A while back, without so much as asking Jason of The Wild Hunt, I kicked off a campaign to get him on The Daily Show to provide a different perspective on David Barton and his activities. Barton’s interview made me angry and I knew his organization, Wallbuilders, has been a factor in keeping Patrick McCollum from having his day in court. I sat and fumed. I pondered. So I decided the best thing to do would be have someone informed, but not involved with the case, on to rebut Barton’s mendacity.
As the campaign gathered steam I took heart, although I thought the 100k bench mark was a bit high, and I found the campaign a source of pride in my community. Yet a lot of people didn’t get the point of the campaign. Some folks thought it was to inform folks about Paganism, or to stroke Jason’s ego. Some people didn’t understand who Barton is, or why it’s important for a Pagan journalist to go on tv to speak about him.
Now the 9th court’s decision has come down, and after 5 years of fighting, McCollum still hasn’t had his case heard, Pagans in prison still lack spiritual support and you still have to be one of five “first class” religions to be a full-time prison chaplain. Prison chaplains are the ones who organize the volunteer chaplains and any group services. If they have fought for five years to keep a Wiccan from even having his case heard, how do you think volunteer Pagan chaplains are treated? How do you think Pagan prisoners are treated? There were approx 600 of them in 2002 that weren’t receiving adequate spiritual support, if any.
No one in the media is talking about how a wide swath of minority religions are being classified as “second-class” and being denied their rights in California. No one in the media is talking about David Barton’s efforts to deny minority religions their constitutional rights. No one except Jason.
So I’m making one more push. Jason is well-informed on this issue, he doesn’t have to consult with lawyers before speaking and he’s eloquent and to the point. In light of the 9th’s decision, let’s take a deep breath, dig in and push again to get Jason Pitzl-Waters of The Wild Hunt on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This isn’t just about us, and it isn’t a fight we can ignore. This is a fight for justice. This is a fight just to get our case heard in court. This is about Pagan values.
I like the core idea, but I think we’re barking up the wrong tree. Stewart has made it clear that he takes Wiccans about as seriously as 19-year old stoners, and the story doesn’t have the legs it used to where Barton is concerned. The only semi-serious candidate linked to him, Mike Huckabee, has dropped out. I’m not even sure that electronic lobbying of this sort even has that much punch left to it where current events and pop culture goes anymore. What would it really mean if we were to get 100,000 Facebook “likes” or whatever? People get more than that these days for stupid videos of their cats or their kids belching in time with some song. By all means it won’t hurt to try again with Stewart’s show, but honestly I think we’ll need a long-term effort to pitch the overall story to whatever news sources will listen and to make people like Jason and others available when they want to get local reaction to a national story like this.
I like the core idea, but I think we’re barking up the wrong tree. Stewart has made it clear that he takes Wiccans about as seriously as 19-year old stoners, and the story doesn’t have the legs it used to where Barton is concerned. The only semi-serious candidate linked to him, Mike Huckabee, has dropped out. I’m not even sure that electronic lobbying of this sort even has that much punch left to it where current events and pop culture goes anymore. What would it really mean if we were to get 100,000 Facebook “likes” or whatever? People get more than that these days for stupid videos of their cats or their kids belching in time with some song. By all means it won’t hurt to try again with Stewart’s show, but honestly I think we’ll need a long-term effort to pitch the overall story to whatever news sources will listen and to make people like Jason and others available when they want to get local reaction to a national story like this.
http://rhett.weatherlight.com/2011/06/the-mccollum-decision-standing-and-fighting-the-real-fight/
http://rhett.weatherlight.com/2011/06/the-mccollum-decision-standing-and-fighting-the-real-fight/
I feel torn on this issue, as I am sure many are. I truly feel that there should be NO paid ministry of any type in prisons. This should be a part of the outreach programs of ALL faiths, and purely volunteer. When the ministry becomes paid, there is an unspoken adoption of a national faith. When it has taken so long to even allow a Wiccan symbol on the grave of a fallen veteran, I don’t see any early or reasonable resolution to the problem, no matter how many eloquent and knowledgeable spokesmen are brought in.
there needs to be chaplains, and they need to be paid. That’s assuming they are trained and interfaith (ready to meet the spiritual needs of individuals–including those with no faith, for example agnostics or humanists). They need to be paid for the level of proficiency, training, and education. There should be no proselytizing. The need for pay is that no one can do the job at this level without this training, etc. And no one I know can afford to work for nothing.
If you get clergy from a church or denomination going in there, you won’t have someone with the right preparation. What’s needed is someone who meets the needs of the non-religious (have you ever heard of humanist chaplains?)
I work as a hospice chaplain and see people with all levels of belief or non-belief. Hospice chaplains are paid as part of the hospice medicare program. It’s a law that hospices have to offer spiritual care for patients and it has to be competent and appropriate.
Key words: competent; appropriate; training; education. Part of the point is this–where do you find this species of individual? Seminaries primarily focus on their own (but there is the Chaplaincy Institute in Berkeley and the Graduate Theo. Union). But mostly we are left with sectarian education turning out more sectarian chaplains (really missionaries for their own brand of religion). And yes, by all means, professionals ought to be compensated appropriately. However, my opinion is that chaplains ought to be paid primarily by inclusive spiritual communities, interfaith orgs or private foundations rather than with public funds. Therein the rub. Who has enough to pay what should be paid to do the work that should be done? No easy answers.
I feel torn on this issue, as I am sure many are. I truly feel that there should be NO paid ministry of any type in prisons. This should be a part of the outreach programs of ALL faiths, and purely volunteer. When the ministry becomes paid, there is an unspoken adoption of a national faith. When it has taken so long to even allow a Wiccan symbol on the grave of a fallen veteran, I don’t see any early or reasonable resolution to the problem, no matter how many eloquent and knowledgeable spokesmen are brought in.
there needs to be chaplains, and they need to be paid. That’s assuming they are trained and interfaith (ready to meet the spiritual needs of individuals–including those with no faith, for example agnostics or humanists). They need to be paid for the level of proficiency, training, and education. There should be no proselytizing. The need for pay is that no one can do the job at this level without this training, etc. And no one I know can afford to work for nothing.
If you get clergy from a church or denomination going in there, you won’t have someone with the right preparation. What’s needed is someone who meets the needs of the non-religious (have you ever heard of humanist chaplains?)
I work as a hospice chaplain and see people with all levels of belief or non-belief. Hospice chaplains are paid as part of the hospice medicare program. It’s a law that hospices have to offer spiritual care for patients and it has to be competent and appropriate.
Key words: competent; appropriate; training; education. Part of the point is this–where do you find this species of individual? Seminaries primarily focus on their own (but there is the Chaplaincy Institute in Berkeley and the Graduate Theo. Union). But mostly we are left with sectarian education turning out more sectarian chaplains (really missionaries for their own brand of religion). And yes, by all means, professionals ought to be compensated appropriately. However, my opinion is that chaplains ought to be paid primarily by inclusive spiritual communities, interfaith orgs or private foundations rather than with public funds. Therein the rub. Who has enough to pay what should be paid to do the work that should be done? No easy answers.
I think it’s a very good idea for the Pagans in the U.S. to stand up and be counted. If we just sit there and let this stuff happen, it will just keep on happening. It’s really time to start pushing for all of our rights as a group of religions that are recognized by the United States of America.
If we don’t stand together, we all fall apart!
I think it’s a very good idea for the Pagans in the U.S. to stand up and be counted. If we just sit there and let this stuff happen, it will just keep on happening. It’s really time to start pushing for all of our rights as a group of religions that are recognized by the United States of America.
If we don’t stand together, we all fall apart!
I tend to focus a bunch on environmental and global justice, though of course domestic justice issues require attention as well. I think your cause is well-defined and very worth pursuing, and I hope that we are able to regard any spiritual path with the same seriousness, appreciation, and well, criticism, as any other.
P.S. I blog frequently about Pagan values from Aristotelian and Roman viewpoints at illiezeulette-edenwood.blogspot.com.
Checking it out!
I tend to focus a bunch on environmental and global justice, though of course domestic justice issues require attention as well. I think your cause is well-defined and very worth pursuing, and I hope that we are able to regard any spiritual path with the same seriousness, appreciation, and well, criticism, as any other.
P.S. I blog frequently about Pagan values from Aristotelian and Roman viewpoints at illiezeulette-edenwood.blogspot.com.
Checking it out!
here’s some pagan values:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/aradia/ara03.htm
Even though this is a seminal text, I think most Pagans would object to the chair-and-whip relationship with Aradia. Even I find my eyebrows raising when I flip back through the Gospel of Aradia.
here’s some pagan values:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/aradia/ara03.htm
Even though this is a seminal text, I think most Pagans would object to the chair-and-whip relationship with Aradia. Even I find my eyebrows raising when I flip back through the Gospel of Aradia.
last night i did a three hour interview with Joe Nictor a pagan chaplain in California on the Pagans Tonight show heres the link if you would like to check it out http://www.blogtalkradio.com/witchschool/2011/06/05/pagans-tonight-with-z-and-gary-california-pagan-chaplancy
last night i did a three hour interview with Joe Nictor a pagan chaplain in California on the Pagans Tonight show heres the link if you would like to check it out http://www.blogtalkradio.com/witchschool/2011/06/05/pagans-tonight-with-z-and-gary-california-pagan-chaplancy
I honestly like Stewart but don’t think this is the approach to education you are seeking (and a huge expense). Besides, it’s increasingly frustrating to see Jon constantly interrupt and jokify everything. Obviously not a serious news source. Maybe NewsHour or other media would be better? By the way, as a longtime chaplain I am very discouraged by not only the treatment of chaplains (or denial of access) but the state of chaplaincy itself across the board. Rare indeed to find balanced, inclusive, non-sectarian voices and ministries.
I honestly like Stewart but don’t think this is the approach to education you are seeking (and a huge expense). Besides, it’s increasingly frustrating to see Jon constantly interrupt and jokify everything. Obviously not a serious news source. Maybe NewsHour or other media would be better? By the way, as a longtime chaplain I am very discouraged by not only the treatment of chaplains (or denial of access) but the state of chaplaincy itself across the board. Rare indeed to find balanced, inclusive, non-sectarian voices and ministries.
Not sure who you mean when you say no one in the media is covering this: are you talking mainstream media or ANY media? If it’s the latter, your statement simply isn’t true. There is a wonderful site called:
talk2action.org
they have been covering David Barton, as well as many other topics regarding the extreme religious right/dominionists for years and have articles about minority religions being denied their rights. Green Egg has also covered this and we have The Pentacle Project at:
http://pentalcleproject.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/another-pagan-perspective/
We also covered it on the “Over to Oberon and Ariel” Pagans Tonight radio show.
As you may recall, it is this exact issue I tried to warn you, Jason and others about on your email list. I was shouted down, humiliated and told that none of you wanted to get involved in politics. I warned then that in Nov’s election, many far right extremists (Dominionists basically) would be elected. I was right. I have been studying this topic for years, everyday I do research. This is a serious issue.
So what changed your mind that made you finally write about it?
Not sure who you mean when you say no one in the media is covering this: are you talking mainstream media or ANY media? If it’s the latter, your statement simply isn’t true. There is a wonderful site called:
talk2action.org
they have been covering David Barton, as well as many other topics regarding the extreme religious right/dominionists for years and have articles about minority religions being denied their rights. Green Egg has also covered this and we have The Pentacle Project at:
http://pentalcleproject.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/another-pagan-perspective/
We also covered it on the “Over to Oberon and Ariel” Pagans Tonight radio show.
As you may recall, it is this exact issue I tried to warn you, Jason and others about on your email list. I was shouted down, humiliated and told that none of you wanted to get involved in politics. I warned then that in Nov’s election, many far right extremists (Dominionists basically) would be elected. I was right. I have been studying this topic for years, everyday I do research. This is a serious issue.
So what changed your mind that made you finally write about it?