Wiccans fighting for their rights
Wiccans continue their fight for equal governmental recognition. The Americans United for Separation of Church and State is now lending their support for Wiccan Prison Chaplain Patrick McCollum. Below is the short version. Here's the link to the full story.
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Wiccan Clergyman Should Have the Right To Challenge Government-Imposed Religious Discrimination, Says Watchdog Group
December 1, 2009
Religious minorities should have the right to go to court and challenge discriminatory hiring practices imposed by the government, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
In a friend-of-the-court brief in McCollum v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Americans United urged the appellate court to allow Patrick McCollum, a Wiccan clergyman, to challenge a state prison policy that limits paid chaplaincy positions to persons who are Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or Native American.
“When government discriminates in hiring on religious grounds, those who are left out should have every right to sue,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Job candidates who face this type of religious discrimination should at the least have a chance to go to court and fight for their constitutional rights.”
McCollum is a qualified candidate for a chaplain position at the California Department of Corrections but cannot be considered for the job because of his religious beliefs. He brought a lawsuit against the prison, but a federal district court ruled that he lacked “standing” - the right to sue.
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I pray to the Gods that Patrick McCullom wins his equal rights as a Wiccan chaplain.
bb,
Cern