US Air Force creates Wiccan worship space

[Enrique]

http://blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench/2010/01/us-air-force-creates-wiccan-worship-space.html

Evidently, Wiccans form the largest non-Christian faith in the Air Force. Now they'll have a place to call their own:

The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado will set aside a worship space for followers of "Earth-centered" religions such as Wicca and Druidism, according to an Air Force news release.

A stone circle atop a hill on the base in Colorado Springs will likely be dedicated in a ceremony March 10, according to the release, and be available to cadets and other service members who live in the area. The base already has worship spaces for Protestants, Catholics, Muslims and Buddhist, the release said.

The Air Force has been accused of allowing evangelical officers to openly proselytize and pressure cadets of other faiths. In 2005, the Air Force issued new guidelines pledging to "accommodate free exercise of religion and other personal beliefs."

Tech. Sgt. Brandon Longcrier, who worked with academy officials to create the space, said in the news release, "there really haven't been any obstacles for the new circle. The chaplain's office has been 100 percent supportive."

(...)

[annabanana]

1. my my

(not quite sure what to make of this)

[thunder rising]

2. So their not going to build them a mega-church designed out of World of Warcraft?

Like the Protestant "church" at the base?

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Good.

As it should be.

[arcadian]

4. Damn, in Christian fundyland Colo. Springs no less

Heads exploding in 3.. 2.. 1...

[liberal_at_heart]

5. I'm glad to hear it though it is quite surprising

[sharesunited]

6. There are more Wiccans than Jews, Muslims, and Buddists?

What attracts Wiccans in particular to flight?

Brooms?

[Mari333]

7. hah! good.

[KonaKane]

8. So mote it be!

Good news. I am boggled by it occurring in Colorado Springs, though, because when I was there it was the most religiously fundie (Christian) town I had ever seen, and that was even in the South.

[kestrel91316]

11. What's weird is, when my parents lived there (late 70's to about "82)

I never noticed fundy-ism run amok there. I think Reagan brought it on.

[Lost4words]

9. Oh Well, we wont need pilots much longer, too pricey

but we will need ground service techs, munitions handlers, fuelers, tire changers. Less training, less cost, less risk, more bang for buck, as it were.

dont say it isnt coming, we just dont how long it will take.

[ThomCat]

12. Yes, I think we all see the Airforce becoming more

Drone-oriented in the future. It will save a hell of a lot of money in training costs, staffing and medical and benefits costs, etc. That argument alone probably makes it inevitable.

It also lowers risks and casualty rates, which is part of the reduction in medical and benefits costs.

War will become more automated for the Air Force.

And, as a major down-side war will become more like a game. It already seems like the Pentagon, and certainly a lot of their commentators, treats warfare as if it is a game, but this will make them right. Now it really will be. Log in and see if you can get the high score!

Atrocities will be even easier to commit, because who really cares whether or not there were people in each of those buildings you destroyed (unless maybe you get more points for that, but they won't tell the media that). :(

[Guilded Lilly]

10. BRAVO (n/t)