| Representative Tammy Baldwin
1020 Longworth Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Baldwin, I appreciate your on-going support of diversity in America and am glad that this is visible in your biographical sketch on your website: "a forceful supporter of civil rights and an advocate for those in our society whose voices, too often, are not heard." It is a civil rights matter for those of us whose voices are seldom heard that prompts me now to ask for your help. I am writing to express my concern regarding recent political efforts by Rep. Bob Barr (7th District of Georgia) directed against the Wiccan religion in general and against the accommodation of religious practice by Wiccans serving in the US military in particular. As the senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, one of America's oldest and most established Wiccan churches, I have worked over the course of the past twenty years with military officials and chaplains at the Pentagon and at individual military installations in order that the religious needs of Wiccans serving in the US military are accommodated just as the religious needs of those of other religions serving in the US military are accommodated. Some members of our church are serving in the US military at locations throughout the USA and elsewhere in the world. In his widely circulated May 18 press release, sent to media, government officials, and others, Rep. Barr not only ridiculed and defamed the Wiccan religion with his remarks, but demanded that the US Military treat the Wiccan religion differently than other religions in accommodating the religious needs of military personnel. I am writing to register my opposition to this political effort and to ask you for your help in countering this attack on our First Amendment rights. In response to Rep. Barr's press release, several Wiccan ministers who are constituents of Rep. Barr contacted staff at both his district and Washington, DC offices in an attempt to provide accurate information about the Wiccan religion and clear up misconceptions that seem inherent in Rep. Barr's remarks. However, it appears that Rep. Barr is persisting in his efforts against our religion, according to the article on the front page of the B section of yesterday's Atlanta Journal Constitution (Sunday, May 23, 1999). The article in its entirety as well as other information about this situation can be accessed at our church's religious freedom issues website at http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty. I hope to hear from you soon. Please reply by email, fax, and/or telephone, if possible. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your reply. Regards, Rev. Selena Fox Circle Sanctuary |