Prisoner denied fire pit for religion

MONTGOMERY, Ala., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- An Alabama state prison inmate can practice his religion while incarcerated but he will have to do so without a fire, a court ruled.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court opinion ruling that officials did not violate Limestone Correctional Facility inmate Tony Lee Smith’s religious rights by refusing to allow him special space to practice Odinism, the Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News reported. The prison said it was concerned about possible backlash because the religion reportedly incorporates white supremacist beliefs.

In his suit, Smith, 38, said prison officials told him he couldn’t have some items associated with the pagan religion, such as a pinewood fire in a small pit for some rites and using an area of the prison for for worship. Instead, he said he got a candle.

Odinism, a natural religion, predates Christianity and is "grounded in ancient Icelandic sagas and runic mysticism,” the court opinion said.

The Rev. Steve Walker, a prison system chaplain and Department of Corrections religious director, told the newspaper the system recognizes about 15 religions.

“We have very few Odinism adherents,” he said.