Should the US government decide which religious symbols can be put on veteran's grave markers?

Question

For years, Wiccans have been fighting for the right to have their religious symbol, the pentacle, added to the military's "approved" list. This article tells their point of view:

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/QuestStorySummary.htm

Basically, the families of people killed in action are asking for permission to have the symbol of their faith displayed on grave markers, in some cases at Arlington.

This links to the current list of approved symbols:

http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp

As you can see, it includes several Christian symbols, a variety of symbols of other faiths, and even a symbol of non-faith (Atheism).

How would you feel if someone in your family died in military action, and you were told that the symbol of your loved one's religion could not be put on their stone, while symbols of many other religions were permitted?

Is this censorship?

Is anyone actually offended by seeing the symbol of another faith in a cemetery

Answer 1

So long as the symbol is not obscene, I believe you should be allowed to display an accepted symbol of your faith or crede.

Suggest you contact your congress man....unless he is a bigot.

Also your Senator...unless he is a bigot.

I don't think you should contact the President for the reasons shown above.

Answer 2

Although I may not not agree with some of the different religions, I respect their right to have it. That is one of the reasons why OUR country was formed.....freedom of religion. So, yes, they should be allowed to have their religious symbol and I don't believe the government or anyone else should be allowed to decide. However, I do believe it should really be their religion and not something someone wants to do as a statement for any other reason.

Answer 3

because as man or woman voters, our rights to loose exercising and loose speech are also constitutionally secure with assistance from the first change. The institution Clause is the source of the "separation of church and state," which merely calls for that the authorities take no action to promote or forestall a particular faith over others. to ascertain that that doctrine to be invoked, it ought to look that the authorities company itself (a public college) is merchandising a particular faith, and not in any respect merely the guy those that enter the authorities property. hence, someone that wears a go as earrings does no longer offend the institution Clause, because it does no longer have a tendency to indicate that the school itself is merchandising Christianity. in reality, for the reason that public colleges are arguably a public communicate board, it could be seen a intense infringement on the freedom of speech for the school to prohibit pupils from wearing particular non secular earrings. on the different hand, a large go held on the walls of the health club ought to in all likelihood be held to violate the institution Clause.

Answer 4

My Christian Conservative side says no.
But my American Conservative side says "Smaller governmental control" so Yes
so my answer is Yes
Let me explain my Christian side first. someone burnt this religious symbol into my carpet at my house because I was a Christian. this gives me some reservation of trust. I hope you can understand why. thank god the whole house did not burn down.
Another thing, Not all censorship is bad. How about porn and showing it to little kids. That is censorship. But I believe it is positive.

Answer 5

I think that to the greatest degree possible the stone should be the personal choice of the veteran and their family.

Answer 6

I thought they were going to let him have it? Anyway... This issue won't matter after the liberals get their way and have all the crosses removed from Arlington.