Comments on: Wiccan Symbol Placed On War Memorial

Pentacle Not Previously Among 'Approved' Religious Decorations At Military Cemeteries

[phil-in-fin]

To squiz2

Fight.

Blow something up.

Make a real statement.

See how tolerent you sound when people are having a normal discussion about something close to your belief?

Shall we flush a few more Qu'ans down the toilet, a symbol of some American's religion, and watch the fireworks?

Maybe a few more cartoons of Muhammad ought to it, huh?

To squiz2

"People should educate themselves on religion before condemning it." Calling Halloween a Christian holiday, well how educated are you?

And if people misunderstand what your PENTACLE means, why not be tolerant and simply explain it, rather than be angry and condeming.

[squiz2]

"Wicca is a relatively new religion"

Wicca and paganism are not by any means new religions. Paganism could quite possibly be the oldest religion. Hell, a lot of the holidays that we celebrate were stolen from the Pagans and changed. Take Halloween for example, it was stolen from the Pagans by the Romans who altered it to fit their religious beliefs. Paganism appeared before Christianity, it's just that the Christians stole and tried to destroy the religion. Most people see Paganism in the completely wrong light, thinking that we sacrifice animals and do evil magic spells. It's all backwards. We are caring people who focus on Mother Earth and it's creatures. People should educate themselves on religion before condemning it. There are many misconceptions, one of the biggest being the symbol itself. It is a PENTACLE, not PENTAGRAM. The pentagram is flipped upside down, with the point facing the ground. It is used more for satanism. Ignorance is bliss, but I for one am sick of being asked if I am a Satanist or Jewish when people see my pentacle.

[seaspirit-2009]

I served this nation in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. I continue to serve as a civil servant to this day. I served to ensure religious freedom for ALL Americans... ALL! Now you have the audacity to say I shouldn't be allowed the symbol of my FAITH on my stone when my days are done because it isn't your symbol of choice? We faught the Taliban in Afghanistan... we can fight you here! ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC!

[phil-in-fin]

Geneius1

Well, I am an anthropologist.

I can define the word cult perfectly, even without using Wikipedia.

Though they are not my speciality, I have studied two cults thus far in my career: Solar Temple (Quebec) and Micmacs of Finland (Finland). The former, archival, the latter, fieldwork.

A controlling group of four or five members (sometimes called a "star" group) telling others what they must do, who they are allowed (not allowed) to see, with pooling of resources for the "star" group's benefit, with reference to an organized religion by which they have positioned themselves to be its counterculture.

There is usually a liminal stage.

The main difference between a cult and a counterculture; the "star" group. Without question.

I am not calling Wicca a cult, never did.

I only said that you should rethink your perspective.

Wikipedia is at least a start ...

[Geneius]

phil-in-fin:

From Wikipedia:

"In common usage, "cult" has a negative connotation, and is generally applied to a group by its opponents, for a variety of reasons. Understandably, most, if not all, groups that are called "cults" deny this label. Some anthropologists and sociologists studying cults have argued that no one yet has been able to define %u201Ccult%u201D in a way that enables the term to identify only groups that have been claimed as problematic."

I think you need to inform these people that you are able to define "cult".

[phil-in-fin]

To StarwindE

Wicca is not a "new" religion: it is animism and naturism, pure and simple.

Religions emerged from these two secular belief's because people tired of the spiritualist's game of magic and witchcraft, and their empty promises found within "the theology of success."

If you are happy with this, so be it.

[starwinde]

While Wicca is a relatively new religion, age does not impact validity. Whether one honors God, Allah, Jesus, Buddha, or Goddess, the name by which the Divine is addressed is merely a name for a concept greater than our capacity to comprehend.

All belief systems have a set of principals. They have rituals, held at points of the liturgical calendar accepted as days important to the faith. In this, too, Wicca and NeoPaganism are similar to other faiths.

It was said, by someone far wiser than I, that there are many paths up the mountain, but all have one goal: to reach the top. So too is Wicca, in its search for union with the Divine.

Fear is the mind-killer, that which we do not understand we fear. An internet search on the terms Wicca, Paganism and NeoPaganism reveal a wealth of information. Through which, we come to understanding and acceptance.

I support the actions of Roberta Stewart, Karen DiPolito and Circle Sanctuary in their efforts to gain recognition to a symbol of our beliefs, the pentagram. Vilified by Hollywood, misunderstood by those of other faiths, the pentagram too has a long history. used by Masons, Rosicruscians and others. To Wiccans and others who follow Earth-based spiritual beliefs, it represents Spirit over matter.

It is only right that Patrick Stewart should be allowed this symbol in death, as indeed his spirit has triumphed over matter at this sad end. May the lawsuit come to successful result.

Starwind Evensong
Fort Lauderdale, FL

[phil-in-fin]

annie_roxx2

Well said ... I am in absolute agreement.

My Pastor never stands in the pulpit to bring others down.

If he did, no one but the nutcases would go.

[annie_roxx2]

I think some of you missed the point of the cross...it isn't about the "execution" of Jesus, it's about the Resurrection. Believers follow Jesus, not Fred Phelps or Pat Robertson. They are the worst representation of Christianity, spewing hatred and intolerance. People like to point at them and say that's the reason they don't believe... Jesus didn't teach the things they say. If you want a good teacher, listen to Joyce Meyer or Joel Osteen. Something else I think is interesting - Focus on the Family and others like them, like Fred and Pat, are trying to prevent the LGBT community of citizens from being treated equally under the law, siting passages in the Bible as their reason, yet they don't boycott and try to legislate Wicca, psychics, or any number of other beliefs and practices, about which, there are passages in the Bible, as well. It isn't that those so-called Christians believe it's alright to be a witch, it's just that they're more afraid of homosexuals? It all comes down to ignorance.

[phil-in-fin]

To Geneius1

You need to rethink your perspective: by your definition, a cult is a religion.

To ecuadoriana

Since consensus cannot be reached, then why have any symbols at all?

By arguing that a Pagan symbol should have equal footing as a Christian one, you are making a political statement. If you are as benevolent as you say, then why are two women suing?

That is purely a political move.

If the people decided that Pagan was a religion, there would be no need to have this discussion.

There are good and bad Christians, and good and bad Pagans.

Also, this idea that the Christian cross is a symbol of "a man's execution," is a little bit misleading, don't you think?

The Christian cross symbolizes the persecution of Christ because of our sins, His execution for all our sins, and His resurrection to show us that our sins can be forgiven.

By the way, I also served in the Army and in the UN, so does this make me more right?