My friend Wicca
Posted by Ron Coleman on April 25, 2007
Radar Online reports that “The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has added the pentacle, emblem of the pagan belief system, to its list of religious symbols approved for military headstones.” Thus ends the Wicca controversy. There really wasn’t any other principled outcome. But this can’t be good for the commonwealth.
UPDATE: More from David Blue.
Andrew Cory said
Why “can’t this be good for the commonwealt”?
Gwedd said
Ron,
Well, as a practicing Pagan, I’m happy for the recognition. However, I think that the whole Wicca stuff is a bunch of bunk. It’s basically a made-up new-agey “paganish” hodge podge of belief systems, all tossed together like a salad and ministered by folks who mostly seem to have shown up for a LARP D&D meeting.
They also borrow heavily from various “Native American” beliefs and rituals, without regard to context or, in some cases, understanding of them. You can’t imagine how many times I’ve seen folks using sweet grass and sacred sage as incence becaue it’s “kewl”…. gimmee a break.
Anyway, if it were up to me, government issued stones/markers would NOT have a religious symbol on them, just list the name, rank, branch of service, and birth/death dates. If you want something else, pay for it out of your own pocket. And I’d certainly NOT allow religious symbols in US Military Cemetaries.
I say that, as both a veteran and a religious man. My religion is important to me, but it’s also MY choice. I don’t need to flaunt it on my marker. Recognition of service given to one’s country ought to be enough, since all the religious issues will be settled when we cross over.
Other’s mileage may, of course, vary….
Respects,
jaymaster said
A five pointed star, a six pointed star. What’s it matter?
Maybe someday we’ll see a tombstone in Arlington with a puppy or a penis on it.
Whatever.