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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 21136
[Pagan]
Date Posted:
9/10/2009
5:56:35 pm EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 2,726
RSS: 19,053
Comments: 9
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TDCJ Inmate Wonders What's A Dude Gotta Do To Get His Wicca On In Prison
Author: Paul Knight (blog) Source: Houston Press (TX)
Title: TDCJ INMATE WONDERS WHAT'S A DUDE GOTTA DO TO GET HIS WICCA ON IN PRISON
Charles Roberts -- aka Alabama, aka Hell Boy (according to a lawsuit he filed from prison) -- was recently transferred to Huntsville from Edinburg after he claimed, via lawsuit, that the prison didn't allow him to practice his Wiccan religion.
Michelle Lyons, the director of public information for the state's prison system, told Hair Balls, "He was not moved to Huntsville for any reason related to the lawsuit." She added that the Lopez Unit in Edinburg, where Roberts stayed for about two years, is more of a short-term facility.
It is an interesting coincidence, though, and it'd be really interesting if Huntsville just happened to have a few practicing Wiccans.
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Community Thoughts: There are 9 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| What Is Wiccan Accomdation? | Sep 13th. at 10:46:35 am EDT
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Wolfhammer (Del Rio, Texas) - Email Me
Look... There are so many different types of Wiccans, we are almost as bad as protestants.
If Wicca has hundreds of different paths, there should be a prison path.
In that instance these pagans should be praying to Gods of Mercy & Strength. All they should require is a prayer mat and religious literature that can be kept in the prison library.
I believe that nothing should come between people and there Gods, but come on people are we going to start handing out Athame's to immates?
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| Improvise... | Sep 11th. at 3:17:08 pm EDT
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Sphinxring (Olympia, Washington) - Email Me
I'd say you make do with what you got. Spiritual growth comes from within. Change your perspective and transform things you do have into ritual tools. Think of it being a magical exercise.
If you don't have a book, write one!
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| Within Reason... | Sep 11th. at 11:53:45 am EDT
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bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
As I have always tried to say, a person should have his religion -within reason. While Athames and other trappings might be considered dangerous and must be omitted, he still has a right to reading material and a place to draw a private circle, and to talk to other Wiccans, in fact all the rights accorded to any xtian in a prison system should be his as well.
As for the rest-well, as much as the state will allow. After all, it is a prison.
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| Does Spirituality Really Require Tools? | Sep 11th. at 10:22:10 am EDT
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LD Wolverine (Edmonton, Alberta) - Email Me
This was the crux of my rant earlier. When I found my own Spirituality, I had no Athame, I had no Book of Shadows, no insence or salts or shells or talismins.
I had me.
This is the basis of my arguement. What do we "need" to do what we do?
If the basis of the arguement is that "well if he wasnt in prison he'd get this this and that" then you can make that statement about anything.
"If I wasnt in prison I'd have my own kitchen to cook whatever I want so I need a hot plate"
"If I wasnt in prison I could go to the liquor store and by my booze, so I need it here"
Well my point is, you are in prison. Being in prison means you have given up certain rights and privilidges. Perhaps we shouldn't be so lenient in these basic things...perhaps if we made it harder to get the nice things then people wouldnt be so quick to reoffend.
My opinion? He should have reading material, and a quiet space to meditate, chant or sing without threat of molestation.
All the rest is trappings that is not "required" but are nice to have.
But hey, thats just me and my thinking that Jail is a punishment, not a vacation.
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| Pagan Prison Chaplains | Sep 11th. at 5:18:15 am EDT
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Lamyka (Tokyo, Japan) - Email Me - Web
Faith can help people help themselves. And it's a Human Right to be free even if it's only your mind and heart. He may be in prison but if Wicca is helping him as it as helped me maybe he won't end up back in there.
If anything this should be seen as a call for more Pagan Prison Chaplains. I can't speak for Texas but Forest Moon Grove ( [Web LINK] ) in Washington is in contact with Pagan Prison Chaplains as how to help prisoners.
Why not be part of the rehabilitation?
Lady Bless,
Lamyka
Find More info -- HERE
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| Leave Off The "He Don't Deserve To..." Crap | Sep 10th. at 9:13:01 pm EDT
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nasionnaich (Stanchfield, Minnesota) - Email Me
Ok, first things first.... There are a great multitude of things a person can be sent to prison for -- many of them things most people would not immediately think of as being "illegal". I was incarcerated for trying to kill my (now) ex-wife -- I actually blanked out for about 20 seconds, while I held a loaded rifle, because I was that angry; it has taken YEARS for me to come to grips with what I almost did.
No, I am not bragging, I am not proud of it. I use what I did as an example of just how easy it is for ANYONE to do something truly stupid and land themselves in prison.
Now, the article never states just when Roberts became involved with Wicca. For all anyone really knows, it could have been any time between his actual crime and the judge's handing down sentence. ****I**** did not begin to realize just how spiritually empty I was until long after I had "snapped" -- more than 20 years ago.
Think about it for more than a few seconds, and then reject your immediate knee-jerk "gut" reaction. "Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon"...just WHAT does that really mean? The weapon does not have to a gun, knife, or any other such commonly used "killing implement"... Deliberately throw a book at someone with the intent to actually hit them -- get sent up for "aggravated assault with a deadly weapon"; the book, if it hits in just the "right" way, is very easily turned into the required deadly weapon -- and the intent to hit your target becomes "aggravated assault". Same thing with a simple transistor radio.
The issue is not whether the man "deserves" to be allowed to worship as he chooses while incarcerated -- it is whether or not he IS ALLOWED to do so at all. Texas has a long history of turning the blind eye and deaf ear to the spiritual needs of its non-Christian prison population, and THAT is what this article is about.
It ain't about how "sincere" any one inmate might be about their chosen spiritual path.
--nasionnaich
p.s., I just love the picture of the Wicked Witch of The West attached to the article.
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| ... | Sep 10th. at 7:35:55 pm EDT
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Draken (Bronx, New York) - Email Me - Web
If you don't like the accommodations, you should've never made the reservation.
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| I'm With You... | Sep 10th. at 6:10:31 pm EDT
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LD Wolverine (Edmonton, Alberta) - Email Me
If you wanted freedom of religion, should be staying out of prison and leading a productive life in society thereby making yourself a good example for the religion itself.
Sigh...but I guess if the Xtian criminals get to have bibles, Wiccan criminals get...what? A book of shadows? Heck I'm not in prison and I really dont even need all that much to feel in touch with the divine...all I need is my thoughts and some quiet time...and apparently you get lots of quiet time in jail.
but maybe I'm just being callous.
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| How About | Sep 10th. at 6:04:19 pm EDT
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Angel (Everett, Washington) - Email Me
Not going to prison so you can practice your faith as you please?
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