Fighting for Freedom in the Spirit of American Indepedence

I urge you on this Independence Day to make a commitment to take action to defend rights of all people who practice all religions in the U.S., especially Pagans.  Visit the Pagan campaign for Patrick McCollum's case: http://www.pagancivilrights.org/

Today is America's birthday. It is a celebration of the day in 1776 when many of our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. It was not the beginning nor the end of the Revolutionary War. It was one of the most defining moments in a whole process. The moment when these patriots signed a letter to England that basically said to kiss off, that we were going our own way.

I headed out the door this morning at 5:40am to check in for my first volunteer work shift at Miriam's Kitchen. The sun was just starting to rise. Starbucks wasn't open yet, because it was a holiday. In fact, I had to turn around and head back to my car, because the metro was on weekend schedule. I had set out on a beautiful morning in the breeze. Full of promise. My morning consisted of connecting homeless men with donated clothes, shoes, and tioletries. Homeless people here are often veterans, as well as those with mental diabilities or addiction problems.  It filled my spirit and made my heart heavy to connect people in need with supplies and resources.

The people who first settled here are often described as outcasts, people who wanted freedom, and people who wanted new opportunitiy. We imagine that the patriots who fought and/or supported the Revolutionary War had attitude. They had passion. They believed in American independence, and would do whatever it took to secure it. It would take a lot of guts to fight a war based on percieved wrongs. The founding documents spoke of the freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to bare arms, and more. This country was founded upon the principles of justice for all.

We sit idly by while so much injustice goes on in our lives. Sometimes we ignore the world, sometimes we look past the people who need help, and sometimes we just lie to ourselves. We fail to take responsibility for upholding our own liberty as the Founding Fathers of this country did. We think that this country's leaders are the ones who make those decisions about justice and liberty. We think that the courts are mechanisms that only deliver justice. Just as we think that the police always act justly. Or that our government officials serve us instead of steal from us.

But, we can all be people who take action. We just need to see what needs to be done and then do it. And, we do the most harm when we fail to act. When we see what needs to be done, and we do not act, we do greater harm. Sure, it's risky. You might get hurt. But, the harm done when we fail to act is greater.

The Pagan community might not have asked Patrick McCollum to take up the employment discrimination fight in the Califorina prison system. But, he did, because he saw over and over what needed to be done, and he acted. As echoed by Wade at a workshop on Pagan prison ministry, when the Pagans in prison get out and see what the Pagan community really is, they scoff at us. It's not easy for them to practice their religion in prison, and when they get out and see that those of us who can freely practice it are actually taking our freedom for granted, they don't want anything to do with us.

And now, the Pagan community inside and out of the prisons are being oppressed and discriminated against, and this struggle has taken a wrong turn that affects our whole community. Not only did the court not hear Patrick McCollum's appeal, but the court preemptively ruled that employment discrimination based on religion was okay across the board as long as a company wrote up a bona fide occupational qualification. They also agree that Patrick, as a Wiccan, wasn't qualified to minister to people of other faiths, because he was a Wiccan. But, those other faiths can minister to Pagans. The California Department of Corrections and Reabilitation, along with the 9th Circuit Court, have basically said to the Pagan community that no, we don't have the same right to the freedom of religion.

Patrick's official statement on the ruling from his website:

“The employment discrimination ruling is especially disturbing and is one that all religious people should be worried about, not only Pagans. It creates precedent that gives the state the power to discriminate on the basis of religion for chaplain jobs, for example chaplains in prisons, hospitals, the veterans’ administration, and the military. The court ruled that the state could choose to prefer some religions over others, even when (as the defendants in my case admitted and the court noted) those religions are chosen for no reason at all – are not based on any criteria."

We're in a whole lot of trouble down the road if this ruling is not thrown out. And, Patrick can't do that without our help. He needs money to continue the fight without loosing everything. And, we need to start making people aware of what is going on in the prisons. Pagan prisoners are being denied the resources, clergy services, and religious services that other faiths get, and these prisoners are being treated differently because of their religion. Many prisons operate as if the outside world doesn't care what goes on in there. And, that's been true for way too long. These are people, like you and me, who for one reason or another commited crimes (some of them heinous) that landed them in prison, and religion is supposed to help us grow past our mistakes. Starhawk also spoke of her experience visiting prisons with Patrick earlier this year.

I came home after listening to Patrick McCollum's stories for nearly a week realizing that I had to act. Realizing that we heard things we couldn't repeat, things so gut wrenching that I give my service to this cause in full force, and realizing that the other members of the Pagan media felt that their role was only to report statements made. However, in the spirit of my ancestors, who were patriots during the American Revolution, I cannot turn away when I see what needs to be done. Patrick expressed his need for donations, letters written, and action taken.

And, while trouble has brewed here at home, Patrick is constantly working towards bridging peace in the world. He has been given high honors by leaders of other religions as a Pagan. He is preparing to board the Peace Ship, a UN project, in Siberia with other world leaders. His work is so important globally. Because of the importance of this work he does around the globe, he does not have the time to advocate for himself in the way he needs advocating. I made it my mission to raise the money that he needs so that he does not loose himself in this battle, as well as drum up prayers and support.

I wrote last month about the word "Pagan" being a collective bargaining agreement. I had no idea that we would need to use it to negotiate so soon. So, we all need to show up. Every Pagan needs to shake off that security blanket and do what needs to be done. Donate, write letters, pray, hold vigils, hold rallies. If we fail to act here, we will do more damage than we realize on the surface. In the spirit of the Founding Fathers, who fought for freedom, let the Pagan community take action.