Scott Airman starts new worship group on base Published Nov. 17, 2010 By Senior Airman Andrew Davis 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Recently a new group has begun meeting at Scott Air Force Base called the Open Circle Program. Based upon polytheistic (multiple gods), earth-centered religions, the purpose of the program is to provide a place for worship, discussion, understanding and tolerance of the Pagan/Wiccan faiths for all members of Team Scott. The group is the first of its kind at Scott. The Scott Open Circle group, which consists of 10 members so far, is an organized group in coordination with the wing chaplain in accordance with Air Force Instruction 52-101, Chaplain Planning and Organizing. Meeting on weekends for approximately an hour and a half, the group performs religious services, acts as a support system and provides educational services for Pagan and Wiccan servicemembers and their family at Scott. Starting the group Started by Airman 1st Class Roderick Aust, 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs, the idea came to him during the Operational Readiness Inspection when he was on standby. "During that time the only place of worship that I knew of was in St. Louis," said Airman Aust. "We had a high holiday, and I was expecting a recall so I couldn't leave the area. It occurred to me that I wasn't the only one facing this issue, and if we had a group on base we could alleviate problems such as these." A founding member and a former high priest at the Pagan Spirituality Temple in Mobile, Ala., Airman Aust had a good model to start from. "Working at my former temple taught me many things that I have transferred over. As events coordinator and high priest I have written and led a variety of rituals and ceremonies, and taught and given spiritual guidance and understanding to the members. I've even performed a wedding or two," he said. Misconceptions A common misconception is that Pagans are devil-worshippers. Airman Aust explained that this just isn't the case. "Obviously I can't say that devil worshippers aren't out there, because they are. But Satanists aren't Pagan or Wiccan. In our faith there is no Devil or any deity like that. We simply don't believe in one." This popular misconception stems from images of horned male deities of various Pagan traditions. Airman Aust explained that this is because Pagans believe in the male and female aspect of nature, and many male animals are horned. Thus, many male gods are horned as well. What about Magic? "Yes, a lot of us practice the art, but it's not like what people see in shows like 'Charmed' or 'Buffy.' We can't make fireballs appear or turn people into toads," said Airman Aust. For most Pagans and Wiccans, magic is a form of prayer--a prayer with a specific purpose. "When people pray, a lot of times they are asking for something. We pray as well, but we infuse our will and our energy into the request. By putting some of your energy into the prayer, you give it a better chance of happening," he added. The group is open to all members of Team Scott regardless of religion.