BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Wicca Serviceman's grave blank because he is Wiccan

Stewart was a follower of the Wiccan religion, which is not recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs for use in its cemeteries. As such, his widow is not being allowed to put a pentacle on his grave. Interestingly, the Dept of Vet Affairs *does* allow Masonic symbols on graves, which include a downward pointing pentacle.

link to article

That's really devastating. I can't believe we're still living so much in the dark ages that we can't honor a distinguished veteran by simply recognizing his religion.

Megan,

Wicca was finally given official recognition by the US government in 1988 and the US Military officially recognized it in 1996. You'd think either of those, esp that second instance, would cover this.

Being a military wife myself and part of a Wiccan family... I truely hope that Roberta is successful in getting the acceptance of the pentacle in military funeral rites. Its shocking that it isnt already... like Rae said, its been a legally (and militarily, if thats a word) accepted religion for several years now. You'd think that would apply to death rites as well...

I just saw this posted on a Colorado group I belong to along with the following information

[quote] Today, a Veterans Administration official met by phone with Selena Fox,
high priestess of Circle Sanctuary, and confirmed that Circle Sanctuary's
application has now gone to the next step in the approval process.

Please continue to do circles, meditations, and other blessings to send
support for the Pentacle to be accepted as a religious emblem on US
government-issued headstones and markers for deceased veterans. Join in a
special worldwide working on Tuesday evening, March 7. Use the image at:
<BellaOnline ALERT: For anti-spam reasons, we restrict the number of URLs allowed in a given post. You have exceeded our maximum number of URLs.

I know that is a such terrible thing and I just moved from that area of Nevada. I honestly believe that it will all be resolved soon and we will all see the pentacle proudly displayed very soon. I am a little curious as to what they have done in the past with this issue ?

My Google Alert led me to this article from Christianity Today. I think that this line sums it up pretty well...



To read the whole article click here

I don't know whether to cry or scream over the hypocrisy of our government currently.

I Hear you !

Its always seemed to me that we have the freedom to practice religion... only so long as its one of the religions on the accepted/approved list and the rituals/symbols of our faith may only be displayed if they match the standards of those on the official list. Grrr...