Posted on 11/13/2006 12:14:33 PM PST by Tulsa Ramjet
WASHINGTON — The widows of two combat veterans sued the government Monday for not allowing Wiccan symbols on their husbands' military headstones.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allows military families to choose any of 38 authorized headstone images. The list includes commonly recognized symbols for Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckiankar and the Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.
The Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, is not on the list, an omission that the widows say is unconstitutional.
The lawsuit was filed by Roberta Stewart, whose husband, Nevada National Guard Sgt. Patrick Stewart, was killed in combat in Afghanistan last year, and Karen DePolito, whose husband, Jerome Birnbaum, is a Korean War veteran who died last year.
Wiccans worship the Earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves "white" or good witches, pagans or neo-pagans. Approximately 1,800 active-duty service members identify themselves as Wiccans, according to 2005 Defense Department statistics.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
OMG. This is preposterous and disgusting.
Say, are there any druids in the military?
Separation of Church and State!!!
Separation of Church and State!!!
Separation of Church and State!!!
..err..wha??? Oh this is a Wiccan!?!?
In that case... NEVER MIND!
Can't they just cast a spell on the headstone that will make the symbol they want magically appear?
The symbol of the "Wiccan faith" should be a representation of the fires of hell.
Why? A Wiccan who volunteers to serve this country and makes the ultimate sacrifice is no less of a hero than any Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or atheist who does the same. Why shouldn't a Wiccan symbol appear on the headstone if that is the wishes of that person's family?
If it was a real religion i'm sure the military would consider the request. Since it's something made up within the last 50 years and is just an excuse for fat goth chicks to keep dressing like Hansel and Gretel met Elvira I don't see thier request being accomodated.
Those who made the ultimate sacrifice should have ANY symbol their widows want.
Period.
I agree...if they want a Wiccan symbol, put a freaking wiccan symbol. HOWEVER, they need to prove that the deceased was a member.
What do athiests get on theirs? a hole?..........
This is a problem you run into when you don't separate church and state. To not allow the pentacle means the government is discriminating against citizens on the basis of religion -- a big no-no.
These guys fought and died for their country, so to not give them this is just petty.
You have it on your dog tags............
If the deceased was a believer in a particular faith, they are entitled to have a symbol of that faith on their headstone, whether or not we agree with the tenets of that faith.
End of story.
There was a time one could say that about Christianity.
Yea I'm inclined to agree. I've know plenty of good and moral Wiccans, and absolutely zero "bad" Wiccans that people confuse them with.
Because it isn't one of the 38 authorized headstone images? Just a WAG.
I think these folks have a valid point. If they allow other religious symbols, they should allow the wiccan's too.
The Military already allows the Satanic symbol of Islam, why not allow the wiccin symbol?
There you go...if the guy had put it on his dogtags, there ya go. They were probably not allowed to put it on their dogtags, though.
I'm with you. They served honorably; its a courtesy that should be extended. I didn't realize there were so many (1,800) who identify themselves as such.
Only thing I would make sure the decedent designated him or herself as that. I don't think I would engrave anything (cross, star of David, etc.) on the wishes of a spouse or parent. Anyway, its a friggin tombstone. What the heck difference does it make?
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