http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/14/D8K4DACO0.html
The widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan won state approval Wednesday to place a Wiccan religious symbol on his memorial plaque, something the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs had refused.
"I'm honored and ecstatic. I've been waiting a year for this," Roberta Stewart said from her home in Fernley, about 30 miles east of Reno.
Sgt. Patrick Stewart, 34, was killed in Afghanistan last September when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his helicopter. Four others also died. Stewart was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
He was a follower of the Wiccan religion, which the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not recognize and therefore prohibits on veterans' headstones in national cemeteries.
But state officials said they had received a legal opinion from the Nevada attorney general's office that concluded federal officials
have no authority over state veterans' cemeteries.
2006-09-14 05:15:11 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They now plan to have a contractor construct a plaque with the Wiccan pentacle _ a circle around a five-pointed star _ to be added to the Veterans' Memorial Wall in Fernley.
"The VA still has not determined yet if a Wiccan symbol can go on the headstone," said Tim Tetz, executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services. "But we have determined we control the state cemetery and that we therefore have the ability to recognize him for his service to his country."
Wiccans worship the earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves good witches, pagans or neo-pagans.
The Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration allows only approved emblems of religious beliefs on government headstones. Over the years, it has approved more than 30, including symbols for the Tenrikyo Church, United Moravian Church and Sikhs. There is also an emblem for atheists.
2006-09-14 05:15:23 · update #1
Now...why would anyone oppose having this symbol on this Wiccan's grave?
2006-09-14 05:15:49 · update #2
It is my belief that all religions should be respected. Its ridiculous that this soldier's family had to waste all this time getting his religious symbol "approved." If Pagans aren't offended by all the Christian crosses and stars of David on the memorial, why should anyone else get all bent about a Pagan symbol? Freedom of religion is one of the freedoms these men went overseas and died for.
2006-09-14 05:18:25 · answer #1 · answered by grisgris0905 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Christian so I'll answer...
With the plaque being paid for by the Federal Government, I think that cost should be considered. However, if it doesn't cost taxpayers tons more than what is customarily put on other plaques, I don't see what the big deal is to put a Wiccan religious symbol of the person's faith on their plaque since other religious symbols are allowed. It would be wrong to put the Wiccan symbol on everyone's and it would be wrong to put the Wiccan symbol on a plaque of someone who wouldn't have wanted it on there, but since that's not the case here, it seems like the symbol should be approved.
2006-09-14 05:27:22 · answer #2 · answered by KDdid 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Anthony, it does not matter what religion some one is or is not their burial should be done the way they wanted it, and to deny some thing so simple as the correct religious symbol on their headstone is unforgivable. Especially the headstone of a solider. I am a former Christian who converted to Paganism and were it my choice I would honor all religious symbols not just the ones I felt the majority of people would accept as a Holy symbol.
Blessed Be to all and especially our soldiers.
2006-09-14 13:30:43 · answer #3 · answered by Phoenix Summersun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I do not agree with the wicca religion(because I believe that witchcraft, in any form, is of satan) I served in the US Army for freedom's sake, so I think that if a member of the armed forces die then that members religion should be aloud to be represented in the fashion that is best suited for that religion, this is after all a free nation, and the first amendment grants the right of freedom of religion(and before you say that means I should not try to "force" my beliefs on you think again, I have every right to do so because my religious beliefs tell me to tell others of the truth, that is that all other religions are false and the only way to God is through His Son, Jesus Christ)
2006-09-14 05:30:54 · answer #4 · answered by JesusFreak 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have friends that practice Wiccan and after you find out about it, it is surprising how almost every "Christian" Holiday is based on a Wicca Holiday...
...It is my understanding that Wicca basically worships Mother earth..same as the Native Indians.
...Your friend deserves what ever religious symbol he and his wife want....
..How DARE the government as him to give his life and then disrespect him after...
...Good luck, cause, political-ism has gone a muck regarding all or our Freedoms!
2006-09-14 09:33:06 · answer #5 · answered by Rada S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nicely, of direction not. I unquestionably have friends who positioned on rings with Pagan, Jewish, Hindu, Heathen, Satanist and fairly some different symbols. Why ought to that worry me? i've got have been given a pal who has a huge Hindu statue, and it is not as i circulate into suits as quickly as I see it (if reality be told, that is quite neat paintings). each and every now and returned, I positioned on a crucifix. If i've got have been given a appropriate to try this, then the guy next to me has have been given a appropriate to positioned on a action picture star of David. that's an argument of non-public determination, and freedom of expression. i'm a Christian, and that i totally have faith that if somebody desires to have a pentacle on his or her headstone, it quite is their appropriate. I unquestionably have long supported using the pentacle as a recognized image by ability of the U.S. protection rigidity, and picture that is shameful that they took see you later to do it (yet a minimum of they finally did understand it as a valid image). i'm not fearful of symbols, and don't ideas them being displayed everywhere, see you later as that reveal does not represent an quite violation of the separation of church and state.
2016-10-15 00:04:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because the pentagram is associated by some groups as being satanic and inherently offensive. If there is a revival of some old Roman religion that uses the swastika as their symbol, should we allow that as well? No, of course not, because it is extremely offensive to certain groups of people in our society. That is obviously the reason why there is some opposition to the pentagram symbol being displayed in this situation.
2006-09-14 05:20:19 · answer #7 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He fought for this country and died with honour. Therefore honour him as is befitting his religious beliefs. No one should be able to stop his widow from having him honoured in whatever way she chooses. Be it with a satanic symbol or Angel or whatever. It is a basic form of freedom of religion. Which is part of what this country was founded for.
2006-09-14 05:21:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If the soldier was Wiccan, then he should be buried and honored in the way he wanted to be.
I don't agree with Wicca at all....but this is a free nation, where people have the right to choose their religion.
God bless all our troops!
2006-09-14 05:17:06 · answer #9 · answered by Villain 6 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Because they are hide bound. If the symbol offends you---SHUT YOUR EYES.
I am a Christian and even though I might mourn the loss of his life and potential, he chose his faith. It is his right to have that symbol displayed.
2006-09-14 05:20:02 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋