By Ian Drury

As trained fighters they are capable of crushing an enemy with terrifying military might.
But when dozens of members of Britain's Armed Forces take off their uniforms, they like nothing more than casting spells and taking part in midnight rituals.

For around 100 UK service personnel - some taking part in the war on terror - class themselves as Pagans. Another 30 are witches according to newly-released figures.

The intriguing details about the beliefs of soldiers, sailors and airmen were obtained from the Ministry of Defence's armed forces personnel administration system using the Freedom of Information Act.
Off duty: Around 100 UK servicemen are pagans, including many who are serving in Afghanistan

Off duty: Around 100 UK servicemen are pagans, including many who are serving in Afghanistan

There are about 177,000 servicemen and women in the British military. Paganism, which focuses on the worship of nature and its 'vitality and spirituality', finds its roots in the traditional religions of ancient Britain.

Pagans - who consider the mysterious stone circle at Stonehenge a place of pilgrimage - worship goddesses as well as gods and believe in the existence of spirits and other magical beings.

Practitioners of the faith take part in rituals in order to affirm their deep connection with nature and celebrate the seasonal festivals of the year.

Often held in woods or caves, on hilltops or seashores, members will meditate, chant, play music and dance, and recite poetry. Pagans believe that casting spells can help people in their daily lives.

Pagans celebrate eight main annual festivals including Samhain, on Halloween, where they mark the 'dark winter half of the year' by leaving food outside for the 'wandering dead' and dressing up as ghosts.

The faith, which includes Shamans, Sacred Ecologists and Heathens, has exploded in popularity in recent years. Last year, a Pagan Police Association was set up to cope with the increasing number of officers declaring themselves followers of the religion.

According to the MoD figures, 30 servicemen and women said they followed Wicca, which involves religious witchcraft, or druidism. Both are offshoots of paganism.
Sixty troops said they were Spiritualists, a faith which believes that the spirits of the dead can be contacted by mediums, who can then provide information about the afterlife.

Fifty said they are Rastafarians, a way of life which involves the worship of Haile Selassie, former King of Ethiopia. Others put down Zoroastrian and Baha'i, both established in Persia but now in danger of extinction, and Kirati, an ancient Nepalese religion with a Hindu influence.

A further 610 service personnel listed their religion as 'other'. The overwhelming majority of servicemen and women record themselves as being Christian or 'of no religion'.

Under the Equality Act 2006 it is illegal for armed forces chiefs to discriminate on the grounds of someone's beliefs. Phil Ryder, chair of the British Druid Network, said he believed there were more pagans in the forces than the figures suggested.

He said: 'Druids and followers of Wicca tend not to publicise their beliefs for fear of discrimination. In some areas it's seen as odd.

'Although the army doesn't like people to join secret groups there's no reason why being a druid or a witch should affect someone's ability to perform on the front line.

'Druidry, in particular, is quite open. It's not compulsory to attend the festivals but most druids would want to celebrate the solstices and equinoxes.'

An MoD spokesman said that members of the Forces were free to worship any religion provided it did not interfere with their work.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1284449/100-UK-servicemen-class-...

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An interesting article, but aren't Pagans people like Chritians, Muslims, Hindus, etc?

"there's no reason why being a druid or a witch should affect someone's ability to perform on the front line." That is their true concern. *wry smile*