Wiccan Church fights religious discrimination by the US Army
Save Our Wiccan Chaplain Proclaimed by: Rev Ryan Adams Proclaimed from: Longview, Texas Proclaimation... The petition in support of Chaplain Don Larson has reached the 1000 signature mark and is still growing. The stated goal is 10, 000 signatures and, while this goal may not be met, the more signatures gathered the better. Thanks to everyone who has shown support for this important fight so far and please continue to make others aware of this situation. Below is the text from the original press release. Aman Nai Rev. Ryan Adams Officer at Large Sacred Well Congregation www.sacredwell.org ********************** Wiccan Church fighting religious discrimination by the US Army Due to several clearly discriminatory acts, followers of one of the country’s fas-*test*-('") growing religions have once again been denied their own military chaplain. In the spring of this year, Chaplain (CPT) Donald M. Larsen contacted the Sacred Well Congregation (SWC) to discuss sponsorship options. Until August 2, 2006, Chaplain Larsen was the respected and loved Battalion Chaplain of the 3-135 AVN Regiment deployed to Balad, Iraq. On August 3, 2006, Chaplain Larsen's sponsorship was abruptly withdrawn by the Chaplaincies of Full Gospel Churches (CFGC) , Dallas, Texas, and he was ordered to immediately cease and desist all religious activities as a chaplain. His career is now severely jeopardized, and the Battalion he deployed with is deprived of their chaplain. Chaplain Larsen's only sin was that he entered into a dialogue with the Sacred Well Congregation – a Wiccan Church. The Sacred Well Congregation is a 501 (c) 3 Church and full member of the Coalition On Ministry In Specialized Settings (COMISS) as a Religious Endorsing Body, but is not yet approved to endorse chaplains to the military services. SWC has been actively engaged in seeking that approval since September of 1998. Technicalities and strong circumstantial evidence suggesting institutionalized discrimination have impeded their efforts. The most recent occurrence resulted in the withdrawal of CH Larsen's endorsement for no other reason than he communicated with the Sacred Well Congregation. The Army Chief of Chaplains has been notified of the unethical, unprofessional and discriminatory actions of two senior chaplains whose indiscretions directly led to the removal of Chaplain Larsen from his position. SWC has also been in contact with the ACLU and other legal counsel. According to the U.S. Census, the number of individuals professing to be Wiccans rose from the 8, 000 reported in 1990 to 134, 000 self-proclaimed witches in 2001 – making it one of the country’s fas-*test*-('") growing religions. A study released in November 2001 by the Graduate Center of the City University of New York found that the number of adults who subscribe to a pagan religion was more than 140, 000. According to the Air Force personnel system, in April 2003, there were 982 followers of earth-based religions in that branch of the US military alone. In contrast, there were 786 Muslims and 1171 Jews reported in the Air Force that same year. There is a clear and present need for a chaplain of the Wiccan faith in the US Armed Services. SWC has met every requirement put before them in their quest to become an endorsing body for military chaplains and this la-*test*-('") roadblock was caused by the discriminatory and biased actions of key officials. This conduct has led directly to the immediate withdrawal of endorsement of a dedicated and distinguished battalion chaplain serving in Iraq. The Department of Defense and the military chaplaincies declare in their official policies that they support religious pluralism, and that military chaplains must support religious pluralism. The Sacred Well Congregation fully supports, in word and deed, the concept of religious pluralism and that the religious freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment means freedom for all religions. SWC has maintained complete records of all correspondence on this issue, including communications with the Armed Forces Chaplains Boards, the office of the Army Chief of Chaplains and US Congress.
Save Our Wiccan Chaplain Proclaimed by: Rev Ryan Adams Proclaimed from: Longview, Texas Proclaimation... The petition in support of Chaplain Don Larson has reached the 1000 signature mark and is still growing. The stated goal is 10, 000 signatures and, while this goal may not be met, the more signatures gathered the better. Thanks to everyone who has shown support for this important fight so far and please continue to make others aware of this situation. Below is the text from the original press release. Aman Nai Rev. Ryan Adams Officer at Large Sacred Well Congregation www.sacredwell.org ********************** Wiccan Church fighting religious discrimination by the US Army Due to several clearly discriminatory acts, followers of one of the country’s fas-*test*-('") growing religions have once again been denied their own military chaplain. In the spring of this year, Chaplain (CPT) Donald M. Larsen contacted the Sacred Well Congregation (SWC) to discuss sponsorship options. Until August 2, 2006, Chaplain Larsen was the respected and loved Battalion Chaplain of the 3-135 AVN Regiment deployed to Balad, Iraq. On August 3, 2006, Chaplain Larsen's sponsorship was abruptly withdrawn by the Chaplaincies of Full Gospel Churches (CFGC) , Dallas, Texas, and he was ordered to immediately cease and desist all religious activities as a chaplain. His career is now severely jeopardized, and the Battalion he deployed with is deprived of their chaplain. Chaplain Larsen's only sin was that he entered into a dialogue with the Sacred Well Congregation – a Wiccan Church. The Sacred Well Congregation is a 501 (c) 3 Church and full member of the Coalition On Ministry In Specialized Settings (COMISS) as a Religious Endorsing Body, but is not yet approved to endorse chaplains to the military services. SWC has been actively engaged in seeking that approval since September of 1998. Technicalities and strong circumstantial evidence suggesting institutionalized discrimination have impeded their efforts. The most recent occurrence resulted in the withdrawal of CH Larsen's endorsement for no other reason than he communicated with the Sacred Well Congregation. The Army Chief of Chaplains has been notified of the unethical, unprofessional and discriminatory actions of two senior chaplains whose indiscretions directly led to the removal of Chaplain Larsen from his position. SWC has also been in contact with the ACLU and other legal counsel. According to the U.S. Census, the number of individuals professing to be Wiccans rose from the 8, 000 reported in 1990 to 134, 000 self-proclaimed witches in 2001 – making it one of the country’s fas-*test*-('") growing religions. A study released in November 2001 by the Graduate Center of the City University of New York found that the number of adults who subscribe to a pagan religion was more than 140, 000. According to the Air Force personnel system, in April 2003, there were 982 followers of earth-based religions in that branch of the US military alone. In contrast, there were 786 Muslims and 1171 Jews reported in the Air Force that same year. There is a clear and present need for a chaplain of the Wiccan faith in the US Armed Services. SWC has met every requirement put before them in their quest to become an endorsing body for military chaplains and this la-*test*-('") roadblock was caused by the discriminatory and biased actions of key officials. This conduct has led directly to the immediate withdrawal of endorsement of a dedicated and distinguished battalion chaplain serving in Iraq. The Department of Defense and the military chaplaincies declare in their official policies that they support religious pluralism, and that military chaplains must support religious pluralism. The Sacred Well Congregation fully supports, in word and deed, the concept of religious pluralism and that the religious freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment means freedom for all religions. SWC has maintained complete records of all correspondence on this issue, including communications with the Armed Forces Chaplains Boards, the office of the Army Chief of Chaplains and US Congress.