Neopagans are a religious minority in every country
where they exist and have been subject to religious discrimination. The largest
Neopagan communities are in North America and the United Kingdom, along with
other countries.
The
word "religion" in North America is often associated with a
centralized organization, local religious buildings, a minister preaching to a
congregation, a single male deity, an extensive creed, etc. These factors are
not really present within Wicca. This causes some people to conclude that
Wicca/Witchcraft is not a religion.
"In God we trust" has appeared on most U.S. coins since 1864 and
on paper currency since 1957.
A case was brought in 1983 in the U.S. District Court in Michigan. The
court found that 3 employees of
a prison had restricted an inmate in the performance of his Wiccan rituals.
This "deprived him of his First Amendment right to
freely exercise his religion and his Fourteenth Amendment right to equal
protection of the laws."
On June 24, 1999, then-Governor George W. Bush stated
on a television news program that "I don’t think witchcraft is a religion
and I wish the military would take another look at this and decide against it." U.S. Army Chaplain Captain Don Larsen was
dismissed from his post in Iraq in 2006 after changing his religious
affiliation from Pentecostal Christianity to Wicca and applying to become the
first Wiccan military chaplain.
Prior to 2007, the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) did not allow the use of the pentacle as an "emblem
of belief" on tombstones in military cemeteries. This policy was changed
following an out-of-court settlement on April 23 following a series of lawsuits
against the VA.
Whether you're a member of the Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, if you're a Wiccan, you're entitled to the
same religious rights as people of other faiths. You can have the word
"Wiccan" imprinted on your dog tag, you can pray to your own Gods or
Goddesses and you can even attend services and rituals held on your base, if
you're fortunate enough to be in an area that has other Wiccans in it. The Military Chaplain's Handbook acknowledges
Wicca within its pages and outlines procedures for interacting with Wiccan soldiers.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
does not list any Asatru symbols as available emblems of belief for placement
on government headstones and markers. Asatru
Folk Assembly have demanded such a symbol. However, there are steps for
requesting a new emblem of belief be placed on government headstones or
memorial plaques. Thor's Hammer has been added to the military list of symbols of belief, it
can be added on a headstone in national cemeteries.
Wiccan
and other Neopagan groups have been recognized by governments in the U.S. and
Canada and given tax exempt status. Wiccan priests and priestesses have been
given access to penitentiaries in both countries and the privilege of
performing handfastings/marriages.
In 2013, Fox News 6 anchors
inaccurately portray Wiccans in light of the University of Missouri's
long-standing decision to include the Wiccan and Pagan holidays and their
descriptions in their campus holiday Guide to Religions: Major Holidays and
Suggested Accommodations. The University of Missouri stated, "The
information about the Wiccan & Pagan holidays has been in the guide since
last fall. Keep in mind that this is not intended just for faculty. This is an
informational guide for anyone across campus."
While the decisions made by the
University of Missouri are fully wholesome and accurate, the angle presented by
the anchors of weekday Fox News was not. "Every Wiccan I've known is
either a compulsive Dungeons & Dragons player or is a middle-aged twice
divorced older woman living in a rural area who works as a midwife," says
Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlXEGy20yTc warning: the information in this video is inaccurate)
Wiccan
is a nature based religion and it has been recognized as such in the United
States and Canada. In the U.S., Wicca has full recognition as a religion and is
granted all rights as such under the Constitution. It is a dedication made to nature, the deities
and yourself. It is a way of life and as
such we are mindful of the balance between ourselves and all things within the
universe at all times.
Many
Americans generally believe that their Constitution guarantees their freedom to
worship as they please. It is sadly not
always the case. Ancient Americans came
to this country seeking many things including religious freedom. It is a battle that continues today for
Wicca, Islam, Amish, Native Americanism and more.
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