Greetings,
This is to introduce ourselves to your own Goodself. We are the leaders of The Church and School of Wicca, an alternative way of spirituality.
You should be aware that The Church and School of Wicca is a federally recognized religious body. In the past, when inmates have been refused permission to study our publications or to receive visits from ordained Wiccan ministers, the courts have ruled that such actions constitute an infringement of prisoners' rights under the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. In these cases, federal law supersedes state law.
If you wish to refer to a specific ruling: In 1985, in Dettmer vs. Landon, a prisoner's rights case, (617F.2D 592), the District Court of Virginia ruled that Witchcraft is a legitimate religion. That decision was appealed by Virginia prison authorities; and in 1986, the Federal Appeals Court, Judge J. Butzner, affirmed the decision (799F.2D 929). He stated:
The Church of Wicca is clearly a religion for First Amendment Purposes. Members of
the Church sincerely adhere to a fairly complex set of doctrines relating to the spiritual
aspects of their lives, and in doing so they have "ultimate concerns" in much the same way
as followers of accepted religions.
To allow you to further understand that Craft philosophy represents no threat to prison discipline, the information presented in these pages should help you a great deal.
We have worked with many prison systems and have defined what is allowable in prison circumstances that will still allow the inmate to practice his or her religion fully. The minimum requirements listed on our site will help you weed out the more extravagant claims of some of your Wicca practitioners.
Sincerely, Gavin and Yvonne Frost
The Church and School of Wicca prefers to do things the old fashioned way, hoping that less mail gets lost than email. If it is very important to contact us, please use the information below keeping in mind that we are a church and like donations to help cover our expenses when we respond to your very important inquiries. Thank you and blessed be! The Volunteers!
Mail: PO Box 297-IN, Hinton, WV 25951-0297 USA
Fax: 304-466-1518.
Our email address is"school@citynet.net."
Our Webmaster is Bronwyn who has not answered email in a year!
Copyright © 1997 - 2006 c.e., Church and School of Wicca
Most recently updated: September 13, 2006 c.e.
