Segeant Patrick Stewart was a Wiccan American soldier who was killed in Afganistan and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs refused to allowed a Pentacle to be put on his marker. But after a six month battle, the Pentacle is finally an approved religious symbol for fallen soldiers! This man fought under orders of a supposedly free country, and it didn't grant him his last first amendment rights. But now, thanks to him, all Wiccan soldiers will be granted their funeral rights.
What are your thoughts? Do you think it's long overdue?
2007-01-27 04:15:24 · 13 answers · asked by Maria Isabel 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
By the way, there were 38 symbols available for fallen soldiers including the Jewish Star of David, the Muslim crescent, the Buddhist wheel, the Mormon angel, the nine-pointed star of Bahai and something that looks like an atomic symbol for atheists. But until recently, no Pentacle.
2007-01-27 04:34:12 · update #1
Of course it's good - wonderful - but it's a crying shame that it's 2007 and we still need to fight for each incremental right like this.
This issue should have been resolved years ago. In fact, it should never have been an issue in the first place.
Still, congratulations to his family.
2007-01-27 04:20:06 · answer #1 · answered by XYZ 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, it isn't approved.
Nevada decided that since they are in charge of their state cemetary, they went ahead and put it on, but the Dept of Veterans Affairs, STILL has not made a ruling.
We won a Battle, but not yet the war.
2007-01-28 05:08:06 · answer #2 · answered by AmyB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My spouse and that i artwork at diverse cases in the course of the week so we many times have a good time with early nighttime delight! on the weekends we may be able to squeeze in some Afternoon delight! thanks for asking! i'm one satisfied guy!
2016-10-16 04:29:20 · answer #3 · answered by windy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if its his religion they should have let him have it! When I die even though I am christian and also have been in the miltary entiled to a head stone. I will have no symbol because it is my feeling I rejoice in the fact that Jesus lives not in the fact that he died which to me is the meaning of the cross. This is just my personal feelings.
2007-01-27 04:30:55 · answer #4 · answered by dianehaggart 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
While it's good that he got his marker, I'm not so sure it's "long overdue". Wicca as it is presently constituted is a relatively new religion, one which the US gov't hasn't really had to deal with before. Gov'ts are notoriously slow to adapt to change. I'm just glad they decided to deal with it as quickly as they did.
2007-01-27 04:39:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
its about damn time that non christians got some respect in america and i know christians scream persacution but give me a break america isnt a christian only nation its a religion freedom country and i am glad that they gave him his rights as a wiccan and gave him his symbol. and if you ask me america isnt really free anymore. the war in iraq is also a bloody joke it really is.
2007-01-27 04:22:20 · answer #6 · answered by Guardian Knight777 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Took long enough, but I think it's a wonderful thing. Sorry he was killed though.
2007-01-27 04:24:22 · answer #7 · answered by a sock 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why do we need any religious symbols for fallen soldiers?
2007-01-27 04:19:34 · answer #8 · answered by fourmorebeers 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Thank you so much for sharing this! I hadn't heard a thing about it and it is long overdue.
_()_
2007-01-27 04:49:29 · answer #9 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought only girls were Wiccan. Hmmm, learn something new every day.
2007-01-27 04:21:59 · answer #10 · answered by Atlas 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋