Posted on 04/23/2007 1:47:44 PM PDT by Zakeet
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.
The VA sought the settlement in the interest of the families involved and to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation, VA spokesman Matt Burns said. The agency also agreed to pay $225,000 in attorneys' fees and costs.
The pentacle has been added to 38 symbols the VA already permits on gravestones. They include 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Point up, or point down?
Points to where they're going.
God Bless these Brave Men who gave their lives for the Freedom of Our Nation.
Heros.
Finally. Glad it is settled.
Good for them. They fought for our country, there’s no reason not to bury them under the symbol of the faith that they’ve chosen.
But you know what? If you have died in the service of your country I figure you have earned the right to have what ever you want on your tombstone.
Whatever they want is fine by me.
And rightly so.
Amen!
Whatever they want is fine by me too. I have my own salvation to worry about.
bump
The only people who will care are the families and friends of the fallen soldiers. Though I might disagree with their beliefs, I salute their sacrifice to their country.
Agreed. We should honor their sacrifice in whatever manner their families wish.
Point up, or point down?
Points to where they’re going.
____________
LOL. You are the first freeper I have encountered to ever suggest that Wiccans go to heaven (the point is up, btw).
Die for this country, and you have earned the right to put just about anything you want on your headstone.
VA idiots. This should have been settled a long time ago. If you can put Wiccan on your dog tags, you can have a Wiccan symbol on your headstone.
Thank God! (Yes, I see the irony here)...
Why is this a problem? Not all of us bow to Jesus or Allah, you know.
Agreed. If our government allows Wiccans to serve in our military they should be allowed to have their symbol on their headstones.
If a man is good enough to die for his country, he deserves to have his faith respected in this one, final gesture.
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