Where does wicca spiritually fit in a chistian/hebrew/islamic/buddhist based military? is there a place for wicca in the military?

2015-03-30T21:39:49-04:00

many of my coworkers, including myself are wiccan( a nature and herbalism, polytheistic based, pagan religion). i was wondering if (m)any feel like their roles as a wiccan are kind of hindered in the military. or if they feel like they're flourishing here.

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-04-09T13:11:57-04:00

I know one Wiccan and two self identified Pagans in my own unit and they have expressed feelings of being marginalized, something that I can sympathize with as an Atheist. The problem is it's simply impossible for a small company to properly represent all it's constituent religions in the form of chaplain assistance. Because of that I have a disproportionately large amount of respect for those chaplains that manage to assist those of us with "alternative" spiritualities despite their own religious convictions.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 11 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-04-11T16:24:52-04:00

The idea behind Wicca and many of the other practices that place spiritual connections to the maker(s) over religious dogma, is that they are less dependent on a chaplain corp.

The military has chaplains for just about every denomination in America, but it is more difficult to address the issue of faith among groups where a consensus of what God/gods/goddess(es) is nearly non-existent. Wicca, Druid, Shaman, Animalism, Polytheist, etc... are all terms that attempt to address a comprehension of the world that is at odds with what is taught in the holy books of the world. But there is an argument in the quality of faith it takes to pursue a road less traveled than the mass transit system where your belief system is reinforced by all those sharing your pilgrimage.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2015 5:02 PM

2015-04-11T17:02:09-04:00

I think this has been decided. Wiccans are allowed; they have a place right alongside all the other believers of various faiths, atheists, humanists, agnostics, etc. (and I am not intentionally leaving any group out, so no offense if I did leave out a particular group).

http://www.charismanews.com/us/42522-us-military-now-allows-wiccans-muslims-and-sikhs-to-wear-religious-attire

US Military Now Allows Wiccans, Muslims and Sikhs to Wear Religious Attire

Individual troops will be given greater latitude to wear turbans, head scarfs, yarmulkes and other religious clothing with their uniforms, but advocacy groups say the new policy falls short of what they were seeking.