Wiccan Symbol Placed On War Memorial

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

(AP)  The widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan saw a Wiccan symbol placed on a memorial plaque for her husband Saturday, after fighting the federal government for more than a year over the emblem.

Roberta Stewart, widow of Sgt. Patrick Stewart, and Wiccan leaders said it was the first government-issued memorial plaque with a Wiccan pentacle — a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle. More than 50 friends and family dedicated the plaque at Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery, about 30 miles east of Reno.

They praised Gov. Kenny Guinn for his role in getting the Nevada Office of Veterans Services to issue the plaque in September. The agency cited its jurisdiction over maintenance of the state cemetery.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes more than 30 symbols, including more than a dozen variations of the Christian cross and the atomic whirl used by atheists, but not the pentacle.

VA officials have said they are rewriting rules for approving emblems, but the process requires a public comment period.

Last month, Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued the VA on behalf of Stewart and others for its refusal to include the Wiccan emblem.

"Our people are on the front line in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it's not right they're not getting equal treatment," said the Rev. Selena Fox, one of the Wiccan organizers of the event.

About 1,800 active-duty service members identify themselves as Wiccans, according to 2005 Defense Department statistics. Wiccans worship the Earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves "white" or good witches, pagans or neo-pagans.

Stewart and four other soldiers died Sept. 25, 2005, when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

[usarose-2009]

I think it is about time that the government stopped promoting Christianity. It is stated in the constitution that we shall not have a "state religion" and this current administration is relly close to that at this point with its support of the religious right wing.

The Wiccan Religion has been around longer than Christianity, the modern form being its newest incarnation, but that does NOT make it invalid. It does NOT make its practioners any more heathen than any other religious minority. Please, it is bad enough that the Catholics had thier Inquisiton in the 16th Century, lets us NOT have another started by them, or by the Religious fundamentalists here in the USA. Our country was based on the rights of freedom...our ancestors first came here to escape persecution, so let us not become a Nation of persecutors. And PLEASE, let common sense rule, not this perpetuated fear of which the current administration seems to be so fond.

all you have to do is ignore him and he will go away

[randalds]

I complained about him to the CBS moderators, but it's not likely it'll do any good as if they ban him all he has to do is create a new, just slightly different name, and go right back to it. trolls are one of the unfortunate side-effects of open discussion forums. I've been online for 10 years now and they've always been around.

[flolake]

Thank-you RandalDS. I was beginning to think I was alone in noticing the type of b.s. that bushrocks1 spews forth & selfishly repeats to hog space. The way bushrocks1 has to repeat its lunacy in triplicate speaks volumes about being adept at mastering anal retention.

So much for adhering to the rules of engagement.

[randalds]

Bushrocks doesn't care how this forum works. He is what's known as a troll. There are a couple types of trolls. Like those who say things totally outrageous that even they don't really believe and those (like bushrocks) who just say the same thing over and over again to be obnoxious. Both kind are in it for the attention and neither really has anything valuable to say because neither really has an opinion, just a need to be noticed. Sort of sad and pathetic if you think about it.

[flolake]

Attention "bushrocks1" : I don't think you have a vague idea as to how this forum works. I find it hard to believe that you even read the story you are commenting from. With your written display of your way or the highway mentality, it is no surprise that your remarks are just for you to see your words in print to feed your own ego. Try confining your remarks to the IDEA of the story. Who cares about yet another bleeding heart liberal who hears only one heart beating.

[paganwitch]

I was very pleased to see this finally happen. They fought for freedom, but were denied it when they died.

There is nothing evil or Satanic about the Pentacle or Wicca. Unfortunately there are always going to be ignorant people who believe otherwise.

Religion is going to be the downfall of humankind.

[themooniac]

He died for his country. For free speech among other rights. He can have whatever he wants on his headstone. Period. Case closed.

[pudd54]

terryates & Hermit22

The point is not, are these people right or wrong in their believes. The point is do these people have the right to worship or not worship whoever they choose.

Last time I checked this was the USA, home of the free and that includes the right of religous freedom.

[hermit22]

To worship the earth is like marrying a man for his money. Without the money,the man dont count.

To worship the creation and not the CREATOR
is like marrying a man for his money.

Hosea 4 "A spirit of prostitution leads them astray;they are unfaithful to their God.
they sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth,where the shade is pleasant."

"are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer."
"A whirlwind will sweep them away,and their sacrifices will bring them shame.""Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God.A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD."