OPPapers.com

Wicca In The Military: Friend Or Foe?

Wicca in the Military:   Friend or Foe?

Does the word “Wicca” offend you? If you are like most people in the United States, then it does. Why does such a small word invoke such feelings of fear, hatred, and loathing? Ignorance is the reason. Many people do not know what Wicca is nor do they know about the people who follow it. Since there is such a negative connotation of Wicca in everyday society, would it be safe to say that Wiccans in the military are judged just as harshly? Is a Wiccan not as worthy of religious provisions as say, a Christian?

Wicca Defined
What is Wicca anyway? Is it a bunch of old, naked women dancing in a circle out in a field under the full moon? How about a group orgy with blood sacrifices? These are some of the outlandish scenarios that people think of when they hear the words Wicca, Witch, or Pagan. Well, here is the real definition of Wicca as cited by numerous sources on the subject:   Wicca is a nature-based, often polytheistic religion that centers on beliefs that pre-date Christianity. (Streeter, 2002) Modern day Wicca is a reconstruction of the “Old Religion” of ancient tribal Europe. Wicca is also known as Witchcraft, Paganism, and Neo-Paganism.
Witchcraft has long since been associated with “evil” or “devil worship”. Witchcraft is neither of those things. Witchcraft is typically thought of as an old hag casting spells in a dark dungeon. That idea couldn’t be further from the truth. Although Witchcraft is often used interchangeably with the word magic, it isn’t the type of magic commonly thought of. Witches use magic to enhance their daily lives not to influence the will of others. Streeter (2002) defines magic as “one’s will to change consciousness and reality”. Wiccans consider “magic” to be the invocation of their gods though rituals.
Pagan was a name given to country dwellers or rural people that were the last to be converted to Christianity. These people lived on the outskirts of town and kept to the old ways. The...