Tapsearch Com EditorWiccan plaque for military gravestone issued
December 8th 2006 02:08
About three weeks ago I blogged about Wiccan soldiers' widows suing to get pentacles on their deceased husbands' gravestones. I argued that, since the military already allows 38 different symbols, there is no harm in adding another one.
Another point I made, however, was that suing might have been overkill. The military was in the process of revamping its procedures, and nothing really indicated that anyone was opposed to adding a Wiccan symbol.
It ended up being the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, that issued the plaque. It was still a year in the making.
From the new story:
"VA officials have said they are rewriting rules for approving emblems, but the process requires a public comment period.
"About 1,800 active-duty service members identify themselves as Wiccans, according to 2005 Defense Department statistics, and Wicca is one of the fastest-growing faiths in the country. Its adherents worship the Earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves 'white' or good witches, pagans or neo-pagans."
It's really a victory for individualism, and for honoring the dead in a respectful manner.
Hat tip: Wonkette. They also conclusively prove Satan runs the government! (They're of course joking, but I should point out the difference between the Wiccan pentagram and the so-called Satanic one. The star in the Satanic one is inverted. Read about this here.)
Robert VerBruggen blogs at http://www.therationale.com and http://robertsrationale.blogspot.com.
Another point I made, however, was that suing might have been overkill. The military was in the process of revamping its procedures, and nothing really indicated that anyone was opposed to adding a Wiccan symbol.
It ended up being the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, that issued the plaque. It was still a year in the making.
From the new story:
"VA officials have said they are rewriting rules for approving emblems, but the process requires a public comment period.
"About 1,800 active-duty service members identify themselves as Wiccans, according to 2005 Defense Department statistics, and Wicca is one of the fastest-growing faiths in the country. Its adherents worship the Earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves 'white' or good witches, pagans or neo-pagans."
It's really a victory for individualism, and for honoring the dead in a respectful manner.
Hat tip: Wonkette. They also conclusively prove Satan runs the government! (They're of course joking, but I should point out the difference between the Wiccan pentagram and the so-called Satanic one. The star in the Satanic one is inverted. Read about this here.)
Robert VerBruggen blogs at http://www.therationale.com and http://robertsrationale.blogspot.com.
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