Wiccans sue VA over religious grave symbols

[spindrifter]

By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, November 14, 2006


WASHINGTON — A pair of Wiccan widows has sued the Department of Veterans Affairs for not allowing them to put their religious symbol on their veteran husbands’ gravesites.

The legal action, filed Monday by the Americans United for Separation of Church and State and several Wiccan congregations, asks for the VA to add the pentacle to the accepted list of religious symbols.

The National Cemetery Administration currently allows 38 different religious symbols to be put on veterans’ headstones and plaques, but none for pagans or Wiccans.

At a news conference Monday, officials from Americans United said the petition for a Wiccan headstone symbol has been pending for more than nine years, and that the slow reaction time has grown from nuisance to religious discrimination.

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http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41484

[dubykc]

1. Awesome, I hope they win.

Blessed Be!

[noahmijo]

2. Christian oppression still lives-getting weaker though thankfully

[misternormal]

3. If Wicca is a recognized religion by the Government...

... then the VA had better catch up...

[Divine Discontent]

4. I don't agree with their

religion and still I validate their argument, and that's what makes an open minded person different from a thug. they have the right even if a majority of people disagree with them. I, of course, have things that a majority or citizens might disagree with, but they shouldn't be able to tell me what I must decide, like a robot.

blessed be...



www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[roguenkatz]

5. Oh, you mean the symbol

used on the FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA to signify the states of the union is somehow unworthy of a gravemarker for a soldier who paid the ultimate price?

[kevinbgoode]

6. Good for them!

And just where are all of those self-proclaimed Religious Right legal groups who run around the country filing lawsuits claiming to "protect" freedom of religion? Hiding, of course. . .dominionists!

I hope the Wiccans kick ass.

[VeggieTart]

7. Heck, even atheists can get the atomic symbol on their gravestones...

...give the pentacle to the Wiccans.

[PassingFair]

11. Heck! EVEN ATHEISTS!

:eyes:

[paganlib]

8. It's sad...

that the widows have to sue but I'm glad that they're getting some press. I'm a pagan and true religious freedom in this country is a dream of mine but we're not there yet.

[AZBlue]

9. Welcome to DU, paganlib!!

:hi:

[paganlib]

10. Thanks AZBlue

I'm glad to be here.