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Handbook of Religious Beliefs and Practices

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Handbook of Religious Beliefs and Practices STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES 1987 FIRST REVISION 1995 SECOND REVISION 2004 THIRD REVISION 2011 FOURTH REVISION 2012 FIFTH REVISION 2013 HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES INTRODUCTION The Department of Corrections acknowledges the inherent and constitutionally protected rights of incarcerated offenders to believe, express and exercise the religion of their choice. It is our intention that religious programs will promote positive values and moral practices to foster healthy relationships, especially within the families of those under our jurisdiction and within the communities to which they are returning. As a Department, we commit to providing religious as well as cultural opportunities for offenders within available resources, while maintaining facility security, safety, health and orderly operations. The Department will not endorse any religious faith or cultural group, but we will ensure that religious programming is consistent with the provisions of federal and state statutes, and will work hard with the Religious, Cultural and Faith Communities to ensure that the needs of the incarcerated community are fairly met. This desk manual has been prepared for use by chaplains, administrators and other staff of the Washington State Department of Corrections. It is not meant to be an exhaustive study of all religions. It does provide a brief background of most religions having participants housed in Washington prisons. This manual is intended to provide general guidelines, and define practice and procedure for Washington State Department of Corrections institutions. It is intended to be used in conjunction with Department policy. While it does not confer theological expertise, it will, provide correctional workers with the information necessary to respond too many of the religious concerns commonly encountered. This document has been revised as of December 6, 2013. REVISION DATE: 12/06/13 This document is frequently updated with new information. For updates to this document please email requested changes to [email protected] Page 2 of 116 HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Religious Services Chaplain Staff Each prison in the state has chaplains and religious volunteers who work with inmates to ensure that every offender has the opportunity to practice the religious beliefs of his/her choice. These dedicated members of the religious services chapel teams work diligently to implement the intent of the Religious Freedom Policy (560.200) that governs all religious activities in Washington prisons. Religious Literature All religions have printed material that is used to instruct an individual in the teachings and practices of the specific faith. This literature can be in the form of study booklets, reference books, magazines, or other printed format. If this literature does not contain material that is a demonstrated and documented threat to safety, security, or the orderly running of the facility it should be allowed as personal property of the offender or be obtainable in the facility or chapel library. REVISION DATE: 12/06/13 This document is frequently updated with new information. For updates to this document please email requested changes to [email protected] Page 3 of 116 HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES TABLE OF CONTENTS HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES ................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. 4 Anglican/Episcopal ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Asatru ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Astara .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Baha’i .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Buddhism .................................................................................................................................................... 14 Church of Satan........................................................................................................................................... 20 Druidry ........................................................................................................................................................ 27 Eastern or Greek Orthodox ......................................................................................................................... 30 Gnosis…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………33 Hindu .......................................................................................................................................................... 36 Islam ............................................................................................................................................................ 40 Jehovah's Witness ....................................................................................................................................... 49 Judaism ....................................................................................................................................................... 51 Messianic .................................................................................................................................................... 62 Moorish Science Temple of America ......................................................................................................... 70 Native American ......................................................................................................................................... 73 Odinist ......................................................................................................................................................... 79 Protestant Interdenominational, Non-Denominational ............................................................................... 81 Rastafarian .................................................................................................................................................. 87 Roman Catholic .......................................................................................................................................... 88 Seventh-Day Adventist ............................................................................................................................... 93 Sikh ............................................................................................................................................................. 96 The Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science) ................................................................................... 99 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Latter-day Saints, or LDS, or Mormon) ..................... 101 The International Society for Krishna Consciousness .............................................................................. 106 Unity ......................................................................................................................................................... 108 Wicca ........................................................................................................................................................ 109 World Wide Church of God ...................................................................................................................... 116 REVISION DATE: 12/06/13 This document is frequently updated with new information. For updates to this document please email requested changes to [email protected] Page 4 of 116 HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Anglican/Episcopal History/Background The Anglican (British) Church was planted before 200 A.D. Christians from nearby Gaul (France) were thought to have brought Christianity over. By the year 314 A.D. there were British Bishops in attendance at the Council of Arles. In 325 A.D. they gave formal assent to the decisions of the Council of Nicea. Over 200 years later Pope Gregory of Rome sent missionaries led by Augustine. Conversions of the Saxons followed, beginning with the queen. Later, Augustine was installed as the first Archbishop of Canterbury. About the year 405 A.D. Patrick, consecrated bishop in France, began his great work in Ireland. The Celtic Church (Irish) was strongly monastic. Missionary work began from such places as Iona and Lindisfarne. Aidan went from the island of Iona around 700 A.D. to England. He was successful in his mission work among pagans who had invaded the country. Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury was responsible for uniting the British, Latin and Celtic missions in England into the Church of England. During the Middle Ages King Henry VIII led the Anglican Church in freeing itself from Rome. The Pope’s authority was formally renounced in 1534 by convocation of English clergy: “The Bishop of Rome hath not by Scripture any greater authority in England than
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