With religious tolerance having become an issue at the US Air Force Academy over the last few years, the academy campus near Colorado Springs is working out the final stages of a worship area for followers of Wicca, Druidism and other Earth-centered religions.

As a result of the effort, cadets and other service personnel of the area can practice their respective Earth-centered faiths at a double circle of stones atop a hill on the campus, close to the academy chapel.

The decision to provide service area for cadets following Earth-centered faiths has largely been based on findings of a 2004 survey, which reported that the cadets of the school – which has worship facilities for Christians, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists and Muslims – faced harassment on religion-related matters.

However, noting that there has been no notable sign of resistance at the academy, Father Jonathan Morris has termed the new worship area decision as a “politically correct cowardice by bumbling bureaucrats.”

Father Morris further added that “behind the smoke and mirrors of the supposed high demand for 'Earth worship prayer circles' is a small group of activist atheists in America who seek first to water-down and then to abolish the name and face of God from the public square.”

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. William Ziegler, the Cadet Wing Chaplain at the academy, said that “freedom to practice our religion of choice” should be defended for all religions.