Paganism in the United States Military

While it has not been a commonplace thing for very long in the US military, open practices of Paganism have quickly become a thing that you can find on almost [if not] every installation and base service-wide. Much like every new thing that gets the “ooh, shiny” reaction, the questions have been raised and have caught on like wildfire. When I first joined the Army, in the summer of ’13 (I’m young, I know, let’s focus here!), Paganism was still not an easily-accepted thing. So I got reamed about it a lot. I was called all sorts of things from “Satanist” to “Witch” to even some pretty nonsensical ones like “Dragon worshipper.” But now, I can walk around and speak openly about my faith. And now; I would like to address some of the common questions I get asked when the topic of my faith comes up.

What is it that you believe in? What do Pagans do?

This is kind of a difficult question to answer, simply for the fact that Paganism by itself is such a broad topic. Any and all things that are not sects of the “Big Three” (Judaism, Islam, or Christianity) are all-too-often lumped under the all-encompassing umbrella of Paganism. However, to clarify this, Paganism is a faith group characterized by religions that are “earth-centric and nature-based.” In this you will find several different variants, the four most-common being the Asatru (Norse), Wiccan (Nature), Druidic (Traditional Celtic), and Hellenic pantheons.

As for what we do; this question is nearly impossible to answer. Worship is unique to every path and every practitioner. Some people may fast. Some may gorge. Some drink in toast to the gods. Some pray. Some make sacrifices in tribute and homage. Some simply offer up silent thanks for the good things in their lives. It varies with no discernable pattern to each individual.

How does Paganism differ from the “Big Three?”

How does night differ from day? They have their similarities for certain, however, you must understand that 80% of all Pagan pathways predate the “Big Three” religions on Earth, and all three were tailored and modified to more easily convert from the older faiths. We all know the story behind Christmas and Easter (being that their dates do not match what the Christian Bible details). And the symbolism behind each faith, mirroring their significance with the older faiths that they were tailored from. Dates, stories, names, symbols, figures, and a great many other facets of Christianity in particular, mirror, or very closely resemble rites and traditions from what is now known as Druidism, Wicca, Hellenism and The Roman Pantheon (which we all know was bastardized from Hellenismos, anyway). However, despite all of these similarities, there are distinct differences between the Pagan (often called the “Heretical Practices”) Rites and the Big Three.

As a Hellene, I can detail several similarities and differences. For example: our understanding of the “Afterlife”. The destination of our immortal soul does vary (much like the Catholic sect of Christianity). However, the difference is that our eternal peace and joy is not dependent upon what I would call a “blind-faith belief” that someone died for our prophetic crimes two millennia ago. Rather, our eternity is entirely reliant upon the manner in which we live our life and the impact we leave on the Cosmos. If we live our lives in such a way as to leave a negative impact on the cosmos (being self-serving and cruel to all around us), we are damned to the depths of Tartarus (the equivalent to the Christian Hell). Should we live our lives so as to leave no real impact at all (staying to ourselves and going our own way, leaving out all others), then we are abandoned to the fields of Asphodel (eternity alone and despondent, much like the Catholic Purgatory/Limbo). However, if when we die, we leave a positive impact on the Earth and the Cosmos, living to serve and improve the existence that we know, we are granted our eternal peace in the Grandeur of Elysium (the equivalent of the Christian Heaven).

A great many of the Pagan faiths have similar beliefs, all of them eerily similar to one or more of the “Big Three,” but do not practice, believe, or even share common ground with a vast majority of the teachings of the Big Three.

What beliefs do Pagans have that differ from the “Big Three?”

There are as many differing beliefs as grains of sand on a beach. Honestly, the only common belief that is taught at the heart of all of these religions (and I mean their TRUE teachings, not the extremist and radicalized twists that zealots continually push on us) is love and tolerance. Some teach this to a higher degree than others. For example, Buddhists teach love on a level that does not allow harm to ANY living being, whereas the Asatru path teaches love in all things but combat (where brutal violence is not only demanded, but rewarded). In several of these pathways, there is no greater honor than to die in battle, fighting for what you believe in. However, they also teach to be kind to one another and love one another as you would family (“love thy neighbor as thyself” sound familiar?).

Paganism in the military, much like practicing Christianity or Islam or Judaism, does not change who we are as people. And I am pleased and honored to be a part of an organization that allows me to be who I am as a man, a father, a soldier, and a proud Pagan! As an infantryman, and soon-to-be medic, I can say without a doubt that my faith does not determine my proficiency at my job, and yours will not make me look out for you any less. So, it is a huge relief to me that this organization that I love so much - the US military - has finally allowed people like me to be open about what we believe without fear of reprisal or discrimination. I look forward to many more years and many more faces in my career. Best of luck to you all, and thank you for taking the time to read this old Grunt’s perspective!

Until on Elysium we meet: Blessed Be!