NO MORE FREEDOM OF RELIG?

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NO MORE FREEDOM OF RELIG?
By: / Beginner
Post # 1
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/bar-courts-and-lawmakers-creating-second-class-religion-status-minority-religions-wicca-neopaganism/SKGx6wJV
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION!!
Currently in the Federal Court system of California, inmates who practice Pagan religions like Wicca and Druidry are suing for discrimination because they have been barred from practicing their religion which they had been legally allowed to practice.

The State of California, with help of the Conservative Christian Dominionist group the Wallbuilders, is arguing that religions like Wicca are not worthy of being protected by the First Amendment. If a federal court rules that Wicca and other Pagan religions are not worthy of equal status it means that every Pagan in the US could be fired from their job, lose their churches and covens, and be otherwise discriminated against. Please do not let a federal court take our rights away, this country is for everyone of every religion.
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Re: NO MORE FREEDOM OF RELIG?
By: / Beginner
Post # 2
To be accurate..any faith that is not Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or Native American is not allowed a "minister" within the prison system in California. It's part of the "Five Faith" Policy. This also means anyone from a Christian denomination or any other faith who does not fall into one of the above mentioned religions does not get a Chaplin to discuss or practice religious rites with. Pagans, Hindu's, Buddhist, heck even Baptists.

The Wallbuilders are not just against Pagan religions (though that is the main target) and have commented that the only faith that should be allowed in the country is Christianity, but if they have to allow more it should only be monotheistic religions.


Personally, I'd like to know exactly what prisoners are barred from practicing. Is it rituals that involve candles? Athame's? Wands? Or is it simple gatherings that don't require the use of tools?
Not allowing tools I can see as it is a danger. Gatherings without use of tools, however should be allowed if someone is willing to come in to lead it on a volunteer basis.
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Re: NO MORE FREEDOM OF RELIG?
By: / Knowledgeable
Post # 3
Often prisoners are barred the practice of these faiths because of the materials used within various rituals and whatnot. Most of the items used in magic can be weaponized. Further, a lot of the occult symbolism has been adopted as gang symbols by one gang or another, giving many people reason to further avoid paganism and occult practice in general.

I may be harsh, but I don't really care what you're allowed to do or not to do in prison. If you have faith, fine, carry it in your heart. But I see no reason to bend over backwards to make prisoners more comfortable.
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Re: NO MORE FREEDOM OF RELIG?
By:
Post # 4
This is a significant violation of our constitutional rights. While I understand denying pagan access to items that could be used as weapons, forbidding the practice of any religion violates the 1st Amendment. How dare the Wallbuilders set destroying freedom of religion as their goal! One of the founding principals of the United States was religious freedom.
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