Press Kit: Fact Sheets

Legal Precedent for Pagan/Wiccan Rights

Both the federal and state courts of this country, in keeping with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, have recognized Wicca/Witchcraft as a legitimate religion deserving of all protections afforded the rights set forth in the First Amendment. The seminal federal case is Dettmer v. Landon, 617 F. Supp. 592 (E. Dst. Va. 1985), aff'd on appeal, 799 F.2d 929 (1986). The seminal state case, arising out of the Georgia Supreme Court is Roberts v. Ravenwood Church of Wicca, 249 Ga. 348 (1982). Should Witchcraft ever come before the United States Supreme Court, there is precedent from the Justices which foreshadows its acceptance within the Supreme Court: Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. and Ernesto Pichardo v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520 (1993).

It has long been noted by the Supreme Court justices that this country is one of religious pluralism, founded on the notion that religion must not be used to indoctrinate or coerce. Please see the concurring opinion of Justice Douglas in United States v. Seeger, 380 U.S. 163 (1964) and the majority opinion in Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577 (1992).

The military does not "recognize" or "authorize" any religion. For it to do so would be a violation of the principle of separation of church and state. What the military does recognize and promote is the right of every individual member to follow his or her own chosen spiritual path.