Wiccans get grave marker symbol

[CommunityEditor]

From the article --

Wiccans will be allowed to have the symbol of their religion placed on grave markers in national cemeteries under a lawsuit settlement with the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday.

The agreement settles a lawsuit filed in November by veterans’ widows and others alleging that the VA has stalled for more than nine years in recognizing the pentacle. The case, which will be dismissed under the settlement, was scheduled to go to trial in June in federal court in Madison.

The pentacle joins 38 religious symbols the VA already permits on gravestones. They include commonly recognized symbols for Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckankar and the Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.

A nature-based religion, the Wiccan faith is founded on respect for the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons. Wiccans have argued that the pentacle has gotten a bad reputation because people don’t understand the religion or its imagery. Variations of the pentacle not accepted by the religion have been used in horror movies as a sign of the devil.

The lawsuit argued that the VA’s refusal to act on requests to permit the symbol on veterans’ grave markers violated Wiccans’ constitutional rights of freedom of speech, religion and due process.

The lawsuit also said it made no sense for Wiccan symbols to be banned from grave markers when Wiccan soldiers can list their faith on dog tags, Wiccan organizations are allowed to hold services on military installations, and the Army Chaplains Handbook includes an explanation of the religion.


Full article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/ap_wiccan_070423/


Why was this such an issue? Are you surprised by the outcome?

It was an issue with the christians who can't fathom that everyone does not sucumb to their form of brainwashing.

it's about time that we start treating everyone like an equal human. To think that our government could ever have the gall to dictate which religious symbols are allowable, especially when these American's give the ultimate sacrifice for their country. If they wanted to ban their religious freedoms, why in the world would they have ever allowed them to serve? It's all backwards if you ask me.

As a member of the community that has been supporting this initiative, I am happy that it has finally come to a close. After years of fighting the red tape in our government, the men and women who have died for their country will finally be able to have recognition on their grave markers that shows their faith. To me, this signifies a huge step in the right direction. We now just need more people to become educated on what wiccans/pagans believe so that they can stop the fear and hatred.

An echo of the sentiments already voiced:

It's about time. When our Founders made it clear that our great nation was to have religious freedom, they did not intend for it to come to mean "Religious Freedom for Christians and Jews". I have written letters to all of my representitives and senators about this. I must include that they all did get back to me, and assured me they supported this cause. I'm relieved that our fallen brothers and sisters of Pagan faiths (contrary to the overwhelming emphasis in the article, not only Wiccans view the Pentacle as their preferred religious symbol) can finally have the religious recognition they so rightly deserve.

God/dess Bless America!

My pride in the US Military, having served 20 years myself, has been restored. The Goddes has once again shown us the way. Perhaps the "burning times" will truly be over in my lifetime!

Blessed be!

I just wanted to echo the previous posts and to thank those that fought so hard to bring this much needed change. When this first started, I had not yet come into the Craft, but hoped this would be over with quickly and in the family's favor. Now, as a Wiccan, I thank the Goddess that my wife will be able to carry out my wishes when I pass from this life and not be forced into a farce of a funeral. Blessed be!

the state of virginia makes the veterans widow pay four hundred and fifty dollars for the marble slab that the marker sits on.csmsgt3@aol.com

Finally, the VA blinks and realizes that they were dead wrong (ahem) in "staying the course." Congratulations to the families who led the suit, and to AU and he ACLU and the other legal organization that took on this behemoth: our thanks!

HR Mitchell
CTI3 1976-1980

WICCANS & WHITE WITCHES or WARLOCKS = SAME THING

Wow - to those that commented on this article, are all of you in the military?

I hope to GOD not!