Freedom to Assemble and Worship for Michigan's Asatru/Odinist inmates

"Freedom of religion is a basic human right that no government may lawfully deny: it is not a gift of the state, but instead is rooted in the inherent dignity of the human person. " (Becket Fund for Religious Liberty)

The First Amendment to the Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Michigan Department of Corrections is in violation of both federal and state law in denying the rights of inmates who practice the faith of Asatru/Odinism by not allowing them to participate in group worship. This violates both the 1st and 14th amendments, The Religious land Use of Institionalized Persons Act of 2000 and recent Supreme Court decisions. Our goal is to get the Michigan Department of Corrections to grant equal status to the Asatru/Odinist faith. In addition it is our goal for them to place an Asatru/Odinist on the Chaplain Advisory Council so that the faith is represented in the process of determinig religious programs within the states facilities.

Asatru/Odinism is granted equal status by the United States government in the Military as well as in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Numerous states also grant the faith equal status.