Post by baz on Apr 24, 2007 0:38:39 GMT
I can't help wondering how Wicca claims the pentacle for it's own, when it seems altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefspentagram.htm.
everyone has at some point.
But it's good to see them following the ideas of Chaos Magick and taking ideas and things they like
Hail Eris.
www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/23/wiccan.grave.ap/index.html
MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) -- The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the
list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on government-
issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement
announced Monday.
A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief"
allowed on VA grave markers.
Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the
pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle
Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wisconsin, a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent
earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers
within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.
"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for
Memorial Day," Fox said.
The VA sought the settlement in the interest of the families involved
and to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation, VA spokesman
Matt Burns said. The agency also agreed to pay $225,000 in attorneys'
fees and costs.
The pentacle has been added to 38 symbols the VA already permits on
gravestones. They include commonly recognized symbols for
Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for
smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckiankar and the
Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.
"This settlement has forced the Bush Administration into
acknowledging that there are no second class religions in America,
including among our nation's veterans," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn,
director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State,
which represented the Wiccans in the lawsuit.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the agreement also settles a
similar lawsuit it filed last year against the VA. In that case, the
ACLU represented two other Wiccan churches and three individuals.
VA-issued headstones, markers and plaques can be used in any
cemetery, whether it is a national one such as Arlington or a private
burial ground like that on Circle Sanctuary's property.
Wicca is a nature-based religion based on respect for the earth,
nature and the cycle of the seasons. Variations of the pentacle not
accepted by Wiccans have been used in horror movies as a sign of the
devil.
everyone has at some point.
But it's good to see them following the ideas of Chaos Magick and taking ideas and things they like
Hail Eris.www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/23/wiccan.grave.ap/index.html
MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) -- The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the
list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on government-
issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement
announced Monday.
A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief"
allowed on VA grave markers.
Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the
pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle
Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wisconsin, a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent
earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers
within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.
"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for
Memorial Day," Fox said.
The VA sought the settlement in the interest of the families involved
and to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation, VA spokesman
Matt Burns said. The agency also agreed to pay $225,000 in attorneys'
fees and costs.
The pentacle has been added to 38 symbols the VA already permits on
gravestones. They include commonly recognized symbols for
Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for
smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckiankar and the
Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.
"This settlement has forced the Bush Administration into
acknowledging that there are no second class religions in America,
including among our nation's veterans," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn,
director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State,
which represented the Wiccans in the lawsuit.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the agreement also settles a
similar lawsuit it filed last year against the VA. In that case, the
ACLU represented two other Wiccan churches and three individuals.
VA-issued headstones, markers and plaques can be used in any
cemetery, whether it is a national one such as Arlington or a private
burial ground like that on Circle Sanctuary's property.
Wicca is a nature-based religion based on respect for the earth,
nature and the cycle of the seasons. Variations of the pentacle not
accepted by Wiccans have been used in horror movies as a sign of the
devil.
