Pentacle on Veterans Headstones

[Guest guest]

I thought I would post this outcome, as I previously posted something about

the fight for equal rights with regard to this.

 

Jo

 

Body: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/23/wiccan.grave.ap/index.html

 

Wiccan symbol OK for soldiers' graves

POSTED: 1:22 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2007

 

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.