How LONG have we followed this story! Years! As Governor of Texas, Dubby soundly disapproved of “witches” in the military. Part of the foot-dragging we’ve seen on the Pentacle issue for Vet markers, I’m sure. It only took a law suit to get the evangelically-inspired off their case … and, reportedly, a $200,000 award.
Separation of church and state — a concept that’s downright Divine!
Blessed be,
Jude
Wiccans Win Military Grave Battle
Sharon Weinberger, Wired
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
All those Wiccans in the military can breathe easy, because the Pentagon has reached a deal whereby Wiccan soldiers killed in battle can now be buried with the symbol of their religion: a five-pointed star. Why all the brouhaha? It seems the military, though it recognized Wiccans as a religion, had refused to allow the symbol on adherents’ VA graves.
Who are the Wiccans? The Wiccans, at least according to Wikipedia, are a pagan religion that mixes elements of witchcraft and magic (any Wiccans out there who can help me with this?). There’s over 100,000 in the U.S., and about 1,500 declared Wiccans in the miitary. Wiccans are now a fairly well organized and recognized U.S. religion, so what’s the Pentagon’s problem?
The military’s troubled relationship with Wiccans has been brewing for some time (sorry, another bad pun). Along with the grave battle, the military also wouldn’t accept a Wiccan chaplain into its ranks.
The Pentagon, in its ultimate wisdom, has finally conceded, at least on the burial battle, the AP reports.
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The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on government-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.
A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of “emblems of belief” allowed on VA grave markers.
Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wisconsin, a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.
“I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for Memorial Day,” Fox said.
This should be good news for all religions. To quote a Wiccan saying (or at least I think it’s a Wiccan saying): “An it harm none, do what you will.”
“So keep fightin’ for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don’t you forget to have fun doin’ it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin’ ass and celebratin’ the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was.”
~ Molly Ivins, 1944 – 2007
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That’s great. So wiccans can now go and murder half a million women and children on the other side of the world (we call that “defense”) and do it in the name of the Greenman instead of bloodthirsty Jesus Christ! and have a pentacle carved on their cross.
The right to murder for the oil corporations and Israel is the most important right for the anglosaxon citizen (UK, USA and Australia).
Equal rights to rape torture and dismember, first for blacks, then gays and now wiccans seems to be the most import factor to be accepted as a citizen. Can’t these people fight for the right to have their religion taught in schools, the right to hold ceremonies in public places, fight to preserve the environment or anything else other than their right to be fully recognized in the most destructive army in the world?
What is so wiccan about dumping uranium in the dessert and die while doing it? There are thousands of children born with birth defects in Viet Nam still today after 30 years. (It would be undemocratic for the media to report this.) We are condemning the people of the Middle East to to have birth defects and cancer for thousands of years to come. I know this makes for a happy god (Christian and Jewish gods) and happy amerikans. But what does wiccan(ism) have to do with this?
Is this right to be part of an army or murderers so important that they fought for the right to have a pentacle symbol at the burial place? is this something they are proud of? What about refusing to fight and refusing to destroy the earth and accepting other people’s culture? What has any Iraqui ever done to any filthy wiccan, gay, black or white anyway?
This article spoke to a very specific challenge to religious freedom in the US of A. While I understand your general angst, and agree with much of it, I don’t think you can hold Wiccan’s accountable for all the woes of the world. I take it your point would be that the military, et al, is complicit in those woes, and you have every right to put forth that argument … although that is the argument of a paciifist, and I don’t sense that in your reply. You may not be aware that this blog does not support the wars — which makes your response inappropriate on some levels, not to mention off topic. We’re the choir you’re preaching to — be civil.
Meanwhile, I will apologize to any Wiccan reading for your calling them “filthy” — bad form, J. Doe.
At last.
So mote it be
J. Doe, I as a Wiccan appreciate your concern for the fellow man, but Wiccans have differing veiws on the concept of war, some of the adhere to tenets of war as a means as part of the full circle of life, whereas others are against it… just like some Christians are anti-war and some aren’t… just like some Atheists are anti-war and some aren’t… just like… well I hope you get my point.
Peace b unto you, and Blessed Be,
CPW