Comments | dragonhearth: My trip to Sacramento and Federal Court for Wicca

dragonhearth

My trip to Sacramento and Federal Court for Wicca

Mar 06, 2010 22:16

My trip to Sacramento

I have been doing Prison Ministry for Wiccans and Asatruar (Odinists mostly) in our state prison, which is local to me, California State Prison(CSP) Los Angeles County, for some years now. It began because of my interfaith work, actually. ( snipped for very long discussion about Federal Court Testimony )

prison

Comments 11

herbmcsidhe March 7 2010, 08:59:18 UTC

I freely admit to having mixed feelings and opinions on the necessity of pagan chaplains for prisoners, but I think you did a good job with your testimony, based on what you wrote above.

dragonhearth March 9 2010, 05:22:58 UTC

The point is that if the Christian/Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Native Americans get to have a paid Chaplain... there should be one for Pagans, if there is call for it with inmates who identify as such.

herbmcsidhe March 9 2010, 07:57:38 UTC

I know, and I stand by my comment. I'm skeptical of the *necessity* of any intercessor between humans and the Gods; Pagan, Christian or otherwise.

dragonhearth March 9 2010, 07:59:19 UTC

Ok. No problem. Chaplains also help to advocate for inmates so that they can have their religious needs met. But I get your pov now. Thanks.

vicki_sine March 7 2010, 15:46:26 UTC

Good job. I have friends who do the same thing here in Texas and have the same issues. They started with neo-wicca and are spreading out to Asatru.

cheriefaery March 7 2010, 19:11:20 UTC

Thank you very much for the work you are doing. My husband and I are the Texas friends that Vicki mentioned. Someone once told me that prison work can be the most rewarding and frustrating religious work around... and I believe it. The wardens at the Texas units are kings of their kingdoms and they don't let you forget it. Keep up the good work.

dragonhearth March 9 2010, 08:00:26 UTC

I know better than to argue with the Correctional Officers. It's yessir, yes ma'am.
Even if they are being ------'s

dscarron March 9 2010, 05:12:46 UTC

I've heard good things about your testimony from Patrick McCollum.

Take my word for it; it's neither easy nor a small stressor.

Kudos to you!

Thanks... dragonhearth March 9 2010, 05:21:15 UTC

Yes Patrick and his wife were both pretty ecstatic about how I presented myself. Proof that I clean up well and can string a sentence together coherently and be professional, a side of me few Heathens and Wiccans see of me.

Now you see why I didn't post the whole thing to the lists... too long!

Re: Thanks... dragonhearth March 9 2010, 05:25:41 UTC

LOL... and there you have, me typing a run-on sentence... when trying to explain how erudite I can be. ROFLMAO!

The DAGs were not that mean but they did scare me with a few questions. They were trying to trap me into saying something that was untrue like they do in the movies... But I'd given my word to tell the truth already. (They wanted me to swear "so help me God" and I told them I could not swear to God but would swear to tell the truth.)

Re: Thanks... ladyisarma March 11 2010, 20:17:19 UTC

Yeah, I've had my run-ins with the court systems as well, and they can really be jerks and try and trap you. That's what they do. I have a few friends who are attorneys, and we've discussed this facet of the profession. Sounds like you did a great job, Kudos!!