A retired Army officer who is a professed born-again Christian says he doesn't think the U.S. Air Force Academy had much of choice when it announced the addition of a pagan chapel to its worship areas this spring.

The public affairs office for the Colorado Springs-based military school recently announced that the Air Force Academy Chapel will dedicate the new area for followers of so called "Earth-centered religions," including pagan practices like Wicca, in March.
 
Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis (USA-Ret.), a graduate of the United States Military Academy, says the military bends over backwards to accommodate all religions.
 
"Mr. Mikey Weinstein, who is running a group on religious practices in the military, is watching what the military does on these particular issues," he explains. "Now I'm all for religious freedom. I do wonder whether or not sometimes we might be too accommodating to small groups."
 
The retired officer adds that the military at large has already recognized these groups. "There are witch covens at various military installations that are supported by the military chaplains corps, and that's something that a non-discriminatory chaplaincy has to do," he says.
 
So Maginnis concludes that the under the circumstances, it is probably appropriate for the Air Force Academy to provide a place for these religions.