YOUR beliefs but not when it comes to those of others (hypocrite).
drmondo
February 19th, 2010
12:24 am
What a waste of space! Isn’t there ANYTHING more important to talk about?!! This is a Jerry Springer Show topic, not something newsworthy…
AllQuackedUp
February 19th, 2010
1:04 am
So, Mr. Barr, and all you “the U.S. is a Christian nation” parrots, tell us all — are we all to publicly profess a belief in “God” before we are allowed to even be a part of the U.S. military? Are we now required to all worship the exact same “God”? And what, exactly, is God’s actual name — Is it Yeshua, Jehova, Odin, Allah, or perhaps Bing Crosby? (Oh, right…God’s name is actually George W. Bush! or is it Dick Cheney, or perhaps Donald Rumsfeld?) Until you can PROVE that ONLY your own version of “God” is the “correct” version, perhaps you should just shut your pie-holes. Oh, wait…you can’t prove any such thing.
As for the USAF Academy pushing ONE religion on ALL Cadets, that’s covered in the first section of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution of The United States of America: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” As an OFFICIAL representative of Congress, which has established it as a Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy is NOT allowed to push one religious belief, to the exclusion of all others, on its Cadets. In fact, the USAF Academy shouldn’t even have any kind of stance, official or otherwise, on any religious beliefs whatsoever.
When it comes to religious beliefs being represented by, at and in Federal Institutions (and the USAF Academy IS a Federal Institution), it is all or none. The Law is the Law.
Jeff Gantery
February 19th, 2010
2:30 am
Bob Barr is yet ANOTHER Republican Chicken Hawk who has NEVER served a day in the military. As a former USAFA Cadet with over 20 years in the Air Force; Dear Bob really has little to say about the silly circle of rocks on the Academy Grounds. Here is my idea: Call in Controlled Demolition to implode the Cadet Chapel and GET RELIGION OUT of the military!
People like Bob Barr have too much time on their hands with their “Do as I say and not as I do” mentality.
Bob Barr is damaged goods.
Moonlion
February 19th, 2010
5:02 am
Before someone writes an article, he should first investigate. Mr Barr article demonstrate a total lack of what he is writing about as well as a lack of religious tolerance. I would like to know where Mr Barr found this definition of Paganism: “has little or no religion and delights in sensual pleasures and material goods” as well as “hedonism”. Resuming: if you do not know what you are writing about, don’t write it.
Jay
February 19th, 2010
8:54 am
Bob Barr’s failed libertarianism:
http://open.salon.com/blog/jay_nunenkamp/2010/02/18/bob_barrs_failed_libertarianism
Magenta
February 19th, 2010
8:57 am
My take: Given the rising cost of treating soldiers for PTSD and the frequency of mental health problems concurrent with “re-entry,” I say, if US military personnel find peace and solace in a personal religious practice — something that gets them through the day and keeps them on an even keel so that they don’t hurl grenades at their comrades or attack their spouses upon returning to civilian life — then by all means, bring it on. Is there really a difference between a wooden pew, or a tallis, or a prayer rug, or a circle of stones? That’s what religion is! It’s attaching symbolism to an inanimate object, to gain some understanding of things that are basically impossible to understand. Leave the pagans alone. Leave the Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Muslims alone, too, as long as their contemplations help them to do some GOOD in the world, while they’re making crappy wages for doing a job that could get them killed anytime.
John Nelson
February 19th, 2010
9:10 am
Mr. Barr,
You seem like an intelligent man, but you would have be deliberately ignoring reality to equate paganism (a slippery thing to define, I’ll grant you) with hedonism. In other words, you are being deliberately disingenuous. The moral tenets that underpin Wicca, for example place far more of a burden on the individual than those of Christianity, for example. No, there isn’t a set list of things “thou shalt not” do, but there is an all encompassing charge to be mindful of the consequences of once’s actions. No doctrine of forgiveness by being “washed in the blood of the lamb”, no get out of hell free card. You are responsible, always, for what you do or fail to do. Now, does that sound anything like the carefree “hedonistic” life that you have painted paganism to be?
J. M. Cornwell
February 19th, 2010
9:29 am
The thing about religious freedom and freedom of speech, both of which are at the heart of this discussion, is that freedom doesn’t exist for the popular but for the unpopular. You cannot in all good faith expect religious freedom or freedom of speech for yourself and then deny the same for those who do not practice, believe or speak as you do. That is only freedom for you and not for your opponent. This is obviously something you didn’t learn from the Constitution or from being an American.
How much tolerance is too much tolerance? According to Jesus Christ in the Bible, it’s the same as the measure of forgiveness, 70 x 7, which is a benchmark. It is actually supposed to be without measure. Nice to know you follow those principles as closely as you follow the Constitution. It’s a good thing you weren’t elected since you cannot uphold or defend something about which you know absolutely nothing — in theory or in practice.
Joel Monka
February 19th, 2010
10:39 am
My comments ran overlong for this space, so I put them in the form of an open letter to Bob Barr here: http://cuumbaya.blogspot.com/2010/02/open-letter-to-bob-barr.html
Brandon Longcrier
February 19th, 2010
10:40 am
Mr. Barr, maybe you should take some notes and learn some lessons from the Christian minister who wrote http://www.dailynews-record.com/opinion_details.php?AID=44701&CHID=32 in response to someone else like you.
Slaughter
February 19th, 2010
11:51 am
Barr needs an editor. He has extraneous commas after military leaders in the first graf, in “witchcraft, was” also in the first graf, in “new level, in” in the second graf, and after the parentheses in the third graf.
I think Bob Barr’s worst nightmare would be a gay Wiccan Arab as a general.
Michael Eric Berube
February 19th, 2010
11:53 am
Thank you Mr. Barr for proving that my decision to NOT support the LP candidate for the first time in two decades this last election was the correct choice. I tried to educate my fellow libertarians that a leopard does not easily change his spots so easily and that you sir, are yet another failed GOP would be Theocrat and no true supporter of Individual Liberty, but many bought into the spin about your ‘conversion’ and sadly many voted for you rather than supporting a truer advocate of liberty whom we had in the race in Dr. Paul.
CK
February 19th, 2010
12:50 pm
Mr. Barr, whatever happened to religious freedom, one of the founding principles of our country? Why should having a pagan circle (by the way, you incorrectly defined “pagan”) threaten anyone? Wouldn’t the Christians who desecrated the pagan circle be the threatening ones? Would you have the same response if someone desecrated a Christian church? Or is there only freedom of religion if you happen to agree with that religion. Mr. Barr, why do you hate America and it’s freedoms so much?
Comrade Laissez Faire
February 19th, 2010
2:08 pm
Bob Barr was never a libertarian in the first place. He like, Wayne Allen Root, are dishonest paleoconservatives trying to mascarade themselves as libtertarians. This lastest rant about Wiccans and Pagans in the military reinforces what a phony libertarian Barr is.
Justin G.
February 19th, 2010
2:17 pm
I voted for (and volunteered for the campaign of) Mr. Barr in ‘08- and I would do it again. The above post shows the difference between tolerance and agreement- and is totally libertarian (big and little L!). Just because I tolerate your silly religions (any of them) doesn’t mean I can’t think they aree, well, silly.
The Wild Hunt » Jonathan Sharkey Goes Over the Edge and other Pagan News of Note
February 19th, 2010
2:36 pm
[...] Something tells me folks, especially Libertarian folks (and military folks), won’t get fooled [...]
wth
February 19th, 2010
4:05 pm
Frankly any and all religion should be “barred” from government expenditures. Pun intended. I don’t think this was on my approved list of tax expenditures. WTH? Keep christianity out as well. People should practice these things at home…not a work environment, paid for compliments of the american taxpayer.
j. White
February 19th, 2010
5:52 pm
Thomas Jefferson said “neither Pagan nor Mahomedan nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the Commonwealth because of his religion.’ Shall we suffer a Pagan to deal with us and not suffer him to pray to his god? Why have Christians been distinguished above all people who have ever lived, for persecutions? Is it because it is the genius of their religion? No, it’s genius is the reverse. It is the refusing toleration to those of a different opinion which has produced all the bustles and wars on account of religion. It was the misfortune of mankind that during the darker centuries the Christian priests following their ambition and avarice combining with the magistrate to divide the spoils of the people, could establish the notion that schismatics might be ousted of their possessions & destroyed. This notion we have not yet cleared ourselves from.”
There are many Pagans in the Armed Services. My husband is a Pagan Marine. Semper Fi. There are Pagan Chaplains. Get a clue. If you were ACTUALLY a Libertarian, this would not matter to you.
Raven Shepherd
February 19th, 2010
11:02 pm
I have one thing to say. If you are going to allow Christians to have “places of worship” on military bases, in the line of “all men are created EQUAL” by default, you have to allow ALL religions the same opportunity to worship…Oh and it might say “One Nation Under God” but it never specifies which one. If you expect everyone to acknowledge and tolerate YOUR religion, shouldn’t you do the right thing and respect someone else’s?
Raven Shepherd
February 19th, 2010
11:17 pm
I have an even simpler answer to your idiocy, taken from your own “holy” book.”Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone.” Yeah, at least us pagans take the time to learn about something other than bowing down to a divine zombie and then cannibalizing his body.
Dr. O. P. Sudrania
February 20th, 2010
10:02 am
I feel perhaps the words Pagan, Hedonism, Wicca is used contemptuously and pejoratively by the Western religionists, practicing some form of “Desert Religions”. It is a misfortune. As it portrays the complete ignorance of the Eastern Religious practices which is the mother of all the religions of the World. Secondly, it also appears that the organised form of ‘Religions’ practiced today is more a business than a religion, which is the root cause of all these evils in the name of ‘Religion’. Therefore the ‘Religion’ is transformed into a cult of Politics preached in complicity with Religion. That is where the things are going wrong.
Dr. O. P. Sudrania
Christopher Aldridge
February 20th, 2010
4:41 pm
Barr, you’re an idiot, and you should have been thrown out of office. You say that the definition of Pagan is having little or no religion? We have more religious writings than that Bible of yours, I’ll tell you that much. And we are not just people who delight in our lives on Earth, we are also very spiritual as well. It’s clear you have no idea what you’re talking about and you need to get out of Sunday school and get educated. The Constitution says we have the right to the religion we choose, we are not a Christian nation, nor were we founded on Christian beliefs and values. Our founding fathers made many quotes against Christianity. I would be more worried about being commanded by an officer who thinks that the Christian God told him to do it, because so many wars and horrific acts have been committed in the name of Christianity. History has certianly shown that there’s nothing more dangerous than a Christian who thinks their God told them to do it. Your mentality is dying, my friend. Trust me. Your hatred and biggotry is dying.
Heathen in NC
February 21st, 2010
2:46 am
I would like the Christofascists who agree with Mr. Barr to answer me one question:
Since this is a “Christian nation”, what should be done with all of us non-Christians? Seriously, I want you to actually exercise those higher cognitive processes that you neglected on the orders of your god and actually explain to me in detail what you think needs to be done to enforce the “Christian nation” mindset…since you apparently feel that such was intended to be the law of the land, I’m genuinely curious to know what you think should be done about those of us who are citizens and happen to worship other gods.
Note please that I am not holding my breath waiting for your reply, because I know that it will never come.
Brandon Longcrier
February 21st, 2010
9:51 am
“Frankly any and all religion should be “barred” from government expenditures.”
You can’t do that in the military because there are times when we are in training environments that we are not allowed to leave the Base, Post, Camp, Ship, etc… to seak out the spiritual preference of our choice. So if the military is going to continue these practices (which are totally necessary at times) and can’t let us go to our faiths, then they have to do everything in their power (Chaplains, Lay Leaders, etc…) to bring those faiths to us.
Brandon Longcrier
February 21st, 2010
12:01 pm
I run the Pagan group at the AF Academy and even though Bob Barr probably hasn’t read any of our comments, I’ll go ahead and post this anyway.
The following is the working description of Paganism that I’ve come up with from the research that I’ve done over the past few years.
Disclaimer: One can never speak for all Pagans due to the wide range of beliefs and I’m no exception. I’m only posting about what many or most believe in.
Earth-Centered spirituality (Paganism) has been around since the beginning of time and has been practiced by cultures the world over. It is unclear when the term “Pagan” (Latin “Paganus”) was first used, but according to historians, the 4th Century seems most plausible. Even though the term is fairly new in terms of how old the Earth is (~4 billion yeas old), the spiritual aspect is not. For example, the oldest evidence of supernatural worship comes from the remains of what archeologist are calling a female Shaman who was found in what is now the Czech Republic and dates back to ~30,000 BCE. You heard correct, I did say “female Shaman”. It is actually thought that females may have been the spiritual leaders before men. This was most likely due to the fact that women were (and still are by many) seen as magical beings. They were seen as such because they had cycles, their bellies grew, and then they created life. Modern Earth-Centered spirituality is very similar to ancient and modern-day Shamanism and Native American spirituality and it would not be uncommon to find Earth-Centered practitioners (Pagans) who incorporate Shamanism and/or Native American practices into their own practice. Each (Shamanism, Native American, and Earth-Centered) have their own way of doing things, but are similar because they all see the Earth, Plants, Trees, Animals, and every other living thing as spiritual or divine.
Like many other faiths out there, Earth-Centered spirituality is also made up of many different traditions (denominations). Take Christianity for example. Christianity is the umbrella term that many different denominations such as Catholic, Baptist, Church of Christ, Lutheran, etc… fall under. The same is true for Earth-Centered spirituality. Paganism is the umbrella and various traditions including but not limited to Wicca, Druidism, Heathenism, Celtic, Egyptian, Stregheria, and many others fall under that umbrella.
Most Pagan traditions involve the worship of both Gods and Goddesses, but not all. Some traditions of Paganism only worship one God or Goddess and others may not worship Gods or Goddesses at all. Instead, they may find that they have more of a conneciton with nature, the Earth, the Universe, or just energy in general. Pagans may be all over the board with the way they all worship, but being able to worship whoever or whatever works for you is what makes Paganism so wonderful. This path is a very personal path, but many still choose to gather in groups to add a sense of community to their worship practices.
Mythology, folklore, and legends are very common among Earth-Centered practitioners and the psychology of spirituality plays a very important role as well. For example: Many believe that Gods and Goddesses aren’t “real”. Their energy and what they stand for is real, but they themselves are not. Meaning that many don’t believe that there are these puppetmaster like beings in the heavens pulling our stings. Instead, many of us believe that in order for the ancients to better relate to the things happening around them, they created myths to help expalin things more clearly. This is when Gods and Goddesses were created. And when they were created, they were given names and faces, which personified them so that people could better realate to them. These faces and names still remain today and many of those ancient Gods and/or Goddesses are still called upon by Pagans all over the world. A large number of Pagans believe also believe that the Gods and/or Goddesses reside within every human being and that calling upon them is basically looking within yourself for the answers that you seek. Accessing the Gods / Goddesses can be tricky though and is where vehicles such as medition, prayer, ritual, etc… come into play.
Many people believe that Pagans worship the Devil, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Then again, I guess that all depends on what you think is the Devil. Do Pagans worship the Devil described in Christian mythology? No. But if you’re Christian and you believe that people are Devil Worshippers just because they worship anything (Mother Earth, Nature Spirits, etc…) other than the God of Abraham, then I guess in your own little world that you’re right. We believe that the Devil is just another myth created by a faith group to personify evil. Is the Devil real? Definitely, but only to those who believe in it. Some traditions of Paganism (Egyptian) do have concepts of final judgment like in Christianity, but others do not. Most Pagans believe in rebirth and/or reincarnation of some kind vs. final judgement, so eternal salvation and/or damnation isn’t really talked about that much in the Pagan community.
Some faiths claim to be the “Truth”, the “Way”, etc…, but not Paganism. We do not claim to have all the answers. We only worship in ways that feel right and good to us and if that should ever change, then chances are, so will our practices.
As you probably gathered already, Earth-Centered spirituality involves having a connection with the Earth. Many also strive to have a similar connection with the rest of the Universe as well. Each tradition under the umbrella of Paganism practices differently, but having a connection with and seeing all things as blessed and interconnected could be seen as a common theme that is shared between most Earth-Centered traditions. This connection with all things is many times accomplished by incorporating the sacred Elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water into one’s spiritual practice. There are many Gods, Goddesses, Spirits, Animals, etc… associated with each of the four Elements. Becoming one with those Elements is how many connect with the fifth Element, which is Spirit. These five Elements are represented in the Pentacle (Upward pointing Star with Circle around it). Many assume that the Pentacle is a symbol of Devil worship, but again, that would be an extremely wrong assumption to make. Each of the five points of the Pentacle represents one of the five Elements and the circle surrounding the Pentacle represents the connection between the Elements and eternal life; much like what a wedding band represents. It is no coincidence that the Star is a perfectly balanced object.
The Wheel of the Year is a modern term used to describe the cycles of the Earth over a year. It is made up of eight holy days that many refer to as Sabbats. It is debated which Sabbats were celebrated by whom and how far back, but many modern-day Pagans choose to celebrate them all. Two of the Sabbats are Solstices (Yule and Midsummer/Litha), two are Equinoxes (Ostara and Mabon), and the other four (Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain, and Imbolc) mark other important and sacred times of the year. Sabbats follow myths that explain how the seasons come and go and may even be acted out like a Play during rituals. The rituals that are performed by Pagans to celebrate the Sabbats can be very elaborate or very simple. Some people choose to practice alone, where others may form small to large groups called Covens, Groves, Circles, etc…
Circles represent infinity, interconnectedness, and even protection. For these reasons, Earth-Centered practitioners have been using Circles as places of worship for thousands of years. Prior to starting a ritual, many Earth-Centered practitioners will cast a Circle, which is done to symbolically create a sacred place for worship and protection against all things (energy, spirits, etc…)negative or unwanted. Other faiths perform similar rituals using sensors with incense or maybe even holy water to “cleanse” their places of worship.
Outdoor worship circles have been used since ancient times in many places around the world and by those of many spiritual traditions. Some of these ancient circles, such as Stonehenge, Castlerigg, and Avebury in England, are among the outdoor worship circles used for present day spiritual services. Many of these outdoor worship circles are found throughout the United States. Some, such as the Bighorn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, Cahokia Henge in Missouri, and Newark Circle in Ohio, are pre-historic and have astronomical alignments as is the case with many of the stone circles of old Europe. Most outdoor worship circles presently in use in the USA have been created within the past one hundred years and are used for congregate worship services and passage rites, including weddings, baby blessings, and funerals. There are several types of outdoor worship circles, including stone circles, woodhenges, sacred groves, and labyrinth circles. Some outdoor worship circles are part of facilities of religious institutions, some are part of private homes and estates, and others are part of institutions serving the public, including campuses, prisons, hospitals, military installations, art centers, and botanical gardens. Virtually every tribe of the Native American Nations has or had its own tribal sanctuary or sacred landscape. In virtually every country in Europe, our ancestors erected megaliths and constructed stone circles as places of worship and religious celebration. As we study, adopt, and bring the religious practices of our ancestors into contemporary relevance; we too have begun building sanctuaries in natural settings.
Brandon Longcrier -
Toran Korshnah
February 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Bob, Bob. I read your biography, as I have no idea who you are. I’m astonished mr Privacy (your nickname,sic!), having such a background, takes such words against such a great religion as Wicca (and paganism in general) in the mouth. My only conclusion is you have been nothing less than the wrong person on the right place. You are not a libertarian, nor a Christian. I have no idea who you are, actually. And I think the people who voted for you, had no idea either…But I will not judge you. I leave judgement to my US friends, as I am European. Blessed Be!
Barbara Talbott
February 21st, 2010
11:25 pm
Mr. Barr, I find it sad you are willing to belittle so many faiths while demonstrating a knowledge pool consisting of stereotypes. “Pagan” is an umbrella term for many (typically) earth-centered faiths, such as Wicca, shamanism, etc. When we come together with open minds and mutual respect, we are able to see and appreciate the inherent similarities in all our various traditions and faiths. When our minds are closed , it’s all too easy to treat others outside of our religion with disdain and mockery; however, we then condemn ourselves to perpetual ignorance.
Our soldiers who choose to utilize the worship area for followers of Earth-centered religions participate in religious rituals that are no “stranger” than Christian rituals. One reason Christians were initially persecuted in Rome: their fellow Romans thought they were cannibals – eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ. It’s a shame those Romans hadn’t been open-minded enough to learn from the Christians what they were doing and why. I hope one day you will allow yourself to learn about Earth-centered religions.
My (Earth-centered) faith teaches me to have compassion for all beings. It can be difficult, I fall short. But I practice it daily and find I am a happier person for it. I thank you, Mr. Barr, for today’s lesson.
Harry B
February 22nd, 2010
10:50 am
I thought Bob Barr stood up for the rights of everyone’s privacy infringed upon by the US government, now you are making fun of one group because they happen to have different views than the majority.
This article is inconsistent with your privacy-rights themed pieces that I have admittedly enjoyed over the past few years.
craig14
February 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
These comments go on and on! has anyone discussed the inherent conflict of being a christian and being a soldier? or being an adherent to any religion for that matter? last time i checked most religions explicitly point that killing is a sin/wrong/shouldn’t be done. And isn’t killing people the main purpose of an army?
A Real Libertarian (TM)
February 22nd, 2010
8:34 pm
Real Libertarians (TM) don’t claim Bob Barr.
janel
February 23rd, 2010
9:08 am
I am in disbelief that someone who claims to be a “christian” is so forthright in the public eye with VERY UN-CHRISTIAN views! Point- lying is a sin, right? Well, “hedonism” is not nor has it ever been part of the definition of “pagan”! Matter of fact- “pagan” , since time immortal, has ONLY referred to – country dwellers who were not among whichever mainstream religion was prominent at that point in time. Christians were in the realm of pagan worship during old testament days! And really- is worship in a circle outdoors really worse that putting a grown man in a dress, having him walk around ( like a god) placing hands on people to “bless” them, and lighting incense while observing a cannibalistic ritual ( necessary for redemption) ? Have you forgotten the primary tenet of Biblical teaching— Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?
Bruce
February 23rd, 2010
9:30 am
Dear sir, if this is Libertarianism, then I am embarassed about by you and your attitudes toward religion. According to the credo of libertarianism we are free to be who we are as long we are not hurting another person. These attitudes toward Wicca are intolerant and prejudicial. I feel the deepest sense of shame that you were a actually a candidate for the presidency of this great country. My age if 56 and I have not grown as cold – and – old as you are showing yourself to be at this time in your life. Open your closed eyes, sir, and see the people who inhabitant this great experiement of 1776. Now is the time to be inclusive and not the other way around.
HighPriestessChar
February 23rd, 2010
10:24 am
You can take you ideas and stuff them. I’ve been quite enough and all wiccan/pagans have.Christians got in a prominent place by speaking up,force and scare tactics. Its all true, look it up. Its in history records. The country was founded not that only Christians could be the only religion, but to have freedom, of religion, ideas, and so forth. I for one like that some people value the old religions. everyone but the higher power was given free will. To tell good law-abiding persons that they must not think for them selves, be sacred, and under control of only religion is a sad, sick and scary thought. I love differences in things, if we were all the somehow sad the world would be. Everyone has a right, no duty to be them selves and love what they love with a passion. I happen to be a High Priestess of an eclectic wican/pagan coven. Everyone is different here, but even love all of my coveners just the same. I also, love and respect my family members who are other faiths for the are human. everyone one weather they are wiccan or Christian are this and should all be thought of as our bothers and sisters. We as people should not look at each other and define each other as a color, a religion, a sex, a whatever, but as a unique human being who needs shelter, water, food, and love.and then peace who speed along the lands. For we would have nothing to fight about. its a petty and sad. Let go of the hate, embrace the change, let love in and you’ll see how good the world can be.
Blessed Be…High Priestess Char Norton
Stephanie
February 23rd, 2010
10:56 am
I find it rather pitiful that a man can be so convinced of his own opinion on a subject of which he knows so little. Let me define for you what my pagan path means.
I believe in the existence of all gods, including the Christian god, though he’s not one that I choose to worship, and though I find many Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions appalling. I believe that, rather than temptation by some eternal force of evil, my errors in life are the result of my own selfish choices, and that by taking responsibility for myself and learning to make better decisions, I can improve not only myself but the world around me. I believe in respect for all life and for all people, whether they believe what I do or not, which is an improvement over Mr. Barr’s so-called “ethics” of religious bigotry and forced conversion of all people to his religion. I believe that all people are connected to each other and to the earth, so that if I harm one person, I’ve harmed everyone, including myself. I believe in enlightenment through learning rather than through blind, unquestioning obedience to a central dogma.
I do believe in a universal code of ethics, one that is common to most, if not all, religions–one that teaches peace, love, and understanding. I feel that the Founding Fathers’ relationship to that ethical code was within the context of Christianity, so it is natural that they would assume others’ connection would be as well. However, I think that those who play the “Christian nation” card forget that the original European settlers in what is now the United States came here not to establish a state religion but to escape it.
As for the poster who keeps parroting the phrase “God is not mocked,” let’s look for a minute at what that means. Your god, like mine, is a spirit in a much higher state than our own. The gods have better things to do than care what one person says about them. Brighid and Inanna and Mictecacihuatl don’t care that you’re trying to marginalize people of my faith, either. (Well, Brighid might–she tends to get a bit protective when her people’s feelings have been hurt.) Your god is bigger than anything I might say about him or about you, just as my gods are bigger than the insults you offer me.
As for whether Mr. Barr would follow a modern pagan into battle, I’d say that the odds are good that he wouldn’t have to…at least not the pagans who follow the path I’ve chosen. Maybe into a march protesting the torture of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, or into a fundraiser for the Boys and Girl’s Club. But my path has led me in the opposite direction from the battlefield, because while I believe that it is right and fair to defend the helpless, I also feel that America is the aggressor in the current war. If it were an international manhunt for individual criminals, that would make sense. But to invade whole countries, turn entire nations upside down, using the excuse of the actions of a handful, most of whom are either dead or in US custody already, is an act of unnecessary violence in which my spirituality forbids me from taking part.
I leave you with a quote from Mohandas Karamchad Ghandi: “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Troy
February 23rd, 2010
11:00 am
Sir, Your own fears and ignorance of something you know nothing about is scary. Having served for 27 years now in the US Army as a Pagan I believe this is a right that we should all fight for. Who are you to suggest that your religion is superior to another? It will be a great day when bigots such as yourself are absent from the face of the earth. What scares me more than anything is to have to go into battle with some self righteous bigot as yourself.
Ellen
February 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
Is this actually happening?
hahaha.
You’re level of ignorance is amusing to me.
Putting a cap on tolerance. Setting a limit on how accepting people should be. Simply hilarious. “little or no religion”. You clearly have no idea what a pagan actually is. Maybe you should pick up a book or, hell, even talk to a real one. If you’re not too scared.
chuck
February 23rd, 2010
11:10 am
Mr. Barr
I am not a pagan, and find the entire belief system a bit silly. However your post demonstrates a depth of ignorance that is simply shocking, but I guess since you were in congress I should expect you to be clueless about things you ponitificate on.
Pagan literally means mutliple deities. Like the Romans and Greeks. It does not mean ‘“has little or no religion and delights in sensual pleasures and material goods’ nor does it mean ‘hedonism’. I know being in congress you were never required to actually know what you are talking about, but sure you (or an assistant) can find a dictionary?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pagan
Rebecca
February 23rd, 2010
11:22 am
Amazed yet again by the people of this world. The ones who claim to want the world to live in peace, the ones who claim to be educated, the ones who claim and vow to rid this world of prejudice. HA!! What a joke! Have you ever done any “research” on ANY religion and how it came to be? How Chirst’s divintity had to be voted on by CHRISTIANS?! So from my comment you will assume Iam what ever you believe I’am. Again HA! At least you BELIEVE. Grow up! Act accordingly! Or have you forgotten…”love thy neighbor”? ohhhh my…forgot that one didnt ya!? Be blessed…
feces for jesus
February 23rd, 2010
11:41 am
What a moron!!! The guy doesn’t even have a clue what the word pagan means.
natalie
February 23rd, 2010
11:50 am
I am appalled at the ignorance of some people. I happen to be Wiccan and I do not hate any person who does not believe as I do. What I do hate however is ignorant people who have no ideas what my religion is and still find it in their heart to bash it. I have many friends that are christian and they all love me for who I am not what I believe. If more people found the time to get to know us, you might find that we are very loving, caring people who are devoted to making our earth a more friendly place. There are pagans out there who bash christianity because they feel turn about is fair play. Paganism is a real religion and most of us are accepting of all religions, I being one of them, but there are times when I find myself getting angry with the ingnorance of certain groups, not because of the religion they follow but for their intolerance of those different than them. I was recently verbally attacked by a christian and by the time we parted ways, we were communicating as friends. I didn’t let the anger get in the way of explaining what I do believe and now I have a new christian friend who is one of the kindest people I know. We can live in harmony if people would stop judging and just get along. I know this is a tall order because ignorance is contagious, and we have an epidemic in this country. My son is a veteran, as is every male in my family, and they fought and fight for my right to be and believe what makes my happy. I have morals and rules to live by just like other religions. I cannot stress enough that we are all made from the same cloth, and bleed the same color. What we believe does not change the fact that we are human beings who deserve respect just as you feel you do. It gets difficult to be nice to people who constantly tell you your beliefs are wrong. Educate yourself and you may find paganism interesting, as it was the religion of the masses long before christianity was made marshall law.
WiccanWarrior
February 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
So Mr. Barr wouldn’t follow a Wiccan into battle because he thinks they’re too flaky. Just who WOULD you follow to war, Bob? You came of military age during the height of the Vietnam War, when there were lots of good, solid, white Christian men in the officer corps.
Where are all the pictures of you toting your M-16 around the jungles and rice paddies? Oh, that’s right, you were back in California in college flip-flopping between the Young Democrats and the Ayn Rand crowd, then the CIA. You must have had some hair-raising encounters with bad coffee in those situation rooms, things that would chill the blood of any Tet or Hanoi Hilton survivor.
As always, the draft dodgers feel the most compelled to speak about warriorhood….