Opinions ?
Wiccan religious symbol was placed on his memorial plaque.
Personally I believe "FREEDOM OF RELIGION" is a right guaranteed to all of us .
He was a follower of the Wiccan religion and posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
2006-09-13 16:04:08 · 21 answers · asked by Akkita 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Answerman ....sorry to burst your bubble but I am a REPUBLICAN and a Navy veteran
2006-09-13 16:30:15 · update #1
Wicca is and old and established religion similar to the one used by the Druids who built Stonehenge (so it is older than Islam and Christianity.) It was considered Witchcraft by the Christians so it has been greatly discredited
It is still a valid religion and receiving more and more recognition now days. If the couple were Wiccans then I have no problem with using that symbol on the husband's tombstone.
Wiccia has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Devil or Satan, they don't even recognize such an entity, that is a Jewish and hence a Christian concept. The alliance with Satan was made by the Christians trying to discredit the religion and brand its supporters as witches. As in the bible quote "thou shall not suffer a witch to live."
While Wiccians may be witches and warlocks they are following Gaea, the Mother Earth concept, they are not dealing with angels and devils, despite what the TV series Charmed showed. True Wiccians would shudder at that show.
"Wicca is a religion, and although its adherents often identify as witches, Wicca and witchcraft are not necessarily the same thing."
Besides our government was founded on the freedom of religion, it says so in the First Amendment, it is a recognized religion so the wife should have just as much right to use her symbol as would a Moslem, a Jew, or a Christian.
2006-09-13 16:22:18 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
GOOD FOR HER!!!!
The military is about ensuring the freedoms and rights of US citizens are upheld. When we are buried, we should have the same rights as anyone else. Unfortunately, the military hasn't come around to changing the regulations (old regs disallowed any religious symbol on a headstone from the VA, except a cross) Perhaps this will bring them into the 21st century.
Note: I am not a Wiccan, but I do believe that we should be able to express our FREEDOM OF RELIGION.
2006-09-14 03:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by My world 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have the story wrong,
The State of Nevada is putting the symbol as part of it's Veterans Cemetery. The Veterans Administration has say if it goes on his headstone. To date, the VA does not recognize the Wiccan religious symbol. The State runs the cemetery through funds provided from the VA.
2006-09-14 23:57:52 · answer #3 · answered by GIOSTORMUSN 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he was really a Wiccan, they would want to keep it secret it anyway. Most fluffies have never heard of the Wiccan Law of Magic which is To Know, To Will, To Dare, and (this is the toughie for most for some reason) To Keep Silent.
Advertising you're a Wiccan is not keeping silent! This woman is just trying to draw attention to herself (and succeeding I'm afraid). Yes, I'm all for freedom of religion, and part of my religion is not blabbing about it to everybody!
My answer: No! Keep it secret!
2006-09-16 11:32:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was approved as an official religion by the army couple years back, they can actually put in for leave or 4 day pass for their religious days, the CO usually takes it to the chaplin to get it confirmed and if it does/did not conflict with mission critical training or current operations, they usually got it like any other soldier with a religious leave request
there's actually a phamplet out there for commanders about Wiccanism that I saw since its an official religion now, usually i pass it along to my 6 and he takes it to the padre
2006-09-14 03:35:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The man died for his country - he has thereby earned the right to put a pentagram on his memorial if thats what he really wanted!
Sometimes it just takes a big push to get the military to think outside the box - I didnt think it was ever really going to be denied - they just had to put forth the legislation to add it to the collection of symbols they had in "inventory" - glad to hear it went through - and thats actually pretty quick for a government action.
2006-09-13 23:13:28 · answer #6 · answered by Melis__A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why shouldn't he be allowed a Wicca symbol? That was his religion or whatever it's considered. He wasn't Chrisitan so why would they put a cross on it or a Star of David since he wasn't Jewish?? That's what freedom of religion means. No one should have to fight for approval for something like that.
2006-09-13 23:13:22 · answer #7 · answered by First Lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This was a clear First Amendment issue that could only have come out the way it did. It reflects very poorly on our military that they delayed and obstructed the way that they did, but it is typical of the manner in which some Christians in this country believe they have the privilege of denying non-Christians their basic freedoms.
2006-09-13 23:42:59 · answer #8 · answered by BoredBookworm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Won approval? Who felt they had the right to either grant or deny approval of the symbol this widow wished to place on his memorial plaque? FREEDOM of speech, FREEDOM of religion. As far as I know, that soldier believed in those things just as much as he did his faith.
2006-09-13 23:07:57 · answer #9 · answered by badasslilnici 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why did she have to "win approval"???? The man gave his life for his country, for heaven's sakes. Shouldn't he and his family have the right to express and symbolize their own religion???
2006-09-13 23:49:41 · answer #10 · answered by frenchy62 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋